~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VoLume 20 • Issue 10
A FREE Monthly Publication
uxbridge • north uxbridge • Linwood • Douglas • northbridge • Whitinsville • sutton • manchaug
oCToBer 2011
Athletic Fields Score at Special Town Meeting By ConsTanCe DWyer On Saturday morning, September 24th, 638 voters assembled to act on a four article warrant. Before the meeting started voters were solicited for their opinions. William, “Bill” Robertson, a parent of two sons in the public school system, in a one-on-one interview expressed his opposition to the funding of the athletic fields. “When you observe the global
“When you observe the global economy and how our governments are not doing anything tangibly to improve the economy, this is not the time to spend.” - Bill Robertson BLaCKsTone VaLLey FaLL FesTIVaL - This year’s Fall Festival and Craft Fair has a new location, but the same great activities, exhibits and old-fashioned, family-friendly feel. The third annual fair, one of the most popular events in the Blackstone Valley, will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. saturday, oct. 8th, at the parking lot at northbridge High school, 427 Linwood ave., northbridge. see page 6 for all the details.
Partnership to benefit High School Project Shawmut Design and Construction, located at 560 Harrison Avenue in Boston, recently announced a new partnership with the Springfield office of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This partnership will allow Shawmut to facilitate OSHA’s construction safety courses and equipment training with employees and subcontractors working on the construction of the new high school in Uxbridge, MA, ensuring continued safe practices on the job site. Subcontractors also signed a commitment to take part in lessons and apply what they learn on future jobsites. “Every step we take allows us to be proactive when it comes to safety,” said Shaun Carvalho, Shawmut’s Safety Manager. “Right now, we are the only construction management firm to have a
PosTaL PaTron
partnership like this with OSHA’s Springfield office.” Shawmut Superintendent Luke Grady is credited with developing this partnership, and the company has previously engaged in a similar partnership with OSHA’s Andover office for the construction of the new high school in Wayland, MA. “We don’t do a lot of these partnerships, but it’s clear that Shawmut has a lot of pride in their work,” said Mary Hoye, Area Director of OSHA. “This is a great opportunity for OSHA to work with the best of the best.” Shawmut began construction of the new, ground-up academic building in May. The project consists of a 123,000 square foot, three-story building with a two-story wing that will serve 600 students. Construction is scheduled to be completed in summer 2012.
economy and how our governments are not doing anything tangibly to improve the economy, this is not the time to spend.” He added, “…anybody who runs a business understands risk is the main ingredient to watch in making the best decision.” In commenting about Art. 4 (athletic fields) he said “Risk now is the highest it’s been in a long time. It’s important to understand, before [we] cast our vote, that we’re making a financial impact on the community of Uxbridge for 20 years. There’s a ‘need and want’ column and this is the wrong time to be investing in the wants.” Another father, Tim Creighton, who also has two sons in the school system, was very much in favor of funding the athletic fields. “I think in building a new high school, you’ve got to have fields and keep people attracted to the school and avoid school choice [out]. They’re going to do it sooner or later. It will cost more if we do it later. There isn’t enough equipment for our youth.” The Special Town Meeting was called to order shortly after 10 am and following Moderator Ed Mahary’s refusal to take Article 4 out of order, Article 1 was voted upon to allow the Selectmen to grant an easement to the Massachusetts Electric Company and Articles 2 and 3 passed to validate a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement for 67 Commerce Drive and authorize the Selectmen to negotiate a PILOT agreement for 21 Commerce
Drive, both effective for the 21 fiscal year period FY2012 through FY2032. Article 4 to appropriate, contingent on a debt exclusion ballot election, $3,884,000 for “constructing and equipping athletic fields” on the Quaker highway site of the New High School came to the floor at 10:34 a.m. with former Moderator Harold Klei taking the gavel from Moderator Ed Mahary who recused himself because of his membership on the School Building Committee, SBC. Mark Stacy spoke in opposition to the appropriation and subsequently offered an amendment that the Moderator properly refused because it was outside the scope of the article. Among his objections was the information that, according to the manufacturer, the artificial “turf” would only last “8-10 years.” Stating that he was speaking as a private citizen, Finance Committee member Ray Wright, spoke forcefully to “the merits of acting favorably on [the] motion, and … to the financial consequences of a facility that does not give parents of high school children the perception of a complete and quality educational experience.” He added, “The
“I think in building a new high school, you’ve got to have fields and keep people attracted to the school and avoid school choice (out). They’re going to do it sooner or later. It will cost more if we do it later. There isn’t enough equipment for our youth.” - Tim Creighton solution to this financial black hole ($50 million for choice out) is to give students and parents a reason to stay—not another excuse to leave. The way to retain students and Uxbridge tax revenue is to offer a complete educational experience: academics, athletics, and extra-curricular opportunities.” Neither the pre-meeting comments nor the positions of the two speakers provided specifics on the continued on page 21
Business Bio: Bay State Floor Company, Inc
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
ECRWSS
Bay State Floor Company, Northbridge celebrates its 15th year in business this month. Whitinsville resident Patty Cloutier founded the company in the fall of 1996. Read the complete story of her success. Patty Cloutier (left) helping a customer.
see page 35
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