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Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VOLUMe 20 • ISSUe 5
A FREE Monthly Publication
Uxbridge • North Uxbridge • Linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug
MAY 2011
Economic advance for Bernat Mill “Silver” Designation received from MassBiotech Council Honoring their commitment to work toward fixing the Massachusetts economy and creating a climate for job growth, Representative Kevin Kuros of the 8th Worcester District (RUxbridge) and Representative Ryan Fattman of the 18th Worcester District (R- Sutton) announced that the Bernat Mill site in Uxbridge received its Silver Classification for the life sciences. The two legislators worked in conjunction with Selectman Bruce Desilets, Bernat Mill co-owners Leonard “Cappy” Fournier and Jack Tweed, and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) to obtain this long desired designation. “My partner Jack Tweed and I are very excited about our site being awarded a silver rating by the Mass Biotech Council,” said Fournier. “This rating will help bring our Uxbridge site to the attention of the top decision makers in the Life Science/Bio Tech industry worldwide, and is a truly sig-
nificant mile stone in the redevelopment of our Bernat Mill site. Fournier continued, “My partner and I are thankful for this help and support and are totally committed to seeing this project through to completion. We thank you all very much and look forward to the continued support as this
“We have come a long way since the fire that destroyed our complex in 2007. We never would have made it this far without the help and support of so many in the state and municipal government, and the support of the residents of the town of Uxbridge. They saw and believed in the vision Jack and I have for this project and stood behind us.” - Cappy Fournier Co-owner Bernat Mill
project moves forward. We would like to give a special thanks to State Representatives Ryan Fattman and Kevin Kuros for their hard work and
Douglas resident wins a chance of a lifetime Linda Seid Frembes, a local Douglas resident, will have the chance of a lifetime this month thanks to a Twitter lottery run by The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) that allows 150 people from around the world to witness shuttle Endeavour’s last launch from a front row seat at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The two-day “NASA Tweet Up” event will feature a tour of the facility and presentations by NASA, as well as the shuttle launch itself. Frembes entered the lottery along with 4,100 other people and was notified she was chosen earlier this month. “I never thought I would get picked,
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especially since the entry period was only 24 hours and so many people entered,” she says. “As part of this VIP group, I’m able to meet NASA engineers, technicians, managers, and astronauts who will talk to us about Endeavour’s last mission. On launch day, we’ll be 3 miles from the launch pad alongside international and national press who are covering the launch. That’s about as close as any civilian can get to the shuttle.” Frembes will post videos and photos of the launch to her web site at www.Frembes.com, as well as tweet about the event via her Twitter account at www.Twitter.com/AVwriter. PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAgE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
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support in helping us and the town of Uxbridge attain the Mass Bio Tech Council silver rating.” The Silver Classification level is defined by buildings and/or land sites being ready for biotechnology uses through municipal agreement, where the municipality allows biotech laboratory and manufacturing uses by right. By way of the classification, the Bernat Mill has been identified as a Massachusetts growth District. Shortly after taking office, Representatives Kevin Kuros and Ryan Fattman took tours of the Bernat Mill site with co-owners Fournier, Tweed and Selectman Desilets with an end goal of ascertaining this economic designation. The Bernat Mill was destroyed in a tragic fire in 2007, but has long been a site thought to have great economic potential. “For me,” said Kuros, “this journey with Cappy and Jack started when I was the Chairman of the Uxbridge Board of Selectmen. Because of the high cost of construction inherent in the Biotech Industry, companies are unwilling to invest without zoning that specifically allows biotech and/or life science businesses. Since our bylaws at the time were silent on those uses, we worked to get them modified and subsequently approved by town meeting. I'm pleased to see MassBio recognize our work and am excited about the prospects of redeveloping the site.” Fattman said that the Bernat Mill project coalesced well with his agenda of trying to create an economic climate that permits job growth and economic development. Kuros sees initiatives like this as being closely aligned with his appointment to the Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies. “This is great news. I was happy to work with Rep Kuros, the town of Uxbridge, and the MassBiotech Council to make sure this Silver Classification was obtained. It’s the first step to bringing more well paying jobs to the Valley. Uxbridge and the Valley are lucky to have dedicated businessmen like Cappy and Jack,” said Fattman.
In Afghanistan...Remembering Home United States Marine Corps 1st Lieutenant Michael J. Gagnon (on the left) is seen here proudly displaying the flag of his home state of Massachusetts while stationed in Afghanistan serving our Country. Accompanying 1st Lt. Gagnon is, Team Leader, Major Richard J. Mendelow of Atlanta, Georgia. The Oxford native is currently part of a logistical operations team mentoring and advising the Afghan Border Police. The Team, Border Mentor Team 2, is composed of both Marines and Sailors. 1st Lt. Gagnon expects to return home sometime before summer with a fall return to Afghanistan planned, with his brothers of the Marine Wing Support Squadron 371.
Blackstone celebrates Memorial Day The Blackstone Parade Committee is inviting people to participate in their Memorial Day Celebration. The day begins with a parade at 1p.m. followed by a ceremony in front of the Blackstone Municipal Center located at 15 St. Paul Street. Then the event continues behind the Municipal Center in Roosevelt Park. There will be live entertainment, a food court, amusement rides for younger children, and different types of vendors. The
Business Bio: Riteway Power Equipment quality sales & service Owner/Brothers Marty (left) and Steve Schotanus (right) check out a new Simplicity Compact Tractor with technician Andrew Kennedy (center). They have everything you need to get your yard looking great!
See complete story on page 39
day will end with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. If you are interested in participating in the parade, entertainment, vendor area, help the committee with parking, stage hands, or lining up the parade. You can contact the Vendor Chairman Thomas Dunayeski II by email at: Blackstone MemorialDay@gmail.com or by telephone at (508) 735-8252.
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