~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times “Your Hometown News” Volume 25 • Issue 5
FREE Monthly Since 1991
uxBrIdge • NorTH uxBrIdge • lINwood • douglas • NorTHBrIdge • wHITINsVIlle • suTToN • maNcHaug
maY 2016
Special TM draws overflow of voters By constance dwyer
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~ Blackstone Valley tech students lend a helping hand ~ 1.) christin lynn sanchez, a painting & design technology senior from uxbridge, was one of many Valley tech seniors who recently used their technical skills to make free improvements to the sutton public library & town hall. 2.) inside the sutton public library, (from back left clockwise) cosmetology seniors lucia cenedella of Milford, emma noel of uxbridge, and stephanie graveson of uxbridge painted the fingernails of visiting children, including olivia Mundell of douglas. 3.) at Marion's camp a group of seniors constructed a small footbridge to provide better access to the trails. (R to l): Joseph Medeiros, Milford; nicholas simmons, uxbridge; nathaniel Motuzas, Milford; steven dunn, Milford; corey Flodstrom, Milford; dan Brochu, upton; seamus craig, Millbury; Brian soltan, douglas; Robert lizotte, Bellingham; nicholas sturniolo, Millville; Joshua seth luttrell, Mendon; and Jonathan
postal patRon
Rivernider, Mendon. 4.) along with more than half the Blackstone Valley tech class of 2016, information technology senior sami kafal of northbridge is seen here outside the sutton town hall. See complete Story on page 16
On Saturday morning, April 2nd, shortly after 9:00 a.m, inside a crowded Uxbridge High School Auditorium, with overflow participating from the gym, Moderator Ed Mahary called the Town Meeting to order on a 3-Article Warrant. The importance of the issues involved were obvious from outside the school by the overflow from the crowded parking lots, connecting entry and exit roadways, and additional vehicles still entering the facilities. A $44.8 million EPA ordered improvement to the wastewater treatment plant and permission to change the zoning bylaws to rezone to industrial, a parcel of residential land and to permit the construction of gas powered electric generating plants in excess of what is currently permitted by Uxbridge bylaws. The results of these votes are well known by residents at this time, but the arguments may not be so well known. The first vote was on the Sewer System Article. It was pointed out by the proponents that failure to approve the updates to the sewer plant would result in the imposition of significant fines to the town and by the opponents that economic studies required by the EPA were based on the median income of
the town population not on the population served by the sewer system, thus not fulfilling the requirement of “due diligence.” Regardless of their motives, the voters present approved the authorization of the Selectmen to approve the necessary debt at the considerably low interest rates available for this project. The vote by the 605 in attendance was 456 in favor, well over the 2/3 majority required. Following the successful result of the Sewer Treatment Plant improvement, the Moderator brought Article 2, the Power Plant amendment, to the floor. Again the advantages and disadvantages were presented to the voters. The principal benefit to the Town was obviously added revenues and this was pointed out. The disadvantage was of use of cooling water required was refuted by proponents, but the limited liability of the plant with respect to both water table pollution and the danger of necessary on site inflammable materials probably convinced the voters present and the motion was subsequently defeated, failing to get less than half of the votes: 2/3 was required. With the failure of the power-plant article, a motion to withdraw the related rezoning article, number 3, was made and favorably voted.
Veterans needed for Uxbridge Memorial Day Parade The Uxbridge Parade Committee wants local Veterans to march with them in the Uxbridge Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30th. Marchers will meet at Whitin School at 8:30 a.m. and parade steps off at 9:00 a.m. Show Uxbridge who has had their backs since 1776. It does not matter if you served during a conflict or not, you have served with distinction, pride and honor and we want you with us! If your military backpack has gotten a little too heavy and you would like a ride, we will do our best to find you a stylish ride. PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAgE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
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The members of the VFW Post 1385, and American Legion, Charles A. Rice Post #33, will depart the VFW at 6:00 a.m. and proceed to St. Mary’s Cemetery, and Prospect Hill Cemetery, where a short ceremony will be held to honor all our deceased veterans, consisting of a short prayer and a gun volley and taps. Also, we are looking for local Uxbridge Veterans to volunteer to participate in the “Flying Squadron” which visits all the Uxbridge Schools for the 140th consecutive year. This will take place Friday, May 27th.
During the past several years we have lost some of our older veterans due to various reasons, looking to recruit new members to get involved with this great program and help continue this great tradition. In the event of rain, scheduled exercise will be held in the McCloskey Middle School auditorium at10:00 a.m. Please contact one of the individuals below if you would like to participate or have any questions: Dennis Seely, USN 1-508-278-0057, Tom Taft, USN 1-508-9625545 or Russ Wise, USMC 1-508-328-4499.
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The Blaire House A “Continuum of Care” is offered at “The Blaire House” according to Community Relations Director, Alissa Suitum. The Blaire House of Milford’s continuum consists of a Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, an Adult Day Health Center, Private Home Care and Senior Transportation. see story on page 33
~ INDEX ~ town news ..............page 4 calendar...................page 21 society .....................page 23 senior corner ..........page 25 school news............page 29 Business news........page 33 sports.......................page 37 classified .................page 39