Library committee asks for $1.6 million for repair project westborough | 2
Algonquin gymnasts win Mid-Wach championship Regional | 22
Weddings Special supplement inside!
100% local content
100% FREE
Locally owned and operated since 1974
Your community. Your news. Your paper. Shrewsbury · Westborough · Northborough · Southborough · Marlborough · Hudson · Grafton
Vol. 50 | No. 7 | February 16, 2024
SW Connector may be rezoned from industrial By Laura Hayes Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH – Several zoning articles may be on the warrant when Town Meeting convenes on April 22. Among the proposed articles is an effort to rezone the Industrial District near the Southwest Connector to Highway Business Southwest (HBSW). The Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board recently held a joint meeting on Feb. 6 to discuss the articles. According to Planning Director Laurie Connors, the district, which includes Northborough Crossing, is also zoned for the major commercial overlay district, which allows for a variety of commercial uses. A lot of the uses that currently exist in this district are commercial, she said. The article calls for dropping the overlay and industrial districts and moving forward with Highway Business Southwest. “Many of the attributes of this zoning district are identical to the Highway Business District with a couple of exceptions,” said Connors. Among the differences between the Highway Business and new HBSW, assisted living facilities would be a by-right use. The article would also eliminate the use of a golf course. Groundwater One of the proposed articles would amend the Groundwater Protection Overlay District when it comes to commercial developments.
SW Connector | 6
Westborough School Committee chooses new superintendent By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – The School Committee has selected Allison Borchers to be the next superintendent of Westborough Public Schools (WPS). The choice is subject to contract negotiations. The committee voted 5-0 for Borchers, who is the current assistant superintendent for Westwood Public Schools. She was chosen over Westborough High School Principal Brian Callaghan and Kristen DeFrancisco, the assistant superintendent for the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District. After conducting a second round of interviews on Wednesday, Feb. 7, the committee decided to meet on Monday, Feb. 12, in order to have more time to go through the feedback from WPS staff and the public. It was during their Feb. 12 meeting that the committee tapped Borchers to be the next leader of the school district. During the second round of interviews, Borchers was asked about learning from a mistake. She recalled setting up an advisory board at the middle school while she was principal at the time. “The first attempts to do the work were a disaster,” she said. She and the staff learned from those mistakes to make the advisory board work better. Superintendent | 4
Allison Borchers has been selected as Westborough’s next superintendent, subject to contract negotiations. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
Clinton St. industrial park proposal draws ire of local residents Planning Board reviews stormwater drainage in contentious meeting By Evan Walsh Reporter SHREWSBURY – Interstate Crossing Industrial Park was back before the Planning Board on Feb. 8 with a focus on the stormwater design of the project. The development — proposed for the 100-
acre former Worcester Sand & Stone property at 142 Clinton St. — would include two buildings totaling 921,728 square feet. The project would have three entrances on Route 70. The plans also call for 524 vehicle parking spaces, 187 loading docks and 71 trailer storage spaces. The developer, 160 Holden Street LLC, is an affiliate Industrial park | 5
Proudly serving you since 1996
All Types of Home Repair & Remodeling Odd Jobs, Maintenance & Much More!
W E’R E H I R I N G!
www.mrhandyman.com
(508) 366-3690 Licensed Bonded Insured MA CS #107504 | MA HIC #146014