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Grants to bolster Billerica groups
(Sun, The (Lowell, MA) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Dec. 25--BILLERICA -- Yankee Doodle Homecoming weekend is going green, with a little help from the Community Funds grant program.
Yankee Doodle Homecoming President Joan Parcewski said the $2,500 grant will be used to boost the festival's recycling initiative.
"When the town started talking about mandatory recycling, we thought it would be good for the town's biggest party to get on board," said Parcewski. "We had a skit about recycling this year ("Garbage is My Bag"), but this year we really need to get into physically recycling on a large scale."
Following the lead of the Lowell Folk Festival, which has been a model for large-scale recycling since 2000, Parcewski said she is looking into purchasing biodegradable, corn-based utensils to provide to all food vendors at the 2008 festival.
The town's two-day signature fall festival is one of 22 organizations that are being awarded $132,500 in grant funds. The awards will be presented by the Board of Selectmen on Jan. 7.
The program, a partnership between businesses
and the community meant to enhance the quality of life in town, began about nine years ago at the request of Welch's.
The Concord-based juice company has a research and development plant on the Middlesex Turnpike. Unable to benefit from state corporate tax incentives, because the company is a tax cooperative made up on individual grape growers, they were searching for incentives that could take a bite out of their local property taxes.
Principal Assessor Rich Scanlon negotiates agreements with companies that range from five to 20 years depending on the business, granting tax breaks in exchange for an agreed-upon investment in the community fund.
This year, Nortel Networks, Jabil Circuits, Bruker Biospin and FLIR Systems stepped up to the plate. The Nortel and Jabil funds have been going strong for eight years at $50,000 and $40,000 annually on a 10-year agreement. Bruker and FLIR are both in their fourth year, at $12,500 and $30,000 respectfully.
Last year Yankee Doodle had requested $20,000, but was left empty-handed.
"This year we figured we should be more focused on what we were requesting," said Parcewski. "This money will really help kick-start the recycling program. We are thrilled."
In addition to Yankee Doodle, other award winners include $15,000 for Kids Respecting Kids, a nonprofit committee of Billerica parents, teachers and community members that promotes character education and anti-bullying programs in the town's schools.
The group is currently piloting an anti-violence curriculum in the Parker and Vining elementary schools.
Among others, grants will be presented on Jan. 7 to the Lions' Club, Billerica Public Library, Billerica Girls' Softball Association.
To see more of The Sun, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.lowellsun.com.
Copyright (c) 2007, The Sun, Lowell, Mass.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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