2006 Annual Town Report Town of Uxbridge, Massachusetts
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2006 Annual Town Report Town of Uxbridge, Massachusetts FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006 JULY 1, 2005 THRU JUNE 30, 2006 2006 Annual Town Report Town of Uxbridge, Massachusetts FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006 JULY 1, 2005 THRU JUNE 30, 2006 1 Emile “Moe” Montville Delmore “Jim” Cormier mile J. “Moe” Montville was a lifelong resident elmore “Jim” Cormier graduated Uxbridge Eof Uxbridge, born in 1924. He graduated with DHigh School in 1944 and earned a B.S. in the Uxbridge High School Class of 1942 and Business Administration from Boston University in served in the U.S. Army in the European 1948. He was a Korean War Veteran in the Air Theater during World War II. He Force. He served on the Finance Committee for 9 served our community as a mem- years and was a member of the Growth Study ber of the Board of Health, Committee. He was an expert in the Uxbridge Planning Board and Housing Zoning laws and assisted Authority and was a many residents in South Volunteer Firefighter for Uxbridge. Jim champi- 20 years, serving as a oned the environment Captain on Engine 3. locally and regionally with the Blackstone Robert Tancrell Valley Alliance and the obert “Bob” Tancrell graduated from Uxbridge Uxbridge Parents for Clean RHigh School in 1955 and was a star athlete in Air and Water. Upon his passing, football, basketball and baseball. He was a Jim generously donated his property to the member of the Uxbridge Finance Committee, Trustees of Reservations. The 175 acres of beauti- Blackstone Valley ful woods and fields contains several structures Chamber of Commerce, including a barn and Jim’s historic home circa The Arthur D. Taft 1800. Jim wanted this property to be open for Memorial Fund and sev- public enjoyment through passive uses including eral other local organiza- access a hiking trail system. His generosity tions. Bob was a volun- ensures that a piece of the past will be preserved teer in the Uxbridge for the pleasure of future generations. Little League for over 30 years. Recalled as a patient man with a “common sense approach” to issues, Bob's love of public service was only surpassed by his love of coaching and celebrating the athletic successes of his children and grand- children. 2 Table of Contents In Memoriam . .2 Public Services Board of Selectmen . .4 Uxbridge Community Access Television . .40 Department of Public Works . .40 Gravel Removal . .4 Health & Human Services Zoning Enforcement . .5 Board of Health . .41 Town Counsel . .5 Council on Aging/Senior Center . .42 Litigation Status Report . .5 Housing Authority . .43 Insurance Advisory Committee . .43 Officials, Boards, Committees, Commissions . .7 Veteran’s Agent . .44 Elected Officials/Appointed Officials . .8 Culture & Recreation Democratic/Republican Committees . .10 Blanchard Reuse Committee . .44 Meetings Schedule . .10 Cultural Council . .44 Historic Cemetery Committee . .44 Financial and Accounting Reports . .11 Historic District Commission . .45 Employee Earnings . .12 Historical Commission . .45 Assessor . .16 Library . .46 Finance Committee . .17 Library Trustees . .46 Finance Director . .17 Recreation Commission . .47 Financial Statements . .18 Town Common Preservation Committee . .47 Tree Warden . .48 Town Officers Reports . .32 Website Committee . .48 Elected Boards/General Government School Reports . .49 Board of Registrars . .33 Superintendent’s Report . .50 Conservation Commission . .33 School Committee . .50 Moderator . .34 Taft Elementary School . .50 Planning Board . .34 Whitin Middle School . .51 Zoning Board of Appeals . .34 Uxbridge High School . .52 Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District . .55 Public Safety Animal Control Officer . .34 Town Meetings/Elections . .59 Special Town Meeting - September 2005 . .60 Inspection Services Special Town Election - October 2005 . .60 Building Inspector . .35 Annual Fall Town Meeting - November 2005 . .60 Electrical Inspector . .35 Special Town Election Ballot Question - January 2006 . .63 Gas/Plumbing Inspector . .35 Special Town Meeting - March 2006 . .63 Emergency Management . .35 Annual Town Meeting - May 2006 . .65 Fire Department/Ambulance . .36 Annual Election - May 2006 . .72 Police Department . .38 Special Town Meeting - June 2006 . .73 Public Safety Committee . .39 Vital Statistics & Information . .76 Talent Bank Form . .80 Important Telephone Numbers . .(back cover) On the cover he painting on the cover for this year’s annual report was created by local watercolorist Sue Dion. TThe artwork was completed originally as the cover of the first Uxbridge phone book produced by Our Town Publishing and is based on a photograph by fellow Uxbridge resident Ronnie Fischer. Prints of this painting are currently available at the local library where Sue donated several copies to be sold for the benefit the Friends of the Library. Other reproductions are available by contacting Sue directly at FrameSense and the Sue Dion Watercolor Studio. The Town of Uxbridge Board of Selectmen greatly appreciate Sue’s generosity in allowing the use of this image for the FY06 Annual Town Report. 3 Board of Selectmen his Annual Town Report represents the In February, the Board voted to support the extend out thanks to all our staff including Allan Tmajor activities of all aspects of Town gov- Town’s second Local Initiative Project under Klepper, Cortney Keegan, and Jean Lovett. ernment during the period of July 1, 2005 to the 40B program for the Emerson Village hous- We also thank our new Town Manager Jill June 30, 2006. It has been compiled by the ing development on Quaker Highway. This will Myers, staffers Jennifer Cederberg and Karen Office of the Board of Selectmen and once help add another 23 units to the community’s Cangello, and all the municipal employees and again the Board extends its thanks and compli- quota of “affordable” homes as designated by volunteers who provide services to our com- ments to our staff, particularly Jennifer the Commonwealth. We also signed the so- munity on a daily basis. Cederberg, Assistant to the Town Manager, for called “Four Town Agreement” and began a Respectfully submitted, her fine work in coordinating this effort. collaboration with the neighboring towns of Julie A. Woods, Chairman Fiscal Year 2006 (FY06) has been another Douglas, Northbridge and Sutton to consider Arthur O. DuBois, James F. Dwyer II, busy year for the Town, still making adjust- the creation of an “overlay zone” and revenue Kevin J. Kuros, Daniel Stack ments to the changes brought by the over- sharing agreement that would help facilitate Harry Romasco - through 5/06 whelming voter support for the Charter. The economic growth along the Route 146 corridor. Donald Sawyer - through 7/05 Board of Selectmen dealt directly with two Negotiations continued on the disposition and major changes in local government as it development of the Town-owned parcel at the Gravel Removal worked with the community’s first Town intersection of Routes 16 and 146. The Board of Selectmen administers Manager, Allan Klepper, and successfully Due to the resignations of long-time employ- Section X, Earth Removal, of the General negotiated with and hired our second Town ees Cortney Keegan and Jean Lovett, the Bylaws of Uxbridge. The Section X bylaw Manager, Jill Myers, who took the position in Board had to address vacancies in both the prohibits removal of soil, loam, sand, or gravel February of 2006. Treasurer-Collector/Finance Director and Town from any parcel in Uxbridge unless a written In addition, the Board continued to adjust to Accountant positions. Per the requirements of permit is obtained from the Board. The Board its relatively new role as Water and Sewer the Charter, these vacancies could not be filled of Selectmen hears applications for gravel Commissioners by working on the Sewer permanently until the new Town Manager was removal, issues, renews, and conditions Privilege Fee over many months. in place. licenses for removal, oversees gravel removal Don Sawyer resigned from the Board in July The Board also regretfully accepted notices operations, and also enforces the bylaw and of 2005, resulting in a Special Election which of resignation from several committee mem- any issued permit. was held on October 11, 2005, at which time bers and made new appointments to a number As of June 30, 2006, there are 5 active Kevin Kuros was elected to serve Mr. Sawyer’s of committees such as the Blanchard Reuse, licenses for gravel removal: unexpired term. Town Common, From July of 2005 through May of 2006, Historic Cemetery, License # Permit Holder Address (Map/Parcel) Harry Romasco served the Board as Chairman Parade, and Ad Hoc 32 Hathaway, Rick 155 Laurel Street (43/3535) and Arthur DuBois as Vice Chairman. Kevin Bylaw Review 35 Schnorr, Duane 500 Chocolog (43/3681) Kuros served as Clerk from October of 2005 Committees. All such 36 Schnorr, Duane 762 Quaker Highway (51/0126).