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Uxbridge Times
Established in 1991 Vol. 27 • Issue 5
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UxbrIdge • North UxbrIdge • LINwood • doUgLas • NorthbrIdge • whItINsVILLe • sUttoN • MaNchaUg
MaY 2018
Historic District Area expansion on agenda Submitted by Jane Keegan The gavel bangs on Tuesday, may 8th at 7:00 p.m. for the uxbridge Town meeting at the Valley Chapel auditorium on douglas Street. Almost three dozen warrant articles await voters’ decision. Hot topics such as the FY ’19 municipal and school budgets will be debated first, but equally important is #32, out of 34 articles, whose aim is to “Protect the Past; Enhance the Future” of uxbridge in greater measure. The idea of expanding the historic district began more than one year ago and has been discussed almost continuously at meetings of the uxbridge Historic district Commission (uHdC). Basically, the article seeks to amend the map of the Historic district Bylaw by adding Appendix 2 which covers Capron Street, sections of mendon and North main Streets, to the current ‘historic downtown district,' and the standalone Ironstone School in South uxbridge. The new borders are easily identified on the map by cross streets at West River Road, Patrick Henry and Hazel Streets, and Homeward Avenue. The odometer shows this totals less than two miles added to the current historic district. According to uHdC Chair Faye mcCloskey, these stretches of road were chosen for three specific reasons: first, they represent three centuries of homes and places significant to uxbridge architecture and history; second, they are main thoroughfares, serving as natural ‘gateways’ to our downtown core, along which residents, visitors, and future home or business developers must pass; third, small New England towns grow better and ‘smarter’ by preserving their unique character while welcoming the future. A uHdC majority describes the article as far-sighted, objective, and proactive that seeks to maintain property values; foster a cohesive sense of
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‘neighborhood’; and serve as a practical economic development tool for use by the town, Planning Board, and ZBA. michael Cove, who owns a family business located in a beautifully restored historic building downtown, weights in on the importance of preservation saying, “When it’s gone, it’s gone.” The mass. Historical Commission, which approved the initial uHdC report in this multi-step process, sent a letter on February 20th, that “…encourages the Town of uxbridge to extend the historic district.” Among those who support Article 32 the intent is to benefit the Town through further effort to “Preserve the Past; Enhance the Future”. While uHdC member Jane F. Keegan admits opposition may be building, especially with “ridiculously false and ‘no sense’ (nonsense) postings on social media”, she counters with common sense advice. “Well-informed citizens make better choices: read the mass. Historical Commission report found at the town hall and library; watch cable access for a panel discussion, filmed at the Ironstone School, and a virtual driving tour showing the expansion’s scope. For thirty-four important reasons”, she hopes people attend Town meeting on may 8th.
SAVING SIMON - Young and old came out in support of saving the Simon Fairfield Public Library.
Supporters Rally To Save Funding The Vote Yes! Committee created to support a yes vote for a Proposition 2 ½ override question held a rally attended by friends and supporters, young and old, in front of the Simon Fairfield Public Library at 290 main Street in
Bus Pass Sign-Up Now Open Registration is now open for the 2018-2019 Bus Transportation Pay-to Ride Program. All students, whether free or paid, who will be taking the bus next school year must register for a bus pass in order to be eligible to ride the bus. This includes students who have transportation required in their IEP. Go to www.uxbridgeschools.com and click into the new website. Choose Bus Transportation and Quick Start Guide for information on whether your child(ren) are eligible for bus transPRESORTEd STANdARd uS POSTAGE PAId BOSTON, mA PERmIT NO 55800
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portation, provided free bus transportation, or need to pay for bus transportation. OLV students will need to pay for their busing based on the distance from their home to their neighborhood school (Taft, Whitin), not the distance from their home to OLV. The school committee bus policy, frequently asked questions and the online registration is available on the website. For more information or questions, please email: transportation@uxbridge. k12.ma.us.
douglas last month. douglas is one of many communities overburdened with unfunded mandates, seeing little to no increases in state funding for its schools and unable to generate sufficient funds to cover the operating costs of the town’s basic services. Facing shortfalls this year and over the next several years, the Board of Selectmen recently unanimously approved a Proposition 2 ½ override question asking the voters to approve a $1.5 million increase in revenue in order to stabilize town operational funds. Speakers included Kate Anderson, Trustee of the Simon Fairfield Public Library, Lori Colbert of the Vote Yes! Committee who read a statement by School Committee Chair Sherry Zetlan, douglas Board of Selectmen Chair Kevin morse and Vote Yes! Committee Chair dawn Fontaine. All
Walk for Paws May 6th Dog Orphans Inc. will hold its 20th Annual Walk for Paws on Sunday, May 6th, beginning at 12:00 Noon at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge. This anxiously anticipated spring event serves as a key fundraiser for the non-profit, no-kill shelter which relies on donations for its day-to-day operations. See complete story on page 9
spoke to the critical need for voters to turn out to vote Yes on the override at both the Annual Town meeting may 7 and at the ballot on election day may 8. Lawn signs were distributed, children’s faces were painted with a purple Yes! and purple balloons floated everywhere. The Vote Yes! Committee will continue to reach out to voters across town in the coming days and weeks. Anyone wanting to volunteer to help with the Vote Yes! campaign should email voteyesdouglas@gmail.com, visit the VoteYesdouglas.org website or find Vote Yes! douglas on Facebook. For the override to pass, voters must approve it at the upcoming Annual Town meeting on monday, may 7th and on the Annual Town Election ballot on Tuesday, may 8th.
Get out and VOTE at your Annual Town Meeting!
~ INDEX ~ Town News ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 19 Senior Corner ..........Page 21 Society .....................Page 25 School News............Page 27 Business News........Page 31 Sports.......................Page 33 Classified .................Page 35