Regional digest
WEBSTER – An electrical problem that forced the closing of the Park Avenue Elementary School yesterday was repaired around 8 last night and the school will re-open today.
The problem was tied to damage to an underground conduit carrying electrical cables from a power pole to the building, said Superintendent Gregory Ciardi. Water and ice had built up inside the conduit, damaging the cable and causing the outage.
The school lost power around 1 p.m. Wednesday and used a back up generator. But that is not equipped to properly light the classrooms, said Mr. Ciardi. Only emergency lights and the boiler remained on. The school was closed yesterday.
Mr. Ciardi said crews had been working all day. He said the school had been built with an eye toward such a problem. A second conduit had been installed during the construction of the school in the 1960s.
The state Board of Higher Education decided yesterday to keep tuition rates at state colleges unchanged for fiscal 2010.
The board kept tuition rates at community colleges, state colleges, and the University of Massachusetts system the same as the current fiscal 2009 rates. The board noted that it plans on reviewing the current rate structure before deciding fiscal 2011 rates. The board met yesterday at Worcester State College.
Annual resident tuition at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester is $720; resident tuition at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner is $750. Annual resident undergraduate tuition at Fitchburg State College and Worcester State College is $970. Annual resident graduate tuition for Fitchburg State and Worcester State is $1,675.
WARREN -- The Board of Selectmen has done an about-face on a previously denied payment of $4,800 for garage doors installed at the highway barn off Route 19.
Selectman Robert W. Souza Jr. said yesterday he reluctantly agreed Tuesday to join Selectmen David A. Delanski and Robert K. Downing in agreeing to take the money from state Chapter 90 road aid to pay for the doors installed on the salt and sand storage shed.
“What can you do?” Mr. Souza said. “He’s an elected official. I can’t tell him to resign. I can’t fire him. I can’t do anything.”
The $1.4 million highway garage was opened early last year. In an effort to save money, the doors were eliminated from the project.
Highway Superintendent Gary D. Odiorne said last month that rain was getting into the shed, and that leaving it open posed a liability if anyone got in there and got hurt.
Mr. Souza said the town for years left salt and sand piled up with no covering outside the former highway barn off Albany Street and nobody complained about the effects of the weather or liability.
WOODSTOCK — Municipal Agent for the Elderly Connie Maynard has, after more than 15 years of service to Woodstock residents, received recognition for her volunteer efforts.
Town officials have nominated the Ms. Maynard, 74, as a Hero of The Charter Oak Chapter of the American Red Cross for her service to seniors.
After a serious car accident in October, Ms. Maynard still made herself available to Woodstock’s seniors by phone, according to First Selectman Allan Walker. She is scheduled to return to the office later this month.
Ms. Maynard will be recognized at a Heroes breakfast March 19 at the Hartford Marriott in Farmington, Conn.
WORCESTER — A city man was arrested yesterday on home invasion and assault charges after he entered a Pleasant Terrace apartment and cut two people with a box cutter, police said.
Jean Carlos Figueroa, 24, of 507 Main St., Apt. 505, was charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; home invasion; malicious destruction of property valued at less than $250; breaking and entering; and placing a person in fear.
Sgt. Kerry F. Hazelhurst said around 10:30 a.m. yesterday, Mr. Figueroa tried to get into the first-floor apartment, but was unsuccessful. He then walked up to the second floor, where the door was unlocked. He walked into the apartment, holding a box cutter and yelling and screaming. He threw a crystal candleholder to the ground. A 42-year-old man and the 20-year-old first-floor resident were in the apartment. Mr. Figueroa cut the woman’s finger with the box cutter, Sgt. Hazelhurst said.
A 23-year-old resident of the first floor went upstairs to see what the commotion was about, and tried to subdue Mr. Figueroa. Mr. Figueroa then cut the man in the left side with the box cutter. The victims were related to Mr. Figueroa, Sgt. Hazelhurst said.