~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VoluME 21 • ISSuE 4
A FREE Monthly Publication
uxbridge • North uxbridge • linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug
ApRIl 2012
Senate President Murray guest speaker at BVCC Breakfast By Constance Dwyer
Hop To IT - Former State Representative Jen Callahan and her husband Mike will host their 14th Annual Sutton “Egg–Stravaganza” on Saturday, April 7th for the children of Sutton. See related story on page 11.
Green Energy defeated at Sutton Special TM By Constance Dwyer In Sutton, at a reluctantly scheduled Special Town Meeting, called on the basis of a citizens' petition, 79 registered voters assembled to address a four-article warrant on February 27th. Article 1, the basis of the citizen’s petition, sought a change to the Zoning Bylaws, one that would allow the permitting of “Large Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations (250KW+)” in Residential Zones 1 & 2 and the Village Zone. Neither the Planning Board nor the Finance Committee supported the article and two members of the Board of Selectmen spoke against the article during the floor debate, after Mrs. Verna Macki made the motion for acceptance and she and her forester, Christian A. Kruger, spoke at length on the reasons
poSTAl pATRoN
for and the perceived advantages of the article. Only one resident spoke in favor of the article and another speaker introduced elements of the second article into their comments. Resident Ken Thomas questioned whether such an installation would produce benefits, other than added tax revenues, to the Town. Nobody had an answer to his question. Planning Coordinator Jennifer Hager helped the voters by explaining that restrictions governing installation of Large Solar Systems were covered in the “Solar” zoning articles passed at the Fall Annual Town Meeting. The industrial sizes of the installations that might be approved were presented negatively as violations of the residential settings; installations that would bring both heavy traffic and PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
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commercial lighting. One resident suggested that the proposed installations would actually be “power plants,” violating Section III.A.4 - Table 1, SubSection B.6 that governs power plant locations. After a brief period of admitted confusion about the voice vote to “move the question,” a standing vote count called by the Moderator resulted in failure to achieve the required two thirds majority (25 Yeas and 46 Nays). Article 2, meaningless because of the failure of Article 1, was then passed over. Articles 3 and 4, one to transfer funds to balance accounts and the other to pay a prior year bill, followed routinely without discussion; each passing with the required majorities. Following this, a motion to “dissolve the meeting” was made and voted concluding the meeting shortly before 8:30 p.m.
faster than the national growth rate” because of investments in existing and The Blackstone Valley Chamber of new small businesses. Eighty-six perCommerce welcomed guest speaker cent of all businesses in Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray at its are small businesses employing 19 Chamber Membership Breakfast meet- people or less. “In the Senate, we ing held at Blissful Meadows Golf know that our small businesses serve as Club in Uxbridge. She was introduced the main engine of economic growth by Senator Richard, for Massachusetts.” “Dick” Moore. He She added that Massacommended her for her “We are the 5th chusetts is committed leadership style; she healthiest state in to supporting small “leads and pushes” to the country and we businesses. get things done but lead the nation in Two years ago “we “she doesn’t claim all many other areas launched the Business the credit.” Some of Express program to her accomplishments, such as energy effi- provide employers veterans’ with 50 or fewer fullhe said, were welfare ciency, reform, the Mental services and health time employees with Health parity bill, and insurance cover- employer-sponsored landmark Massachu- age.” health benefits offered setts health reform; through the Health - Therese Murray Connector.” “we are still working Some Senate President on this. We want to owners, she continued, contain the cost for may qualify for a 15% health care.” He further noted that rebate of the premium by participating “Terri is the first woman to preside in Wellness Track, a Health Connector over the Senate in its 384-year history.” program. Sen. Murray was extremely pleased In looking back at past legislation, to note that “Massachusetts is #1 in the she said in 2010 “we passed significant United States as a place to do busi- legislation aimed at providing relief to ness.” She said the communities that small businesses health care costs, cre“make up the Blackstone Valley ating standardized measurements for Chamber of Commerce are only 11 of the quality and cost of health care the 351 cities and towns in Massa- providers, and allowing small busichusetts, but they continue to play an nesses to band together to negotiate important role in our economy and our better health insurance rates.” The benongoing recovery.” In reference to the efits of that law are being seen this Blackstone River Bikeway project, she year. However, she cautioned, there is commented that it “will extend 48 more work to do. “My top priority for miles from Worcester to Providence, this legislative session is to focus on R.I.” She thanked the Chamber for its payment reform.” support of the Commonwealth, saying, Other areas of focus are the tourism “We can revitalize this Valley and industry in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts” and that Massachusetts problem of prolonged power outages is “Number 1” in education and in that affect so many families and busi“Math and Science.” She was also nesses; she wants utility companies to pleased to share that the Common- respond much more quickly when diswealth’s unemployment rate, 6.8%, is aster hits; “Losing power for 2 weeks “well below the national rate, 8.3%. due to a storm is not acceptable.” The Senate President noted that Today, the Governor is required to Massachusetts’ economy is “growing continued on page 11
Business Bio:
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Cherub’s Haven ThirTy years sTrong & sTill growing Thirty years ago the Cherub’s Haven of Northbridge had only 15 children. Today there are over 250 children at the child care centers. Infants as young as 8 weeks can enroll at the school and remain until the age of 13.
See story on page 41
Terri laRoche; owner/Director
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