Check the Calendar for listings of each town’s free Summer Music Series. Holden’s concerts are held Sundays at the bandstand on Main Street, Paxton’s are held Thursdays at the bandstand on the field behind PCS, and Rutland’s live music are held on the Common Friday evenings. Bring some snacks and drinks, a chair or blanket (if you can easily get up from the ground) and enjoy some nights out.

Holden

• The town was rocked by the recent deaths of two of its favorite sons, Dan Harrington and Rick Mansfield.

 Daniel J. Harrington died on June 6. Born in Holden, he resided here most of his life, retiring as president of Sunnyside Motors, a well-known, well respected family enterprise that had been in business for more than 100 years. Dan was a respected local figure who served on the Better Business Bureau of Central and Western Massachusetts and in the Army National Guard. He left behind his wife Cathy, four children, his mother Ann Harrington, two sisters, and his beloved grandchildren.

 Richard S. Mansfield Jr. was a deeply respected community leader, funeral director, and resident of Holden who died on June 10. He and his wife Beverly owned Miles Funeral Home since 1992 and helped innumerable area families during the worse periods of their lives. Rick served as chair of the Holden Council on Aging and was instrumental in constructing the new senior center. He was active with the Elder Services of Worcester Area, the Wachusett Area Rotary Club, and the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce. He left behind his wife Beverly, two children, and a beloved granddaughter. 

These two men will be deeply missed by many in not only Holden, but Worcester County.

• Holden Grange awarded its W. Sumner and Howard L. Jordan Scholarship to Gemma Paolilli of Holden. In the fall, she will attend the University at Albany, majoring in atmospheric science. Gemma’s goal to become a meteorologist began early on. In her scholarship essay she wrote, “Weather has been my primary interest for my entire life, even when I was as young as 3 or 4, and I’ve set myself up in every possible way to study meteorology in college. I have done a job shadowing at the National Weather Service, I’ve shadowed meteorology college classes, and I’ve also attended a summer camp that was all about meteorology. I’m thrilled that I finally get to attend college, and study the subject I’ve been interested in for my entire life.” See Photo Finish for another award that Gemma received – congratulations!

The Grange scholarship is named in memory of former members, two brothers who owned and operated Jordan Dairy Farms, now run by the fifth and sixth generations.

• Hope Lives Here, the nonprofit in town that offers grief counseling to help people struggling with loss, is looking for volunteers in several capacities: watering and weeding its Garden located behind the Rutland Library, as a facilitator at a monthly meeting, a program volunteer, or to join its board of directors. If you want to help this worthy nonprofit, go to its website hlhgrief.org to learn more.

Paxton

• It seems you can’t open a paper or click on a news link without hearing something new about Anna Maria College. The campus is now off limits to town residents – or anyone – driving or walking on the property. The Sisters of St. Anne, doing business as Anna Maria College, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, owing tens of millions of dollars to creditors (including monies to the Town of Paxton). The college has allegedly reneged on a land deal with an abutting neighbor. Faculty, staff and student artwork has been taken down and is leaning against walls waiting to be picked up by the artists (although if no one is allowed access to the property, how can the artists pick up their work). And of course last but not least, the 260+ acre property is on the market, valued at $41 million by some estimates, although the listing by Kelleher & Sadowsky states the sales price is “Subject to Offer.” Phew. And it’s only Wednesday. Oh, and students and alumni are wondering how to get their transcripts, with one suggestion reaching out to Regis College. 

• The Select Board has formed a committee to work with the representatives of Anna Maria in the aftermath of the college’s closing. It has begun to fill the appointments for the 11-member committee who will serve one-year terms or until the committee is dissolved. As the board stated: IIn making appointments, the Select Board shall seek participation from individuals best positioned to understand Paxton’s current municipal needs, identify opportunities for Town benefit, and advise on the processes necessary to evaluate and obtain surplus or decommissioned assets. In particular, membership shall reflect experience or familiarity with Paxton’s municipal operations, facilities or infrastructure, planning, zoning, public procurement, utilities, and community engagement.

The Anna Maria College Transition Advisory Committee includes Neil Bagdis from the Capital Improvements Planning Committee, Mike Benoit from the Paxton Municipal Light Department, Robert Birckbeck, town administrator, David Bloom from the Finance Committee, Jason Burgess from the Planning Board, Britt Clark from the Zoning Board of Appeals,  Anthony Domineck from the Economic Planning Committee, Timothy Lauring, community volunteer, Brian Lawler, community volunteer, Jeff Wentzell from the  Select Board and a representative from the Water Board, to be named.

• The Town will hold an election on Monday, August 10, from 10 am to 8 pm at the Paxton Center School, which will address the FY 2027 budget. While a balanced budget was passed at the June 22 Special Town Meeting, an override vote was also passed, which asked for an additional $386,289 to be added to the budget. This Proposition 2 ½ override request will be on the August 8 ballot. 

Rutland

• The aftermath of the failure of the override to pass for the FY 2027 budget continues. In addition to veteran firefighters and police officers being let go, curtailed hours at the library, senior center and town hall offices, WFP has learned that Tomeca Murphy, the executive assistant to the town administer, has left her position because it had been cut from full-time to part-time hours. Murphy was a wealth of detailed information about the town she calls home. At one Select Board meeting, the board was asked how many liquor licenses the town has and how many were available. Murphy had that arcane number at the tip of her fingers. Always composed, calm, patient, and professional, Murphy will be missed. WFP wishes her – and all the departing Rutland town employees - well as they begin new chapters of their professional lives.

• The Maker’s Market has returned Saturdays July 11, August 1, and September 5 from 10 am to 1 pm on the Commons. Local creators, artisans, craftspeople, small local business owners – anyone who creates local – will be there. In addition, food vendors will be on hand so you can nosh while you shop. If you’re interested in becoming a vendor, go the town’s website rutlandma.gov and search for Maker’s Market for guidelines and an application.