Letter 1:
Sterling/Rutland Partnership a Great Example During These Divisive Times
Not many of us look forward to getting a vaccine, but in the case of the COVID vaccine, a little of the sting was taken out by Rutland’s partnership with the Sterling Fire Department. That partnership made it possible for Sterling residents to easily register for the vaccine at the Rutland Public Library. Rutland graciously provided the Sterling Senior Center volunteers with easy access to the registration site, enabling those volunteers to quickly schedule a date and time for Sterling residents for their first and second shots. When unexpected events, like hospitalizations and illness prevented a senior from keeping their appointment, Rutland and Sterling Fire Departments worked together to schedule a new appointment. The Sterling Council on Aging and Sterling Senior Center are very grateful that the Rutland Fire Department extended a neighborly hand to Sterling, helping Sterling provide a critical service to its residents, especially our seniors.
During a time when it seems that so much is politicized and divisive, this partnership is a great example of how collaborative efforts can lead to the greater good. Thanks to the Rutland Fire Department, and the Sterling Fire Department for working together and not letting “turf” get in the way of achieving the goal of vaccinating residents.
Liz Pape
Sterling Council on Aging
Letter 2:
Sterling Town-Wide Cleanup Thank You
The Sterling Economic Development Committee extends their thanks to all who participated and supported the Sterling Town-Wide Clean Up.
Over 275 bags were filled with an estimated 7,500 pounds of roadside litter, mainly composed of adult beverage containers with a sprinkling of paper and plastic debris…..not to mention the discarded televisions and tires.
More than 130 individuals registered at the Town Common, and that doesn’t include folks who started weeks earlier. Here are some of the groups that had representatives at the event:
Sterling Garden Club, the Legion, Cathy’s Legacy, the Ridgewood Gang, Sterling Library Trustees, Sterling Girl Scouts, Sterling Cub Scouts, Sterling Boy Scouts, Sterling Animal Advisory Board, Sterling Select Board, Sterling Economic Development Committee, Sterling Storage, Wachusett Rotary, and Y.A.H.O.O.
Other Town departments, agencies, and companies providing vital support include our own Sterling DPW, the Sterling Police Department, the Town Facilities Manager, MassDOT, Hendrickson Advertising, Maki Building Supply, Meadowbrook farms, Pleasantview Waste Disposal, and Sterling-Lancaster Community Television. Special thanks to other town businesses that made generous donations to the “raffle” giveaway organized by Laura Ricci.
Residents should be proud of this demonstration of our community spirit and the effort to make Sterling a better place to live and work.
Richard H. Maki
Sterling Economic Development Committee
Letter 3:
Thomas Foley Eagle Scout Project Thank You
Thank you very much to everyone who supported my Eagle Scout Project by ordering a house address sign! My initial project goal was to produce 100 signs, but with the outstanding support of the Sterling community, I was able to produce and distribute around 350 signs. I believe these signs will have an immense impact on the town residents’ overall safety. In addition, I would like to give a special thank you to the Sterling Fire Department and the Sterling Police Department who supported me with the production of the reflective signs. Without the Sterling Fire Department, this project would not have been the success that it has been.
Finally, I would like to recognize the amazing efforts of both Boy Scout troops in the town of Sterling: Troop 189 and Troop 1, and related additional adult support. Without their assistance, I could not have possibly surpassed my goal of 100 signs by over 300%.
Sincerely,
Thomas Cole Foley
Sterling, MA
Letter 4:
PSA: Rodenticide Safety in Pets and Birds
Fascinated by the novel, “Bubo – The Great Horned Owl” early on, I’ve been a defacto environmentalist ever since, still to this day intrigued by the flying tiger of New England raptors.
Recently, I came across a box of mouse poison at my daughter’s house. Though initially concerned about my grandchildren, I did a little research and was appalled at the effects of secondary poisoning via rodenticides on our raptors in Massachusetts and indeed worldwide. And yes children and pets as well can be victims.
Rodenticides cause death via hemorrhaging, such as when a predator preys upon a poisoned rodent. We are seeing the devastation with frightening regularity. In a Tufts Veterinary study examining Massachusetts Red-tailed Hawks, Barred Owls, Eastern Screech-Owls, and Great Horned Owls that had been admitted to the Tufts Wildlife Clinic between 2006 and 2010, of 161 birds, 86% tested positive for anticoagulant rodenticides. For 94 birds, from 2012 through 2017, 96% had rodenticide in their viscera. Since then, Tufts has never examined a single Great horned Owl carcass without rodenticide residue in their liver.
Snowy Owls are another raptor which is highly susceptible to rodenticides. The winter of 2017/18 was a significant incursion year for Snowy Owls. Norm Smith of Audubon, while banding Snowies at Logan, discovered nine owls that died from rodenticides. Other Massachusetts wildlife, such as foxes, bobcats, mink, fisher, skunks, porcupines are also susceptible, and it’s no small point that they all die horrifically cruel deaths. So I am extremely disheartened whenever I learn that homeowners, businesses and exterminators in Massachusetts and elsewhere still use poison bait traps as rodent defense.
There are far safer and equally effective ways to combat rodents, from house cats to ultrasonic repellers to carbon dioxide pellets to fully automated traps that self-bait and self-clear after every instantaneous kill. If the winter of 2017/18 experience is foretelling, we’re going to see another dozen or so beautiful Snowy Owls fatally poisoned in future winters. I hope neither my daughter nor I have to one day tell my grand-daughter: “Yes, those spectacular Snowy Owls used to visit Massachusetts, but we poisoned them all and now we only have rats.”
By the way, my daughter has since sworn off ever using rodenticides again!
Gary Menin, Sr.
Birch Drive, Sterling, MA
Announcement 1:
Upcoming Walk for the Homeless
There will be a Walk for the Homeless on May 16 at 1:00 p.m. starting at First Congregational Church, West Boylston, to benefit Central Mass Housing Alliance. This agency offers many services including: temporary emergency housing, eviction prevention, education, needed furniture, and food. Last year 12,788 households were helped by CMHA homeless eviction prevention services, a 47% increase over 2019.
You can join us on May 16 for a socially distanced, mask-covered walk through West Boylston center or walk on your own anytime between May 16 and May 23 and donate on the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance website.
For more details: call Pastor Julie at 508-835-4462 or Julie@fccwb.com
Announcement 2:
American Legion: Upcoming Meeting
There will be a regular meeting of the Hiram O. Taylor Post 189 of the American Legion on Monday, June 7, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. at the Post Hall, 32 School Street in Sterling. Spaghetti, meatballs and sausage will be served at 7:00 p.m. E-Board will take place at 6: 30 p.m. Sterling Association Drawing. All Veterans welcome.
Announcement 3:
Message from Sterling’s Animal Control Officer
According to the Town of Sterling’s animal control bylaws, the deadline for dog licensing is April 15 of each calendar year. After the deadline, there is a $25.00 late fee per dog added to your licensing fee. Therefore, starting the week of May 10, when you license your dog/dogs there will be a $25.00 late fee per dog added to your licensing fee.
Please note, online licensing is available! To do so, simply go to the Town Clerks web page; https://www.sterling-ma.gov/town-clerk
Additionally, there is a 24/7 drop box in front of the town hall for your convenience.
Announcement 4:
LOCAL GRANTS AWARDED FOR STERLING, MA
The Sterling Cultural Council is proud to announce its first “Art in the Park” event this year on 21 August 2021 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both the Town Common and Memorial Park for a fun filled day of art, music, dance, etc. Our mission is to create a community event to introduce the many Artists of Sterling to the People of Sterling!
If you would like to be part of, this event please contact the Sterling Cultural Council via Rosanne Mapp at rosannemapp@comcast.net. If you want to volunteer your time, musical, dance abilities please contact us.
Included is the Nature Contest for school aged children in Sterling (pre-K through grade 12). The Contest is based on NATURE. We encourage the youth of Sterling to get outside and be inspired to create…. be it art, of any kind, writing, poetry, jewelry, to name a few.
Entries must be submitted not later than June 1 to the Sterling Library. Artwork/entries will be displayed at Art in the Park event. All entries must be entirely created by the student. For questions, contact Judy Doherty at 508.688.2122 or Doherty_bwp@yahoo.com. Prizes will be awarded.
Our Mission: “Building Community Bridges; creating a close-knit community by sponsoring and supporting activities and events that bring the diverse elements of our community together for enjoyment and cultural enrichment. Where Art & Culture meet the Community.”
Announcement 5:
Sterling Grange: Upcoming Meeting
Sterling Grange is holding its meeting via Zoom on Thursday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. John Schumacher-Hardy will present a program on the history of Lancaster, the oldest town in Worcester County. Sterling will be noted in the presentation as it was ‘the Second Parish of Lancaster’ prior to its incorporation. Anyone interested may request the Zoom link by emailing sterlinggrange53@gmail.com.
Announcement 6:
Sterling Dems: Upcoming Meeting
The Sterling Democratic Town Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 24 via Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 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.