12 minute read
homes & more
26 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 18, 2022 HOMES MORE&
This is a paid advertisement
Michelle Gillespie REALTOR® MEGA AGENT Direct Line: 508-934-9818 michelle@michellegillespie.com www.michellegillespie.com 10 Main St, Northborough
Keller Williams Pinnacle Metrowest
Winter is approaching…is your home ready?
Now that autumn leaves have changed color and cool crisp fall nights have arrived, we are reminded that winter is just around the corner. As you work on your fall cleanup, here are a few of my home maintenance tips on preparing your home for the upcoming winter months.
Roof, Gutters and Downspouts
Rain, ice, snow and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now’s the time to trim all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks, from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters don’t allow water to properly drain away from the home, which can cause seepage in your ceilings and walls. You can invest in gutter guards, a screen that prevents debris from entering the gutter and directs the flow of water away from the house and into the ground
Water Heater
You don’t want to find out that your water heater isn’t operating properly when you need it most. So use this time to perform an annual inspection, which includes having your tank’s pressure and temperature relief valve checked.
Heating and Cooling System Fireplace
Are you ready to sell?
Now’s the Time!
Inventory continues to be low, and buyers are looking for new inventory. If you want to sell your home and would like to discuss the best approach for a positive outcome, please call me, Michelle Gillespie at 508-934-9818 or e-mail me at michelle@michellegillespie.com. Visit mywebsite at www.michellegillespie.com for more information.
Sold by Michelle Gillespie
SOLD
Sold 18 Castle Drive, Northborough 4 Bedroom Colonial for $1,100,000
Great Job, Michelle!
If you have a forced warmair heating system, you should check the exhaust vent and air shutter openings for dirt and dust. Clean any lint and dirt to prevent airborne dirt from circulating throughout your home. Wash out your reusable filter or replace it if it’s disposable.
Doors and Windows
To help control heating costs, make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed. Now is the time to repair or replace weather stripping around door bottoms and jambs and window frames. Check for loose or missing glazing putty and for caulking deterioration. If you have storm windows, install them.
Water Pipes
Frozen or burst pipes can cause major damage to your home and be expensive to remedy. Before frigid weather hits, protect your pipes in unheated areas from freezing by adding insulation, which reduces heat loss from hotwater pipes and condensation on cold water pipes. This can be accomplished by wrapping the pipes with heating tape or blanket insulation and duct tape or by encasing the pipes with preformed plastic foam. In addition, examine your pipes for cracks and leaks.
Before you light the logs and get ready to settle in front of a cozy fire, make sure that your fireplace is in good working order. It is important to clean your chimney and check the chimney flue on a yearly basis. There are many chimney cleaning companies that will clean, inspect and repair as needed. In addition, before inspecting, cleaning or making any repairs, refer to your owner’s manual for all equipment for proper instructions, which should be the final authority on any maintenance.
Outdoor Surfaces and Landscaping
Fall is a great time to seal your driveway, stone patio and other hardscape surfaces. In addition, prune tree branches away from your home. Plant spring flower bulbs and move sensitive potted plants indoors. Although this list is merely a guide, it can help you keep your home in good shape and have a winter free of major repairs.
Each office is independently owned and operated.
Northborough releases ARPA funds for Community Meals
Holidays are Coming CALL TODAY!
By Laura Hayes Managing Editor
NORTHBOROUGH - Community Meals has received funding after the Board of Selectmen released American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the program.
The selectmen released $15,000 for the program during their Nov. 7 meeting.
Northborough is slated to receive a total of $4.5 million in federal ARPA funds.
However, how to spend the town’s ARPA funds has been the topic of much discussion at both Board of Selectmen meetings and in the community.
Community Meals was among the organizations who attended a listening session held by the town over the summer.
Community Meals is a longrunning program that offers free meals and social connection to community members. For years, the meals were served at Trinity Church with different churches and civic organizations taking turns preparing and serving the meals.
When COVID-19 hit, organizers pivoted and asked local restaurants if they could make a packaged meal for $5. In June 2020, they began offering curbside meals and have since provided them every Wednesday.
Organizer Martha Michalewich said Community Meals has served between 120 and 130 meals every week for the past two years.
The organizers have sounded the alarm about the need for funds. With cost increases, some of their vendors are charging Community Meals $6 or $6.50 for a meal. Michalewich estimated it cost between $600 to $720 a week.
In May, Community Meals told the Community Advocate that they would run out of funds in June without additional support.
Michalewich told the selectmen that the meals were fully-funded through the community’s generosity as well as grant funds.
“We had been fully-funded for a long time, but now obviously our money is running short,” said Michalewich.
Community Meals had recently received a $10,000 grant that began in October, which reimburses the organization for the money they spend. But Michalewich said it is specifically for seniors who use the service.
With an estimated annual budget of $37,000, Michalewich said between the $10,000 grant, $1,000 in donations and the originally proposed $12,500 in ARPA funds allocated from the town Community Meals could make it to March or April.
However, Selectman Jason Perreault said he would be comfortable releasing up to $15,000 in ARPA funds to help bridge the program into the late spring or longer.
“I certainly do support this program. I think the need is well-justified, and I believe there is a legitimate urgency here to ensure that the program is secure over the next several months,” Perreault said.
Perreault said the selectmen could revisit it once they conclude their process to examine all of the projects under consideration for ARPA funds.
However, he voiced concerns about sending a message to project proponents “that they need to artificially elevate the urgency of their request” to get more quicker action by the selectmen.
“I think there’s a special consideration here for this particular program, but it shouldn’t be taken as a signal that other proposed projects should suddenly develop greater urgency than has already been communicated in their initial submissions,” Perreault said.
Volunteers distribute meals during a Community Meals in May.
PHOTO/LAURA HAYES
Choice is Lifestyle...
Satisfaction Guaranteed
FREE
Estimates
BEFORE
AFTER
CUSTOM COLOR INTERIORS
Interior Painting Specialists
Screened team members • Licensed & insured • Family owned & operated Warranty included • Prep work included 508.745.7190 mixcustomcolors@gmail.com customcolorinteriors.com
Residents work with our Engagement Director to craft Director to craft programming that celebrates lifelong learning, arts and culture, holistic wellness and fun!
36 MONTHS NO INTEREST!
Home Holidays Event FOR THE Home Holidays Event FOR THE Home Holidays Event FOR THE Home Holidays Event FOR THE
$1000FF Any Flooring Purchase of $1000 or More! $1000FF Any Flooring Purchase of $1000 or More! $1000FF Any Flooring Purchase of $1000 or More! $1000FF Any Flooring Purchase of $1000 or More! SHOP LOCAL FOR BEST VALUES SHOP LOCAL FOR BEST VALUES SHOP LOCAL FOR BEST VALUES SHOP LOCAL FOR BEST VALUES SHOP LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS ThisHolidaySeasonisaperfecttime tosaveoninstallationandmaterial... allbeforeThanksgiving! LetusMakeyourHomeyourown! ThisHolidaySeasonisaperfecttime tosaveoninstallationandmaterial... allbeforeThanksgiving! LetusMakeyourHomeyourown! ThisHolidaySeasonisaperfecttime tosaveoninstallationandmaterial... allbeforeThanksgiving! LetusMakeyourHomeyourown! ThisHolidaySeasonisaperfecttime tosaveoninstallationandmaterial... allbeforeThanksgiving! LetusMakeyourHomeyourown!
DesignCenter “Your Resource for Beautiful Floors” DesignCenter DesignCenter DesignCenter “Your Resource for Beautiful Floors” “Your Resource for Beautiful Floors” “Your Resource for Beautiful Floors” 508-520-2658 FlooringAmerica1.com 508-520-2658 FlooringAmerica1.com 508-366-5087 508-520-2658 FlooringAmerica1.com 508-520-2658 FlooringAmerica1.com Offercannotbecombinedwithanyothers. 30daysonly.SeeStorefordetails. Offercannotbecombinedwithanyothers. 30daysonly.SeeStorefordetails. *See store for details Offercannotbecombinedwithanyothers. 30daysonly.SeeStorefordetails. Offercannotbecombinedwithanyothers. 30daysonly.SeeStorefordetails. PLUSFREE • • SeeStoresforSelectStyles
RoomMeasure&Estimate LVPDelivery Carpet&PadRemoval Carpet&PadHaulAway ShowroomsOpentothePublic 950ChestnutSt.
Franklin
PLUSFREE • • •
1276WorcesterSt. (Rte.9)Natick SeeStoresforSelectStyles
RoomMeasure&Estimate • LVPDelivery Carpet&PadRemoval Carpet&PadHaulAway ShowroomsOpentothePublic 950ChestnutSt.
Franklin
PLUS FREE* PLUSFREE • Room Measure & Estimate• • LVP Delivery • • • Carpet & Pad Removal • Carpet & Pad Haul Away• 1276WorcesterSt. (Rte.9)Natick SeeStoresforSelectStyles
RoomMeasure&Estimate • LVPDelivery Carpet&PadRemoval Carpet&PadHaulAway ShowroomsOpentothePublic 950ChestnutSt.
Franklin
PLUSFREE • • •
1276WorcesterSt. (Rte.9)Natick SeeStoresforSelectStyles
• RoomMeasure&Estimate LVPDelivery Carpet&PadRemoval Carpet&PadHaulAway ShowroomsOpentothePublic 950ChestnutSt.
Franklin
...it’s Senior Living your way!
Contact us to reserve your spot on our Priority Waitlist.
All about choice: Independent, Assisted & Memory Care Living
28 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 18, 2022 PEOPLE PLACES& Northborough Senior Center celebrates Diwali
By Laura Hayes Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH - Music filled the Northborough Senior Center Nov. 8 as residents gathered for a Diwali celebration.
The senior center held the event along with the India Society of Worcester and Northboro Junior Woman’s Club.
According to Shiamin Melville, there’s a member of the India Society of Worcester who loves coming to the senior center and asked that the society come to the center and talk about Diwali.
Melville added that many of the Indian community members were also part of the Northboro Junior Woman’s Club. Plus, the club has had meetings at the senior center and members attend events.
Melville said it was “perfect synergy” to have the Diwali event at the senior center.
“To me, it’s like coming home,” she said.
Director Kendra Faldetta, who has been with the Northborough Senior Center for about six months, believed that this was the first time that the center celebrated Diwali.
The celebration featured dancers along with Rangoli sand craft, block printing and instructions on how to tie a sari.
“I just hope that people come here and realize that this is our home, and we want to share the culture,” Melville said.
This is one of several Diwali celebrations being held in the region. In collaboration with the India Society of Worcester, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill will be holding Diwali Lights on Saturday, Nov.
Etka Jain talks about what the dancers are wearing.
PHOTOS/LAURA HAYES
Two dancers perform at the Senior Center.
Diwali | 29
You can trust us to keep you safe and informed because we care.
Still Locally Owned & Serving Worcester County for Over 60 Years!
We accept most major credit cards
LOWEST PRICES • FULL�SERVICE • 24�HR EXPERT BURNER SERVICE 508-753-7221 • ALSOILSERVICE.com
Accepting new patients!
We are providers for most insurances. Same-day crowns 3D-imaging Implants
A Multi-Specialty Family Dental Practice Dr. Mehdi Karimipour, Cosmetic Dentist/Prosthodontist Dr. Katerina Kostagianni, Cosmetic Dentist/Prosthodontist Dr. Jenn Wei, Endodontist 508-842-8838 Call today!
307 GRAFTON STREET • SUITE 203 • SHREWSBURY
WWW.SHREWSBURYDENTIST.COM
PHYSICAL THERAPY
NOW OFFERING PEDIATRIC PT
Let us help your child get back to what they do best… being a kid.
Call either clinic to speak with one of our pediatric specialists TODAY
Northborough p: 508-393-9000 Hudson p: 978-875-7500
SHREWSBURY - The Assabet Valley Mastersingers will present “Celebrate Peace” at St. John’s High School at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20.
The program features three settings of “Dona Nobis Pacem,” which means “give us peace.”
Founder and Artistic Director Robert P. Eaton will conduct soloists soprano MaryJohnston Letellier and baritone Philip Lima as well as the orchestra and the ensemble.
The mastersingers will perform “Dona Nobis Pacem” by Vaughan Williams, a serene setting by Latvian composer Peteris Vasks who incorporated elements of Latvian folk music and a contemporary setting by Keane Southard.
Southard is from Southborough and a graduate of Algonquin Regional High School.
Southard said the primary themes of his piece have evolved over the years. The emotional content of Southard’s setting is reflected in his use of color and texture, which holds the audience’s attention on the single phrase, “Dona Nobis Pacem,” for 12 minutes.
His setting of “Dona Nobis Pacem” proclaims the harshness and cruelty of war, the intense and somber burial of a father and son, the anguished cry for peace and a final message of goodwill and peace toward men.
Tickets may be purchased from www.AVMsingers.org or at the venue the afternoon of the concert.
The price is $25 and $20 for seniors and students.
Shrewsbury Health Dept. offers sharps disposal
SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury Health Department is reminding residents that needles, syringes and lancets should not be disposed in regular household trash in Massachusetts.
That’s under a statewide ban that went into effect in 2012.
In Shrewsbury, residents can bring their sharps to the Health Department to properly dispose of them during their business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Sharps must be in a tightlysealed puncture proof container, and individual or loose sharps won’t be accepted.
This program is reserved only for Shrewsbury residents, not businesses. However, nonresidents can reach out to the Health Department for information about disposal options in their communities at 508-8418384 or at shrewsburyhealthagent@shrewsburyma.gov.
Senior Center celebrates Diwali
Diwali | from page 28
19 from 6 to 9 p.m. It will feature numerous activities including cultural programs, Indian food, shopping and henna.
For the senior center, Faldetta said they wanted residents to feel like they have a place and were welcome at the center.
“We are hoping that this is the first of many cultural celebrations, and we can really open our doors and let everyone know that we have something for everyone. We want everyone to feel welcome,” Faldetta said.
EXPERIENCE A LIFESTYLE THAT’SSAVE YOUR MONEY AND YOUR WORRIES. Move in today.
When you move to Artisan before the end of the year, you’ll lock in more than just big savings. You’ll secure a supportive lifestyle with amenities and services that make each day special. Experience:
• High-quality, all-day dining • 24/7 support staff, security and maintenance • Well-equipped fitness center • Engaging programs • A variety of group events, like concerts and classes • Picturesque, intimate location
Start living a life that’s uniquely yours, today.
