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Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VoLuME 26 • ISSuE 3
FREE Monthly Since 1991
Uxbridge • North Uxbridge • Linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug
MARCH 2017
NHS Hockey assists at Bruins event
Fire Station on budget and completed by fall
This year was the 12th annual benefit hockey game between the MDSC All Stars and the Boston Bruins Alumni. This year they raised over $90,000 for the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. All proceeds directly benefit MDSC programs and services including Parents' First Call, Advocates in Motion (AIM), Self-Advocate Advisory Council, Teacher Partnership Network, Educator's Forum, Annual Conference and Legislative Advocacy.
After many years worrying how to fit the height of the ladder truck into the fire station, Uxbridge Fire Chief William “Bill” Kessler can put that concern to rest. “It will be nice to have a spot, not in a confined space, for a ladder truck downtown,” the Chief said with a smile. Since 2007 when State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey was Fire Chief there’s been talk of a new fire station, Chief Kessler continued, and since he’s been Chief the talk has persisted. A little over 3 years ago when Sean Hendricks was the Town Manager, Chief Kessler approached the Board of Selectmen about beginning a phased approach to replacing the Center Fire Station. In 2002, a generous donation in the will of Virginia Taft granted a little over $140,000 to the Fire and Ambulance Departments. The executrix of the will said the money was to be used for a “building project,” and, with the support of the Board of Selectmen, the Chief was able “to invest up to $25,000 for a feasibility study.” After reviewing the results of this study with new Town Manager David Genereux and the Board of Selectmen, together they authorized the next phase, a detailed design of a station and the determination of a site. Approximately $100,000 from the Taft bequest was used for this phase. The results of this detailed design phase was a $9.25 million proposal which involved buying the old post office land next to the current fire station, and, uncommonly, all 5 selectmen gave their unanimous consent to bring the project before the town meeting. The proposal was put to the voters at the May 12th, 2015 Town Meeting and passed nearly unanimously, putting a
By Constance Reddy Dwyer
“I decided to do this event because it was a good way to help and be a part of the community, being on the ice was just a bonus. My favorite part was seeing all the kids smile.” - Mike Wells, Grade 11 The Bruins Alumni team won 9-6. Roughly 300 people attended the event which also included a free skate for 90 minutes before game time. Natalie Lyons, a post-graduate from NHS, was part of a group that sang the National Anthem. The Northbridge High School hockey team volunteered at the event. They helped people of all abilities skate if they needed help, which included, pushing them around the ice in chair, or helping them stand with the help of crates or even holding their arms. Mike Wells, Grade 11, said, “I decided to do this event because it was a good way to help and be a part of the community, being on the ice was just a bonus. My favorite part was seeing all the kids smile.” His brother, Chris Wells, Grade 9, added, “Helping kids learn to skate was fun for me and them. My favorite part to this event was seeing so many kids learn how to skate. I also got to
PoSTAL PATRoN
FAST FRIENDS - Kevin McIntyre, Grade 9 student at Northbridge High, pushes the “Fist Bump Kid” Liam Fitzgerald around on a chair. meet some Bruins players from the alumni team. That was a good experience, all in all, it was a great event for an even better cause. I was glad I could do my part to help out.” Ben Brodeur, Grade 10, stated, “I wanted to be able to put a smile on someone's face for helping them or being a role model or doing whatever I could to make someone happy, whoever that may be. My favorite part was the short time I got to spend with some of the younger kids.” Coach Ken Calabro said, “The boys PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
eCRWSS
and I had a great time. It was a pleasure to meet all of the kids and their parents. We always try and have the kids take advantage of opportunities to work in the community, especially when it's for the kids. It was a very centering experience. The kids we had a chance to skate with are phenomenal. They show a lot grit, determination, and joy on the ice. All qualities we could use more of in our lives.” Finally, Kevin McIntyre, Grade 9, said, “It was a great opportuncontinued on page 29
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debt exclusion on the ballot on May 19th, 2015, when nearly 80% of those present voted in favor of building the new Uxbridge Fire Station downtown. You can now tell by driving by the chosen site that construction has been timely and is going well. “The most important part of this building project,” Chief Kessler stressed, “is that we are within budget of the $9.25 million estimate!” Also present at the interview with Chief Kessler was Paul Cudmore from PMA Consultants, the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM). The Chief explained that according to Massachusetts State laws, a municipal building project, valued at $1.5 million or more, is required to have an OPM; you have “to have an individual like Paul” representing the Town’s interest. PMA Consultants was hired the end of September 2015 and began working in October of 2015. Paul is involved with procurements, bid selection, advertising and design reviews also during construction he oversees the day to day activities on behalf of the Owner, just a few of his responsibilities. Paul added, “I’m here to make sure The Owner/user gets what they pay for.” Owner’s Project Manager Paul Cudmore admitted “wish it would go faster, but you have to take in weather conditions like the storms” we’ve had recently. The Phase 1 goal of the Fire Department project is moving into the new building on June 9th. The Phase 2 goal is August 9th; it involves the demolition of the current fire station which will replace the 22 parking spaces lost at the municipal parking lot; “parking will be closer to Town Hall,” Chief Kessler was pleased to note. Also, he added that the crosscontinued on page 8
~ 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 Classifieds……..……Page 31