Celebrating Our 25th TOWN CRIER Anniversary Year UPTON & MENDON, MASSACHUSETTS See April contest instructions on page 6. April 21, 2017 | Vol. 25 No. 7 | www.TownCrier.us Est. 1993 • Mailed FREE to all 5,800 addresses in Upton and Mendon. Mendon FY18 End Zone Militia Coming Upton’s May 1 Budget Up by Town Election to Four Percent to Mendon By Michelle Sanford Determine New Staff Reporter/Columnist During the May 5 Annual Selectman Town Meeting, Mendon’s By Michelle Sanford Finance Committee will Staff Reporter/Columnist recommend voters approve a Upton residents will determine $18.2 million budget for fiscal the outcome of races for Board of 2018, an increase of about four Selectman and Regional District percent propelled primarily by School Committee member during contractual increases. the May 1 Annual Town Election. The The proposed budget shows polls will be open at Nipmuc Regional escalating health insurance High School gymnasium from 7 a.m. costs which increased 6.5 to 8 p.m. percent, or $50,989, from last Upton residents Shawn Craig, year’s $775,275 to $826,264. Stephen Matellian, and Brett Simas are The Worcester County all running for the Selectman’s three Retirement Fund increased year seat; incumbent James Brochu 11 percent, or $51,516, totaling decided not to seek re-election. In $519,386 from last year’s addition, incumbent Philip DeZutter $467,870. is being challenged by newcomer The schools’ budgets add up Edward Darragh for the three year to approximately 60 percent Regional School Committee seat. of the town’s total operational A number of other candidates budget. Nipmuc Regional on the ballot are unchallenged and School District’s budget reflects include incumbents David Loeper for a $222,011 increase to the Town Moderator for one year, James operational assessment line Earl for Assessor of Taxes for three item, a 2.57 percent increase years, Richard Desjardins for Board The End Zone Militia, shown here firing after a score by the New England Patriots, will take over last year. Blackstone Valley of Health for three years, Richard part in the celebration of Mother Mendon on Saturday, May 13 in honor of the town’s 350th Gazoorian for Recreation Commission Anniversary. The group will be at Clough School that day from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for three years, Charlotte Carr and MENDON BUDGET p 10 End Zone Militia photo Frances Gustman for Library Trustees for three years, and Margaret Carroll By Kevin Rudden for Planning Board for five years. Staff Reporter/Columnist Several newcomers also running The End Zone Militia – known for firing off a volley of Colonial musket shots when the New England unchallenged and include Richard Patriots score a touchdown – are coming to Clough Elementary School in Mendon from 2 to 3:30 p.m. McGuire for Finance Committee on Saturday, May 13, to help celebrate the town’s 350th Anniversary. The group will open the town’s for three years, Meghan Condon PRSRT STD PRSRT PAID US POSTAGE #35 PERMIT MA UPTON, 01568 birthday celebration with a volley of shots and will then be available for picture-taking. for Library Trustee for three years, Their participation is part of what the Mendon 350th Anniversary Committee and the Medham Brush Richard Porter for Recreation Association (the Brothers of the Brush) are calling a celebration of Mother’s Day Weekend. Commission for two years, Jeanne Mendon’s actual 350th birthday is Monday, May 15, but since people will be at school and work, the Oliver for Board of Commissioners town will be celebrating Mother’s Day Weekend. First, celebrate Mother Mendon from 2 to 4 p.m. on of Trust Funds for three years, Saturday, May 13,,in the Clough Elementary School cafeteria, where there will be 1,000 pieces of birthday and William Palmer for Cemetery cake. Then, on Sunday, May 14, celebrate with your own mothers and grandmothers. Commission for three years. The other Mendon is known as “Mother Mendon” because it gave birth to five “children” and three “grand- one year Cemetery Commission seat children”: remains vacant with no candidates. • Part of Bellingham, on November 27, 1719 Residents are also reminded that the • Part of Upton, on June 14, 1735 Annual Town Meeting will take place • Uxbridge, on June 27, 1727 on Thursday, May 4 and will take place ◉ Northbridge separated from Uxbridge on July 14, 1772 in the auditorium of Nipmuc Regional • Milford, on April 11, 1780 High School and begin at 7 p.m. The ◉ Hopedale separated from Milford on April 7, 1886 deadline to register to vote in either • Blackstone on March 25, 1845 the Election or Town Meeting was ◉ Millville separated from Blackstone on May 1, 1916 April 11. Individuals uncertain about In addition to proclamations by federal, state and local government officials, the May 13 celebration their voter registration status should POSTAL PATRON POSTAL CAR-RT-SORT WS MA 01568 UPTON, will feature the Claflin Hill Symphony’s Brass Ensemble. contact the Town Clerk’s office at 508- The Upton & Mendon Town Crier Town Mendon & Upton The Inc. Crier Publications, Town Street 48 Mechanic MA 01568 Upton, Republic Services – Mendon’s trash hauler – is sponsoring the End Zone Militia’s appearance. 529-3565. Open Brand New Hyundai Accent SE Mon.-Fri NOW OPEN! Loaded! • 37 mpg/hwy! Huge Selection of New and Used MSRP: $16,900 From as low as: 9-9 Kevin Meehan Vehicles, SAVE THOUSANDS! $ Open Owner “Drive a 9,977 Sat. 9-6 little and Under Construction Sale 8 SAVE $7,000 save a lot!” ACCENTS Our Low Overhead Means Low Prices! #H6002 AVAILABLE Sun. 11-6 lease only $129/mo. FORMERLY IMPERIAL IMPERIAL CHEVROLET OF MILFORD Sale ends 4/19/17. Price reflects all applicable manufacturer rebates and private offers and includes a $2,000 Imperial Trade Assistance Bonus for 800-526-AUTO • IMPERIALCARS.COM qualifying 2007 or newer vehicle trade. LEASE payements require 30% down, 12,000 miles/year, for 36 months with qualifying credit and dealer source financing. Advertised price does not include tax, title, registration, documentation our acquisition fees and cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions. Not responsible for typographical errors. Not valid with prior sales. 154 E. MAIN ST | RTE. 16 | MILFORD, MA | OPEN DAILY 9-9, SAT 9-6, SUN 11-6 Handwashing: One Greater Milford Easy Step to Stay Community Healthy Chorus 2017 Spring While cases of the flu continue to be reported, Concert Milford Regional Medical Center wants to The Greater Milford Community remind everyone that the easiest – and most Chorus presents their annual Spring effective – way to prevent the spread of germs is Concert, The Fabulous 40’s and 50’s, to wash your hands. on Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. and According to the Centers for Disease Control, again on Sunday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m. handwashing prevents the spread of diarrhea- at the Davoren Auditorium at Milford related sicknesses and respiratory infections, such High School, 31 West Fountain St. as colds. By reducing the number of infections The auditorium and parking are by the simple act of handwashing, you are also located in the rear of the building. The reducing the use of antibiotics and, in-turn, auditorium is handicapped accessible. preventing the rise of antibiotic-resistant germs. Tickets are on sale now from any To keep yourself and those around you healthy, chorus member, or at Music & Arts, remember to wash your hands before and after 164 Main St., in Milford. Presale certain activities, such as preparing or eating tickets are $8 by May 5, or $10 when food; caring for someone who is sick; using the purchased at the door. Children under toilet; touching garbage; after blowing your nose, 12 are free. coughing or sneezing, or whenever you may The Chorus, under the musical come in contact. direction of Dan Zabinski of Uxbridge Germs are found on common places such as has been rehearsing some of your stairwell hand rails, shopping carts, door handles favorite songs from the 40’s and and touch screens. 50’s, including Mack The Knife, The CDC recommends scrubbing your hands Flip, Flop & Fly, and A Teenager In with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, Love, and many more as well as solo rinsing thoroughly and drying your hands. If performances. Accompanying the soap and clean, running water are not available, chorus on piano is Wayne Ward use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least of Holliston. The Greater Milford 60 percent alcohol. Community Chorus is a nonprofit To help remind you of the importance of organization sponsored by the washing your hands, Milford Regional has Milford Community Use Program created a fun video to show you how to say and in part by the Milford, Mendon, “bye bye” to germs. Check out the video on our Hopedale and Bellingham Cultural website at milfordregional.org., or for more Councils, which are funded by the information on handwashing, visit the Centers Massachusetts Cultural Council. for Disease Control at CDC.gov. Don’t Forget to Vote on Monday, May 1 Vote for Dedication and Experience! Re-Elect Alan Tetreault Highway Surveyor “A Hands-On Supervisor Who Leads by Example – Always Acting in Mendon’s Best Interests” 21 Years as Mendon’s Highway Surveyor Total of 31 Years working for the Town of Mendon 9 Years on the Mendon Planning Board 2 Years as Chairman 5 Years on Police Building Committee 30 Years - Brothers of the Brush 350th Anniversary Committee Procurement Officer for Fuel Bids for Town of Mendon Insurance Advisory Committee – Mendon Town Employees 1 Year Mendon Tree Warden 10 Years Assistant Tree Warden Proven Record of Municipal Management Experience Automated Highway Department Infrastructure Employs Innovative Construction Materials and Techniques Highly Experienced with Snow and Ice Control 18 Years Worcester County Highway Association Board Chairman 2 Years Vice Chairman 2 years Complete Streets Chairman A Lifelong Mendon Resident “I Never Ask My Employees to do Anything I Wouldn’t Do Myself” I ask for your vote on Monday, May 1st Paid Political Advertisement Paid Political Advertisement 2 Upton-Mendon Town Crier - 25th Anniversary Year April 21, 2017 Obituary SMOC Fuel Assistance Extended Wayne F.