~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VOLuME 20 • ISSuE 11
A FREE Monthly Publication
uxbridge • North uxbridge • Linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug
NOVEMBEr 2011
Sutton Town Voters acquire Manchaug Dam BY CONSTANCE DwYEr On October 17th, 2011, at the Simonian Center for Early Learning, with 144 voters present, the 16 article warrant for Sutton’s Fall Annual Town Meeting was brought before the voters at 7:05 p.m. and completed in approximately 80 minutes. With Town Administrator James, “Jim” Smith back from medical leave, warrant articles dealing with the FY 2012 financial issues, numbers 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 9 passed easily, many unanimously and Art. 4 was passed to transfer two tax title parcels to the Board of Selectmen for their future disposition. Art. 3 passed to permit up to two Selectmen to serve on the Charter and By-Law Review Committee, but only after opposition based on: the suggested absence of charter required committee reports to the Selectmen; and no evidence of corrective effort by the Selectmen or Moderator, who, together, appoint the 5 committee members – including recognition, in the Town’s Annual Report, of the committee’s existence. Art. 8 brought forth the most voter debate participation, both from the audience, Patricia Weagle, and Phyllis Charpentier, secretary of the Manchaug Pond Association & Foundation who offered their strong support and from Finance Committee member Robert Recore who spoke in opposition. In addition, a passionate plea was made by Andrew Mosher, a resident of Sutton for 40 years who runs a business locally. He spoke about the Manchaug Pond Association and its newly formed non-profit foundation of which he serves as treasurer. He said the organization was 44 years old and is “100 members strong.” He applauded Town Administrator Jim
POSTAL PATrON
Smith and the Board of Selectmen for their “foresight and hard work in bringing a workable solution to protect Manchaug Pond for our community and generations to come.” The effects on lake front properties of abandoning the dam appears to have overcome the objections based on the ongoing cost of ownership by the Town. The $350,000 gift to the Town upon its assumption of ownership, while it would greatly assist in the dam maintenance, was deemed by some as not sufficient in the long run. The acquisition succeeded by a near unanimous vote. Articles 10 through 13 were passed, most by unanimous votes before the Moderator requested that Art. 10 be re-voted “to make it legal.” Art. 10 passed again unanimously. The remaining articles, amendments dealing with Renewable Energy Sources under the Zoning By-Law, numbers 14, 15 and 16 passed unanimously and the meeting was concluded.
HEALING HANDS: Members of Mendon Girl Scout Troop 30398 learn about the plight of abandoned horses in our country. (left to right) Sarah, Kelly, Emma, Lydia, Emily, Emily, Amanda and Kelsey. See complete story on page 42
Mrs. Flansburg retires after 31 Years of service BY CONSTANCE DwYEr Mrs. Beverly Flansburg of Douglas started “subbing” at Our Lady of the Valley Regional School in Uxbridge back in 1980 when her sons, Jeremy and Jonathan, were OLV students. It happened when Sr. Kathleen, well known and loved at the grammar school, as longtime principal and former teacher, decided to call Beverly and ask if she would like to teach the 8th grade. She
gladly accepted the opportunity to put her Framingham State College B.S. degree in Education back into practice; she had graduated in 1964 when the college was an “all girls” school. She had taught the fourth grade in Hopedale (Memorial School) for five years, but gave it up when she became pregnant in 1969. Her husband, Charles, better known as “Chic,” was very supportive of her return to work after being a stay-at-
home Mom for about 8 years. She said, “My first love was junior high since I was able to appreciate the students who, in turn, appreciated my humor and teaching style.” Her last year, though, was teaching fifth grade and it was a positive experience to see kids “excited about everything.” Mrs. Flansburg was instrumental in starting a Student Council at OLV and was its advisor for close to 7 years, at which time she passed the reins on to
Business Bio:
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
Grafton Inn
Great food & lodging
ECRWSS
Owner; John Pardee & his son, John, Jr. is the Inn Manager
The Inn features daily specials and live acoustic music on Thursday Nights. In addition to the Grafton Inn, John also manages The Grill, a sports bar, in Northbridge on Providence Road.
See story on page 37
Mrs. Sandy Robbins. She admires the Student Council for its involvement with “community concerns;” it and the Junior Honor Society spearheaded many community outreach programs— school supplies were sent to the school’s “sister-school” in New Orleans, Christmas gifts were given to needy families in the Blackstone Valley, and a Red Cross blood drive is held yearly. continued on page 42
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