FROM THE REGION.

PositionLOCAL NEWS

COLUMN: FROM THE REGION

Ashburnham

Vitone wins election to succeed Gagnon

ASHBURNHAM - Despite the near 90-degree weather yesterday, 682 voters turned out for a two-way race between a businessman and stay-at-home mother vying for the selectmen's seat.

Businessman Edward T. Vitone, Jr., 60, 154 Russell Hill Road, beat Meredith L. Fagan, 38, 23 Chapel St., 495-184 yesterday in the race for the selectman's position left by former Selectman Christopher Gagnon.

Mr. Vitone said he applauded his opponent's campaign efforts.

"The town needs people committed to the community," he said. "One-hundred-and eighty-four people thought she had the right message. I hope to learn from that and be responsive to those people."

He said he is comfortable with the selectmen's choice of town administrator candidate Douglas C. Briggs, a selectman in Rutland. He said he was impressed with Mr. Briggs' interview.

"Number one for the town is to move forward and to do that, it needs unified leadership," he said. "It needs a unified board and we did not have that. It is vital. We may not all agree, but we need to work together."

Worcester

Rain barrel discounts available to residents

WORCESTER - City residents can save $10 on a rain barrel through the city Department of Public Works and Parks.

Rain barrels capture rainfall that runs off roofs and store it for watering gardens and lawns.

The 55-gallon blue plastic barrels attach to a gutter downspout, with a screen to keep out insects and debris. They have two brass spigots, one for a hose connection and one for overflow, as well as a 5-foot-long hose.

Using a rain barrel can reduce the amount of clean drinking water

that might normally be used for gardening. With costs of water and sewer disposal rising, the less tap water used for watering the more money saved. It also makes sense to use available rainwater for watering plants, rather than highly treated, pure drinking water.

Rain barrels cost $72.95 in bulk and retail for $119.95. With a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the first 200 barrels sold to Worcester residents will cost $62.95. After 200 barrels are sold, the price will go back to the normal bulk rate price of $72.95. All rain barrels ordered from New England Rain Barrel Company will be distributed on May 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Department of Public Works and Parks, 20 East Worcester St., off Shrewsbury Street.

To take advantage of this discount, call New England Rain...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT