Seeking support for Historical District expansion at Uxbridge Town Meeting

Uxbridge Town Meeting on May 9th

Traditionally, voters at the Spring Annual Town Meeting address the upcoming FY budget and other spending proposals. On Tuesday, May 9th at 7 P.M. in the Valley Chapel on Douglas Street, another topic of ‘historic’ interest will be put before voters. It carries no cost to taxpayers, but benefits derived from preservation efforts, if adopted, are priceless and will accrue. Since its inception by overwhelming voice vote at Town Meeting in ‘04, a second attempt at expanding the current Historic District is being proposed. Article 16 on the warrant is sponsored by the Uxbridge Historic District Commission and the Uxbridge Historical

Commission. The Planning Board unanimously supports Favorable Action on Article 16; BOS and Finance Committee votes are pending at press time.

Stretches along Mendon, Capron and North Main Streets, like spokes of a wheel, will connect the Downtown/ Town Common core to many homes which represent 300 years of architecture, Town history and heritage. The concept behind expansion is to “Preserve the Past; Enhance the Future”, the unofficial UHDC motto.

As its Chair, Jane F. Keegan explains this proposal should be viewed as a logical, geographic next step into Uxbridge’s future as a community which “treasurers what we, its residents, have been lucky enough to inherit.” She points to the five goals identified in the Community Vision Statement, adopted at Town Meeting in May ’06, is striving to achieve: #3 “protecting and preserving… historic buildings and properties.”

To educate and excite residents about expansion, outreach to the public has included: a virtual video tour on cable capturing important houses on the three streets; a “Walk in the Park” for the public to enjoy tours of four homes, lovingly restored and renovated; FYIUxbridge program to answer lingering questions about what living in a Historic District means to those in the district and to town as a whole. There has been advance media coverage, and notices to affected area homeowners of public hearings, the last scheduled before the UHDC on for May 8th in the Lower Town Hall at 7 p.m.

The Massachusetts Historical Commission recommended in ‘18 and ’23: “to encourage the Town… to expand the Uxbridge Common and Center Historic District”; similar sentiments were expressed privately by BVNHC. Recently, noted historian and author Nathaniel Philbrick spoke at the Congregational Church about the “Uxbridge connection” described in his book Travels with George (Washington), a documented, famous nugget of local history. In a news article in advance of his talk, he stressed the importance of preserving local history as part of the fabric of this community and region… buildings, historic and cultural sites, records and archive all play a role in protecting our heritage and leaving a legacy for future generations. He continued, “On a local level this effort requires dedication and a cooperative group of people in preserving our historic treasures.”

On May 9th, approval of Historic District expansion requires a two-thirds majority. Echoing Mr. Philbrick’s sentiments, Mrs. Keegan encourages a YES vote on Article 16 to show appreciation for Town history and heritage entrusted to this generation. With the town approaching its tri-centennial in ‘27, she concludes it’s a great bequest to future generations and lends support to the validity of a new Town slogan, “Uxbridge- It’s Better Here.”

National Day of Prayer Join Us!

Calling all Believers to come together. Our nation is in need of us to stand in the gap in prayer. It is time to put down the religious barriers between churches, to put aside our activities and come together seeking the Lord of all, the King of Kings, our Savior. Everyone knows our country is struggling with mass shootings, school lockdowns, political divide and skyrocketing cost of living just to name a few of our struggles. It may seem like a losing battle but we serve a God that saves, gives hope and that can do the impossible. Come join us on Mendon Founder Park on the corner of rt. 16 and Main Street, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. We will seek the Lord together for our country’s salvation.