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COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Symptoms of depression on the rise among Westborough High School students
By Maureen Sullivan Senior Reporter WESTBOROUGH - The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt among local adolescents.
During the School Committee meeting on Nov. 9, Director of Wellness Roger Anderson and SEL and Clinical Coordinator Kim Tynan presented the results of the 2021 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey.
As in previous surveys, this latest survey was voluntary and private, meaning parents were given the option to opt out their children.
In total, 555 seventh and eighth graders responded, and 1,044 Westborough High School students in ninth to 12th grade participated.
The good news — the use of drugs and alcohol has decreased since the last survey in 2018. There was a sharp decrease in vaping among students in grades 7-12.
“We feel really good about that,” said Anderson.
Among middle school students, the number of students vaping at some point in their lifetime went from 4.4% in 2018 to 3.8% in 2021. Further, students who said they currently vaped decreased from 3.2% in 2018 to 1.6% in 2021.
For high school students, the percentage of lifetime vaping use dipped from 32.1% in 2018 to 16.8% in 2021. Those who vaped over the past 30 days also decreased from 23.6% in 2018 to 10.2% in 2021.
Anderson credited the drop to education efforts to have students realize that vaping is harmful.
However, the survey did indicate increases in some categories, such as cyberbullying and depression.
Among middle school students, 20.8% reported being a victim of cyberbullying in 2021, compared to 13% in 2018. On whether life has been “very stressful” in the previous 30 days, 18.4% of students said “yes” in 2021, compared to 13.7% in 2018.
At the high school level, 21.7% of students reported being a victim of cyberbullying in 2021, as opposed to 19% in 2018. On whether life has been “very stressful” in the previous 30 days, there was a decrease — 29.8% said yes in 2021, compared to 33.8% in 2018.
However, more high school students said they were experiencing symptoms of depression in 2021 at 25.1% than in 2018 at 19.9%.
Both Anderson and Tynan attributed the increase to the effects of the pandemic, especially the feelings of loneliness and isolation.
These feelings seem to be more prevalent among students who are LGBTQ+, Latina/ Latino or girls, said Anderson.
Both Anderson and Tynan said that programs are available for those seeking help.
“I am very proud of the comprehensive mental health work that we have developed in Westborough,” said Superintendent Amber Bock. “We have K-12 programming, tiered models of support, a relationship-centered focus in our schools, and a thoughtful use of data to check for blindspots and ensure we are not missing students who may need support.”
The full results of the 2021 survey are available at www. westboroughk12.org/cms/One. aspx?portalId=32302986.
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Shrewsbury High School students create used cooking oil recycling program
By Caroline Gordon Reporter SHREWSBURY - Shrewsbury High School seniors Nicole Shen and Jacob Furman are on a mission to recycle used cooking oil.
Their idea started off as a civic action project for school, but the pair decided to reach out to Water and Sewer Superintendent Daniel Rowley to help put their plan into action. Shen and Jacobs presented their research on the benefits of recycling used cooking oil to the Select Board on Sept. 27.
Over the summer, Rowley said that he worked with Shen and Furman and the Assistant Superintendent of Water and Sewer Operations Joseph Kenney to figure out the best recycling methods.
According to Shen, cooking oil harms the environment and the sewer system. She said the two ways to dispose of it include dumping the oil outside, which attracts animals and vermin and impacts the ecosystem, and pouring the oil down the drain, which causes sewer clogs, reduces efficiency of wastewater treatment plants and harms aquatic life.
Some residents utilize external grease traps, which allow some of the oil to spill into the sewer system, Shen said. She noted that most residents dispose of the oil from the grease traps into landfills, which harms the environment.
Through their research, Furman said they realized that used cooking oil can be “transferred into something better” and used for energy. There are companies that collect used cooking oil for free and put the oil through a process called transesterification, which converts the oil into biodiesel and glycerin, he said.
Furman said that biodiesel can be used for engines, furnaces and “whatever diesel purposes you may have.” He noted that biodiesel is nontoxic, biodegradable, clean burning and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 86%.
The pair decided to partner with Mahoney Environmental, a company that collects used cooking oil and puts it through transesterification. According to Shen, the company services about 5,000 New England restaurants.
PHOTO/CAROLINE GORDON Jacob Furman and Nicole Sehn pictured with a bottle of cooking oil outside of Shrewsbury High School
“[Biodiesel can be used for] whatever diesel purposes you may have.
Jacob Furman
COMMUNITY BUSINESS
Select Board reinstates Westboro Mobil’s license, with conditions
A few days after its Class II license was reinstated, the Mobil station at 24 East Main St. cleared its access to High Street.
PHOTO/MAUREEN SULLIVAN
By Maureen Sullivan Senior Reporter WESTBOROUGH - The Westboro Mobil is allowed to sell used cars once again.
In a 3-2 vote on Nov. 2, the Select Board decided to reinstate the station’s Class II license with conditions after the board suspended its license over the summer. Westboro Mobil is located at 24 East Main St.
Lauren Sparks, who is attorney for Westboro Mobil owner Jack Azar, reported that the station passed recent compliance checks by the Register of Motor Vehicles and Westborough Police.
After asking the board to reinstate the license, Select Board member Allen Edinberg said he’s still seeing vehicles block High Street and on the sidewalk.
He then brought up the issue of the logbooks. After one logbook was turned over to the town, as part of the suspension, Edinberg said another logbook turned up.
One logbook was from 2016 to June 2021, and it was identified by the registry as incomplete, he said. The logbook that was discovered dates from January 2022.
“Why wasn’t the 2022 book turned over?” said Edinberg.
Azar said he was “a little bit confused” about the log books.
Sparks said she “misunderstood” that both books had to be turned over. She added that the loss of business from the suspension should be “sufficient punishment.”
Edinberg and Select Board member Shelby Marshall were in favor of revoking the license until January to give Azar time to present a more formal plan on how he would deal with parking.
Board members Patrick Welch and Sean Keogh and Chair Ian Johnson favored reinstating the license with conditions until January. The conditions include having a designated area for vehicles that are on sale, keeping the High Street access clear of vehicles and keeping the sales logbooks updated.
“We’re willing to give you that chance, but it’s an absolutely last chance,” said Johnson. “It’ll be a short leash.”
The station’s dealership license had been suspended since August, citing “continued violations” such as having unregistered vehicles on the property.
Azar voluntarily continued the suspension until October, when the board extended the suspension until the violations — including the logbooks — were resolved.
WESTBOROUGH – Westborough Behavioral Healthcare Hospital has mental health treatment programs that are designed to address mental health needs of diverse populations.
The hospital is located at 300 Friberg Parkway.
The youth inpatient program for patients between six and 12, and their specialized needs inpatient program for ages six to 17 is for youth with autism and other intellectual disabilities and provide structured, consistent and nurturing environments.
Their outpatient programs are designed to provide shortterm stabilization and resolution for adolescents and adults suffering from a crisis or exacerbation of their psychiatric condition.
The Partial Hospitalization Programs are 5 days per week, and the Intensive Outpatient Programs are 3 days per week. Program groups include psychotherapy, psychoeducation, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, Music Therapy, Meditation, Expressive arts, Wellness groups and therapeutic visits with their NEADS Assistant dog, Gilbert.
Their outpatient programs include Taking Shape for ages 13 to 17; Taking Flight for ages 18 to 25; Taking Care for people 26 and older; Taking Hold which is a recovery support program and for people 18 and older; and F.R.S.T. (First Responder Specialized Treatment) program.
Medicare, MassHealth, and most insurances accepted. Please contact the Intake Department at 508-329-6412 to make a referral or schedule an assessment.
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Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber to Host a Holiday SnowBall: #C9 SnowBall
From Left to right: Dave Bagdon, Community Advocate; Becky Roman, Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital; Paul McGrath, Stowe & Degon; Mary Simone, The AC Hotel by Marriott; Steve Anderson, Webster Five; and Karen Chapman, President/CEO of the Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
11/29/2022 | CHAMBER 101 (Free Info. Session to Learn about Joining the Chamber), 8:00-9:30 am, 30 Lyman Street, Suite 6, Westborough 12/6/2022 | WOMEN IN BUSINESS NETWORKING LUNCHEON 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Cyprian Keyes Golf Club, Boylston 11/4/2022 | YOUNG BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS PAINT & POUR EVENT Canvas N Cup, Westborough, 5:00-7:00 pm 11/15/2022 | HOLIDAY SNOWBALL Doubletree Hotel, Westborough, 5:00-8:00 pm 12/16/2022 | EDUCATIONAL WEBINAR: SET YOUR GOALS ON FIRE Zoom, 9:30-10:30 am CORRIDORNINE.ORG
Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce will spread some holiday cheer while doing some business networking at their Annual Holiday Snowball on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough from 5:00-8:00 pm.
The Chamber’s Holiday SnowBall is one of the largest gatherings of the year with local business and community leaders coming together in a social atmosphere to foster key relationships and enjoy some holiday fun.
The event will feature an unforgettable evening that includes a delicious dinner buffet, holiday entertainment, chances to win over 50 raffle prizes from the region’s “Best of Business” Showcase tables, raffle for a 50-bottle wine collection, an Ugly Sweater Contest, and cash prizes will be awarded totaling $5,000!
Local business leaders can register to attend the Holiday SnowBall on the Chamber’s website at www.corridornine.org.
Whether you are a small business owner or work for a large corporation, through the Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce, we offer local
business many opportunities throughout the year to meet other business people and community leaders to exchange ideas, leads, and grow your corridor REGIONAL CHAMBER of Commerce495 network and your business. From Speed Networking events, Business Expo, Ribbon Cuttings, LegIN THE NEWS islative Breakfast, golf tournaments, Women in Business Network, Young Professionals Network, educational webinars, and referral groups, business professionals have access to key stakeholders they might not otherwise meet or interact within their own circles. The Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce is a champion for business and serves the communities of Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, Shrewsbury and Grafton. Visit the Chamber’s website to learn more about the benefits of joining at www.corridornine.org.
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