THE NEW
Uxbridge Times
Established in 1991 Vol. 28 • Issue 4
Over 21,000 Copies Mailed Free
UxbrIdge • North UxbrIdge • LINwood • doUgLas • NorthbrIdge • whItINsVILLe • sUttoN • MaNchaUg
aPrIL 2019
Cannabis Dispensary Opens in Uxbridge By Abigail Epplett March 15th marked the grand opening of Caroline’s Cannabis, the first womanowned recreational cannabis dispensary in Massachusetts. The new store is located about a quarter mile from Route 146, allowing easy access for visitors going from Worcester to Providence. The building is across the street from Faith Fellowship Four-square Church, whose entrance was blocked during the grand opening. Parking for the grand opening was at the Serendipity Room, and customers could ride a shuttle to the store. The creation of the store has been six years in the making, but the decision to place the store at its current location began last April. According to material released by the Cannabis Control
The dispensary is located at 640 Douglas Road in Uxbridge. Commision of Massachusetts, a Community Outreach Meeting was held in Uxbridge Town Hall on April 11th, 2018, after seven days of advertisement in Worcester’s Telegram & Gazette. A month later, on May 14th, the host agreement document designating Uxbridge as the home for Caroline’s Cannabis was signed by Uxbridge Town
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Manager Angeline Ellison after a vote by the Board of Selectmen passed the agreement. The document guarantees that the town will receive an additional three percent of sales revenue from the store on top of regular sales and property taxes, and the owner; Douglas resident Caroline Frankel, will maintain a cooperative relationship with the Uxbridge Police, promptly reporting any issue that may arise. On her own, Frankel hopes to employ a diverse workforce, providing jobs for women and minorities in the community, along with sponsoring and donating to local charities. At the grand opening, clouds and occasional drizzle did not deter cannabis enthusiasts. As posted on their Facebook page, the Uxbridge Police detail officers were present to assist motor vehicles traversing the area. Uxbridge Police Chief Montminy was also on the scene. At the shop, security guards limited the number of customers inside the shop to six at one time and checked IDs before they could enter. Those waiting outside formed an orderly line, making small talk and occasionally vaping. The customers were fairly quiet, although they did cheer when the doors first opened. Employees of Caroline’s Cannabis periodically walked through the crowd, taking pictures and answering questions. The grand opening of Caroline’s Cannabis was a well-run operation, part of Frankel’s belief that cannabis can be classy. Business hours are between 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and were implemented to prevent supply problems within the store and traffic issues outside of it. The current plan of action is geared towards a best-case scenario where customers can easily access the store, while community members who oppose the use of recreational drugs will be largely unaffected. Only time will tell if this new enterprise will be successful, but the store is off to a safe start. PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
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INSPIRATION - The Blackstone Valley Art Association (BVAA) recently held its Poetry Artist Pairing Event. Artwork by Carol Frieswick (above) provided the inspiration to Trisha Wooldridge and in turn, Trisha created a poem. Complete story and Trisha’s poem are featured on page 5.
Friends of Lasell Field prep for Town Meeting Friends of Lasell Field, a volunteer group formed to improve the conditions at Northbridge’s Lasell Field Athletic complex continue to work with school and government officials to present the most optimum solution to the town of Northbridge at its May 7th Town Meeting. The Lasell Field athletic complex, continues to deteriorate year after year; with a track unfit for meets, unsafe bleachers that do not meet ADA regulations, and an athletic field that regularly floods and doesn’t meet today’s size and safety standards is long overdue for a facelift. After hiring an engineering firm to create conceptual plans the group continues its efforts to see the project through. Both the Board of Selectman and the School Committee have agreed to cosponsor the article on the warrant at town meeting requesting a Debt Exclusion for the $2.75 million Capital Improvement project. This is the first
time the two groups have agreed to cosponsor an article from what local government officials can recall. “This town is moving in the right direction with the vote to build a new elementary school, but the town’s needs do not stop there. We need to get better at Capital Improvement projects. These fields have become an eye sore, a source of embarrassment, and flat out dangerous for the town. Our kids deserve better. The memorial for John Whitin Lasell deserves better,” said Selectman Tom Melia. Last week Friends of Lasell met with Town Manager Adam Gaudette, the Board of Selectman, the School Committee as well as the Finance Committee to decide the financial structure of the proposed article. The three groups decided together that a 3year Debt Exclusion would make the tax increase least burdensome for residents. The cost of the tax increase, based on an average home of $316,000
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Come support the Uxbridge High School Class of 2022 on Sunday, April 7th in the Uxbridge High School Cafeteria located at 300 Quaker Hwy., (Rte.146A), in Uxbridge. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will be from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Bring your camera for pictures. Adults
$10.00 / Children (6-12) and Seniors Citizens $5.00 Children under 5 Free! Gluten free options will be available.
will equate to $180/year for 3 years, roughly $45 a quarter. The Northbridge Finance Committee will vote to support or not support the article in an upcoming meeting, Friends of Lasell seek their support and backing. “We hope to go into Town Meeting on May 7th with as much community support as possible,” said Northbridge resident Tim Labrie, who is spearheading the project. “We are doing our best to get our information in front of residents, answer questions and listen to feedback. We really hope that our supporters remember to come out to Town Meeting as the 2/3 support is crucial to our efforts.” “Some people see this as a football project, it is so much more than that. Lasell Field hosts our High School soccer games, lacrosse and field hockey games…it is home to our High School Marching Band. We would love for our track athletes to be able to experience a continued on page 12
~ INDEX ~ Town News ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 15 Senior Corner ..........Page 21 Society .....................Page 25 School News............Page 27 Business News........Page 31 Sports.......................Page 33 Classified .................Page 35