If you want to enjoy fresh food from local farms and support talented area artisans, check out our annual Summer Guide inserted in this issue.

HOLDEN

• Voters of Holden hit the polls on Monday, May 11, for the town’s annual election, where a $5.5 million Proposition 2½ override and several local races were on the ballot. The ballot’s central issue asked whether the town would raise an added $5.5 million in property taxes to fund municipal services and its assessment to the Wachusett Regional School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

A “yes” vote approved a permanent increase in the town’s tax levy, allowing officials to maintain current service levels and fund key staffing and operational needs. A “no” vote would have rejected the increase, requiring the town to reduce spending. According to Town Manager Peter Lukes, the override will help fund the Wachusett Regional School District assessment, restore police, fire and department of public works positions, maintain full hours for the library and senior center, and support capital improvements such as school infrastructure and safety upgrades.

The vote for the override passed by 336 votes: 1,839 to 1,503. 

In addition, the ballot had several elections: Kenneth Vincent Mills was elected to a three-year term as the town moderator. Thomas P. Curran was reelected to the select board. Two candidates were selected for the two available seats on the Wachusett Regional School District Committee: Shannon Poole, an incumbent, and Meredith C. Pugh. Teresa Roxanne MacPhail and Abigail Krumbhaar Morgan were elected as Trustees of Damon Memorial. Lastly, there was one seat available for a five-year term with the Holden Housing Authority, which was filled by a write-in candidate, Jini Henderson. Congratulations to all who were elected.

PAXTON

*Although the override passed at Paxton’s Annual Town Meeting on May 4, it failed at the May 11 Annual Town Election 320 to 277 votes. A Special Town Meeting is scheduled for June 22, 7 pm at Paxton Center School to vote on a revised budget. While Rutland voters had approved the override at their Annual Town Meeting on May 9, the override failed at the Annual Town Election on May 11. Since two of the five member towns of the Wachusett Regional School District  disapproved the school budget, the regional school district committee has 30 days to resubmit a revised budget. The revised school budget will need to be voted on at Special Town Meetings in Paxton (June 22) and Rutland (June 16) and at Holden’s Annual Town Meeting on June 8. And yes, this can be confusing to grasp.

*Congratulations to the candidates who were elected to office at Paxton’s Annual Town Election on May 11: Steven Rebesco and Jeffrey Wentzell to 3-year terms on the Selectboard; Glenn Sullivan as Assessor; Judy Hatstat to the Board of Health; Gordon Snyder Jr. to the Cemetery Commission; Bennie Warren Jr. and Brian Pellicano as Constables; Sandra Fields and Christina Hall to the Library Board of Trustees; Roger Brunelle as Moderator; Michael Benoit to the Municipal Light Board; Bruno Frongillo to the Planning Board; David Bloom to the Planning Board; Heather Burgess and Charles Putney to the Recreation Commission; Jeffrey Wentzell to the Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational Technical School District Committee; Elise LeBlanc as Tree Warden; Ann Marie Stoica to the Wachusett Regional School District Committee; and Deirdre Malone to the Water Board. Putney declined the election to the Recreation Commission as he serves on the Charter Review Committee, and the bylaw does not allow him to be on two committees. He will remain on the CRC. The Recreation Commission with the Select Board can appoint someone to fill the vacancy on the Recreation Commission until the next election.

RUTLAND

*The town’s 21st Annual Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday, July 4 from 8-11 am at the Rutland Senior Center, 53 Glenwood Rd. This perennial favorite is sponsored by the Friends of the Council on Aging. “We’re trying to make this into a bigger event than ever before since it’s the country’s 250th anniversary,” said Craig Fitzgerald, vice president of the Friends. Because the funding for the breakfast comes from the Friends, it was not impacted by the recent town budget cuts.

Fitzgerald said they have served between 300 and 350 breakfasts in the past and he hopes more people will join them this year. It is the Friends’ biggest fundraiser and the cost has not risen in years: $10 for the breakfast and kids under 3 eat free.

“Come out and see who have volunteered as celebrity servers,” said Fitzgerald. He said they could still use three or four volunteers the morning of the breakfast. Sign-up sheets are at the senior center or call 508-886-7945 to add your name to the I’ll-be-there-to-help list. 

Maybe the breakfast could be an opportunity for people to break bread together, have a friendly conversation, heal some wounds, and move forward. 

• Congratulations to those candidates who were elected to office at the May 11 town election: Sheila Dibbs and Paul Mattson to the select board; Brian Green as assessor; Elliott Nadeau Jr. to board of health; Timothy Nahrwold to the planning board (3 years); Lauren Williams to the planning board (5 years); Alicia Laurenzi and Jordan Michael as library trustees.

• The 100th Anniversary of Finn Park continues June 20 with Los Angeles based Finnish - American comedian Miska. Food is available 5 p.m. Show begins at 6 p.m., $5 per person Dancing follows the show to the music of Dan Mackowiak. For advance tickets, contact 508-723-0447 and tickets will be held at the door. 

Miska is a Finnish American actor, comedian, musician and filmmaker who has appeared in Modern Family, Hulu’s Dollface, and the Netflix Original Series Bordertown. He has also appeared in numerous Finnish films, TV shows and music videos. He hosts a podcast, With Miska, found on various platforms as well as YouTube. Come and experience a little bit of Finland in Central Massachusetts. 

• At the June 1 Select Board meeting, Town Administrator Heather Butler explained that because the override failed, 19 town employees are facing layoffs and/or reduced hours. In addition, there will be new hours at the town hall starting July 1: The building will be open Monday and Tuesday 8 am-4:40 pm; by appointment on Wednesday and Thursday; closed Friday. The Community Center hours will be Monday through Thursday, 9 am-3 pm. The Library Trustees are meeting later the week of June 1 to discuss library hours in the new fiscal year. A FAQ sheet and updated information will be posted on the website.