THE NEW
Uxbridge Times
Established in 1991 Vol. 26 • Issue 6
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Ux br Id g e • No r t h Ux br Id g e • LINw o o d • d o Ug Las • No r t h br Id g e • w h It INs VILLe • s Ut t o N • MaNc h aUg
June 2017
Town Meeting draws overflow crowd By Constance Reddy Dwyer
MOMMY’S LITTLE HELPER - The Uxbridge Community Gardens have opened for its 6th season, welcoming gardeners of all ages. See story on page 6
A poet once described the Spring Annual Town Meeting (SATM) as the “Rite of Spring.” With an attendance of more than 700 voters filling the auditorium and overflowing into the cafeteria and gymnasium and delaying the opening on May 9th, the meeting started an hour late. Maybe the poet sees something we don’t. The 19 article warrant began with Article 1, easily passed to transfer available free cash into the Stabilization Fund, but eliminating the transfer of Ambulance Enterprise Retained Earnings, presumably because the Enterprise was not revoked at last year’s SATM, but no reason was given. Article 2, entitled “Inter/Intra Departmental Transfers” and as worded was limited in scope to the same, had four parts: part A, General Fund Transfers passed easily. Parts (C) and (D) involved expenditures, outside of the scope of the article, Prior Year Expenses and Nashoba Agricultural School Assessments also passed easily. Part C had 2 sub parts, the first of which expenses, “water meter replacements” also passed after the motion was divided, but the Point of Order by former Selectman Jim Dwyer challenging the legality of using enterprise retained earnings for other than the allowed uses was passed over and the division of the question concluded with the failure to
approve the $300,000 “Inflow and Infiltration” testing for the sewer system. Article 3 passed easily to appropriate $150,000 for the Snow & Ice deficit. Article 5 passed to appropriate $730,000 to the FY 2018 school budget, contingent upon an override of $1,320,000 being voted by the town at the upcoming election, May 23rd. Article 6 for the “CMRPC Per Capita Rate/Appropriations” passed, but was reconsidered because the per capita rate in the motion was incorrect according to research done by former Selectman Jim Dwyer; it passed the second time after being corrected. Mr. Dwyer notified Town Manager Dave Genereux of the error ahead of Town Meeting and at the meeting Mr. Genereux said “Mr. Dwyer is right.” Article 7, the Wastewater Enterprise Budget, passed on an amended motion by former Selectman Jim Dwyer, adding the $300,000 for the Inflow and Infiltration work and requiring that Sewer Usage fees cover both direct and indirect costs and be both fair and equitable. Articles 8 and 9, the Water and Cable Enterprise budgets, passed without debate even though the Water capital costs were not included in the budget. Article 10, the “Capital Purchases,” passed after an effort to amend it by adding a set aside for protecting school department assets failed. Articles 11 and 12, dealing with “Re-
volving Fund Accounts,” both passed easily, the first to reauthorize the existing accounts and Article 12 to establish the funds in a bylaw in accordance with “The Municipal Modernization Act” thus eliminating the necessity of annual reauthorization. To create such new accounts after FY 2018, however, will require a bylaw amendment. Article 13 failed in the absence of a motion. Article 14 passed to provide an easement to the Massachusetts Electric Company to enable access to and to service the ground mounted transformer on the property of the new Uxbridge fire station on South Main Street. Article 15 passed to allow the local licensing authority to authorize “Early Sales of Alcohol on Sundays and Selected Holidays” between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Article 16, to amend the Town bylaws by permitting “Non-Criminal Disposition” of violations of Uxbridge bylaws and “any rule or regulation of its officers, boards or departments,” prompted significant debate, emotional and logical; there were seven speakers. Specifically criticized was the provision of including “any rule or regulation of its officers, boards or departments” not just bylaws approved by Town Meeting. The motion to adopt this bylaw failed to receive the required 2/3 vote. continued on page 12
Valley Friendship Tour June 3rd
Alternatives’ signature fundraiser, the Valley Friendship Tour, will be held on June 3rd from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill, 50 Douglas Road in Whitinsville. Since it began over three decades ago, the Valley Friendship Tour has raised close to $2.5 Million in support of Alternatives’ services for individuals with disabilities in Central Massachusetts. With an outpouring of community support, last year’s 30th Anniversary event raised
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more than $270,000. This year, Alternatives is asking the community to help put the “Friend” in the Valley Friendship Tour. Friendship Pieces, handmade by local artisan and Alternatives Board Member Molly Hollibaugh, are being sold to help spread the word about the Valley Friendship Tour and expand participation. Each purchase comes with two pins, one for the purchaser and one to share with a friend. As Alternatives’
Director of Marketing and Development Karen Goldenberg explains, “This is a great way for people to show their support for their neighbors with disabilities and commitment to building inclusive communities. Plus, they’re just fun to wear!” The Tour is an opportunity to gather friends, family and co-workers for a day of fun and exercise in the beautiful and historic Blackstone Valley. Particicontinued on page 16
Participants at last year’s event; A Fun Day for a Great Cause!
Bu s in e s s Bio :
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
Five Star Doors
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Five Star Doors Owner; Tom Linehan and his son Brian.
Tom & Brian work very hard to make sure their family business meets all your expectations and that you will always be a happy customer from the day of installation. See story on page 33
~ INDEX ~ Town News ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 21 Society .....................P age 23 Senior Corner ..........Page 25 School News............Page 29 Business News........Page 33 Sports.......................Page 35 Real Estate…………Page 37 Classified .................Page 38