~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” Volume 25 • Issue 1
FREE Monthly Since 1991
uxbridge • North uxbridge • linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • sutton • manchaug
JANuARY 2016
Agreements ensure mutual accountability
Many New Englanders look forward to this Winter wonderland.
Chamber honors “A Night of Heroes” By Constance Dwyer President & CEO Jeannie Hebert made the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 37th Annual Meeting a memorable and sensitive one for the 200 attendees by remembering our fallen military heroes, especially our local hero, Northbridge Corporal John Dawson, who was killed in action at the all too young age of 22 in Afghanistan on April 8th of 2015. His parents, Michael and Rhonda, were present at the evening meeting held on November 19th at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton. CEO Jeannie Hebert was especially happy to announce the Chamber’s new location at the historic Linwood Mills complex which is handicapped accessible and on the first floor. Newly elected Chairman of the Board, William Kerrissey Jr. of Fidelity Bank, said he was “honored” to be chosen to meet “the challenges ahead in enhancing the
quality of life in our Valley community.” He was also enthusiastic about the Chamber’s new motto, “Retain, Recruit, Relate.” Award recipients follow: Gerry Gaudette Extra Mile Award was presented by Lee Gaudette, President, Gaudette Insurance Agency, went to Margaret Carroll who Lee Gaudette said is known for “singing her praises of her hometown of Millville.” As a teacher for 37 years in the BlackstoneMillville Regional school district, she taught the children the importance of preserving a towns history. Now, at 91, President Hebert said “Margaret is an amazing person, well deserving.” The Wildlife Conservation Hero Award & 50th Anniversary Recognition was presented by President & CEO, BVCC Jeannie Hebert to Justine Brewer and her family. They are known as “experts of wildlife and environmental conservation” at the Southwick Zoo in Mendon. Four genera-
tions, now with 5 adult children and 3 grandchildren, manage this popular zoo on 200 acres with 850 animals and 125 species. In this new year, the family is planning to have a full service restaurant. Staff currently consists of 30 fulltime and 25 part-time employees. Annually, there are 500,000 visitors! Thoughtfully, all attendees received a free ticket to the zoo at their tables. Not one ticket was left behind! The new 52,000 square foot supermarket, Market 32 (Price Chopper) in Sutton was honored with the Cornerstone Award for Economic Development. President & CEO Joe Barbato of Millbury Federal Credit Union credited Michael Ryan, owner of Galaxy Development, for his “vision” in making this supermarket possible on Route 146. Dan Magoon, Executive Director of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Fund, was the guest speaker. He spoke pascontinued on page 11
Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and Route 30 into a mixed-use developrecently signed Community Compact ment for housing and commercial puragreements with officials from the poses. Regionalization/Shared Services: Foltowns of Grafton, Sutton, Charlton, lowing Grafton’s participation in the Oxford, and Uxbridge. “We are excited to announce new Worcester County Health Alliance for partnerships between the Common- inspectional and public health services, Grafton will work with the wealth and these municipalities to ensure local gov- “We are excited to Central Massachusetts Reernments are dedicated to announce new part- gional Planning Commisbest practices,” said Lieu- nerships between sion to identify potential tenant Governor Polito. the Commonwealth opportunities for more “We look forward to work- and these munici- collaboration. ing with local officials to palities to ensure SUTTON implement their chosen local governments Financial Management/ best practices in the areas are dedicated to Budget Document: Sutton will work with the of economic development, best practices,” Division of Local Serfinancial management, and vices’ Technical Assistresource protection.” - Karyn Polito Community Compacts Lieutenant Governor ance Bureau (TAB) to enhance its budget docuare one tool the administrament for better communition is utilizing to strengthen the partnership between cities and cation to residents and businesses about towns and the Commonwealth. By the Town’s priorities and challenges. Financial Management/Long Range entering a Community Compact, a community agrees to implement self- Planning: Sutton will work with TAB selected best practices. As part of this to develop a more formalized financial partnership, the Commonwealth agrees planning process and plan to assess revto fulfill a set of commitments and enue and expenses over a five to ten works to provide assistance for a com- year period. munity, based on their chosen best CHARLTON Financial Management/Financial Polipractice. Through these Compacts, officials cies: Charlton will work with the Diviwill work with the Commonwealth to sion of Local Services’ TAB to pursue a implement the following best practices: set of formal fiscal policies that document reserve levels, capital financing, GRAFTON Information Technology/Business Con- and free cash to ensure structure and tinuity: Grafton recently merged IT consistency around local fiscal policy services with its school department and decision. Energy and Environment/Water Rewill pursue a business continuity plan to ensure seamless operation and a source Management: The Commonrecovery and backup plan for its sys- wealth will provide Charlton with a Community Compact grant to hire a tem. Housing and Economic Develop- consultant to assist the Town in develment/Preparing for Success: Grafton oping a master plan for water managewill pursue a feasibility study for devel- ment as it assesses policies needed to continued on page 16 oping a state-owned land parcel at Pine
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Business Bio:
Quaker Tavern When you walk into the Quaker Tavern at 466 Quaker Highway in uxbridge, there will be someone at the door to greet you, similar to when you go visit family. see story on page 31
~ INDEX ~ Town News ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 19 society .....................Page 21 senior Corner ..........Page 23 school News............Page 25 Business News........Page 31 sports.......................Page 33 Classified .................Page 35