Valley Breeze

©2015 Breeze PuBlications inc. Serving North Smithfield, Blackstone and Woonsocket Breeze The valley FREE valleybreeze.com @ JANUARY 8-14, 2015 Beacon Charter School presents the classic play this weekend. PaGe 8 'little shop of horrors' Valley Breeze Photo By Bill MurPhy The Rev. anThony PeRkins, pastor of St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Woonsocket, smiles after cutting his hair and beard on the steps of the church. Perkins took a Nazarite vow, promising not to cut his hair or beard until the temple was ready to reopen following a fire two years ago. His hair will be donated to Locks of Love. The ceremony was held in the snow that fell last Saturday night. The first service in the refurbished temple was held on Sunday. See story on Page 2. St. Michael's celebrates By sanDy seoane Valley Breeze staff Writer sandy@valleybreeze.com WOONSOCKET – If a pas- senger train is coming through the Blackstone Valley, Planning Director N. David Bouley wants Woonsocket to be ready. Boston Surface Rail Company has proposed establishing commuter rail service between Worcester and Providence, but still needs to conquer a few regulatory hurdles and negotiations with some involved parties. If they're successful in estab- lishing the new passenger lines, Woonsocket would be home to the train's only addi- tional stop between Worcester's Union Station and Providence's Station Building starting in 2016. BSRC, a private Massachusetts-based firm, plans to work in collaboration with Providence and Worcester lines, the company that owns and operates the targeted tracks with freight service. The pas- senger line would run three times a day and would cost around $16 each way, possibly with discounts for regular com- muters. This week, the City Council took a first step toward prepar- ing Woonsocket for the pos- sibility, receiving an ordinance that would adjust zoning laws City looks to change zoning to allow train stop on Fairmount Street see TRain, Page 11 lots of laughter Community Players presents 'Sly Fox' this weekend. livinG By sanDy seoane Valley Breeze staff Writer sandy@valleybreeze.com NORTH SMITHFIELD – A decision to put ratifica- tion of a contract with the North Smithfield Teachers Association back on the School Committee's agenda this week put town officials on edge, with Council President Robert Boucher vowing not to fund the collective bargaining agreement if it was passed. "Personally, I'll give them zero," Boucher said of the upcoming budget cycle, in which school officials are hop- ing to garner additional fund- ing for operations. "We'll level fund them." "It's fiscally irresponsible, the things that they're doing. You can't push through con- tracts without knowing the ramifications of your actions." Boucher's reaction came after testimony from members of the Budget Committee, who said the town will need to pro- vide the School Department with some $3.1 million in new funding over the next three years to cover teachers' sala- ries and benefits. "Personally, I find it abso- lutely reckless to enter any type of contract of this magnitude with the uncer- tainty of the funding that this town is facing," said Budget Committee Chairman Michael Clifford. "It jeopardizes every program that every kid in this system experiences." School Business Manager Lisa Marcotte provided a fis- cal impact statement for the Council president says he will not fund teachers' contract see ConTRaCT, Page 7 Are you looking Are you looking for a for a Check out the back Check out the back of our of our Classified section where Classified section where you'll find our advertisers' you'll find our advertisers' most current job offerings! most current job offerings! like us on Follow us on Depressed? Anxious? Stressed? 1 Social Street, W oonsocket, RI 02895 401-829-8838 Children often have symptoms of Depression & Anxiety such as poor concentration, low self esteem, low energy & frequent sadness. Most Insurances Accepted Children • Adults • Couples • Families Now Accepting New Patients • Short term counseling • Long term therapy • Anxiety, depression • Substance Abuse Counseling • Children, teens, adults Anthony Taraborelli, LICSW , CDP

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