Community gathers at SELCO open house Shrewsbury | 3
Badminton thrives at Shrewsbury High School Shrewsbury | 14
Westborough girls’ soccer gets revenge on Shrewsbury WEstborough | 22
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Vol. 49 | No. 41 | October 13, 2023
Advisory Finance split on community center purchase By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – Most town boards have voted to support a Town Meeting warrant article to have the town purchase 1500 Union St. and convert it into a community center. After a lengthy discussion on Oct. 5, Advisory Finance Committee members split 4-4. Chair Walter Leslie, Beth Blumberg, Thomas Dolan Jr. and Andrew Bradley voted in favor of supporting the article; Joshua Brandt, Jane Clapp, Gene McMahon and Rod Shaffert voted against. Member Melanie Board did not attend the meeting. The Advisory Finance Committee decided to make no recommendation on the article, but the committee may revote at Town Meeting. According to Leslie, the committee will include a report about the split in its R&R, as well as a “synopsis of reasons for and against.” He added that the committee may revote Article 3 at “our meeting concurrent with Town Meeting when we may have an odd number of members that may create a majority opinion.” Even those voting against the article said they like the idea of a community center, but said they struggled with the purchase price, potential costs for the fit up and what to do with the space. “I struggle with paying 50 percent more than [the building] was appraised,” said Shaffert. “I love the idea, but are we going to get our value?” said Clapp. “This is a massive building.” Clapp also questioned purchasing 1500 Advisory Finance | 5
Celebrating Heritage Day By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor SOUTHBOROUGH – The annual Heritage Day festival came just in time for perfect October weather. The crowds came early to the fields at St. Mark’s on Monday, Oct. 9, and they stuck around for food, games and lots of fun. “It’s a wonderful crowd and great weather,” said Southborough Recreation Director Tim Davis. “It’s a good feeling of fall.” Davis credited the many municipal groups for making Heritage Day possible. The day kicked off with a parade, featuring police, fire and DPW units, Boy and Girl Scouts, the Trottier Middle School marching band, the Southborough Gardeners, Skyrise Theater and the Southborough Kindergroup. Those seeking lunch or a snack had several food vendors to choose from; the Boy Scouts ran a grill, and Pilgrim Church offered baked potatoes with as many fixings as desired. “It’s been a great day so far,” said Pastor Charley Eastman. He added it didn’t hurt to Heritage Day | 12
Luke Gelormini of Southborough crosses the Boy Scouts Troop 1’s monkey bridge during Heritage Day.
Northborough Halloween parade back on By Laura Hayes Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH – The parade is back on. After community members spoke out against a decision not to allow the Halloween costume parade to take place during the school day, Northborough school officials announced that the parade will take place at the elemen-
tary schools this year. According to a message from Superintendent Greg Martineau to families Oct. 6, the parade will take place during the first 20 minutes of the school day. Additionally, there will be alternatives for students who don’t want to participate. Halloween | 15
PHOTO/MAUREEN SULLIVAN