Mailed free to requesting homes in Douglas, Northbridge and Uxbridge Vol. IV, No. 33 Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.BLACKSTONEVALLEYTRIBUNE.COM Friday, May 20, 2011 Voters approve $36M budget at Town Meeting from selling an asset. That’s not income, that’s just changing an PUBLIC ROADS, DPW PURCHASE OK’D asset.” Upon passage of the budget, BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY Committee said he voted against the “That is to operate three build- Selectman Peter Baghdasarian TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Board of Selectmen Chairman Beth budget when it was before that ings, and not the fourth scheduled to faulted the Board of Selectmen for Pitman said the board “plans on UXBRIDGE — Slightly more than board as a proposal. Speaking as a open in July 2012,” Fortner said of the town’s fiscal condition, saying making the budget its highest prior- 100 voters came out for the Special private citizen, Fortner expressed the impending costs of the new they should have prioritized the ity.” and Annual Town Meetings last concern over the dwindling funds in Uxbridge High School, which have budgetary process. The town approved a $138,739 Tuesday, May 10. the stabilization account, and the yet to be reflected in the operating Baghdasarian said the town needs Community Cable Access The town approved a $36,086,285 growing budget for the Uxbridge budget or the town’s debt service. to address the fact that expenses are Television budget, which reflects a operating budget, which is a $2.58- Public Schools. “It is my opinion we have reached continuing to outpace revenue. 2.07 percent decrease over the fiscal million increase over last year’s The town’s education budget the level of service and the quality “The reality is, we just don’t have 2011 budget. $33,501,225 spending plan. increased $362,403 this year, for a of life beyond which I do not want to the money,” Baghdasarian said. Howard Fortner of the Finance total of $20,037,347. sink,” Fortner said. “The money in stabilization came Turn To MEETING page A13 Davis earns Board of Selectmen nod BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY zens of Douglas imploring their TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER selectmen to become more engaged DOUGLAS — The town of with the community and to work on Douglas has a new member of the specific issues. Board of Selectmen. On the top of that list, Davis said, In a 567-314 vote in the Tuesday, is broadening the tax base by bring- May 10 town election, challenger ing businesses into town. Harold “Hal” Davis of the Economic In an attempt to do so, Davis said Development Commission and he already has a plan of action that Zoning Board of Appeals ousted he would like to bring to the board. incumbent Selectmen Paula The first issue Davis said he Brouillette. would like to address is the proposal According to Town Clerk by the state to purchase an addition- Christine Furno, 881 ballots were al 20 acres of land on the outskirts of cast — or 15 percent of the town’s the Douglas State Forest. registered voters came out to the “We already have 25 percent — it’s polls. almost exactly 25 percent — of the The last contested race for a seat town in the state forest,” Davis said, on the Board of Selectmen, Furno indicating that with money tight in said, saw an only 9-percent turnout. state coffers, land acquisition in a “It was a continuation of the elec- town that already has so much pro- tion last year when two new mem- tected land may not be the wisest bers joined the board,” Davis said a move. few days after his election. Additionally,Davis said the state’s Davis said his victory at the polls acquisition of the opening to the is yet another example of the citi- Turn To ELECTION page A13 A breath of Fresh Air Courtesy photo Elizabeth Gauthier will join the ranks of the world’s super centenarians on June 5, when she turns 110. LOCAL FAMILIES PREPARING FOR FRESH AIR FUND VISITS BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER 110 years young NORTHBRIDGE — What kid does- n’t love summer vacation? Playing baseball, laying on the sand at the beach, roasting marsh- GAUTHIER SET TO CELEBRATE MILESTONE BIRTHDAY mallows over a crackling campfire and the myriad of other activities kids in New England only get to BY CHRISTOPHER TANGUAY Grafton, Gauthier, who has giving at St. Peter’s Church in enjoy during that seemingly too TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER resided in Northbridge for much Northbridge. short stint of mid-year months are of her life, will turn 110 years old. Many of her guests will be com- NORTHBRIDGE — Elizabeth T. what make the summer a truly mag- To celebrate this momentous ing from a number of different Gauthier is about to have a birth- ical time of year. milestone, Gauthier and her son states and countries, as Gauthier day. Not everyone has the same oppor- Edgar will host nearly 200 guests has made friends — and become This isn’t a typical cake and tunities as their peers though, and to for a whole week of birthday cele- somewhat of a celebrity — all candles birthday though. help those who may not have access brations, including a party at over the world. On June 5, Gauthier will join a to wilderness — or even a patch of Brian’s Restaurant in Uxbridge, For the last 17 years, Gauthier very distinguished class of people grass for that matter — there is the an authentic New England dinner and her son have wintered in — of which there are only 85 in Fresh Air Fund. at Pleasant Valley Country Club the world. Established in 1877, the Fresh Air in Sutton, and a mass of thanks- Turn To GAUTHIER page A13 Courtesy photos Born June 5, 1901 in South Fund has been giving youngsters Erik Mockus, 12, of Whitinsville, and his from New York City’s most urban brother for the summer, Boubacar, also areas the opportunity to spend time 12, of the Bronx, enjoy the outdoors as with a host family in an area that part of the Fresh Air Fund program. will enable them to enjoy nature and natural serenity. Two vying for BOS position “Bouba,” as the Mockus family The Fresh Air Fund is a non-profit organization and operates primarily calls him, will be arriving in BY CHRISOTPHER TANGUAY Baghdasarian. Baghdasarian said that although he Northbridge on Aug. 13. TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER on funds donated to the program. Baghdasarian has served on the is commonly the lone dissenting Here in the Blackstone Valley,kids “He’s very much part of the fami- UXBRIDGE — The Uxbridge Board of Selectmen for more than voice, he believes in the decisions he from New York have been enjoying ly,” Ruth Mockus said. “He’s very, town election will be held Tuesday, 12 years, though not consecutively, makes, such as his opposition to their summers for years, taking very popular when he comes here.” May 24 at Uxbridge High School. and is looking to retain his seat once selling a parcel of town land for less advantage of the wonderful nature In fact, Bouba has become so much Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 again. than it was actually worth. in New England. a part of the Mockus family that he p.m. “It’s not a question of wanting to “It’s just making a decision based The Mockus family of has even come to visit during school There are two seats up for grabs serve, I do not enjoy being on the on good information,” Northbridge has hosted a young vacations and other times outside of this year, one on the Board of board,” Baghdasarian said a couple Baghdasarian said. man named Boubacar for the last the Fresh Air Fund program, and Selectmen and one on the School weeks before the election. “You get While seeming almost ambivalent three years, and are anxiously await- the Mockuses have traveled to New Committee. Otherwise, most posi- no joy from it, you get no pleasure about his own re-election, ing his arrival again in August. York to visit him as well. tions on the ballot feature one can- from it, you do it because it needs to Baghdasarian called on his fellow Boubacar, 13, born in Africa, now Erik Mockus, 12, cannot wait for didate per seat, or none at all. be done.” board members to reassess the way resides in the Bronx, and has very his friend to arrive. Up for re-election this year is long- Admittedly the odd man out when limited, if any,access to nature. time Selectman Peter it comes to most votes by the board, Turn To BOS page A14 Turn To FRESH page A14 A2-3 ...................................... LOCAL A7 ....................... CALENDAR A4-5 ..................................... OPINION A9 .............................. SENIORS CONTACT THE TRIBUNE EDITOR AT A6 .................................... OBITUARIES A11 ............................. SPORTS AMINOR STONEBRIDGEPRESS COM INSIDE @ . 2 • Friday, May 20, 2011 BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE Coalition task forces up and running NORTHBRIDGE — On April 28, comprehensive list of community ating positive experiences for fami- issue of substance abuse; and par- round on the third Thursday of the approximately 55 people, including resources and organizations. This lies to share together. ticipate in a prescription drug drop month from 7-8:30 p.m., at various 15 new members, gathered at the list will be used to develop Resourcing Low Income Families off day. locations. The next Coalition Northbridge Middle School media brochures, a website, and as a guest — the short-term goal is to conduct a In the long-term, the Substance Meeting will take place Thursday, center to be part of the Coalition.