LETTER 1:
The Council on Aging Board of Directors of the Sterling Senior Center thanks the Town of Sterling and the Senior Center volunteers for all they have done to get our seniors vaccinated. Our mission is to maintain the health and well-being of the Sterling seniors and to assist them with preserving their independence. The COVID vaccine not only helps maintain the health of our seniors, it also helps them feel more comfortable in participating in in-person activities.
In February, the Sterling Senior Center was the site of the drive-through COVID vaccination clinic for Sterling residents 75+. Over 400 of Sterling’s seniors aged 75+ received both their COVID vaccination shots, without long lines, exposure to cold temperatures, or concerns of running out of vaccines.
Now, the Sterling Senior Center and its volunteers are helping those over 60 to register for their COVID vaccinations, by working with them to fill out their online application and schedule their appointment in Rutland.
David Hurlbut, Sterling’s Fire Chief, led the committee of volunteers and town employees who planned and led a vaccination process that was focused on making the vaccination process safe and easy to navigate for seniors. Thanks to Sterling Fire Dept and Rescue, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), Sterling Senior Center staff and volunteers, the Board of Health, Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps and volunteers for a successful effort that casts a bright light on a community that cares for one another and works together to save lives.
Liz Pape, Sterling Council on Aging
LETTER 2:
Re: Hundreds of Sterling Residents Vaccinated through Massive Collaboration, by Danielle Ray, 3/10/21
It was good to read the details of how the current example I use of “how government should serve the people” was put together by so many local participating government organizations and volunteers. I am amazed at how well it all worked together.
I was thrilled when I received the call from the Senior Center offering me an appointment for vaccination after spending dozens of hours messing around with numerous scheduling systems that seemed to be designed to frustrate and torture.
My first vaccination went flawlessly and took a total of less than an hour. The Sterling Senior Center followed through with the second, with a call for an appointment and flawless execution again.
Good show all, and thank you so much!!
Michael Mallary
4 Osgood Road
Sterling, Ma 01564
ANNOUNCEMENT 1:
Town-Wide Cleanup Day
The Sterling Town-wide Cleanup will be held on Saturday, April 24 at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, April 25.
Volunteers can get free large trash bags and gloves at the Town Common during the event. Map the street(s) that you expect to clean. The map will be available at the Town Common on Saturday.
Safety is important for volunteers. If possible, have someone watching for traffic and wear bright, reflective clothing.
Volunteers should cluster bags along the roadside near intersections if possible or use the dumpster at the Common.
If bags are not picked up in a few days, call the DPW at (978) 422-6767.
Town organizations are encouraged to participate.
Further questions, call (978) 422-0514.
ANNOUNCEMENT 2:
From Sterling Animal Control Officer Louis Massa
Sterling Animal Control Officer Louis Massa would like to remind residents that wildlife is VERY ACTIVE THIS TIME OF YEAR especially the black bears. To keep them out of your yard, take down bird feeders, put trash out for pickup in the morning instead of the night before, especially if you use trash bags, and clean up thoroughly after backyard barbeques; even trimming all the bushes back around the foundation of your house leaves fewer places for wildlife to hide. Do not put full trash barrels near your house the night before pickup, as wildlife can easily knock them over and please close your garage doors especially at night.
Coyotes and fisher cats are a danger for domesticated pets, especially small dogs and outside cats. Large dogs are at risk as well when several coyotes pack together. If you see coyotes or bears or any wildlife in your yard scare them off by making a loud noise, such as banging pots/pans together, blowing a car horn etc. Coyotes and other wildlife are teaching their young how to hunt and fend for themselves this time of year so please keep an eye on your pets when they are outside. Visit the Animal Control Officers town page for other helpful links.
ANNOUNCEMENT 3:
Hydrant Flushing
Flushing of the town’s distribution system has begun and will continue throughout the months of April, May, and June. Users of the public water supply may temporarily experience low water pressure and/or dirty water. 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.
Water Use Restriction Notice
In accordance with the requirements of the Water Management Act Final Permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection the Town is required to enact a Mandatory Water Ban from May 1 until September 30th between the hours of 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. This restricts daily “nonessential” outdoor water use from public water sources. This is an Odd/Even water ban. All use of automatic irrigation systems and any type of lawn sprinkler shall comply with the odd/even water system. Properties with even numbered street addresses will be allowed to use irrigation systems and sprinklers on even calendar days and properties with odd numbered street addresses will be allowed to use irrigation systems and sprinklers on odd calendar days. The use of sprinklers, automatic or other is prohibited between the hours of 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on ALL days. Handheld watering of vegetable and flower gardens with the use of a hose is unrestricted and may be performed on any day or time.
Curbside Trash/Recycle Information for April
DPW will be closed on Monday, April 19 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 7 a.m. on your regularly scheduled pick up day.
Spring 2021 Brush Dump Information
The Brush Dump located behind the Sterling Police Department on George Peeso Lane will be open 8 a.m. – noon, for Sterling residents only, on the following Saturdays: April 10, April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 15 and May 22. Please reference the DPW web page www.sterling-ma.gov for further information.
Important Message from the Sterling Water Department
Due to unforeseen supply issues at the Route 12 well field, there may be further water restrictions in the coming months. These would be additional restrictions beyond the current odd even water ban that begins May 1 through September 30, which prohibits irrigation watering between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Future restrictions could include a total ban on underground irrigation until further notice. Please check the town’s website in the coming weeks for further updates. Thank you.
ANNOUNCEMENT 4:
LOCAL GRANTS AWARDED FOR STERLING, MA
Representative Kimberly Ferguson and Rosanne Mapp, chair of the Sterling Cultural Council, have announced the awards of nine grants totaling $6,900 for cultural programs in Sterling.
The Sterling Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year. The State Legislature provides annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council, a State agency, which then allocates funds to each community.
Decisions about which activities to support are made at the community level by a board of municipally appointed volunteers.
Statewide, more than $3.3 million will be distributed by local cultural councils in 2021. Grants will support a range of grass-root activities: concerts, exhibitions, radio and video productions, field trips for school children, after-school youth programs, writing workshops, historical preservation efforts, lectures, First Night celebrations, nature and science education programs for families and town festivals. Nearly half of LCC funds support education activities for young people.
The Sterling Cultural Council will see applications again in the fall. For guidelines and complete information on the Sterling Cultural Council contact Rosanne Mapp, Chair of the Sterling Cultural Council. Applications and more information about the local Cultural Council program, including a full list of this year’s grants, are available online at www.mass-culture.org. Applications are due October 15.
ANNOUNCEMENT 5:
Nature Lovers Art Contest & Show
The Sterling Cultural Council is proud to sponsor the Nature Lovers Art Contest & Show. Prizes will be awarded for Visual Arts, Performance, and Written creations that celebrate the earth, or speak to climate change. The contest is open to children aged pre-K to grade 12. Submissions are due June 1 to the Conant Public Library. Please include the name, grade, address, and email of the child entering. The show and awards will be presented August 21, 2021 at Sterling “Art in the Park.” For more information, email Judy: doherty_bwp@yahoo.com or see the Sterling Cultural Council page on Facebook.
ANNOUNCEMENT 6:
Sterling Grange Upcoming Meeting
In honor of Grange Month, all are welcome to join Sterling Grange for its meeting via Zoom on April 15 at 6 p.m. National Grange President Betsy Huber will give an update from the Grange headquarters in Washington, D.C. In recognition of National Coin Week, Tom and Matthew Lisi from the Sterling Rare Coin Shop will speak on U.S. and foreign coin and currency and answer questions. If you have a coin you’re curious about, they may be able to give you an idea of its value (as much as possible via Zoom). For the Zoom link or information on the Grange in general, email sterlinggrange53@gmail.com or call 508-886-2341.
Since 1867, the Grange has found a way to bring people together. The Sterling chapter, organized in 1874, is committed to bettering the community through service, promoting agriculture, and providing informative and entertaining programs, while fostering fellowships.
ANNOUNCEMENT 6:
Holden Grange Offering $800 Scholarship
Holden Grange is offering its W. Sumner and Howard L. Jordan Scholarship in the amount of $800 to a graduating high school senior or to a student in attendance at any recognized institution of learning beyond high school who has not received this scholarship previously.
An applicant who does not belong to Holden Grange must reside in Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, or Sterling and be pursuing a course of study in agriculture/horticulture, veterinary science, or conservation/environment. A Holden Grange member in good standing for at least one year preceding the date of application is eligible to pursue any course of study.
The scholarship recipient will be named in June, and funds will be awarded to the applicant upon successful completion of the first semester with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
An application in the form of a letter of intent, stating future educational goals and a description of three community activities or three Grange activities in which the applicant is involved, must be accompanied by an official transcript and a letter of recommendation. All parts of the application must be postmarked by May 1 to Holden Grange, 26 Glenwood Place, Rutland, MA 01543. For more information on this scholarship or the Grange in general, please contact 508-886-2341 or holdengrange78@gmail.com.
ANNOUNCEMENT 7:
Sterling Dems Meeting
The Sterling Democratic Town Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, April 26 via Zoom from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Our guest speaker is Representative Meg Kilcoyne. Please contact Fionuala Dullea at griffonlula@gmail.com for the Zoom number/code if you are a Democrat or Unenrolled interested in participating, or interested in joining our committee.
ANNOUNCEMENT 8:
2021 Kids’ Fishing Derby
THE EIGHT POINT SPORTSMEN’S CLUB is happy to announce its 2021 Kids’ Fishing Derby. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, and is at the Club Pond at 147 Beaman Road in Sterling. The event was cancelled last year, but it appears that we will be able to have the event this year with the latest guidance issued from the State.
As before, there will be a three-fish limit each day. Registrations for Juniors (15 years and younger) is $3.00, and $7.00 for Seniors (16+). There is a separate registration for each day.
Prizes will be awarded to all Juniors after fishing on each day. First, second, and third place finishers will be awarded trophies after 4 p.m. prizes on Sunday.
We hope as many people can attend as possible. We will have to monitor the number of people present, and urge the wearing of face masks as per the guidance. As usual, the Snack Shack will be open for purchasing refreshments.