Mailed to requesting homes in Douglas, Northbridge and Uxbridge

• Vol. II, No. 28
• Complimentary to homes by request

• Friday, April 10, 2009
• ONLINE: www.blackstonevalleytribune.com
• “A people free to choose will always choose peace.”

Standoff in Douglas ends with arrest

PAUL MILLER ARRAIGNED ON 11 CHARGES

BY THOMAS MATTSON

me. You know who this is.” The man ing a rifle in his direction. As then hung up. Police said dispatcher Majeau retreated toward his car, Dan Dunleavy recognized the voice police said, “a shot was fired in his

TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

DOUGLAS — A local man faces 11 charges, including threatening murder, after a four-hour standoff centered on his barn off Yew Street. Paul Miller Jr., 47, was arrested after police negotiators talked with him during the ordeal Sunday, April 5. Police became aware of the situation when they received a 9-1-1 call at 3:57 p.m. from 60 Yew St. When the dispatcher called back, Debra Perkins, 52, answered, saying no one had called. Shortly afterward, police got a second call from the same location. A male voice said, “Come get

• as that of Miller.
• direction.” The policeman took

Police rushed to the Yew Street cover behind his cruiser and address to check out the possible radioed for assistance.

• threat to safety. At that time, police
• Backup officers from Webster,

said, they were advised by Perkins Uxbridge, Sutton, Massachusetts that her husband, Miller, was upset State Police and a SWAT team

• and in the barn across the street.”
• responded. Scores of police cruisers

Officer Raymond Majeau tried to were at the scene in the bucolic make contact with Miller, calling neighborhood.

• out to him.
• After negotiators made contact

“If you come in here,” police quot- with Miller, State Police took him

• ed Miller, “I’ll kill you.”
• into custody around 8 p.m. Miller

Thomas Mattson photo

At about the same time, police said, Majeau observed Miller point-

Turn To STANDOFF page A8

This barn on Yew Street was the scene of a gunman’s standoff with police last Sunday.

Uxbridge school budget faces $1.4 million deficit

BY ANDY LEVIN

proposed $17,342,735 fiscal 2010 would be,” Esposito said. “We are budget, even though the plan repre- looking at salaries, but are still trysents a decrease of more than ing to sort this out. There’s no ques$300,000 from current levels of tion there will be layoffs, though.”

TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

UXBRIDGE — School Committee Chairman Ernest Esposito said the key question to be answered is not “if” there will be any layoffs for fiscal year 2010, but rather “how many.” Esposito said last week the school department was facing an approximately $1.4 million shortfall in its

• spending.
• Interim School Superintendent

The School Committee was sched- Howard Boyaj was scheduled to uled to meet Tuesday, April 7, to meet with representatives of the look for ways to pare the spending Uxbridge Teachers Association last plan in anticipation of a public week to see whether the union hearing a week later.

Turn To BUDGET page A10

“It’s even worse than I thought it

Thomas Mattson photo

FIDDLER AT
GRASS ROOTS

NORTHBRIDGE — A large turnout of bluegrass fans packed the basement of the Rockdale Congregational Church last Friday night, April 3, to hear Maine singer and fiddler Erica Brown and other musicians. For story and more photos of what is becoming a Friday night tradition at the Grass Roots Coffeehouse, turn to page A13.

Thomas Mattson photo

John Rexford is slated to lead a trip to China next month. It will be his fourth trip to the People’s Republic.

Attorney to lead group on May trip to China

Murray challenges Marzec

CANDIDATES BATTLE FOR NORTHBRIDGE SELECTMAN’S SEAT

BY THOMAS MATTSON

English in the mornings and doing a myriad of activities in the afternoons and evenings.

TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

NORTHBRIDGE — A local lawyer who pastors a church on the side is leading a group of 18 persons from six states on a two-week trip to China next month.
“It’ll be my fourth trip to China since 1996,” said John Rexford as he sat one afternoon last week in his Whitinsville office on Church Street. Rexford said the trip to China May
14-27 “occurs once a year and fosters cross-cultural world relations by loving and helping Chinese college students improve their English and learn other basic life skills while getting to know some Americans face to face and visa versa.”

BY THOMAS MATTSON

ence, leadership and fiscal responsibility.

TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Although the central government of China does not allow the Americans to preach Christianity, it apparently understands there are many unofficial religious gatherings in homes. Commentators with experience in China say that as long as such a small house-centered church does not make waves, it will probably be left alone. Rexford is a graduate of the University of Michigan and of Suffolk University Law School in 1984.
Murray added “integrity” to the list.
NORTHBRIDGE School Committee

• —
• Former

Chairman
Marzec, a high school science teacher, is completing three years of service on the Board of Selectmen. He said it is an honor to represent Northbridge citizens. Marzec said the current Board of
George Murray is challenging Selectman James Marzec for a three-year term on the board. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 19 at Northbridge High School.

James Marzec, left, will face off against George Murray next month.

Both candidates pledge experi-

Turn To BALLOT page A15

He grew up near Detroit and he and his wife Debra bought a house in Uxbridge, from where he commuted to work at a law firm in

Victim reacts to Teczar conviction

BY ANDY LEVIN

the second trial of the pedophile priest. Teczar, 68, was found guilty was overturned on appeal last fall. March 26 on three counts of aggra- The Teczar story is all too familiar
A 2007 conviction in the same case
He said the project is adminis-

tered by a nonprofit organization in Maryland.
“We hope to take more people from New England in the future,” he said.

TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

• Cambridge.
• A while later, the

Rexfords decided they wanted their three children to get to know their grandparents back in Michigan, so the family moved back to the Wolverine state, where they

• UXBRIDGE
• —
• David Lewcon

vated sexual assault of a child and to Lewcon: As a 16-year-old parishindecency with a child in a case ioner of St. Mary’s Church in 1971, involving an 11-year-old boy two he was one of Teczar’s numerous decades ago. A jury sentenced him victims. Lewcon said the priest used believes Rev. Thomas Teczar still “doesn’t get it.” Lewcon returned home recently from Eastland, Texas, where he spent several days as a witness in
The group will have a full sched-

• ule teaching university students
• to 50 years in prison.

Turn To CHINA page A10
Turn To VICTIM page A18

A2, 3 ...................................... LOCAL A4,5 ..................................... OPINION A12............................. SPORTS A7 .................................... OBITUARIES B3 ....................... REAL ESTATE
A11......................... CALENDAR

THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE CAN BE
REACHED VIA E-MAIL: [email protected]

2 •

BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE

Friday, April 10, 2009

TRIBUNE

Desilets pulls out of BOS race

ALMANAC

BY ANDY LEVIN

• Stacy last summer.
• mine to give back to the commu-

Technical High School in Upton last year, another who is a senior there, and a daughter who attends private school.

TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Desilets, 56, a lifelong resident nity,” Stacy said. “I can contribute of town, said acute pancreatitis a common sense approach to has left him unable to serve the things like infrastructure and the public they way he has been budget.”
UXBRIDGE — The unexpected withdrawal of Bruce Desilets and the late entry of two additional candidates has reshuffled the race for the Board of Selectmen here.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK

Keeler first ran for the board in

“He’s pitiful. I don’t think he gets it. He hasn’t accepted the fact he has done what he has done.”

• accustomed to doing for the better
• Selectmen have been exploring
• 2005.
• Current
• Selectmen

part of a year. The painful condi- a regional police dispatch agreetion is extremely serious and ment with Millville as well other there is no cure other than to have coordinated operations with sura pancreas transplant, according rounding communities. Count to Desilets. For now, he is under- Stacy as a supporter of similar going enzyme replacement thera- ideas.
Chairman Kevin Kuros defeated him in that special election. Keeler could not be reached for comment last week.

• Desilets,
• a

s e l e c t m a n since winning a special election

— David Lewcon, of Uxbridge, on pedophile priest Thomas T e cza r , w ho was convicted in T e xas last month.

Desilets and Robertson won the remaining months left in seats formerly held by James Dwyer and Daniel Stack, both of whom resigned for personal reasons. py in an attempt to mitigate the disease.
“It takes citizens like myself to get together and make these type

• last
• July,

intended to run for a full three-
“I just take it in stride,” he said. of changes,” he said. “I’d like to
“I told the town manager I’d still see a discussion about regionalizbe at his disposal, but I just can’t ing DPW operations with Upton, do everything I had been trying to seeing as neither of us has a do. I left some work I wanted to superintendent. I think towns can get done, but I can’t to it this way. share more resources.”

THE STATS

In Baghdasarian, who also serves as selectman, is among three

• a
• related matter, Peter
• year
• term

The percentage of widowed men,
15 and older

Tuesday, May 19, but a serious health issue has a

Bruce Desilets

Auburn ..........3.3 Brimfield ......4.3 Brookfield......2.1 Charlton ........3.0 Douglas..........1.0 Dudley............3.1 Holland ..........1.5 Leicester........3.2 Northbridge ..2.2
Oxford............1.8 Southbridge ..2.7 Spencer..........2.7 Sturbridge ....1.9 Uxbridge........1.8 Wales..............1.6 Webster..........4.0

* Information as of 2000 U . S. Census

incumbent School Committee members who will be seeking reelection in May. Fellow incumbents Mason Seagrave and Michelle Taparausky are also on the ballot, as is William Robertson. The latter is the husband of Cari Robertson. since forced him to pull out of the race. Incumbent Cari Roberston, who was elected with Desilets last summer, remains on the ballot as a candidate for reelection. Meanwhile, Alan Keeler and Mark Stacy will compete along with Robertson for the two seats opening on the board next month. Both men have run for selectman in the past — Keeler in 2005 and
I really enjoyed the challenge.”
Stacy said the current Board of
Stacy served on the School Selectmen has been doing a good Building Committee during the job, though Desilets will be early years of this decade, a con- missed when his term expires in tentious period when the town a month.

• was divided over whether to build
• “Bruce is a big loss,” he said. “I

a new high school. An engineer really like him.”
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to
8 p.m. on election day at the high school.

• with EMC Corp. in Hopkinton,
• A resident of town for two

Stacy is now taking aim at the decades, Stacy has a son who

SUNRISE/SUNSET

• municipal side of government.
• graduated
• from
• Blackstone

Vocational
Sat., April 11 ........6:14 a.m. ........7:25 p.m. Sun., April 12........6:12 a.m. ........7:26 p.m. Mon., April 13 ......6:11 a.m. ........7:27 p.m. Tue., April 14........6:09 a.m. ........7:29 p.m. Wed., April15........6:07 a.m. ........7:30 p.m. Thur., April 16......6:06 a.m. ........7:31 p.m. Fri., April 17 ........6:04 a.m. ........7:32 p.m.
“It has always been a feeling of Valley
Regional

Postal Service gears up for Tax Day

POLICE LOGS

NORTHBRIDGE

REGION — Are You Ready For Tax Day? Marblehead, Peabody. Western: Amherst, The Postal Service is offering some helpful East Longmeadow, Northampton, Pittsfield

THE FIVE QUESTIONS

tips for last-minute tax filers. If you’re one of the millions of taxpayers who owes Uncle
To help the Postal Service help you: • Apply sufficient postage. (Postage is 42-

• 1. The
• capital
• of
• Alabama
• is

• Lydia Fruhwacht, 44, of 434 Church St., Whitinsville, was arrested at 11:05 a.m., Monday, March 30, and charged with a default warrant out of Uxbridge District Court.
Birmingham. Or is it Montgomery?
Sam a few dollars and some change on your cents for the first ounce which is usually

2008 tax return, chances are you will visit about four 81/2 x 11-inch sheets; add 17 cents
2. What is the name of the river than separates Washington and Oregon?
3. What U.S. President led us into the Mexican War?
4. Halifax is the capital of which Canadian province? your local Post Office in the coming days. While the number of people filing online postage for each additional ounce.)
• Always use a complete mailing and
She was transported directly to court. has increased over the years, some return address.

• Americans still prefer to mail their tax
• • Tax returns must be postmarked no later

• Robert Archambault, 27, of 252 Main

St., Whitinsville, was arrested at 1:51 p.m., Monday, March 30, and charged with larceny over $250. He was arrested after a shoplifting incident at Wal-Mart and was transported directly to court for arraignment. returns. Only one location in the state will than April 15.
5. What countries make up the island of

Hispaniola?

• have available window service until mid-
• • If mailing from a street collection box,

night — Fort Point Station, 25 Dorchester check the last pick-up time to make sure your Ave., Boston. Other options include automat- return will be collected later that day.

FRONT PAGE QUOTE

ed postal centers (APCs) with self-service reliability, which remain open until mid- Delivery Confirmation if you want to con-

• night at the following locations:
• firm your tax return is delivered. Delivery

• •
• Consider using Priority Mail with

— Ronald Reagan

Automated Postal Center locations (self- Confirmation is not available for First-Class service) ?Envelopes can be weighed and envelopes.

OPEN TO CLOSE

UXBRIDGE

• stamps purchased, among other tasks at
• • If using a First-Class envelope, use

Northbridge Town Manager

(508) 234-2095

Northbridge Town Clerk

(508) 234-2001

Northbridge Middle School, Pleasant

Street, Whitinsville (508) 234-8718

Northbridge Elementary School, 87

Linwood Ave., Whitinsville (508) 234- 5264

Northbridge High School, Linwood

Avenue, Whitinsville (508) 234-6221

Balmer School, Crescent Street,

Whitinsville (508) 234-8161
APCs. Receptacles are available for mailing. Certified Mail or Registered Mail for proof of ?Central: Acton, Leominster, Worcester delivery.

• •
• Theresa W. Flaherty, 43, of 63

Whitewood Road, Milford, was arrested March 31 and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and operation of a motor vehicle with license suspended.

• ?Central/South: Framingham (two APCs),
• • For mailing tips and information on

• Confirmation, log onto
• Northborough, Westborough. North: Delivery

Andover, Burlington, Lowell, Reading, www.usps.com. Wakefield, Woburn. Northeast: Beverly,

She was released on bail pending arraignment in Uxbridge District Court. She was taken into custody after a routine traffic stop by officers. The arrest was made at 3 p.m. by Officer Brian MacDonald on Mendon Street, Uxbridge.
Grammar & Primary Schools, Cross Street, Whitinsville (508) 234-6346

Special Education Department. 87

Linwood Ave. Whitinsville (508) 234-8701

Douglas Town Manager

• Skyla Akeley, 18, of 18 Church St., Uxbridge, was arrested April charged with being a fugitive from justice on a court warrant. She was transported to Uxbridge District Court for arraignment. The arrest was made at 9:38 a.m. by Detective Jody Dwight, assisted by Officer David Bergeron, at 18 Church St., Uxbridge.

• 1
• and

(508) 476-4000, ext. 101

Douglas Town Clerk

(508) 476-4000

Douglas Elementary School, Gleason

Court, Douglas (508) 476-2154

Douglas Intermediate School, 21

Davis St., Douglas (508) 476-3332

Early Childhood Center, 29 Depot St.,

Douglas (508) 476-4034

Special Education Department, 29

Depot St., Douglas (508) 476-4035

Uxbridge Town Manager

(508) 278-8600

Uxbridge Town Clerk

CRANE

(508) 278-3156

Uxbridge High School, 62 Capron St.,

Uxbridge (508) 278-8633

SERVICE

Taft Elementary School, 16 Granite

St., Uxbridge (508) 278-8643

Whitin Intermediate School, 120

Granite St., Uxbridge (508) 278-8640

Special Education (508) 278-8654 Veterans Agent (Northbridge, Douglas,

Uxbridge and Sutton)

30 Ton Capacity

Ken Trajanowski (508) 234-9808

162' Vertical
Reach

www.olearywelding.com

L & M Landscaping, Inc.

Weekly Mowing & Trimming
Fertilization Programs

Reasonable rates

508-476-9793

L

Spring/Fall Cleanup Irrigation Assessments

&

Free Estimates

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