DPW Center Hits Town Meeting Roadblock Pitman Won't Step Down
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Mailed free to requesting homes in Douglas, Northbridge and Uxbridge Vol. III, No. 6 Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: www.blackstonevalleytribune.com “A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges.” Friday, November 6, 2009 DPW center hits Town Meeting roadblock MODERATOR’S VOTE BREAKS TIE, PREVENTS ESTABLISHMENT OF FUND, TRANSFER BY THOMAS MATTSON There were two key proposals on ment.” The Town Meeting proposal a new stabilization fund could be David Doneski ruled the fund, if cre- TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER the warrant of the Oct. 27 Town also called for transfer of some used for things other than the costs ated, could be used for capital con- NORTHBRIDGE — It appears a Meeting touching on a new DPW $94,000 from a dormant account to attached to procuring a new DPW struction and buying capital equip- proposed Department of Public center. the new fund. That money has been facility came up in comments made ment, whether for the schools or any Works (DPW) complex off Route 122 One called for the establishment sitting in a so-called gravel account at the Town Meeting. It was asked other town department. will take a while longer to material- of a Capital Construction and since 1997. It was accrued from the whether the proposed newly created Murray had said before the Town ize than the Building, Planning & Equipment Stabilization Fund. It town’s sale of gravel from the site of stabilization fund could be used for Meeting he hoped the $80,000 Construction Committee (BPCC) was “to be used to pay for design and the wastewater treatment plant off education and/or other things, or (sought in Article 7) could be used and like-minded residents had construction costs of capital proj- Route 122. whether it had to be used only for hoped for. ects and purchases of capital equip- The issue of whether money from the DPW proposal. Town counsel Turn To MEETING page A14 Pitman won’t step down BY ANDY LEVIN selectman because of the remarks disrespect for senior citizens TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER as well as her August arrest for demonstrates a woeful lack of UXBRIDGE — Selectman Beth drunken driving. judgment.” Pitman, under fire for suggesting “We the undersigned citizens of Pitman admitted to sufficient senior citizens move out of town if Uxbridge respectfully request facts in the OUI case brought they are unable to afford a tax Selectman Beth Pitman to resign against her by Marlboro police increase needed to build a new immediately from the Board of and was placed on probation. At a high school, has apologized but is Selectmen,” the petition states. Sept. 18 court appearance, she also resisting calls to resign. “Her personal problems with had her license suspended for 45 Approximately 240 residents authorities and her requirement days. have signed a petition requesting to report to them on a regular the resignation of the embattled schedule, coupled with the recent Turn To PITMAN page A14 Students a study in idealism BY THOMAS MATTSON TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER NORTHBRIDGE — Sherri Travers’ eighth grade class at Northbridge Middle School wants to change the world for the better and it has a lot of ideas on how to do that. An English teacher, Travers seems tireless in immersing her students in an idealistic frame of mind. Of course, they buy into it. What’s not to like about loving your neighbor and fulfillment and justice for everyone? Travers has it down to the details of a program. One approach Travers likes to Thomas Mattson photo emphasize to her students is what A section of the P&W Railroad as seen from beneath an overpass in Linwood. she calls “meta-cognition,” that is, “thinking about your think- ing.”` “It’s getting people to recognize why they think the way they do,” Travers explained. VILLAGE VOICE For example, issues like toler- ance, diversity and acceptance get Thomas Mattson photo LINWOOD MAINTAINS DISTINCT STYLE a lot of attention. Sitting, from left, Molly O’Brien, Abby Macintosh, Hannah Eldridge and Allie Driscoll. So do a lot of other values. Standing, from left, Tyler Finnegan, Jose Lopez, Devin Stevens, Matt Goldstein and Among those eighth graders Nick Bassett. BY THOMAS MATTSON the population on either side of who helped put on the dinner for TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER the Blackstone and Mumford seniors Oct. 13 were Molly was she can rise to their level of world and she lets her students NORTHBRIDGE — The work- rivers. O’Brien, Abby Macintosh, Devin idealism and has a penchant for discover what they are. So, in a ers inherited the land. They probably take their sur- Stevens, Jose Lopez, Tyler acting on it. way, that’s a reality check on Now the descendants of mill roundings for granted — old Finnegan, Nick Bassett, Allie But underlying all of that is her ideals that may have taken a turn workers in the Blackstone Valley, mills, houses of worship like the Driscoll, Hannah Eldridge and leadership. to self-delusion. including the village of Linwood Church of the Good Shepherd, Matt Goldstein. Recently she asked her students “When you eliminate the usual in the town of Northbridge, make One school administrator said to read a novel about a utopian things [from a society],” Travers up perhaps close to a majority of Turn To VILLAGE page A13 Travers is a perfect teacher for society. She explained that cer- the eighth grade. The implication tain things are missing from that Turn To EIGHTH page A16 Spartans remain on a roll UHS DEFENSE SHUTS DOWN SOUTHBRIDGE; NOW 7-1 BY NICK ETHIER season, but against the SPORTS STAFF WRITER RAMS ROUT QUABBIN, Spartans they could only com- UXBRIDGE — In a game bine for 53 yards. Rosario that held big Division 2B SEE PAGE A11 accumulated 30 yards, while implications to separate teams Ortiz added 23. in the standings, the the season, while Southbridge “I thought both defenses Southbridge and Uxbridge dropped to 5-2. Both teams played well,” Southbridge football teams played an even- have 4-1 marks in Division 2B. coach Frank Koumanelis said. ly matched game on Oct. 31. “Defensively we needed to “We just didn’t come to play.” There wasn’t much aerial tackle on every opportunity,” The first quarter of play saw offense, the running attacks Uxbridge coach T.J. Raeke drives from both offenses get couldn’t break any big rushes, said. “They have good backs. stalled on missed fourth down and the defensive units were They run tough. We put our- opportunities. outstanding. selves in position to make In the second quarter But the Spartans were able plays.” Uxbridge was able to have an to score once, as opposed to the The Pioneers’ running effective drive, as the Spartans Pioneers’ inability to find the attack, which predominantly ultimately got inside the Thomas Mattson photo end zone, and Uxbridge won 6- consists of rushes from Pioneer 30-yard line. But on Uxbridge quarterback Dan Tessier is about to plunge through a hole over center for the winning touch- 0. Hashian Rosario and Jamie that drive quarterback Dan down against Southbridge. The Spartans are now 7-1 on Ortiz, has been fantastic all Turn To UHS page A11 A2-3 ...................................... LOCAL A11-12 ........................ SPORTS A4-5 ..................................... OPINION A17 ............... GREAT OUTDOORS THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE CAN BE A7..................................... OBITUARIES B2 ................. VALLEY NOTEBOOK REACHED VIA E-MAIL: [email protected] INSIDE 2 • Friday, November 6, 2009 BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE Sutton comes to aid of family TRIBUNE BY ANDY LEVIN up with the idea to set up an account as a way been flooded with such, leading to duplication TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER ALMANAC of streamlining donations to the family. of certain items and simply too many of oth- SUTTON — Town officials and residents “However, the wonderful outpouring has seen ers, according to Fattman. He said if residents here have banded together in an effort to aid a all kinds of donations, from clothes to food. want to send gift cards the fire department QUOTATION OF THE WEEK young family whose home was destroyed by We are hoping the Boston Road Fire Fund can would accept them and forward the donations fire last month. direct resources to the family,so they are able to the family. On Monday, Oct. 26, a blaze at 60 Boston to decide what they need most during this “This is the essence of our community,” “Ironically, I am being attacked Road left the family, which includes infant tough time.” Fattman said. “We’ve seen the best our town here and on the Internet by some twins and a two-year-old, essentially home- UniBank is accepting donations at each of has to offer, transforming a tiny town into a less. its Blackstone Valley branches — caring community. The residents of Sutton, people who are far better off Following several requests from residents Whitinsville, Uxbridge, Douglas, Upton and and those of the Blackstone Valley, are good, concerned about the family’s fate, town offi- Blackstone — and will forward all donations generous people. We will all do our part, help- than I am financially and are cials have now set up a special account at to the Sutton location at 156 Worcester- ing turn a tragedy into the best triumph pos- accusing me of selfishness when UniBank that has been earmarked for the Providence Turnpike. sible. Please spread the word.” cause. Selectmen, Town Administrator James “UniBank and the local business communi- A Millbury firefighter was injured battling my personal financial situation Smith, local businesspeople and public safety ty, from Goretti’s Supermarket to All Care the blaze, but has since been released from the is so dire.” officials approached Sutton UniBank’s branch Medical Supply, is stepping up to help this hospital.