~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 11
FREE Monthly Since 1991
Uxbridge • North Uxbridge • Linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug
Uxbridge TM lengthy and controversial
New community partnership breaks ground "The dignity of work enhances the dignity of life"
By Constance Dwyer
With 18 articles on the warrant, it appeared the Fall Annual Town Meeting (FATM) might be pro forma, despite two articles in particular that were expected to be controversial. However, when Moderator Ed Mahary called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm, few, if any, expected it to last until the late hour of 10:55 pm. He announced Art. 1 (Reports), Art. 4 (Fiscal 2016 Budget Amendments), Art. 17 (Street Acceptance, Storey Lane) and Art. 18 (Street Acceptance, Walnut Grove) were to be passed over. According to Town Clerk Kelly Dumas there were 163 voters in attendance. Articles 2 and 3 transferring Free Cash to the Cable Enterprise Fund and to the Stabilization Fund passed easily and were followed by a request by former Selectman Harry Romasco that an article, Art. 15, be taken out of order. After the vote, Moderator Mahary said that although the “vote in favor was not unanimous it was a clear majority.” Mr. Romasco explained he had “done extensive research” about the worth of having a retreat lot in Uxbridge since neighboring towns like Northbridge, Sutton, Douglas, Blackstone and Millville have approved such retreat lots. He said the town should “consider the savings” of such a measure. He explained how he diligently communicated with Town Manager Dave Genereux, the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee, the Planning Board and Moderator Mahary. Mr. Romasco said he “took their recommendations to heart” and thus offered several amendments for the “Special Residential Regulations of the Zoning Bylaws…to be called Retreat Lots.” Mr. Romasco was asking, effectively that his daughter, Alexa Romasco be allowed to build a home on the rear acreage of the 8-acre property where he and his wife, Sheryl, reside. He added, if the voters agreed with him, it would create an additional taxable property and “It would help to keep families in town.” Planning Board Chairman Joe Leonardo spoke in favor of The Planning Board’s support and urged voters to vote “Yes.” It is helpful at this point to let readers know that the Planning Board continued on page 12
POSTAL PATRON
DECEMBER 2015
HONORED GUEST - The Deborah Wheelock Chapter, a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Partner of the Vietnam War, was honored to have Gregg Gentzler in attendance at their Veteran’s Day Celebration. Gentzler (pictured above) is President of VFW Post 1385 in Uxbridge, present. He served as a Marine in Vietnam from 1967-69 and in the Army during the 1st Dessert Storm. A framed Proclamation of Appreciation for Service was read and will be posted at the VFW Hall. Pictured above with Gentzler is Jane F. Keegan, Regent, Deborah See related story on page 9 Wheelock Chapter, DAR.
MassWorks Grant awarded Last month, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito was in Uxbridge to present the town with a $250,000 grant check from the MassWorks program. The money will be used to upgrade sewer line capacity along Route 16 to help unlock economic development in the area, supporting the expansion of the senior housing development, a one-hundredacre office and retail site, and an office park at the intersection of Routes 16 and 146. The project is anticipated to commence in the Spring. Representative Kuros met with Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Jay Ash in August to discuss economic development opportunities for the 8th Worcester District, and this project was one of several they discussed. "I want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration, and particularly Secretary Ash, for approving this grant," said Rep. Kuros. "I asked the PRESoRTED STANDARD US PoSTAGE PAID BoSToN, MA PERMIT No 55800
Secretary for his support and advocacy and am delighted to see this project recognized as worthy of funding in this very competitive grant program." “I am thrilled the Governor and Lt. Governor made this project a priority for the town of Uxbridge and our district. I appreciate the work of all local officials involved and Secretary Ash for support on this project” said Senator Ryan Fattman. This year over one hundred applications were submitted to the MassWorks Grant program, with only 46 communities receiving funding in this round of the program. The MassWorks Application was submitted by Uxbridge Town Manager David Genereux and Uxbridge DPW Director Benn Sherman. Work on the project is expected to begin in the Spring of 2016.
A new partnership was celebrated when Blackstone Valley Tech, Alternatives Unlimited, Inc., and Lowe's broke ground on a community construction project. The groundbreaking was held in Northbridge on property owned by Alternatives, a not for profit agency dedicated to improving the lives of persons with psychiatric or developmental disabilities by offering a wide range of residential, employment and day services. Utilizing funding from the SkillsUSA/Lowe's 2015 Campus Improvement Grant Program and working closely with representatives of the Lowe's Home Improvement store in Milford, Mass., Valley Tech will renovate several historic structures owned by Alternatives, including a 150-year-old carriage house and a Victorian era greenhouse. Alternatives Executive Director Dennis H. Rice said that once renovated, the carriage house will feature new offices, restrooms, a kitchen, and multipurpose spaces that could host classes, training programs, and cultural events. According to Rice, Valley Tech and Alternatives are ideally suited to partner on the renovation project, which he considers an "inclusive and collaborative solution to a community need." "Certainly, Valley Tech provides skills and support to help their students be successful," Rice said. "We do the same thing with the individuals we serve, who are challenged by either a developmental disability or a psychiatric disability. We give them skills and support so they can be successful in the community." Led by instructor Mike Swanick, renovations will be made by the staff and students of Valley Tech's Construction Technology program, with ongoing contributions from the Drafting, Engineering Technology, Electrical, and HVAC & R programs. According to Rice, however, the BVT students and staff won't be working alone. "While the construction is being done, we hope to include some of the people we serve," explained Rice. "This project is a real skill-building opportunity for us, as well as the students." continued on page 15
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~ INDEX ~ Town News ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 23 Society .....................Page 25 Senior Corner ..........Page 27 School News............Page 33 Business News........Page 37 Sports.......................Page 41 Classified .................Page 43