Mailed free to requesting homes in Douglas, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Linwood, Whitinsville and North Uxbridge Vol. VIII, No. 17 Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.STONEBRIDGEPRESS.COM Friday, April 13, 2018 BHC losing executive RALLY PLANNED TO SUPPORT OVERRIDE PASSAGE DOUGLAS — The Vote Yes! Committee created to support a director is Rhode Island gain yes vote for a Proposition 2 ½ override question will host a rally of friends and supporters in front of the Simon Fairfield Public Library at 290 Main Street in Douglas at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Following six successful years at Blackstone April 14. Heritage Corridor, Inc., Megan DiPrete has Douglas is one of many communities overburdened with accepted the position of chief, Division of unfunded mandates, seeing little to no increases in state funding Planning and Development at Rhode Island for its schools and unable to generate sufficient funds to cover Department of Environmental Management. the operating costs of the town’s basic services. Facing shortfalls DiPrete was the first full-time staff person this year and over the next several years, the Board of Selectmen at BHC, starting her tenure in May 2012. She recently unanimously approved a Proposition 2 ½ override was instrumental in transitioning BHC from a question asking the voters to approve a $1.5 million increase in Federal Commission to the thriving non-prof- revenue in order to stabilize town operational funds. it organization that it is today, working to Rally organizers urge everyone supporting the campaign to help develop the organization’s first-ever 10 save Douglas to join them on the library steps. The event is open year strategic plan, refreshing the branding to all and Vote Yes! lawn signs will be available for pick up. and logos, and creating a new web site. For the Anyone wanting to volunteer to help with the Vote Yes! campaign past year, she has served as BHC’s executive should email [email protected], visit VoteYesDouglas. director, focusing her efforts on establishing org, or find VoteYesDouglas on Facebook. a plan for the long-term sustainability of the For the override to pass, voters must approve it at the upcom- organization. ing annual town meeting on May 7 and on the annual town elec- Drawing on her experience in both com- tion ballot on May 8. munity planning and construction manage- ment, DiPrete brought a number of projects to BHC’s portfolio that protect the natural and historical resources of the Blackstone River Valley, cultivate a generation of stew- Register now for ardship and enhance the community vitality of the 25 cities and towns in the National Heritage Corridor. DiPrete’s work with BHC pay-to-ride program has always kept an eye toward how commu- nity visions and project opportunities might fit together. For example, when she became Registration is now open for cap of $540 per School Committee the 2018-19 Bus Transportation Transportation Services Policy Courtesy photo Pay-to Ride Program. KF(The policy can be found Please Read BHC, page A2 Megan DiPrete is leaving the BHC All students, whether free or under Bus Transportation on the paid, who will be taking the bus new website). All registrations next school year must register must be made online. Payments for a bus pass in order to be eligi- may be made on line with a cred- ble to ride the bus. This includes it card or Pay Pal. Checks can be WCS DRAMA CLUB READY TO ROCK students who have transporta- either mailed or dropped off to tion required in their IEP. the Central Office Transportation Go to www.uxbridgeschools. Department, 9 North Main St., com and click into the new web- Uxbridge, MA 01569. No bus tags site. Choose Bus Transportation will be issued without payment and Quick Start Guide for received. Any check returned information on whether your due to insufficient funds or child(ren) are eligible for bus closed bank accounts will have a transportation, provided free $25 bank fee charge. No cash will bus transportation, or need to be accepted. pay for bus transportation. OLV Bus passes can be picked up students will need to pay for at your child’s school during the their busing based on the dis- week of Aug. 20. Please check the tance from their home to their school’s hours before going to neighborhood school (Taft, pick up the bus pass. Whitin), not the distance from Bus routes will be pub- their home to OLV. The school lished the week of Aug. 20. committee bus policy, frequently Please see School Committee asked questions and the online Transportation Services Policy registration is available on the KF (The policy can be found The Whitinsville Christian School Drama Club is putting the finishing touches on their upcoming produc- website. under Bus Transportation on tion of High School Musical on Stage! The Disney Channel’s 2006 hit movie, High School Musical tells All students MUST be regis- the new website) for any ques- the story of students who, despite other students’ attempts to thwart their dreams, resist peer pres- tered and paid in full by June 1 or tions concerning the bus routes sure and rivalry and inspire others not to “stick to the status quo.” Eventually, the entire school comes there will be a late fee of $50 and it or stops. together to celebrate each other’s successes, made possible by teamwork and community spirit. will be based on availability. The For more information or ques- Performances are April 20, 21, bus fees for the 2018-19 school year tions, please email: transporta- is $180 per student, with a family [email protected]. Summer’s bounty just around the corner - UXBRIDGE COMMUNITY GARDENS REVVING UP FOR SPRING PLANTING BY RAYANNE COOMBS the Uxbridge Community Gardens gardening practices such as organic organic. Community gardeners are TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT Committee, first began the effort of gardening and on-site composting. forbidden to use chemical fertilizers, UXBRIDGE – In spite of the linger- opening the plots up to the communi- The Gardens are operated with no pesticides or herbicides., and concen- ing snow, many local residents are ty in the spring of 2012. The purpose funding from the town of Uxbridge, trate instead on improving the soil gearing up to begin planting their soon of the Uxbridge Community Gardens but is supported by plot fees, donations with organic matter and using natu- to be summer bounty, at the Uxbridge is to provide a place for residents from individuals and the Uxbridge ral controls for pests and diseases. Community Gardens. Located on a to come together, plant a garden, business community. The Gardens Hall said, “Our community garden- parcel of town owned land adjacent learn from one another and produce are also a source of food to those in ers are committed to the stewardship to the soccer fields on Sutton Street a healthy source of food for their fam- need in the town; in addition to spaces of the land and to growing healthy in Uxbridge, the Community Gardens ilies. for individuals, several garden plots vegetables for their families without has one-hundred plots for residents Hall said, “The gardens are in an are set aside for the People First Food the use of chemicals.” to cultivate throughout the growing open field with full sun. Most people Pantry. Those gardens, together with Although each Community Gardner season. Each plot measures 25’ by plant the traditional veggies - toma- donations from other Community is responsible for maintaining their 20’ and costs twenty-dollars for the toes, beans, squashes - but also flow- Gardeners, supply fresh organic pro- own plot, the Garden also has several season. The Gardens will officially ers and herbs.” duce to the Pantry. Garden space is work days or work sessions several open on Saturday, April 21. Residents Part of the Community Garden’s also set aside for the Uxbridge Senior times during the season to accomplish of Uxbridge, as well as surrounding mission is to supply community mem- Center, where fresh vegetables sup- general tasks around the gardens. towns, are welcome to apply for a plot bers with the knowledge they need plement the COA lunch program. Gardeners are asked to participate in the garden. to create and maintain successful The Gardens follow strict guidelines Barbara Hall, the chairperson of gardens while promoting sustainable to ensure that all plots are completely Please Read GARDEN, page A4 Douglas announces final review completion As one part of its English Learner Education. education, English language •Interviews of adminis- for special education: The accountability system, the The CPR takes place every education and civil rights trative, instructional, and Department selects a sam- Department of Elementary six years in each district documentation for required support staff consistent with ple of student records from and Secondary Education across the state. The CPR elements, including district/ those criteria selected for those the district reviewed oversees local compli- is made up of two phases: school review of a sample onsite verification. as part of its self-assessment ance with education self-assessment and onsite of special education student •Interviews of parent advi- to verify the accuracy of requirements through verification. records selected from across sory council (PAC) represen- the data. The Department the Coordinated Program During the spring of 2017 grade levels, disability cat- tatives and other telephone also conducts an indepen- Review. All reviews cover the district participated in egories, and levels of need. interviews as requested by dent review of a sample of selected requirements in the self-assessment phase. The Onsite Verification other parents or members of student records that reflect the following areas: Special This was comprised of dis- phase took place this fall.