Uxbridge Times THE NEW
Established in 1991
Vol. 30 • Issue 10
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UxbrIdge • North UxbrIdge • LINwood • doUgLas • NorthbrIdge • whItINsVILLe • sUttoN • MaNchaUg
oct. 2021
Uxbridge Voters set to modernize Town Charter By Mike Potaski Uxbridge voters will meet on Wednesday, October 27th in a dedicated session of their Fall Town Meeting to consider and vote on changes to the Town Charter. The Charter, first adopted in 2000, under provisions of Massachusetts General Law 43B, and updated in 2010, serves as the Town’s “Constitution” which defines the structure of town government, and powers and duties of town officials. Nine Uxbridge residents were appointed in March 2020 by the School Committee, Selectmen and Moderator and tasked with reviewing and updating the Charter. The Charter Review Committee held 30 public meetings over the past year during which 19 current and past town officials and employees were interviewed and input was received from the community. The committee then incorporated those diverse inputs and views and entered into deliberations with guiding principles: a) of addressing long-term issues in town government; b) ensuring checks, balances, oversight and accountability; c) increasing governmental transparency; d) transitioning regulatory, taxing and feesetting boards from appointed positions to elected by voters. The result is a series of Articles to be taken up by voters in the extended town meeting. The proposed changes are intended to create a governing framework that will be consistent with contemporary values and resolve inconsistencies and inadequacies in the current document. A cosmetic change will bring the town into the modern era by renaming the Town’s executive body to the gender-neutral “Select Board”. Other changes refine the number of members and on various boards, committees, and commissions and reorder whether they are to be appointed or elected. If approved by the voters, the most significant change will be the establish-
PoSTAL PATroN
ment of a Board of Public Works to provide focused oversight of the Highway, Water, and Wastewater Departments along with the assorted other “housekeeping” functions of the Department of Public Works. Special legislation will be sought to establish this board as a 5-member body rather than the 3 members anticipated by the enabling legislation so that a more diverse range of experiences and interests may be brought to bear. Mundane, but still important, changes will add a human resources position to oversee personnel matters, establish a “sunset” provision to automatically deestablish archaic or non-functioning boards or committees. Other changes will add a new tool for accountability, strengthen and regularize the auditing of town accounts, and increase the transparency of government by stronger public posting requirements for town documents. Charter reviews are a once-in-adecade event so the government structure put in place by the voters will function for the next ten years.
Splash, the Cardboard Box-er, Captained by Abbigail Mandile (above) and the SS Bly Captained by Peyton Bly.
Noah’s Arc received the Titanic Award for the most dramatic sinking of the day.
Northbridge awarded funding from Climate Change Actions Grants The town of Northbridge has been awarded funding through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program, Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury) has announced. 93% of cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth have now been awarded funding. “We must continue to meet the challenges posed by climate change head on,” said Senator Moore. “The MVP program provides the necessary resources that allow our communities to face these challenges and build a better future for generations to come. This grant program also serves as yet another example of the Commonwealth leading the way forward on the most pressing issues.” PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
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The MVP program was created in 2017 to provide communities with funding and technical support to identify climate hazards, develop strategies to improve resilience, and implement priority actions to adapt to climate change. Since the program’s implementation, a total of $65 million has been awarded to communities across the state. Of this $65 million, $21 million is from the latest round of funding. The town of Northbridge has received $146,100 to analyze alternatives for the Carpenter Road Causeway. This funding will also be put towards the towns water green infrastructure plan, which is part of Northbridge’s goal to become a green community.
The CArdBoArd regATTA - Just one of the fun events that happened at Pout Pond last month. Marine 1 Captained by Jesse Miller of the Uxbridge Police dept. (pictured above) was the overall winner. Prizes were awarded for speed, creativity and most dramatic sinking of the day. Check out the list of winners and finish times on page 7.
Douglas Oktoberfest Oct. 2nd ~ INDEX ~ October 2nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Main Street in Douglas. Come join for a day of fun including: Weiner Dog and small dog race, train rides, tricycle races, bouncy rides, car show, beer garden, ice cream, and rib cook-off.
The event is going to wrap up with a celebration of Douglas' 275th birthday including a special dance celebration performed by the talented team from Dance Sensations. FMI Visit: www.facebook.com/ douglasoktoberfest.
Town News.........Page 4 Society……....…Page 17 Senior Corner....Page 21 Business News...Page 23 Classified...........Page 25 help Wanted......Page 25