~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times Established in 1991 Vol. 27 • Issue 8
Over 21,000 Copies Mailed Free
Ux br Id g e • No r t h Ux br Id g e • LINw o o d • d o Ug Las • No r t h br Id g e • w h It INsVILLe • sUt t o N • MaNc h aUg
aUg Us t 2018
Northbridge School Project approved The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors voted to approve the new W. Edward Balmer Elementary School Project. The new W. Edward Balmer Elementary School consolidates the Town’s two aging elementary schools, the W. Edward Balmer Elementary School and the Northbridge Elementary School
into one new facility serving all of the Town’s grades Pre-K through Grade 5 students at the Balmer site. The consolidated school relocates the fifth grade back into the elementary school setting. The total project cost is $100.97 million and the MSBA will reimburse the Town approximately $47.56 million. The estimated cost to Northbridge is $53.41
million. The Town will be asked to approve the project funding at the Fall Town Meeting on October 23rd and to approve a Debt Exclusion Vote on November 6th. To find additional information regarding the new W. Edward Balmer Elementary School Project, visit https://www.nps.org/sbc.
Uxbridge Residents Cycle in Pan-Mass Challenge
On Aug. 4th and 5th, six riders from Uxbridge will cycle up to 192 miles in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) with the goal of topping last year’s recordbreaking gift and raising $52 million for critical cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. During PMC weekend, over 6,300 cyclists from more than 40 states and 10 countries will gather in Massachusetts to participate in the PMC. Riders include everyone from seasoned triathletes to weekend warriors and range in age from 13 to 85. Many ride to honor a family member or friend lost to, or being treated for, cancer and more than 850 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients themselves, who are considered Living Proof® of the PMC mission. Designed to cater to all levels of cycling and fundraising ability, the
PMC offers 12 different routes, varying in mileage and difficulty, that pass through 46 towns across the Commonwealth, with starting lines in Sturbridge, Wellesley and Bourne. Cyclists are required to raise between $600 and $8,000, depending on the chosen route, though the average cyclist raises more than $7,000, which exemplifies the spirit of the PMC and its riders. Volunteers, spectators, donors and sponsors are also part of the camaraderie on ride weekend, all working together in hopes of one day eradicating cancer. “After surpassing our goal and raising $51 million for Dana-Farber last year, we are excited to keep the momentum going as we approach our 39th PMC ride weekend,” said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC. “We are continuously humbled by the dedication and generosity of our riders, vol-
unteers, donors, sponsors and community members – it’s thanks to them that the PMC is able to make such an immense impact on the fight against cancer. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable ride weekend and can’t wait to see you all out on the road.” Good luck to the following participants from Uxbridge: Ryan Buchanio, Richard Costa, Isaac Curley, Karen Curley, Kevin Landry and Leo Sullivan. The PMC donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar directly to DanaFarber through its fundraising arm, the Jimmy Fund, and is the institute’s largest single contributor, raising more than 53% of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. In 2017, the PMC gave a record gift of $51 million to DanaFarber, bringing it’s 38-year contribution to a total of more than $598 million continuted on page 9
PADDELING ALONG - Scout Nick L. from Troop 316, Douglas, learned Kayaking at camp.
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WATER SAFETY - Boy Scouts in the Life Saving Merit Badge class learn valuable aquatics safety and lifeguard skills.
Treasure Valley Reservation helps develop future leaders
“Be. Prepared.” That’s the motto of the Boy Scouts of America. And for the past few weeks, both boys and girls from all over the region have arrived at Mohegan Council’s (soon to be merging with Nashua Valley Council to form a new, larger Council to provide even more programs to youth of Central MA) Treasure Valley Scout Reservation doubly prepared – to work hard and to #DiscoverAdventure. The 2018 summer camp season opened at TVSR on July 1st. Over the course of July and into August, over 1,000 campers from a number of area towns will learn camping skills, swimming, sailing, rock climbing, rappelling, how to tend to chickens and goats – and how to sleep under the stars, according to Andrew Borus. Program Directors are Andrew Borus, Will Fleming, and Braden Rendano. Each week during the five-week season, local troops will gather to participate in the Scouting program. This year’s theme is Scouts of the Round Table, creating a medieval inspired adventure at camp. For more information on Treasure Valley, visit www.TVSRBSA.org. The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Join Scouting today at www.BeAScout.org.
All Stars headed to Cal Ripken World Series The Uxbridge Baseball Association is proud to announce that the Uxbridge 10U Cal Ripken All Star Team won the New England Regional Championship on Friday, July 20th in Hebron, CT, and are now headed to Vincennes, Indiana to compete in the Cal Ripken 10U World Series. See story on page 29
~ INDEX ~
Town News ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 17 Society .....................Page 19 Senior Corner ..........Page 21 School News............Page 25 Business News........Page 27 Sports.......................Page 29 Classified .................Page 31