Mailed free to requesting homes in Douglas, Northbridge and Uxbridge Vol. III, No. 35 Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: www.blackstonevalleytribune.com “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Friday, May 28, 2010 Athanas, Ampagoomian win in Northbridge MONTECALVO UNSEATED AFTER 18-YEAR RUN ON BOARD OF SELECTMEN BY THOMAS MATTSON real-world experience and a proven The 48-year-old entrepreneur said TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER track record. the town has a NORTHBRIDGE — Political new- “The fact I was able to use my “significant block of voters who comer Jay Athanas topped a field of business experience to motivate could relate to him better than to a three candidates seeking two three- people to come out and vote for me 20-year incumbent.” year positions on the Board of was quite humbling. I look forward Athanas de-emphasized the Selectmen. to start working and giving the peo- importance of brick and mortar. Charles Ampagoomian, left, and Jay Retaining his place on the board ple in town more information.” He said the economy is unfavor- Athanas won three-year terms on the in the May 18 election was incum- Athanas said he knocked on hun- able to building a new Department Northbridge Board of Selectmen May 18. bent Charles Ampagoomian Jr., who dreds of doors, “handed out pam- of Public Works or fire department “The next two years are critical to was elected to his fifth term. Joseph Montecalvo was third with 792. phlets, went to spaghetti dinners, an headquarters. the town,” he said. Montecalvo was unsuccessful in his “I think the town was ready for a Alternatives event, the Friends of Rather than concentrating on new He sees not only fiscal 2012 as bid for a seventh consecutive term. change,” Athanas said of his elec- Lasell Field… I found out what is buildings, Athanas said, the town challenging, but fiscal 2013 as well. Athanas received 906 votes, tion. “The residents realize how dif- going on.” should be doing what it can to pro- Ampagoomian garnered 827 and ficult the immediate future will be Athanas said he also used e-mail vide enough teachers and take care for the town and were looking for and Facebook to campaign. of police and firefighters. Turn To ELECTION page A15 Wind farm plan requires revision of recent bylaw BY THOMAS MATTSON TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER DOUGLAS — Glitch time. Everyone had good intentions when they proposed and the town voted May 3 for a wind energy bylaw to cover small projects such as the one under consideration for the high school. But it turned out the huge American Pro Wind project called the Douglas Woods Wind Farm off Route 16 near the Webster line would, under the new bylaw, be restricted to a smaller height vari- Thomas Mattson photo ance than it had already received from the town at an earlier date. From left, Ernesto Caparrota, project So, according to Rod Jané, a plan- manager for American Pro Wind, and Rod ner for the American Pro Wind proj- Jané, president of New England ect, that $75 million proposal cannot Expansion Strategies, met with Douglas go ahead unless an amendment to selectmen May 17. the bylaw voted May 3 is adopted. The Board of Selectmen heard the Selectmen agreed to put the pro- appeal from Jané and Ernesto posed amendment on the warrant Thomas Mattson photo Caparrota, American Pro Wind for a Special Town Meeting within project manager, at a board meeting From left, Fire Department Captain David White, Selectman Daniel Nolan, Congressman Richard Neal, Town Manager Turn To BYLAW page A8 Theodore Kozak and Fire Chief Gary Nestor during the award to the Northbridge Fire Department of $100,000 for new May 17 in the Municipal Center. equipment. TTOO THETHE RRESCUEESCUE $100,000 FEDERAL GRANT WILL AID FIREFIGHTERS BY THOMAS MATTSON and Town Accountant Neal Vaidya. TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Kozak thanked the congressman on behalf of the NORTHBRIDGE — The fire department has town. received a $100,000 federal grant for new gear — fire “We appreciate the grant,” said Kozak, “because coats, bunker pants, boots and helmets — for 50 fire- we don’t have money ourselves. It comes at a good fighters. time.” U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., presented the Neal called the Assistance to Firefighters Grant award Friday, May 21 to Fire Chief Gary Nestor. Program of the Federal Emergency Management Also on hand to meet Neal and represent the com- Agency and the Department of Homeland Security munity were Town Manager Theodore Kozak, File photo Turn To GRANT page A8 Selectman Daniel Nolan, Fire Captain David White Marine Vietnam veteran William Audette (left) greets Polish-American Army veteran Stanley Chmielinski on the Whitinsville Common during last year’s Memorial Day observances. Elementary school building Memorial Day parade, project takes step forward observances scheduled BY THOMAS MATTSON ing members. Three were selected to on May 18, the committee inter- BY THOMAS MATTSON Day in Rockdale. TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER link up with 10 members the state viewed the four finalists, settling on TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Northbridge High School expects DOUGLAS — DiNisco Design of School Building Authority appoint- DiNisco. NORTHBRIDGE — The 75-mem- to reestablish its outstanding histo- Boston has been chosen to do a fea- ed. Among the latter were SBA rep- The three members of the 10- ber Douglas High School Marching ry of a marching band next year. sibility study of the proposed addi- resentatives, architects, engineers member School Building Band will honor Northbridge veter- Although it flourished for many tion and renovations at the interme- and other professionals. Committee who were selected to sit ans in a Memorial Day parade and years under the baton of Joseph diate/elementary school. At its first meeting, held in late with the 10 appointed by the SBA exercises Monday, May 31. Pepin, the band fell on hard eco- The Board of Selectmen formed a March, the 13-member panel are Mitchell Cohen, chairman of The Northbridge Concert Band nomic times in recent years that 10-member School Building reviewed 11 proposals of services the School Building Committee, will also pay tribute to the dead of saw profound cuts in high school Committee some 18 months ago. Of from architectural firms, selecting School Superintendent Nancy Lane, all wars Americans took part in at that group, four were selected as vot- four finalists. At its second meeting Turn To SCHOOL page A14 11:30 a.m. exercises on Memorial Turn To PARADE page A14 A2-3 ...................................... LOCAL A9 ....................... SENIOR SCENE A4-5 ..................................... OPINION A11-12 ......................... SPORTS CONTACT THE EDITOR VIA E-MAIL AT A7 ................................... OBITUARIES A13 ........................... CALENDAR ANDY STONEBRIDGEPRESS COM INSIDE @ . 2 • Friday, May 28, 2010 BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE BVYLA graduates 22 students TRIBUNE REGION — Rep. George Blackstone Valley Education of completion and citations from skills of young people and ALMANAC Peterson, R-Grafton, opened the Foundation Board of Directors the Massachusetts Senate and the strengthen their connection to recent Blackstone Valley Youth President Lee Gaudette noted House of Representatives. Five the Blackstone Valley.The class of Leadership Academy graduation that over the years he has sat on a graduates were recognized for 2010 marks the sixth group of stu- QUOTATION OF THE WEEK program by stating that “leaders number of boards and commit- their perfect attendance. dents to complete the program, show up.” tees and most often he is the An individual community serv- which now boasts 137 alumnae. He went on to applaud the high youngest one at the table. ice project is a requirement of From November to May, students “We appreciate the school students for choosing to “We need you, we want you to graduation. Students interview participate in 12 sessions cover- enter the BVYLA program and get involved” he urged the young community leaders and conduct a ing a range of topics and skills grant because we complete the requirements. The graduates. needs assessment which often areas, including team building, representative encouraged them The graduates and their guests leads to their project. They leadership styles, communication don’t have money to become involved wherever they also heard words of encourage- recruit a mentor and volunteers skills, community needs assess- are, high school now, college later, ment from Blackstone Valley and plan and implement the proj- ments, project planning, goal set- ourselves. It comes and wherever their careers would Education Foundation Executive ect in the spring. 2010 projects ting, decision making and con- eventually bring them. Director Susan Gately, President addressed a range of needs and sensus building. Students also at a good time.” That was a theme the 22 mem- and CEO of the Blackstone Valley populations: several intergenera- participate in a career explo- bers of the 2010 class of the Chamber of Commerce Jeannie tional projects partnered with ration session and engage in a — Northbridge Town Manager Blackstone Valley Youth Hebert, and Education family groups, senior centers and mock Town Meeting. Theodore Kozak, thanking Leadership Academy would hear Foundation Program an elementary school; a number Graduates include: Danielle Congressman Richard Neal repeated by other speakers. Coordinator Mary Lou Anderson. of projects involved collections of Grimaldi, Emma Bibeault, for his assistance in securing a $100,000 Approximately 65 family mem- Each offered congratulations to food, books, stuffed animals, Jennifer Burns, Katie Stengel, federal grant for the fire department. bers, community partners, school the students and encouraged socks, prom dresses, and money Michael Hennessy, John representatives and members of them to continue to develop as to support people oriented pro- Mungano, Valerie Bishop, Kayla the board of directors joined in young leaders and make volun- grams; environmental projects Holdsworth, Julia Archambault, THE STATS the graduation celebration at the teerism and stewardship a part of included several cleanups and ini- Nicholas Cordts, Elizabeth Singh Performance Center at their future lives.