~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times Happy Holidays
“Your Hometown News” VOLUMe 19 • iSSUe 12
A FREE Monthly Publication
Uxbridge • North Uxbridge • Linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug DeCeMBeR 2010
First Holiday Night: Fun For All Ages
TM addresses issues By Constance Dwyer Shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16th, Moderator Harold Klei opened the fall session of the 2010 Annual Town Meeting, with voters facing a 22 article warrant. There were 144 voters present according to Town Clerk Kelly Poulin. Without debate, voters passed unanimously Art. 1 to transfer $22,023 from so called Free Cash (Unencumbered Fund Balance) to the Water Enterprise Fund. This action was supported by both the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee, but with no official comment by the Water Enterprise Commissioners. Art. 2 to transfer $435,088 from so called Free Cash to the Cable Reserved Receipts revived the long standing debate on the use of cable receipts, Selectman Peter Baghdasarian arguing that these. receipts should go into the Stabilization Fund. Town Manager, Michael Szlosek argued for passage based on plans being made to use these monies in FY12 and on the pending negotiation of a new Charter contract. The article passed with a majority vote. Art. 3 to transfer $155,908 from the Unencumbered Fund Balance to the Stabilization Fund passed unanimously after an explanation of the Town’s Stabilization Fund policy by Finance Committee member Ed Maharay. Art. 4 was passed over because there were no prior year bills. Art. 5 passed unanimously reducing the school appropriation by $174,132, a bookkeeping measure that does not actually affect available school funds, but necessary in order to complete the paperwork for setting the tax rate. Art. 6, involved seven Inter and Intra Departmental Transfers and three from the Stabilization Fund. Four sections (A1 through A4) of these transfers involved the Police and Animal Control budgets; one section A5 was to provide increases to Accounting salaries which brought a question about the effects on the budget line items being continued on page 48
A Christmas Carol at Stadium
Live on Stage at the Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Centre, The Encore Repertory Company Presents Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol. The Classic Tale of Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol has been a holiday classic for years. The crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four spirits urging him to change his miserable and greedy ways and learn the true meaning of
OLD GLORY - Senator Moore presented the Douglas Fire Department with an American Flag during a recent visit. Picture (L-R) are Firefighter Jim Huth, Lt. Kent Vinson, Sen. Moore, and Acting Chief John Furno. The flag will be flown at the station located at 64 Main Street in Douglas.
POSTAL PATRON
Christmas. Scrooge’s colorful journey full of dance and song is a magical treat for the whole family. Live on Stage Friday, December 3rd, Saturday, December 4th, Sunday, December 5th. Friday, December 10th, Saturday, December 11th and Sunday, December 12th. The show will be held at The Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket. See page 32 for details.
NOTiCe TO UxBRiDGe ReSiDeNTS A winter reminder: overnight on-street pArking bAn begins December 1st through April 1st from 12:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
Behind the scenes long-time volunteers Holly Gallerani and Tom Bellacqua on the committee of First Holiday Night, are gearing up for yet another year of “fun and spreading holiday cheer” on the streets of Uxbridge. In a recent interview with Holly and Tom, it was easy to see the enthusiasm and dedication of these two volunteers. “It’s l3 years now that all of us on the First Holiday Night Committee have been involved in planning this Christmas/Holiday celebration, and we are as geared up this year.” They wanted to credit co-founders Howard Fortner and Mike LeGendre, along with the Uxbridge Firefighters, for their commitment to create the group. Traditionally on the first Saturday of December, tradition continues and December 4th will be the kickoff with a 4:30 p.m. parade starting at Evers Auto Repair to the Town Common where Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus (guess who??) turn on the lights that illuminate the Christmas tree. This year’s ‘Parade Marshall’ will be the Lydia Taft House which provides the meeting site for First Holiday Night. “Last year, Tom added, “we included River Bend Farm with hay rides provided by ‘Ironside Farms,’ run by Lois and Wayne Tucker, which provides more entertainment from the hot dogs on the Common overseen by the Uxbridge Fire Dept. to other food vendors and dancing by ‘Point & Swing’ at St. Mary’s parish hall. “We have activities for all ages,” Holly reiterated. This is the second year that Hills Mills Band of Fall River with its crowd-pleasing clowns comes back to town. “We have so much to offer to everyone,” Holly emphasized, “and we are particularly proud to do this with the economy being as difficult as it is.” She added that although First Holiday Night takes place in Uxbridge it is, really, a “Blackstone Valley event.” It includes nearby towns of Sutton, Millville, and Northbridge, Douglas and Uxbridge. There is a cost for any event and First Holiday Night is no different. Holly said it takes $l7,000 to pull off this town-wide program. “We have no financial help from the Town of Uxbridge and we are dependent on the hot dog sales we make, for example, in Hopkinton where we are welcomed during the Marathon, and the other places where you see our cart around. We appreciate contributions also from residents who support our efforts.” To date, they have reached 75% of their goal.` Any reader who wishes to make a contribution can mail a check payable to First Holiday Night to Treasurer Holly Gallerani, 123 Old Millville Road, Uxbridge, MA 01569 “Sometimes people don’t realize that all those holiday banners hanging downtown are paid for by the First Holiday Night Committee,” Holly commented. “We’ve also invested a lot of money installing LED lights to conserve energy and that has cost us about $3,000.00” “We are ‘Going Green!” Volunteers are always welcome and anyone interested can talk to Holly or Tom. “We are 13 members on the committee but more hands are needed. “We are adults who have never grown up!” For more information about all the activities, check out page 2 of this issue or visit: www.uxbridgeholidaynight.org
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See complete story on page 43
~ INDEX ~ Town News ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 27 Society .....................Page 29 Senior Corner ..........Page 33 School News............Page 37 Business News........Page 43 Sports.......................Page 47 Real estate...............Page 49 Classified .................Page 51