News
Farewell to Father Dave
By Ann Needle
St. Isidore Parish lost its pastor last Friday, October 12, when Father David Doucet succumbed to pancreatic cancer at age 70.
“Fr. Dave” became St. Isidore’s pastor in June 2006. St. Isidore Deacon Charlie Cornell described Doucet as “a humble, quiet man – he was a priest.” Still, Doucet quickly wove himself into life in Stow, continuing the St. Isidore tradition of offering its meeting hall to groups such as Boy Scout Troop 1 Stow and the Stow Blood Drive.
Lake Boon Drowning and More Thefts… October 17, 2012
By Nancy Arsenault
Michael Lopresti, 47, a longtime resident of Hudson, was found dead late Saturday afternoon, submerged under a dock at Lake Boon, outside a Barton Road home in Stow that he had been renting for the past year. Stow Police received calls from a roommate and Lopresti’s ex-wife, that his three children, spending the weekend at his home, could not find him when they awoke Saturday morning. Stow Police said Lopresti had sent a text at 11pm Friday night, but had not been seen or heard from since.
Reverend David Doucet Passes Away
Stow’s Church of St. Isidore announced that Rev. David A. Doucet, 70, passed away on Friday, October 12. A wake will be held Sunday, October 14, 2012 from 2pm-5pm at Lehman and Reen Funeral Home, 63 Chestnut Hill Ave, Brighton, MA 02125. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, October 15 at 11am…
District Accents Health and Safety
By Ann Needle
Health and safety were in the spotlight at last night’s Nashoba School Committee meeting. The Committee reviewed plans for some new safety-related policies, and got a closer look at some changes that should leave students better nourished.
Co-Chair Nancy Federspiel noted that the Policy Subcommittee has been focused on the meaning of a “substantial detrimental effect.” At the last School Committee meeting, Nashoba Regional High School Principal Dr. Parry Graham explained that state law charges him with deciding whether students are causing a substantial detrimental effect on the rest of the school, and therefore whether they can continue to come to classes.
Town Looks to Reduce Projects’ Burden
By Nancy Arsenault
Town Administrator Bill Wrigley announced at last night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, that he supports a plan to give money back to the taxpayers as a result of a surplus of stored assets and free cash in the town coffers. This is just one aspect of the financial information that residents need to digest as they consider three capital projects at the upcoming Special Town Meeting on October 29.
High School Labs Nixed
By Ann Needle
On Monday, voters in Lancaster rejected borrowing the money needed for a proposed Science lab renovation at Nashoba Regional High School. This leaves Stow residents with one less item to debate at its special Town Meeting on October 29.
“Substantial Disruptive Effect” at Nashoba?
By Ann Needle
The topic of the evening was not at the top of the Nashoba School Committee’s agenda last night, but that did not stop it from dominating the meeting for more than an hour. “We think we know why many of you are here,” Committee Co-Chair Nancy Federspiel of Bolton announced to about 25 audience members. “But this is not a School Committee issue, it’s an issue for the high school.”
Group Focuses on Business Development
By Nancy Arsenault
Stow last voted to create an Economic Development Commission in 1966, but for reasons unknown today, that Commission was never actually formed. Now, 46 years later, with a limping commercial center, vacant storefronts and several parcels of open industrial land in Stow, one Selectman is hoping to revive the concept of the Commission and bring vitality back to the business community.
$8M Science Lab Question Heads to TMs
By Ellen Oliver
At their September 11 meeting, the School Committee voted to approve a plan to renovate the high school’s science labs, sending the project to the district’s three towns for consideration at their respective Special Fall Town Meetings. The project is potentially eligible for 50% funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, reducing the cost to roughly $4M to be split amongst the three towns.
Student Under House Arrest Attends School
By Nancy Arsenault
Zachary Gross, 17, of Stow is awaiting trial on felony charges of armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a firearm and kidnapping. After posting $5,000 bail, Gross spent the summer on house arrest. While the courts determine if his case will be heard in District or Superior Court, Gross attends daily classes at Nashoba Regional High School, his whereabouts monitored by a GPS ankle bracelet.