Mailed to requesting homes in Douglas, Northbridge and Uxbridge Vol. II, No. 12 Complimentary Home Delivery, 75 cents on newsstands ONLINE: www.blackstonevalleytribune.com “Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind.” Friday, Dec. 19, 2008 Reboot of Uxbridge landmark underway The project, first introduced some rant (9 percent of the space), retail PLANS FOR THE STANLEY MILL SHOPS UNVEILED seven years ago, would, if carried shops (30 percent), specialty retail out, result in 93,000 square feet of (15 percent), office (31 percent), the- redeveloped area. A special permit ater (4 percent, and gymnasium/fit- BY THOMAS MATTSON That group — made up of Police of Planning and Economic TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER application is pending before the ness facility (11 percent). Chief Scott Freitas, Fire Chief Peter Development — met earlier this Planning Board pursuant to the The property is located on UXBRIDGE — The most recent Ostroskey, Conservation month to coordinate an updated Historic Mill Adaptive Reuse Mendon Street (Route 16) just south progress on a plan to renovate the Administrator Tonya Brainsky, review of the proposal to redevelop Overlay bylaw, as well as the Major of Cross Street. It is outside the five-story Stanley Woolen Mill for applicant representative Mark the Stanley Woolen Mill. Non-Residential Development Historical District. Zoned industri- commercial use is an assessment by Anderson, of the Heritage Design The developer is Nicholas Deane, bylaw. al, it is impacted by provisions of the Technical Review Committee. Group, and Megan DiPrete, director of Boston. Proposed uses include a restau- Turn To MILL page A13 Senior Center’s new van a reason to rejoice BY ANDY LEVIN TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER UXBRIDGE — For many elder- ly residents of this community, the Senior Center’s new van is truly a vehicle of empowerment. About 40 people gathered at the Senior Center Thursday, Dec. 11 to celebrate and bless the 14-pas- senger, 2009 Ford “Super Duty” purchased earlier this year through a $40,000 town allocation and private donations totaling $17,150. The van, which is used to trans- port many seniors to and from the center, around town shopping and to and from medical appoint- ments, replaces a 10-year-old model that was deemed too expensive to maintain. May Town Meeting voters originally author- ized spending up to $65,000 for a new van, but substantial savings were realized following negotia- tions with vendors and an aggres- sive fundraising campaign over the summer. Andy Levin photo “Many of our seniors have, Director Marsha Petrillo addresses guests during a celebration of the Turn To VAN page A8 Uxbridge Senior Center’s new van last week. Vaillancourt Folk Art hosts Thomas Mattson photo Joseph Salatiello reflects on his World War II service. benefit for children’s group BY THOMAS MATTSON TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER SUTTON — Children who FROM THE DEPTHS are enduring and fighting serious illnesses may some- times have their spirits raised by a momentary kindness, a JOSEPH SALATIELLO RECALLS EXPERIENCE helpful diversion. That is what Vaillancourt AS A WORLD WAR II SUBMARINE SAILOR Folk Art sought to do Saturday, Dec. 13, by inviting “Dancing with the Stars” co- BY THOMAS MATTSON Salatiello has been doing for 63 years host Tom Bergeron to appear TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER because he loves meeting people and at its Manchaug Mills center DOUGLAS — In “The Wizard of Oz,” regards what he does as fun, there is to benefit the Starlight the lion could have got his courage from another Joe Salatiello the lion would Children’s Foundation. an articulate, sociable man of average have to know if he were to regain his Each Christmas season, height who at the age of 90 is still giving courage. company president Gary people haircuts. Vaillancourt said, Turn To SUB A9 Although barbering is what Joseph page Vaillancourt Folk Art intro- Thomas Mattson photo Turn To SUTTON page A14 Judi and Gary Vaillancourt display their new Santa. THE TRIBUNE INTERVIEW Cassi Bryn Michalik: From DHS to the style of Paris BY ANDY LEVIN tion, it is quite the enjoyable gig, indigo jeans (weekends only) as her whenever possible, and my girl- TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER consisting mostly of traveling the “essentials.” Suede boots, a wool- friends and I would take the ‘T’ into DOUGLAS — It’s quite a distance world to discover hot trends in fash- blend, “Hudson” scarf and a faux- the city all the time once we were from the bucolic Blackstone Valley ion and culture. leather “strap attack” satchel are old enough to do so on our own. to elegant streets of Paris, but Cassi Previously, she spent time in some of her “current obsessions.” From the first time I saw the New Bryn Michalik seems to have made Manhattan, studying at New York The Tribune spoke with Michalik York University advertisement in the transition just fine. University and interning at fashion last week about life in Paris and my guidance counselor's office — it A 1997 graduate of Douglas High industry magazines. growing up in the Valley. was a long picture of the Manhattan School, Michalik, 29, has spent the Michalik is Lucky magazine’s skyline — I knew that is where I past three years living in the City of January ‘lucky girl,’ a full-page fea- needed to get to for college. Light, where she works as cultural ture of the women’s fashion month- BVT: Tell us about your experi- editor for the online publication ly.In it, Michalik lists a resin cameo ence at Douglas High School and BVT: Looking back, do you think Stylesight.com. From her descrip- ring, cashmere sweaters and dark how that possibly influenced your having such a small town upbring- career. ing was in a way an advantage for CBM: There were never any fash- you? A2-3 ........................ LOCAL ion classes offered, but I did end up CBM: I don't think I realized it at scoring the class superlative of ‘Best the time, but going to such a small A4,5 ..................... OPINION Dressed!’ I think growing up in such school actually afforded me a lot of 6 56525 10401 5 B2........... VALLEY NOTEBOOK a small town really allowed me to opportunities that I may not have INSIDE dream, and I always loved being in 6 56525 10401 5 Cassi Bryn Michalik in Paris. the city. I wanted to go to Boston Turn To PARIS page A7 2 • Friday, December 19, 2008 BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE Callahan ethics crusade gets mixed reviews TRIBUNE ALMANAC BY ANDY LEVIN reflect on everyone else,” he said. TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER “What Wilkerson did was like some- QUOTATION OF THE WEEK REGION — Rep. Jennifer thing you would see in a movie.” Callahan’s call for wide-ranging The Callahan legislation takes aim ethics and lobbying reform on at several key issues: The bill would Beacon Hill has received what could prohibit lobbyists from contributing “Our van is like our wings.” be best described as a lukewarm to political campaigns, or from pay- — Director Marsha Petrillo, on the reception from several area lawmak- ing for or brokering trips or events ers. attended by legislators; it would Senior Center’s new van. Callahan, a Sutton Democrat, has require lawmakers in leadership filed legislation that would set up a positions who are fined by the Ethics firewall between lobbyists and legis- Commission or by the Office of OPEN TO CLOSE lators, remove earmarks from the Campaign Finance to give up chair- Northbridge Town Manager budget process, and apply the state’s manships or other high-ranking (508) 234-2095 Open Meeting Law to House and posts; earmarks would be removed Northbridge Town Clerk Senate caucuses and committees. from the budget process; lawmakers (508) 234-2001 She testified before the Governor’s would be required to attend an ethics Northbridge Middle School, Pleasant Street, Whitinsville Task Force on Public Integrity last education and training seminar; (508) 234-8718 week, spelling out the details of her actions taken by the Ethics Northbridge Elementary School, 87 Linwood Ave., plan to “bring the legislative process Committee would be made public; all Whitinsville (508) 234-5264 out of the backroom and bring it members of the Ethics Committee Northbridge High School, Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville into the daylight for all to see.” would be trained on ethics laws as (508) 234-6221 Rep. Geraldo Alicea, D-Charlton, well as investigation and interview- Balmer School, Crescent Street, Whitinsville (508) 234-8161 had not yet seen the Callahan bill, ing skills, and issues that transcend Grammar & Primary Schools, Cross Street, Whitinsville (508) but said he was familiar with its gen- the scope of the Ethics Committee’s 234-6346 eral scope. While agreeing that the expertise would be referred to an Special Education Department. 87 Linwood Ave. Legislature is due for some changes appropriate resource. Whitinsville (508) 234-8701 pertaining to ethics and lobbying The Open Meeting Law provision Jennifer Callahan Douglas Town Manager reform, Alicea said applying the was added after Callahan filed the (508) 476-4000, ext. 101 Open Meeting Law to caucuses bill in the current session. The sonal background and I have no Douglas Town Clerk might be going too far. entire package of legislation is problem with that whatsoever,” Gobi (508) 476-4000 “We’re just getting together and expected to be re-filed in the upcom- said. “The task force is still meeting Douglas Elementary School, Gleason Court, Douglas (508) sharing some ideas in caucus,” he ing session, which begins with and obviously the Legislature and 476-2154 said. “Not often do we have everyone swearing-in Jan. 2. the administration is on board that Douglas Intermediate School, 21 Davis St., Douglas (508) together in an informal [session].