LETTER 1:
Thank you Sterling Police!
In January, we were mid-way through renovations at the new offices for Sterling Media and Karen Packard Realtor located at 35 Redemption Rock Trail in Sterling. A suspect broke into the property at approximately 10:30 p.m. and set off our motion detecting cameras. He allegedly loaded almost $7,000 worth of power tools into a car parked in front of the building. Fortunately, Sterling Police were on the scene almost immediately and apprehended the suspect just before he and the driver of the car were able to get on the highway. Thank you to Officers Lane Pomeroy and Steven Mucci for your quick response and thank you to Detective Ryan Ferguson for all you have done to protect us and our local businesses in Sterling.
Sincerely,
Mark and Karen Packard
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LETTER 2:
“Operation Vaccinate all Sterling residents 75+ years old” at the Senior Center on February 4, 5, and 26 was amazing – a credit to the caring people who staff so many of our town departments.
From being called personally, like everyone else in this age group, by Senior Center Staff and volunteers to make our initial appointment; to being assisted on vaccination day by professionals and volunteers who were welcoming, caring, and competent; to being “watched over” by EMT’s to be sure we had no adverse reaction –in all this we felt surrounded by a cocoon of care and support. For those who could not get to the site, Senior Center vans drove the vaccine and providers to their homes. Isn’t this just what a small town is about – a community coming together to help each other?!
THANK YOU to all who worked unceasingly to make this happen:
Fire Chief/Emergency Manager for Safety David Hurlbut and his Planning Team
Senior Center Director Veronica Buckley and staff
Sterling Board of Health
Community Emergency Response Team
Wachusett Medical Reserve Corp
Sterling Fire and Rescue and EMS
Sterling Police
Sterling DPW
Volunteers
Gratefully,
Barb and Bob Dumont
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LETTER 2:
Nomination Papers for Town Elections are available now until March 18. Completed forms are due to the Town Clerk on March 22.
For full information and instructions, visit: https://www.sterling-ma.gov/town-clerk
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ANNOUNCEMENT 1:
2021 Spring Brush Dump Information
The brush dump, located behind the Sterling Police Department on George Peeso Lane, will be open 8:00am – 12noon on the following Saturdays : April 10, April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 15, and May 22. Please call the DPW at 978-422-6767 with questions.
Curbside Trash/Recycle Information for April
Please be informed that the DPW will be closed on Monday, April 19, 2021 in observance of Patriot’s Day. Trash will be picked up on a regular schedule for the week of April 19 – April 23. The holiday WILL NOT affect the curbside trash/recycle pick up schedule for that week. Please have your trash/recycle at curbside by 7am on your regularly scheduled pick up day.
Hydrant Flushing
Flushing of the town’s distribution system will begin in April, weather permitting, and will continue through May and June or until completion. Users of the public water supply may temporarily experience low water pressure and/or dirty water due to flushing. Town wide flushing is performed in order to improve the quality of the potable water. If you have any questions please call the DPW at 978-422-6767.
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ANNOUNCEMENT 2:
Sterling EMS, Inc. Offers Scholarships to Sterling Residents
Sterling EMS, Inc. provides scholarships on an annual basis for Sterling residents who are training in medically-related training programs. Scholarships are available in amounts of $500 for the Standard Scholarship and $1,500 for the Memorial Scholarship. Recipients of the Standard Scholarship shall be Sterling Residents enrolled in a medically-related training program. Recipients of the Memorial Scholarship shall be Sterling residents who are recent graduates entering an undergraduate post-secondary educational program in a medically-related field. Applicants must be graduates (or soon-to-be graduates) of an accredited high school, possess a GED, or have taken the Commonwealth of Massachusetts test of competency for home schooled/alternatively schooled individuals.
Because of restrictions prompted by the Coronavirus, paper applications will not be available at the usual physical locations. Applications and the related process will be conducted online.
Interested students can download or request an application form at:
Facebook: Sterling EMS
Email: sterling_ems@yahoo.com
DEADLINE is May 30.
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ANNOUNCEMENT 3:
Sterling Master Plan Activities Spring Forward
Sterling’s Master Plan continues to spring forward, with draft chapters incorporating feedback provided by the Sterling Master Plan Committee and Sterling residents. On January 21, the Master Plan Committee and Planning Board met jointly to review the Circulation/Transportation chapter presented by Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC). The chapter was accepted and adopted by majority vote of the Sterling Planning Board. The Master Plan circulation and transportation goals are:
- Maintain a roadway management plan to achieve a maintenance-oriented network and provide a basis for establishing budget levels;
- Balance the need to facilitate traffic flow throughout the community to make the roadways more walkable and bikeable; calm vehicle traffic speeds where appropriate;
- Prioritize sustainability and resiliency objectives when evaluating new and existing infrastructure;
- Wherever possible, replace older municipal fleet vehicles with energy efficient and electric models. Provide electric vehicle charging within the town of Sterling;
- Promote both an environmentally sensitive, sustainable use of the public right-of-way and foster scenic streetscapes;
- Seek opportunities to improve transportation options at an appropriate scale and in an affordable manner for residents of all ages and abilities;
- Expand pedestrian, bicycle and trail networks inter- and intra-Sterling; and
- Address the perceived lack of parking availability in the Town Center.
At the February meeting of the Master Plan Committee, MRPC presented the Housing and Open Space and Recreation chapters for review and discussion. VHB Consultants presented the written baseline conditions draft of the Land Use, Economic Development, Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources and Public Facilities and Services chapters.
April 15 is the target date for the next public meeting, at which VHB will present the baseline conditions. Public feedback will be solicited about what to do about the baseline conditions, which will begin to shape the Master Plan goals.
You still have more opportunities to weigh in.
Please visit the Town’s website to learn more about the Master Plan process at:
www.sterling-ma.gov/sterling-master-plan-committe
Liz Pape, Sterling Master Plan Committee
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