Westminster to have its spring cleaning Stars light, stars bright
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Overlook students Tori Connell and Madeline Weinreb sang solos while other performers sang back-up for the song "Oklahoma" from the production "Oklahoma" during the "Overlooking Broadway" on Thursday, March 22. For more photos please turn to page 9.

Bob Francis is working to organize a town-wide clean-up as part of the celebration for Earth Day this year.

The goal is to divide the town into sections with teams responsible for covering a specific area. The clean-up is scheduled for Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, Francis said.

"I think a clean town is a happy town," Francis said.

The selectmen-sanctioned project will get a little bit of town funding to help with a mass mailing scheduled for the upcoming week. Francis is also asking town department heads if they have any money left in their budgets to help fund vests.

Francis said the vests, which are bright yellow and read Westminster Volunteer on the back, are for the safety of those on the side of the road picking up trash. He said after Earth Day they can be used for parades and at Crocker Pond.

"We're looking for donations of trash bags, gloves and [money] for the vests," Francis said.

Overlook students Molly McCormack and Alex Spurr perform the song "Suddenly Seymour" from the production "Little Shop of Horrors" during the "Overlooking Broadway." The production, performed by the Overlook Drama Club, was billed as a Dinner Theater, as a Spaghetti Supper was served prior to the performance.

Francis has also requested funding from Massachusetts Senator John Kerry's Office but has had no luck reaching them.

The Earth Day events will start at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 22, with volunteers meeting in the Meetinghouse School parking lot. The volunteers are asked to work from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those interested in volunteering in a managed group can fill out the information below and return it to the Westminster Earth Day Coordinator.

Francis has created a form for people to check off the volunteer position desired and return no later than April 12. Those forms will be filled out through mass mailings.

Francis is also encouraging folks to participate on their own. He suggested that people stop by the police department on April 22 and sign-out a safety vest for "Westminster Earth Day Volunteer(s)" and trash bags. Leave the filled trash bags on the side of the road with any other "non-organic" or "recyclable" trash, and the bags will be picked up as soon as possible.

Overlook student Stacey Lavenski performs a solo while singing "Stepsister's Lament" from the production "Cinderella" during the "Overlooking Broadway" held at Oakmont on Thursday, March 22. JOURNAL PHOTO/ JEFFREY BOURDREA

Francis told selectmen he hopes to have 100 people participate.

"That's optimistic, but I think realistic," he said.