Students gain broader cultural understanding with program Shrewsbury | 15
Algonquin boys hockey features five sets of brothers northborough | 25
Last-second goal pushes St. John’s past Shrewsbury SHREWSBURY | 27
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Vol. 50 | No. 1 | January 5, 2024
40B project heads to Zoning Board of Appeals By Evan Walsh Reporter SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury’s latest proposed development, Emerald Run, went before the Zoning Board of Appeals on Dec. 18. Emerald Run, which includes six four-story buildings and 300 total homeownership units, would be constructed at 33-69 Green St., land in the southeastern corner of town near Route 20. The project’s developer, Pulte Homes of New England, has several projects in local towns, including the 700-unit Chauncy Lake development in Westborough. Emerald Run is a 40B project, meaning that 25% of the property — or 75 units — will be affordable. However, Pulte has worked with the town to make the development a “friendly 40B,” making several design changes to better suit the community’s goals. For example, should Emerald Run be approved, Pulte plans to donate a strip of land to Shrewsbury; the town will turn the land into a road to connect Green Street with South Street. The town currently has around 6.0% subsidized housing stock, which is below the 10.0% mark for the town to get the Safe Harbor designation and protection from future 40B developments. While Emerald Run’s 75 affordable units would add to the total, Director of Planning and Economic Development Christopher McGoldrick said he likes the project as a whole — not merely for Safe Harbor benefits. “The Safe Harbor provisions are obviously 40B project | 6
Chief Lyver retires after over 40 years with Northborough By Laura Hayes Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH – After serving with the Northborough Police Department for over 40 years, Police Chief William Lyver worked his last shift on Dec. 29. Lyver recently sat down with the Community Advocate to reflect on his tenure with the department. Lyver’s employment with Northborough started in 1977 as a call firefighter, and two years later, he became a special police officer. He was actually offered a full-time position with both the fire department and police department. “As I got a little bit older, I decided I was really more interested in law enforcement,” Lyver said. “I made that decision to stay with the police department, and here we are.” His full-time career with the Northborough Police Department began in 1983 after Lyver | 14
Northborough Police Chief William Lyver worked his last shift on Dec. 29.
Library presents update on repair project By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – The repair project for the Westborough Public Library has started to come into focus. During the Select Board meeting on Dec. 20, Library Director Maureen Amyot and Mary Johnston, the chair of the library’s Board of
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