NORTHBOROUGH – With a deadline of the end of the year to commit American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds looming, the Select Board recently discussed requests for the money.
“I suspect that I would be correct in assuming that everyone in this room and those not in this room don’t want to send a dime back to the federal government,” said Select Board Chair Mitch Cohen June 3. “They’ve sent this to us to spend; we should spend it.”
Cohen put together a memo for the June 3 meeting containing over 130 requests from public input meetings, discussions and emails to the board.
Families living at Days Inn to move to Worcester City Motel
By Evan Walsh Reporter
SHREWSBURY – Families currently housed at the shelter at the former Days Inn on Route 9 will soon move to 235 Boston Turnpike, the former site of the Worcester City Motel.
Town Manager Kevin Mizikar made the announcement at the June 25 Select Board meeting. The movement of families will happen “over the summer,” said Mizikar.
While Mizikar did not go into specifics regarding how long the families will be staying at the motel, he said the state was shifting resources around and the shelter would likely be a “longer-term stay environment.”
Westborough kicks off the 4th with block party
the
during the annual
By Maureen Sullivan, Assistant Editor
WESTBOROUGH – It was a perfect evening for a block party.
On June 28, the Recreation Department sponsored the annual townwide 4th of July celebration. The event came complete with clear skies, mild temperatures and plenty of fun for young and old.
“I’m so happy, especially with all the rain we’ve had,” said Recreation Director Jennifer Kirkland.
The event began with the presentation of colors by the Assabet Valley Marine Corps Junior ROTC Color Guard and the singing of the national anthem.
Recreation Department staff and volunteers stayed busy before and during the event, from directing vendors to their spots, to selling activity tickets.
At the booths, the lines formed early and remained steady through the evening.
Among the most popular activities — face painting, sand art and the making of kindness rocks.
Watson Park pollination garden wins award
Shrewsbury holds firstever Pride, Juneteenth events Car drives into Flint Pond, woman rescued
And of course, the dunk booth sponsored by the Westborough Lions. Town officials took their turns in getting wet, including Fire Chief Patrick Purcell, Police Chief Todd Minardi and Select Board member Shelby Marshall. Stay up to date with all the news!
Todd Minardi begins his second year as police chief the same way he began his first – with a turn at
dunk tank
block party at Bay State Commons on June 28. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan
Assisted Living in Marlborough
Independent amenities and daily personal-care services at New Horizons
The decision to move to assisted living can be a difficult one, as seniors today often lead full, active, and balanced lives. New Horizons’ assisted living options offer the best of both worlds: all the independent amenities are included and daily personalcare services are available.
Services are provided by certified home health aides under the direct supervision of licensed nurses, who are scheduled on site 24 hours a day. Skilled services such as nursing and physical, occupational, and speech therapy, paid for by Medicare, are also available on site for those who qualify. In addition, New Horizons features a variety of private fitness options. Call 508-460-5000 to arrange a visit and learn more.
Immediate availability, including three home-cooked meals daily, starting at $2,400/month for one resident.
• Eat delicious home-cooked meals
• Enjoy the greenhouse and raised garden beds
• Simplify your life and enjoy new friendships
• Explore new activities; have new adventures
• Exercise in the on-site health and fitness club
• Swim in our indoor 84-degree heated lap pool
• For new residents, we will guarantee no increase for six full years to the basic monthly fee!
Community Snapshot
SOUTHBOROUGH
– Across the region, residents are getting in the patriotic mood ahead of the Fourth of July. In Southborough, resident Susan Conti shared this photo of the American Flag flying above her hydrangeas. Do you have a photo you would like to see published in the Community Advocate? Email it to news@communityadvocate.com.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
I’m writing about the cybersecurity of our towns. Recently, a great article ran in the Advocate about the first awards ceremony held by the Shrewsbury Police Department. Buried in the citations and awardees names is a reference to an incident where $2.4m was fraudulently stolen from the Town of Shrewsbury. What’s not mentioned or discussed is how that happened.
Cyber criminals are increasing their attacks on less prepared and ill resourced local governments and municipalities. This incident stemmed from a cyber criminal socially engineering a Town employee to wire money intended to pay for the construction of the new Shrewsbury Police Department. It’s referred to as “Business Email Compromise”, or BEC, and it’s the second largest threat behind ransomware. I’m thankful that Det. Brown helped recover the funds, but it was preventable.
You don’t have to look far to see examples of cybersecurity issues hitting ill-prepared organizations in Massachusetts. The City of New Bedford in 2019, Leominster Public Schools in 2018, Arlington in 2024, Lowell in 2023 and now Shrewsbury.
A compounding issue is that most of those attacked could have been prevented with minimal funding, risk management and the right leadership. As a long time professional in the field of cybersecurity and a resident of Shrewsbury, I’m both shocked and concerned that my own town doesn’t do more. Calls to the Town Hall, Town CIO, and leadership go unanswered over the years when help is offered for free. I have a vested interest in seeing my own town not impacted by criminals, but I hurt myself when those in charge are reluctant to admit there’s a threat that can be addressed.
Regards, Brian Haugli Shrewsbury
Dessert Wines
PUBLISHER/EDITOR: David Bagdon
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 508.930.9022
MANAGING EDITOR: Laura Hayes
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Maureen Sullivan
PROJECT EDITOR: Brett Peruzzi
REPORTER: Evan Walsh
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Debra Roberts
ADVERTISING DEPT: Diane Sabatini | 508.366.5500
The Community Advocate is a weekly periodical, (U.S.P.S. # 014-423), published by Bagdon Advertising, Inc., with offices located at 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Periodicals postage is paid at Shrewsbury, MA 01546 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Community Advocate, 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Publication date is Friday. Deadline for R.O.P. advertising, local community news and classified advertising is Friday, noon, seven days prior to publication. Not liable for typographical errors, however, we will reprint that portion of the ad wherein error occurred if notified in writing within three working days of the publication date. All material included is the property of The Community Advocate and may include material produced under copyright or a syndicated ad service. Permission must be obtained in writing before reproducing any material from any issue of the Community Advocate.
Dessert wines are experiencing a surge in popularity, captivating wine enthusiasts with their unique flavors and luxurious appeal. These wines are crafted from grapes that have undergone specific techniques to enhance their sweetness and richness. One method involves allowing grapes to ripen on the vine for an extended period, intensifying their sugars and flavors. Another technique, known as “noble rot,” involves allowing a beneficial mold to develop on the grapes, concentrating their sugars and flavors. The result is a diverse array of dessert wines, ranging from the lusciously sweet Sauternes and Port to the complex, honeyed notes of Tokaji and ice wines. With their bold flavors and luxurious textures, dessert wines make any dining experience a truly memorable occasion. Most dessert wines can be categorized into five styles: sparkling, light & sweet, rich & sweet, sweet red, and fortified. Dessert wines are typically sweet and rich, so serve them in a small glass at the right temperature. Red dessert wines are usually served slightly warmer than white dessert wines. Dessert wines go well with fruit, cheese, nuts, and chocolate. For more information, please call JULIO’S LIQUORS at 508-366-1942, or visit us at 140 Turnpike Rd., Rt. 9 East
P.S. Some dessert wines are fortified with grape spirits, such as brandy, to halt fermentation and retain natural sweetness.
He noted that most of the items in the list did not have dollar figures attached to the request, and some of the items have already been funded.
Northborough has approximately $1,706,228.36 in unallocated ARPA funds. Finance Director/Town Accountant Jason Little said the funds must be spent or have an obligation
Requests
Following Cohen’s suggestion, Select Board members prepared two lists — requests each member was interested in funding totaling about $320,000 (which is the total amount divided approximately by five) and $1 million for the
potential of overlapping requests.
Select Board member Laura Ziton suggested using funds for reusable Town Meeting signs, recodification, the Allen Street sidewalk and Maple Street sidewalk.
Julianne Hirsh’s requests included a treescape program; a grant program for boards and committees; immediate facility
repairs; sidewalks, crosswalks and better street outlining; an archive project; an investmentgrade audit; recodification and town beautification. She had initially requested funds for electric vehicle charging stations, but Cohen told her the state has a grant program for municipal EV chargers.
Lisa Maselli proposed using funds for road paint; raised
crosswalks, speed humps and roadway scoring; rectangular rapid flashing beacons; sidewalks with granite curbs; underground wiring downtown and decorative lights.
Mike Tietjen’s requests included immediate facility repairs; American Legion kitchen; funding for a gap in the budget for police station siding; air conditioning project at Melican Middle School; step one and two of a study of the emergency communications system; upgrades to the security system and cameras at the police station; crosswalk alert systems; recodification and the archive project.
Cohen’s list included benches and picnic tables in downtown; Town Meeting signs; the Historical Society; Friends of the Senior Center; American Legion kitchen; White Cliffs; recodification project; records archive project; hybrid meeting equipment for the Northborough Free Library; public art; seed money to bring someone on board for economic development efforts and communications; sidewalks; the Be Well Northborough carnival; crosswalk lights and downtown design and beautification.
Moving forward, board members will revise their lists, which will then be consolidated and ran past staff.
Families living
In June 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development placed 16 families in a Shrewsbury lodging facility until further notice. Last September, the Community Advocate reported that there were roughly 80 families in lodging facilities, including about 50 students. Massachusetts is the country’s only “right to shelter” state, meaning that “low-income Massachusetts families who meet certain eligibility requirements have a legal right to shelter.” Families | from page 1
“We will, of course, work with all town officials and continue our relationship with the state and this new provider to make sure that this transition is as smooth as possible, especially for those with school-age children,” said Mizikar.
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
WESTBOROUGH – Maureen
Amyot capped a 14-year odyssey as director of the Westborough Public Library with a little cake and a lot of friends.
Dozens of residents, including town officials, stopped by the library on June 26 to wish Amyot well.
Her last day was Friday, July 5. Her first day at her new job — director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners — will be Monday, July 8.
“It’s great for her, but a big loss for us,” said Mary Johnston, chair of the Library Board of Trustees.
“She’s an amazing human being on so many levels,” said Jen McGrath, the library’s teen librarian, of Amyot. “She’s been a role model, and the biggest supporter of teens.”
On June 24, the trustees named Kate-Lynn Corracio, the current director at Wilmington’s public library, to succeed Amyot.
“Kate will do a fantastic job,” said Amyot. The appointment is subject to contract negotiations.
Amyot, who lives in Westborough, will stay on the Library Building Committee, and is “sure” she will continue as Mrs. Claus.
Repair project update
The Library Building Committee has been meeting to determine building access and temporary space while the library undergoes repairs, schematic design and more.
The design development and construction documents phase will continue through early 2025; the goal is to present the project at the Annual Town Meeting.
Maureen Amyot was honored for her 14 years as director of the Westborough Public Library with a reception on June 26.
(Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
Should the project’s budget be approved, construction would begin in 2025 with completion in 2026.
The project will include restoring the windows; replacing the roof; replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning parts; replacing the lower floor carpet; adding restrooms; relocating the teen room; restoring the adult meeting rooms; and expanding local history storage.
The total cost – including the creation of bid documents, possible leasing of space and construction itself – would be around $16 million.
For details about the project, visit https://www.westboroughlibrary.org/about/ repair-project/.
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
WESTBOROUGH – Under a new policy approved by the Select Board, older residents may qualify to purchase Pay as You Throw trash bags for a reduced price. Similar to a policy enacted in Grafton, it will provide a subsidy to qualified seniors.
According to the policy:
• New applicants to the program must complete and submit any required paperwork fully to be considered for this subsidy.
• The income qualification threshold will be tied to the median family income of Worcester County, low-income limit for a single-person household, as set annually, by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A copy of the applicant’s federal tax return or other necessary documentation to verify income must be provided.
• The application materials
are to be submitted to the Westborough Public Health Department by an individual applicant. Applications are due by the 15th of the month for approval effective the following month.
• Applications will be reviewed and approved by the public health director prior to the end of the month. Applicants will be notified in writing.
• The department will process requests for the subsidy. No other board/committee or town department can process or approve applications.
• The subsidized bags will be sold at the Westborough Public Health Department the first full week of the month at a cost of $1 for five small (15-gallon) bags. Approved applicants will receive an approved number of bags (five) once per month.
• Applicants will be qualified on an annual basis. Applications are available at the department office.
Watson Park pollination preservation garden wins award
By Laney Halsey Contributing Writer
NORTHBOROUGH – The Watson Park Pollination Preservation Garden was awarded New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s annual Community Greening Award as a result of its dedication to helping atrisk bees.
At the entrance to Watson
Your
Park lies a sprawling variety of plants, ranging from tall scarlet beebalm to delicate meadowsweet. A path winds through the greenery, and although they create a picturesque visual, the plants work to feed and house a variety of different pollinators.
The garden is run by Gary Phillips, who lives down the road. Phillips has transformed a hobby of native planting
‘Mad dog’ skullcap is a plant native to Massachusetts and named for its historic treatment of rabies.
The plant serves a dual purpose for it also produces flowers for bees.
(Photo/Laney Halsey)
of Zoom meetings and hear a lot of people complain about ‘I don’t have volunteers, I don’t have grant money to install the garden I want to install.’ My mission is to show people this is how you can install a garden without grant money.”
Phillips has given back to the community in more ways than just the garden.
Summer, Summer, Summertime — Time To Sit Back and… Experience Spend
Recall your age 21 summer?
Mine had DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince’s “Summertime” as a soundtrack. Days spent gathering with friends at backyard BBQ’s, a pool or restaurant patios in Portsmouth, then 6 nights a week “working” as a DJ in various clubs on Hampton Beach. When we reminisce about our past, we recall experiences. Examine further, you’ll likely realize the small windows of opportunity to enjoy them. For example, two years later I’d be in Florida, working for a minor league baseball team and able to see just one of those friends.
Life is constantly evolving, and moments once passed cannot be relived. Embracing experience spending encourages individuals to seize opportunities to enjoy life while they can. It shifts focus from material wealth to emotional wealth — the happiness, satisfaction, and memories that come from shared experiences and personal adventures.
Why experience spending?
Beyond the concept of having greater value for experiences versus things, studies find people misjudge what purchases will make them happy, how happy they will feel, and how long that happiness lasts.
Spending money on experiences creates more and longer-lasting happiness than spending on material goods, which people are more prone to comparisons and buyer’s remorse. Also, objects tend to deteriorate with time, while experiences can create lasting memories and become part of your identity. The challenges of getting advice to spend money.
The financial industry, in particular investment management and financial planning, places too little emphasis on helping clients spend money for today’s experiences.
There are various reasons as to why. Advisors paid solely by % of Assets Under Management don’t want assets taken out, as it results in them earning less. For financial planners, it’s easier (and safer) to model goals 15-20 years out, whereas spending now makes analysis harder to balance future outcomes. Furthermore, clients see the impact of recommendations immediately and can judge accordingly.
Timing of experiences is critical.
Consider the family vacation to Disney, it is a different shared experience for all going when kids are 6 & 8 versus late teens.
Or the HS senior and family trip you’ve been meaning to do. What’s their availability (and desire) once in college to go on a family trip with mom and dad? That window’s closing.
It’s not limited to just travel.
Saving up for a big purchase is admirable. But in terms of your happiness, is this the best way to allocate finite resources? For many, happiness is more closely aligned to the frequency and variations as opposed to intensity.
Ask yourself if you’d be happier with a few big-ticket items, such as a luxury car, or rather indulge frequently in small purchases, such as cooking clubs, memberships, kid’s activities, and spa days?
Financial considerations.
While experience spending prioritizes moments over materialism, it also requires mindful financial planning of your resources. Budgeting involves allocating funds for activities that align with personal values and goals. It encourages responsible spending by focusing on the long-term benefits of enriching experiences while balancing your financial stability and security.
For instance, imagine parents trying to make up for lost time, now wanting to take the family on a luxury vacation. Sure, they could choose to do that. But would it have been better to have done prudent financial planning all those years of sacrifice by assessing current financial health, setting a realistic budget, and exploring cost-effective alternatives that still deliver a memorable experience? Furthermore, this approach removes the build-up of unrealistic expectations and places the focus on making memories together.
I hope you enjoy your “summer, summer, summertime” and may you have “time to sit back and unwind” together.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
Glenn Brown lives in MetroWest and is owner of PlanDynamic, LLC, www.PlanDynamic.com. He is a fee-only Certified Financial Planner™ helping motivated people take control of their planning and investing, so they can balance kids, aging parents and financial independence.
into a functioning community garden.
“It’s a really special thing,” Phillips said. “It’s not just the pollination garden, it’s not just a native plant garden, it’s a garden for the at-risk bees — that’s what we’re about.”
His process
Phillips got in touch with the Conservation Commission four years ago and inquired about space in town where he could start the garden.
At that time, all that had existed in the area at Watson Park was a long-abandoned garden. He painstakingly removed the roots and installed new plants. All of the species are derived from a list of native plants recommended by Dr. Robert Gegear, who is a biology professor at UMass Dartmouth.
“There are several goals to the garden — it’s to feed the pollinators from spring to fall and it’s also meant to be a display garden to the public,” Phillips said. “People can walk through and identify what the plants are and hopefully want to put the same in their garden at home.”
Phillips has dedicated significant time and effort to the project. Since the garden’s creation in 2020, he has spent 20 hours per week from spring to fall weeding, transplanting and tending to the garden in any way necessary. This year, he’s reduced the time to 15 hours per week and expects to see this number decline as the garden becomes more established.
This endeavor is purely volunteer work and Phillips has installed the entire project with $0 in funding.
“I like to do the garden installs and maintenance. I don’t have time for marketing or grant writing; I’m not interested in it. And it’s not necessary,” Phillips said. “I want to show all the towns around us that you don’t need funding to install a project like this. I go to a lot
“My mission is knowledge sharing,” Phillips said. “I do lots of workshops at the library to share what I’ve learned… I ask that the people who I teach will teach their friends and families to do the same; it’s an environmental passion of mine.”
Utilizing his knowledge from his years of studying native plants, he runs seed-collecting workshops and winter sow workshops in Northborough and surrounding towns. In these programs, he gives attendees propagation kits, including two milk jugs filled with seeds.
“I’ve asked ‘keep one for your garden and donate one back to the project’ so everything you see at Watson Park was grown by the community without funding because we didn’t have any grant money to install those gardens,” Phillips said.
The award
In a press release, New England Botanic Garden staff state that the award’s purpose is to “honor the efforts of individuals, municipalities, nonprofits, or community groups using plants and gardening to bring people together or address a public need.”
The garden at Watson Park was nominated for and recognized in the category of “Best Innovative Use of Plants/ Best Sustainable Use of Green Space.”
The garden was the only community garden that won — a fact that, coupled with the prestige of the award, meant a lot to Phillips.
“It motivated me. There are times when I’m at the garden and I get tired and I get burnt out. Winning that award, getting recognized for what it has evolved to, it really motivates me, it keeps me going,” Phillips said.
Going forward, Phillips hopes to capitalize on the award in order to ensure the longevity of the garden.
“I don’t have many volunteers and I’m hoping to pubAward | 9
Money, Your Independence
Glenn Brown, CFP
M.A. Restoration celebrates 30 years of quality work, happy customers COMMUNITY BUSINESS
By Evan Walsh Reporter
WESTBOROUGH – When Mark Johnson started his woodworking company in 1994, he never imagined it would evolve into one of Central Mass.’s most reliable restoration businesses.
At 22 years old, Johnson started M.A. Woodworking (M.A. short for Mark Anthony), doing custom cabinetry. Soon, Johnson advanced into bigger remodeling projects, and in 2004, the company expanded once again, branching out to restoration work and handling insurance claims. At that time, the company incorporated as M.A. Restoration Inc., and today — 30 years after the company was first formed — Johnson and his wife, Amy, manage their 30-plus employee business that has developed a reputation for top-notch customer service and quality work.
“It’s incredible. It doesn’t really feel real. When you’re growing up, you think that somebody being in business for 30 years is a long time, and now I’m at that same mark. It’s been a long time, but I’m proud of what we’ve built. Our team is our biggest asset,” Johnson told the Community Advocate.
M.A. Restoration handles a wide range of problems that may arise, including water damage, fire damage, and mold remediation. When you have an emergency, call M.A. Restoration’s 24-7 hotline and get professional advice. The company’s experienced staff will help you develop a gameplan and even work with your insurance to make the situation as stress-free as possible.
The company isn’t just there to mitigate the damage — they’ll also get your property back to how it was before. Johnson’s team of skillful, knowledgeable professionals from different backgrounds can effectively repair, remodel (kitchen, bath, cabinets, etc.), and rebuild if necessary.
“Our entire team has a vast array of experiences in the construction fields and other associated fields — nobody comes from the same background. We’re a one-stop shop — we’ll do the clean-up, the mitigation services, and then, the repairs.
There are a lot of other companies that are mitigation-only companies that dabble in construction. We look at things a little differently,” said Johnson. M.A. Restoration understands that when you call, you’re likely not having your best day — and that’s OK. Even when it feels like the sky is falling — or the roof is leaking — the company’s team of trained professionals is ready to support you. It’s as Johnson
says: “We’re in the business of helping people.”
“It’s helping that person in their time of need. It’s understanding that they’re in the situation that they’re in. It’s not an easy business; it’s not easy dealing with someone in their worst moment, but we care about helping others. It’s okay to feel that way — we understand. We’re experts; we’ve been through the process before,” Johnson said.
arrangements are Florist-designed
The company’s emphasis on customer service has paid dividends. Out of 147 reviews on Google, M.A. Restoration boasts a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.
“We’re centered around the customer. We make sure the customer is completely happy, feeling like they’re being treated fairly, being dealt with honestly. If we keep that in mind, everything goes well. It’s grown primarily because
we keep customers happy. If we didn’t provide good quality service over the last 30 years, we wouldn’t be here right now. Your reputation is going to get out there — you don’t last 30 years in business without doing good quality work. It’s what builds the business.”
M.A. Restoration is headquartered at 69 Fisher Street in Westborough, and the company looks forward to moving to a brand-new facility up Route 135 soon. For more information, please visit https:// marestoration.com/, call (508) 366-4104 (non-emergency inquiries) or call (508) 366-2669 (emergency calls). M.A. Restoration services every town and city in the Community Advocate region.
Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.
The team at M.A. Restoration. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
Selling Smart: Why a Real Estate Agent Makes All the Difference
Elaine Quigley, CBR, CRS, GRI
Elaine.Quigley@commonmoves.com
Cell: (508) 735-5161
www.EQRE.com
Ifyou’re considering selling your house on your own as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO), you want to think about if it’s really worth the extra stress. Going this route means shouldering a lot of responsibilities by yourself — and, if you’re not an expert, that opens the door for mistakes to happen and can quickly become overwhelming.
A report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows two key areas where people who sold their own house struggled the most: pricing and paperwork. Here are just a few of the ways an agent makes those tasks a whole lot easier.
Getting the Price Right
Setting the right price for your house is important. And, if you’re selling your house on your own, two common issues can happen. You might ask for too much money (overpricing). Or you might not ask for enough (underpricing). Either can make it hard to sell your house. According to NerdWallet:
“When selling a home, first impressions matter. Your house’s market debut is your first chance to attract a buyer and it’s important to get the pricing right. If your home is overpriced, you run the risk of buyers not seeing the listing.
. . . But price your house too low and you could end up leaving some serious money on the table. A bargain-basement price could also turn some buyers away, as they may wonder if there are any underlying problems with the house.”
To avoid these problems, team up with a real estate agent. Agents know how to figure out the perfect price because they have a deep understanding of the local housing market. And they’ll use that expertise to set a price that matches what buyers are willing to pay, giving your house the best chance to impress from the start.
Understanding and Performing Paperwork
Selling a house involves a bunch of paperwork and legal documentation that has to be just right. There are a lot of rules and regulations to follow, and that makes it a bit tricky for homeowners to manage everything on their own. Without a pro by your side, you could end up facing liability risks and legal complications.
Real estate agents are experts in all the contracts and paperwork needed for selling a house. They know the rules and can guide you through it all, reducing the chance of mistakes that might lead to legal problems or delays. As an article from First American explains:
“To buy or sell a home you need to accurately complete a lot of forms, disclosures, and legal documents. A real estate agent ensures you cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i’ to help you avoid having a transaction fall through and/or prevent a costly mistake.”
So, instead of dealing with the growing pile of documents on your own, team up with an agent who can be your advisor, helping you avoid any legal bumps in the road.
Bottom Line
Selling a house on your own can cost you a lot of time and stress. Let’s connect so you have help with all the finer details, including setting the right price, handling all the paperwork, and so much more.
NORTHBOROUGH – The Town of Northborough Scholarship Committee awarded a total of $5,000 in 2024 scholarship funds to six graduating high school seniors.
The recipients were Sylvia Gaskamp, JanetLou Guan, Landen Jorgensen, Ella Nofsinger, Lindsay Ogar and Irene Shin. They were chosen based on their community service and employment experiences, school and extracurricular activities, financial need, academic standing and an essay. All attended Algonquin Regional High School.
Ogar was named the first recipient of the tribute scholarship made possible by the generous donation of long time Northborough residents Nisha and Chandra Vora. A portion of their $2,500 donation will be earmarked for five years for a student majoring in business or science/healthcare. The Voras donation is in honor of their three children — Ami, Avni, and Neel — who attended Northborough schools. Chandra is also a member of the Scholarship Committee.
Committee Chair Liz Nolan said the scholarship fund re-
Scholarship recipients
JanetLou Guan, Lindsay Ogar, Landen Jorgensen, Sylvia Gaskamp and Irene Shin pose for a photo.
Not pictured is Ella Nofsinger. (photo/ Courtesy)
awareness to the Scholarship Fund,” said Nolan. “A holiday online auction was new to our fundraising efforts, and it did so well, that we are already planning to expand it this year.”
who made a difference, or honoring a graduating class.
licize this award to get some other interest,” Phillips said. “[I want to] find some more people who are dedicated to native plants and have the time and energy to help but right now it’s pretty much just me.”
Going forward
Along with volunteering and attending his workshops, Phillips encourages community members to simply stop by and enjoy themselves.
“For anyone who would like to visit the garden, it’s nice to visit it in all four seasons… even when the snow falls you’ll see Little Bluestem peeking up above the snow,” Phillips said. “That way you can see the plants and how they change throughout the year.”
Phillips doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.
“It’s my personal project to make it successful,” Phillips said. “When I presented at the Conservation Commission meeting they asked what the maintenance plan was and I really didn’t have one other than ‘I’ll stay committed because I want it to be successful.’”
lies solely on the generosity of the community as it does not receive any money from the town budget. The number of scholarships and the amount awarded are decided each year by the Committee based on available funds.
wait until Friday for your local news?
Visit CommunityAdvocate.com for daily updates!
“The Committee continues to brainstorm new ways to fundraise, make improvements to the process, and bring more
A Tribute Donation platform was recently created. A charitable contribution to the Fund can be made “in honor of” or “in memory of” a specific person who holds a special place in the heart of the donor. Alumni or parents of alumni are invited to make a tribute donation honoring their alma mater, an educator or coach
Other ways to donate include online, by mail (Scholarship Committee, Northborough Town Hall, 63 Main Street, Northborough MA 01532), or by adding an additional amount to the tax bill by checking off the box dedicated to the fund.
Additional information and donation information can be found at https://sites.google. com/view/northboroughscholarship or email NorthbroughScholarships@gmail. com.
By Evan Walsh Reporter
SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury
Electric and Cable Operations (SELCO) is an “energy provider” in every sense.
Shrewsbury residents are likely familiar with how the municipally-owned service supplies energy to power their homes. However, on June 28, dozens of SELCO employees brought another — but equally important — type of energy to the organization’s Open House, enthusiastically showing the community around the company’s facility, explaining how SELCO benefits consumers and educating citizens about public power and their jobs.
“As a lot of people know, we’re a community-owned utility. We always want to give folks the opportunity to really see what we do — see the internal operations, see all the work that goes on with our everyday operations. We’re a pretty small team in the grand
A
scheme of things … but we have a lot going on, and we wanted the opportunity to connect with the community and really show them what we do here,” SELCO Communications Coordinator Valerie Clemmey said.
Did you know that SELCO uses sheep to trim the grass underneath solar panels? Do you know how the organiza-
tion’s Johnson Substation works? Are you interested in meeting SELCO’s customer service team face-to-face?
With almost every aspect of SELCO out in the open, the event served as an opportunity for town residents to ask questions, learn more about how power and cable services are provided, and — of course — get some free
SELCO-branded goodies.
SELCO’s array of technical vehicles — bucket trucks and fiber-splicing trucks, for instance — were on display, in addition to the organization’s collection of electric vehicles.
For those curious about how electricity is generated, the garage was filled with demonstrations from knowledgeable SELCO employees.
There was fun to be had aside from learning about electricity; SELCO provided plenty of exciting opportunities for the kiddos, many of whom were given souvenir reflective vests and hard hats. Bounce houses were available, a food truck was on hand and Shrewsbury Media Connection provided green-screen fun.
SELCO employees were eager to interact with the community. (Photos/Evan Walsh)
Smiley, the Worcester Red Sox mascot, feeds a sheep at SELCO’s Open House. Sheep help SELCO by eating grass underneath the company’s solar panels.
HISTORY
Hudson’s tiny church has endured for
HUDSON THEN NOW
By David Bonazzoli History Columnist
HUDSON – Back when Hudson had trolley lines, the Worcester Consolidated Streetcar Company had a small waiting station at Stones Corner, Central Street, just east of where the Beetle Barn is today.
As the nearest church was over two miles away, the Reverend Louis West conducted church services in this building. The building was located close to the tracks, so close in fact that one could step from the doorway right onto the steps of the streetcar.
The Reverend
Right: Over 600 weddings have been celebrated in Hudson’s smallest church.
(Photo/Wikipedia)
church in his vacation town of Wiscasset, Maine. Unfortunately that church burned in 2014.
On September 5, 1953, the first official wedding took place. Through the years over 600 more followed. For over 30 years the West family held church services there.
The church held its last wedding on September 24, 1977. A short time later the church was moved to a spot alongside the First Federated Church, at 210 Central Street. Over the next several years the church began to deteriorate.
Nearing retirement years later in 1953, Reverend West built a tiny church on his property, then moved it, placing it next to the road at 301 Central Street. The church stands 10 feet tall. In its tiny steeple hung a bell which was recovered from a small sailing ship. The building is eight feet long and just five feet wide. The inside front wall was decorated with a twenty-square-foot canvas painting of a ship that had gone aground.
Inside is just enough room for a small lectern for the minister and room for two folding
chairs. Everyone else either sat or stood outside.
In 1957 the Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged this church as “the smallest.”
Years later Reverend West also built a very similar tiny
Seeing this, local contractor Victor Petkauskos moved the building to his wooded lot on Causeway Street, where he restored the church to its original glory.
The tiny church still stands today. Let us hope it is maintained as it is a most interesting piece of Hudson history.
Join us as we become privy to the contradictions, misconceptions and surprising achievements associated with the medicine of your parents and grandparents. Our host “ Myrtle Mills” will have you chuckling and cringing all at the same time. You won’t want to miss this event as we unravel the misconceptions and discoveries of late Victorian medicine.
Monday, July 15 |
Left:
Louis West built Hudson’s smallest church in 1953.
Westborough kicks off the 4th with block party
“It’s a great night and a huge crowd,” said Minardi, who’s about to begin his second year as police chief. “It’s a great day for the town.”
There were also pony rides, a moon bounce, interactive car racing, airbrush tattoos and a visit from Smiley, the mascot of
Some groups offered information on upcoming events.
The Westborough Athletic and Social Association gave event goers a chance to play some cornhole and note some of its events, including its golf tournament on Sept. 13, Turkey Shoot on Nov. 23 and Ski Swap
Concert Series Concert Series
The Willows at Westborough is thrilled to announce their 2024 Summer Concert Series, featuring a lineup of incredible artists and bands, set in their beautiful community courtyard. ALL CONCERTS: 7:00–8:15pm
July 10 The Wolverines Jazz Band
July 17* Fantasy Big Band
July 24 Riverboat Stompers
July 31 Dan Gable & the Abletones
August 7* Swing Legacy
*Be our guest and receive a complementary dinner and tour of our facility prior to the concert. RSVP 508-366-4730 x2020. No dogs allowed. If poor weather, concerts will be closed to the
on Dec. 14.
Music fans also came early to save a spot in front of the pavilion. The Reminisants entertained the crowd with a combination of oldies and country music.
Those wishing to grab a quick dinner could frequent some of the food trucks that
lined Union Street. Those wanting a bit of dessert could get a sugar cookie from Roche Bros., but they had to act quickly — customers went through four big boxes of cookies within 90 minutes.
Next up for the Recreation Department — the summer concert series. The Midtown
Horns will kick things off on July 9; SNG on July 23; and Holdin’ Back the 60s on Aug. 6. All concerts will take place at Bay State Commons and will begin at 6 p.m.
For information on programs, visit https://westboroma.myrec.com/info/default. aspx.
Children could create kindness rocks at the Westborough Connects booth during.
Hugh Fitzgerald of Westborough gets ready to ride a pony.
Select Board member Shelby Marshall shows her support for the Westborough Lions and their dunk booth. (Photos/Maureen Sullivan)
SHREWSBURY – As Freddi Koss watched the celebration unfold at Dean Park after months of planning, they felt a sense of pride.
That’s “pride” in the typical sense, but also capital-“P” “Pride,” meant to indicate the LGBTQIA+ community’s celebration during the month of June.
Koss and the rest of Shrewsbury’s seven-member DEIB Committee held two events within the span of two days.
On June 26, the Pride event was held at Dean Park, and the following day, the town’s Juneteenth celebration, led by DEIB Committee member Adeola Mbaneme, was held at Shrewsbury’s Summer Market. Both events were the first in the town’s history.
“Shrewsbury has so many wonderful people from all walks of life — it’s a very diverse community — and everybody that we’ve met here
is excited. It’s a really beautiful event. This community is a special gem, so it’s great to know this event came to fruition,” Mbaneme said at the Juneteenth event.
The Pride celebration featured rock decorating, Uhlman’s ice cream and opportunities to socialize under
the pavilion at Dean Park. Although the event started with brief rain, it wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of the large crowd that turned out for the event. Various Pride flags were hung on the pavilion, and attendees were treated to collections of Pride-themed items, like colorful stickers, bracelets,
and more.
“It means a lot to me that I get to be a part of it,” said Koss. They noted that growing up, they never thought Shrewsbury would hold an event like this.
“I’m really glad that it’s happening,” said Koss. “Highschool me didn’t realize that
any of this was allowed. I did in some sense, but it was much harsher back [when I was younger]. I’m glad to see that there’s a shift and we can have an event like this. We’re making it happen.”
Juneteenth was celebrated at the Summer Market, with DEIB Committee members handing out bead necklaces, books and other Juneteenththemed tokens. Families stopped by the booth to learn about one of the country’s newest holidays.
“I thought it was important [to hold this event]. As a member of the DEIB Committee, part of our charge is to do things in the community to bring more inclusivity and community togetherness. We just thought that celebrating all the beautiful holidays — especially Juneteenth, being one of the newer ones — was a great way to bring awareness to it. We wanted people to know that it’s a U.S. holiday. It’s a holiday for all,” said Mbaneme.
Members of the town’s DEIB Committee (L-R Cinthia Mesquita, Freddi Koss, and Adeola Mbaneme) run the Juneteenth event. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
By Cindy Zomar Contributing Writer
REGION – When contemplating how to genuinely surprise retiring Principal Mark Hollick and get him to his own retirement party, the organizers had to dig deep into what motivates him and use that to their advantage.
After 32 years at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High, his devotion to do what’s best for his students at every opportunity was legendary, so the plan was cast. At a little after 3 p.m. on the day after school was over for the summer, Hollick was approached by another administrator and told that a student had not yet accepted a scholarship and that it would go to the next student in line if she didn’t immediately respond.
Luckily, her graduation party was being held at 3:30 p.m. at the Hudson Elks, but
someone had to get the envelope to her. Hollick bought the story and was quick to offer his assistance, shut down his computer, lock his office and drive over to the Elks.
As he rushed in, manila envelope clutched in his hands, he was taken aback to see his wife, Jodi, and daughter, Megan, inside the door. Did they know the student? It was when he turned and saw his mother, Pauline, who had come up from Florida with his brother, Erik, to surprise him, that he began to catch on that there was no student in need and that the room full of people standing and cheering and clapping were actually there to honor him. He was moved to tears, as were so many of the partygoers.
Former Superintendent Mary Jo Nawrocki, who had Hollick as a student back in the 1980s, was asked to speak. She detailed his rise through
the ranks at the school, from student-athlete to substitute teacher, paraprofessional, Physical Education and Health teacher, coach, Curriculum Coordinator and finally, for the last 16 years, principal. He met his wife at Assabet, his
brother had attended Assabet, his mother was an aide in the classrooms, and both of his children are Assabet alumni.
“Mark truly bleeds blue and gold. He has always put the students first and knows and remembers their names
and what technical program they were in years after they’ve graduated,” she said.
Hollick spearheaded an English and Math Across the Curriculum program, lifting Assabet to new heights. He wrote a manual on the preparation new teachers must follow to advance and receive state certification and made that a priority.
She continued, “He has thanked me for believing in him and hiring him as principal at only 38, but I have to say that he has made me so proud of the work he has done and his dedication to Assabet. We all wish him well as he moves forward!”
The standing ovation lasted for several minutes, as friends, family, and colleagues attempted to convey their appreciation and admiration for a job well done to a man who put his heart and soul into his work.
Retiring Principal Mark Hollick, center, pauses for a family photo with, left to right, his mother and brother, Pauline and Erik Hollick, wife, Jodi, daughter Megan and son, Mason, at a recent surprise celebration in his honor.
(Photo/ Cindy Zomar)
Shrewsbury Boosters donate $62,000 to renovate SHS weight room
By Evan Walsh Reporter
SHREWSBURY – The School Committee unanimously voted on June 6 to accept a $62,000 donation from the Shrewsbury High School Athletic Boosters Association that will allow for the Shrewsbury High School (SHS) weight room to be renovated.
“We’re really excited about the opportunity to enhance our weight room facility. Not only for just the athletes of Shrewsbury High School, but for the students and faculty of Shrewsbury High School. … We felt it was time to catch up with the times as far as equipment goes and the usage of the facility,” Shrewsbury Director of Athletics Jay Costa said.
“ I want
to certainly express my deep gratitude to the Boosters for this extremely generous donation.
Joe
Sawyer Superintendent
The weight room has not been renovated in 21 years, Costa said. The facility is frequently used by athletes, and many SHS students utilize the
Explore Frederick Douglass’ ‘slavery’ speech
GRAFTON – On July 5, 1852, abolitionist Frederick Douglass spoke in Rochester, New York, about the hypocrisy of a nation celebrating its freedom when millions of its people were bound by slavery.
Through his speech, Douglass held up a mirror to the nation’s values, emphasizing the cruel irony of the Independence Day celebration.
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton & Upton, in partnership with the Grafton
Public Library and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, is gathering people of all backgrounds and ages on Grafton Common to experience the moving words of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
The event will be held on Friday, July 5, on Grafton Common beginning at 6 pm. (rain location; Grafton Unitarian Church, 3 Grafton Common). Those attending the event
are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic. Event organizers will provide water and snacks.
6 p.m. – Music program featuring Jan Barlow and family activities
6:30 p.m. – Reading of the Frederick Douglass speech.
7:15 p.m. – Discussion groups will explore the meaning and relevance of Douglass’ words to each of us today, particularly as they relate to the continuing legacy of slavery and racism.
equipment during physical education classes. The facility is located adjacent to the SHS field house.
“The Boosters board has … been trying to find ways to directly assist in advancing school spirit and the all-sport mission statement. The Boosters believe we’ve found a way that will not only help our athletes, but also the entire Shrewsbury High School and middle school community,” Shrewsbury High School Athletic Boosters Association President Tony Tizzano said.
The Boosters fundraise for all school sports, with 100% of money raised going back to Shrewsbury athletics.
The group “led the charge” in 2018 when SHS renovated the outdoor facilities and converted to a turf field, according to
Costa. He estimated the group has raised over $10 million over the years, buying uniforms and other equipment.
“The Shrewsbury High School Athletic Boosters Association is a charitable, non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage enthusiastic support and interest in [high school] and middle-school athletics, to award scholarships which contribute to the postsecondary education of graduating seniors, to contribute to the advancement and needs of the athletic programs in those schools, and lend support to the director of athletics,” said Tizzano.
“I want to certainly express my deep gratitude to the Boosters for this extremely generous donation that’s going to help us make that facility a firstclass one for our students. I particularly want to thank all the volunteers involved with the Boosters,” Superintendent Joe Sawyer said.
“They make this community a very special place,” he added.
Do
migraine attacks? You may qualify for new potential migraine treatments. We’re studying acute and preventative treatments that could better manage migraine.
• Join migraine experts in the quest to find better solutions. See if you qualify.
• Join our pursuit of potential new solutions for migraine and enroll today.
• Compensation is provided for your time and travel of $100.00 per visit. Total reimbursement varies by study. We can also assist with Uber transportation if needed. Our clinic site is Community Clinical Research Network, located at 488 Boston Post Road, East in Marlborough. We can be reached by phone at 508-320-9248 or email at kmagner@ccrnresearch.com
Car drives into Flint Pond, woman rescued
By Evan Walsh Reporter
SHREWSBURY – A 50-year-old woman was rescued from Flint Pond.
On the morning of June 27, Worcester Police were told that a car drove into the water near the Oak Island Boat Ramp. Witnesses said the car went into the water “at a high rate of speed,” according to Shrewsbury Fire Chief Jim Vuona, who spoke to reporters after the incident.
The Worcester Fire Department, Shrewsbury Police Department, Shrewsbury Fire Department, and Worcester Police Department responded to the report. An approximately 50-year-old woman was found floating in about five feet of water, Vuona said. Worcester crews had boats in the water to rescue her.
The woman — who was the only person in the car
—was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. She arrived at the hospital alive, said Vuona, but her condition or any possible injuries were not disclosed. The car, a gray sedan, was towed from the water. Scuba divers were also present. While Vuona said the water had a slight oil sheen after the inci-
dent, it likely would not raise environmental concerns or need to be cleaned up.
Vuona said the rescue went well.
“It’s hard work and everything, but our guys are very well trained — the guys in [Worcester] and our guys as well. It sounds like everyone did a great job,” he said.
Former vape shop owner charged with tax evasion
WOBURN – Middlesex District
Attorney Marian Ryan and Massachusetts Department of Revenue Commissioner Geoffery Snyder have announced that Ashraf Youssef, 61, of Hopkinton, has been charged in connection with allegedly failing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in excise tax between 2020 and 2022.
Youssef was arraigned on June 18 in Middlesex Superior Court on three counts of tax evasion. Clerk Magistrate Daniel Flaherty released the defendant on personal recognizance.
His next court date is July 9, according to a press release. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, Youssef was the owner of AAA Smoke & Vape Shop on Boston Post Road East in Marlborough, along with similar establishments in Sudbury and Whitinsville. The allegations are that during this time, he purchased electronic nicotine delivery systems (vape) products from four different outof-state distributors. As part of those purchases, Youssef was responsible for paying excise taxes on these purchases, and
the invoices for the products noted the same.
Over the three years that the purchases were made, he allegedly didn’t pay excise tax on the products. Based on information compiled from invoices, bank records and delivery records, Youssef failed to pay $467,828 in electronic nicotine delivery systems excise taxes, according to the press release.
The excise tax for electronic nicotine delivery systems is imposed by General Laws Chapter 64C, section 7E.
Shrewsbury
Thursday, June 20
10:18 a.m. Arrested, Jose V. Dasilva, 57, 21 Washington St., Shrewsbury, for improper turn, drink alcohol from open container in MV, oper MV with license suspended for OUI.
11:52 a.m. Arrested, Peter Edward Pellerin, 48, of 37 Lakeside Dr., Shrewsbury, for fugitive from justice on court warrant, warrant.
5:35 p.m. Arrested, Jesus O’Neill Balines Lopez, 29, of 57 Fox St., Apt. 3, Worcester, for MV operator refuse to identify self, speeding in violation special regulation.
Friday, June 21
9:50 a.m. Arrested , Donald W. Denney, 35, of 3660 Boulder Hwy., Apt. 222, of Las Vegas, NV, for fugitive from justice on court warrant, unlicensed operation of MV.
Sunday, June 23
12:30 a.m. Arrested, Ramon Antonio Perez Vega, 34, of 27 Maple St., 2nd floor, Worcester, for possession Class B substance.
Tuesday, June 25
2:28 p.m. Arrested, Tracey E. Spencer, 66, of 8 Tricket St., Apt. 226, North Falmouth, on warrant.
5:37 p.m. Arrested, Doreen Akosua Buabeng, 26, of 18 Windsor St., Apt. 5, Worcester, on warrant.
Wednesday, June 26
6:30 p.m. Arrested, Ryan W. McOsker, 30, of 49 Sandra Dr., Worcester, on warrant.
Marlborough
Sunday, June 23
8:38 a.m. Arrested, Jiefeng Jiang, 52, of 76 Saint Ives Way, Apt. 21, Marlborough, for disturbing the peace.
Tuesday, June 25
10:11 p.m. Arrested , Tyler Scott Bowman-Ryan, 23, of 114 Deering Rd., Apt. 5, Boston, for vandalize property, true warrants.
Northborough
Friday, June 21
5:32 a.m. Arrested, Romario Silva Mota, 32, of 20 Patty Ln., Northborough, on warrant.
Saturday, June 22
7:03 p.m. Arrested, Heitor Costa Reis, 25, of 59 School St., Apt. A16, Northborough, for unlicensed operation of MV, negligent operation of motor vehicle.
8:20 p.m. Arrested, Allen J. Horton, 49, of 56 Chestnut St., Upton, for fail to yield, speeding in viol special regulation, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08%.
Sunday, June 23
1:03 a.m. Arrested, Julie Elizabeth MacMillan, 23, of 100 Avebury Cir., Boxborough, for speeding in viol special regulation, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08%, possess Class B drug.
Monday, June 24
10:04 a.m. Arrested, Tony Rasheed Phillips, 29, of 31 Randolph St., Southbridge, on warrant.
Tuesday, June 25
10:46 p.m. Arrested , Nathan A. Setter, 35, of 8 Dunning Ave., Framingham, for no inspection sticker, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08% 2nd offense, possess open container of alcohol in MV.
Wednesday, June 26
12:53 a.m. Arrested, Jose El Dine Junior, 57, of 3 Carter St., Apt. 3, Hudson, for fail to dim headlights, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08%, marked lanes violation.
Southborough
Monday, June 17
8:21 a.m. Arrested , Andrew J. Pratte, of Birchwood Dr., Webster, on warrant.
Tuesday, June 18
2:37 a.m. Arrested, Bryan E. Gonzalez Cruz, of Proctor St., Framingham, for marked lanes violation, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUIliquor or .08%, unlicensed operation of MV.
Saturday, June 22
8:08 p.m. Arrested, Daniel Caisaguano Guaman, of Dinsmore Ave., Framingham, for unlicensed operation of MV, op MV with registration suspended, uninsured motor vehicle, MV not meeting RMV safety standards, child under 8 years & under 58 inches without car seat (2 cts).
Sunday, June 23
8:50 p.m. Arrested , Juliezer R. DaSilva, of Alden St., Ashland, for op MV with license suspended, warrant.
Local police and fire departments helped an approximately 50-year-old woman after a car entered Flint Pond. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
LEGAL NOTICES
MARLBOROUGH
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Hearing –Special Permit
Applicant: Dish Wireless
Locus: 450 Boston Post Road East Map 73, Parcel(s) 31
Notice is given that the City Council of the City of Marlborough will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 8:00 PM in City Council Chambers, 2nd floor City Hall, 140 Main Street, Marlborough, Massachusetts, on the Application for a Wireless Special Permit from Robin Latour on behalf of Dish Wireless to install three (3) Wireless Antennas and related equipment on the rooftop at 450 Boston Post Road East.
The application materials and plans are available for viewing in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 140 Main Street, Marlborough, MA 01752, Telephone 508460-3775. In addition, the plans and application will be available online at www. marlborough-ma.gov/city-council under Public Hearing Notices.
Per Order of the City Council #24-1009210
CITY OF MARLBOROUGH OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS 01752
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Hearing –Special Permit
Applicant: Dish Wireless
Locus: 157 Union Street
Map 43, Parcel(s) 56
Notice is given that the City Council of the City of Marlborough will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 8:00 PM in City Council Chambers, 2nd floor City Hall, 140 Main Street, Marlborough, Massachusetts, on the Application for a Wireless Special Permit from Kristen LeDuc on behalf of Dish Wireless to install three (3) Wireless Antennas and related equipment on the rooftop at 157 Union Street.
The application materials and plans are available for viewing in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 140 Main Street, Marlborough, MA 01752, Telephone 508460-3775. In addition, the plans and application will be available online at www. marlborough-ma.gov/city-council under Public Hearing Notices.
Per Order of the City Council #24-1009195
SHREWSBURY
TOWN OF SHREWSBURY
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARINGS
RICHARD D. CARNEY MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING 100 MAPLE AVENUE
SHREWSBURY, MA
July 17, 2024 6:30 PM
To hear the appeal of Jason St. Pierre 21 Grafton Street, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts 01545, for a Variance to the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section VI-Table I to convert a single family dwelling with an in-law unit to a two family dwelling upon property located at 34 Elma Circle in the Residence B-1 zoning district. The subject premise is described on the Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 21 Plot 206000. June 7, 2024 and June 14, 2024
July 17, 2024 6:30 PM
To hear the appeal of Sujat Sukthankar of 13 Morningside Drive, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, for a Special Permit to the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section IV.B(1) to demolish and rebuild a pre-existing nonconforming single family dwelling and three Variances to the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section VII.C-Table III for the side yard setback of one foot and nine tenths inches (1.9’) where ten (10’) feet is required
and the front yard setback of eighteen and three tenths inches (18.3’) where thirty (30’) feet is required and one foot and nine tenths inches (1.9’) from the principal dwelling where ten feet (10’) is required for a new carport upon property located at 23 Bay View Drive in the B-2 zoning district. The subject premise is described on the Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 57 Plot 027000.
July 17, 2024 6:30 PM
To hear the appeal of Donald Stowe of 209 N. Quinsigamond Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, for a Special Permit to the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section IV.B(1) to demolish a pre-existing nonconforming dwelling and rebuild a single family dwelling that does not increase the nonconformity upon property located at 209 N. Quinsigamond Ave in the Rural B zoning district. The subject premise is described on the Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 25 Plot 007000.
Peter C. Mulcahy, Clerk
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
The Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations department, a Massachusetts municipal light plant, cable television and internet access provider of the Town of Shrewsbury (“SELCO”), invites sealed bids from qualified contractors for the following project: Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) Network Upgrade within a designated node, Phase 2 (the “Project”). A description and details of the Project are provided in the complete Invitation for Bids packet. Filed sub-bids are not required for this Project.
The Project includes all labor, material, and equipment to complete and install a fully functioning Fiber Network and associated installation of the following:
1.Signal transmission lateral fiber optic cable(s) from SELCO’s existing Backbone fiber ring to each of theidentified splitter cabinets.
2. Signal distribution lateral fiber optic cable(s) from the identified splitter cabinets to the predetermined fiberaccess point public right of way locations as indicated on the design drawings.
3. Fiber optic cable splicing along with pre, and post installation testing of all fiber installed throughout thenetwork.
4. SELCO will provide some of the required materials for the Project, a list of which can be found listed in theexhibits to this Bid’s documents.
The Project site locations consist of areas on and along various public and private ways in the Town of Shrewsbury as indicated in the design drawings within this bid complete Invitation for Bids packet.
The complete Invitation for Bids package and/or any addenda may be obtained by emailing the request to Tmaddocks@ shrewsburyma.gov.
A Pre bid conference will be held on July 9, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at 30 Municipal Dr. Shrewsbury MA. Invitations will be provided by SELCO before the end of business on July 8, 2024 to all Registered Bidders; all interested parties are encouraged to attend the on-site meeting. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope, plainly marked: “Bid for FTTP Phase 2 IFB #11
Bids will be received at: Town Manager’s Office Shrewsbury Town Hall 100 Maple Avenue Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Bids are due by July 17, 2024 by 9:00 AM, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud per MGL c. 30, section 39M. All documents received in a bid submittal will be public records. Note: If delivering in hand and the SELCO office in Town Hall is not open to the public, Bids may be dropped off at a “Bid Box” in front of Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA.
Every bid must be accompanied by a bid deposit in the form of: (1) a bid bond, (2) cash, or (3) a certified check on, or a treasurer’s or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, payable to SELCO. The amount of the bid deposit shall be five per cent (5%) of the total value of the bid.
The selected contractor shall, within 10
days of the notification of contract award, post a security bond for Payment of labor and materials, etc., in accordance with MGL c. 149, section 29, and in the amount of 100% of the total Contract Price.
The Project is subject to the Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Laws and a schedule of prevailing wage rates is included in the complete Invitation for Bids packet. Attention is also called to requirements relating to Workmen’s Compensation and conditions of employment. The selected contractor shall ensure workplace compliance with the Massachusetts COVID-19 Guidelines and Procedures for All Construction Sites and Workers at All Public Works Sites.
SELCO will award a contract for the Project to the lowest responsible and eligible bidder, as such terms are defined in MGL c. 30, section 39M. SELCO reserves the right, however, to cancel this Invitation for Bids, to waive informalities, to reject any and all bids, if any such action is deemed to be in the public interest.
June 26, 2024
Christopher Roy, General Manager - SELCO
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing - G.L. Chapter 131, s. 40 Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 131, s. 40, and the Town of Shrewsbury Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations that Philippe Lemieux, 5 Country Way, Shrewsbury, MA, has filed a Notice of Intent for the construction of a garage, pool, pool deck, and shed at 5 Country Way.
A public hearing will be held on the above notice at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday Evening, July 16, 2024, in the Selectman’s Room of Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
SHREWSBURY CONSERVATION
COMMISSION
Kenneth Polito, Chairman
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing - G.L. Chapter 131, s. 40
Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 131, s. 40, and the Town of Shrewsbury Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations that George Stalcup, 5 Water Street, Shrewsbury, MA has filed a Request for Determination of Applicability for the installation of a fence at 5 Water Street.
A public hearing will be held on the above notice at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday Evening, July 16, 2024, in the Selectman’s Room of Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
SHREWSBURY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Kenneth Polito, Chairman
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of Hearing - G.L. Chapter 131, s. 40
Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 131, s. 40, and the Town of Shrewsbury Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations that Erin Whoriskey, on behalf of New England Power Company, 170 Data Drive, Waltham, MA, 02451 has filed a Notice of Intent to perform access road improvements and create permanent work pads within an existing Right-of-Way (ROW) that serves several electric overhead transmission and sub-transmission lines at several locations
along existing overhead electrical transmission infrastructure crossing several public ways.
A public hearing will be held on the above notice at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday Evening, July 16, 2024, in the Selectman’s Room of Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
SHREWSBURY CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Kenneth Polito, Chairman
WESTBOROUGH
LEGAL
TOWN OF WESTBOROUGH OFFICE OF THE PLANNING BOARD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Town of Westborough Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 6:30 P.M. in the Great Hall (2nd Floor), of the Forbes Building, 45 West Main Street, Westborough, Massachusetts.
In accordance with the provisions of MGL Ch. 40A, Sections 9 and 11 and Section 8.2 of the Westborough Zoning Bylaw, the Westborough Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding the adoption of revised Signage Design Guidelines to be applied by the Design Review Board.
Any person interested or wishing to be heard on the proposed adoption should attend the public hearing indicated above.
The public hearing will be held in the Great Hall of the Forbes Municipal Building, 45 West Main Street, Westborough, MA. Please see the Calendar on the Town of Westborough Homepage (posted 48 hours prior to the public hearing) for additional information. To access the proposed guidelines, please go to our website at https://www.westboroughma.gov/971/ Planning-Board-Meeting-Packets-byDate. Documents are also available for review in the Westborough Planning Board Office at 45 West Main St., Westborough, MA during regular business hours.
Persons unable to attend may submit comments in writing to the Westborough Planning Board in advance of the public hearing.
WESTBOROUGH PLANNING BOARD Hazel Nourse, Chair
ADVERTISEMENT TO BID
The WESTBOROUGH HOUSING AUTHORITY, the Awarding Authority, invites sealed bids from Contractors for the Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement at State Aided Development: Forest Lane (705-1) in Westborough, Massachusetts, in accordance with the documents prepared by ANDREW M. BROCKWAY & ASSOCIATES
The Project consists of but not limited to: Removal and replacement of asphalt shingle roofing on six buildings at one site, and miscellaneous associated repairs to exterior finish carpentry.
The work is estimated to cost $123,000.00
Bids are subject to M.G.L. c.149 §44A-J & to minimum wage rates as required by M.G.L. c.149 §§26 to 27H inclusive.
THIS PROJECT IS BEING ELECTRONICALLY BID AND HARD COPY BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please review the instructions in the bid documents on how
to register as an electronic bidder. All Bids shall be submitted online at biddocs.com and received no later than the date and time specified.
General Bids will be received until 24 July 2024 on 12:00PM EDT and publicly opened online, forthwith.
General bids and sub-bids shall be accompanied by a bid deposit that is not less than five (5%) of the greatest possible bid amount (including all alternates) and made payable to the WESTBOROUGH HOUSING AUTHORITY. Note: A bid deposit is not required for Projects advertised under $50,000.
Bid Forms and Contract Documents will be available for review at biddocs.com (may be viewed and downloaded electronically at no cost).
PRE-BID CONFERENCE / SITE VISIT: Date and Time: 07/11/2024 at 10:00AM EDT
Address: Forest Lane, Westborough, MA 01581
Instructions: Meet at center parking area. The hard copy Contract Documents may be seen at: Nashoba Blue Inc. 433 Main Street Hudson, MA 01749 978-568-1167
HUDSON
LEGAL PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Hudson Conservation Commission will hold Public Hearings relative to the following filings under the Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40) as requested by Townline Estates LLC. The owner of the properties is Townline Estates LLC. The work is located at Lot 22 and Lot 23 Main Street (Map 36-Parcel 73). The proposed projects are amendments to permits for single family house lots in Buffer Zone to Lake Boon. The Public Hearings will be held via remote video conference on July 11, 2024 at 7:00 pm. Please contact the Conservation Commission Office for information on joining the meeting: phelinek@townofhudson.org or 978-562-2948.
All interested parties are urged to attend. The application can be obtained through email by contacting the Conservation Commission Office.
LEGAL PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Hudson Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing relative to the following filing under the Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40) as requested by Joseph True. The owner of the property is Joseph True. The work is located at 594 Main Street (Map-Parcel 36-15). The proposed project is repaving a driveway within 25 feet of an intermittent stream. The Public Hearing will be held via remote video conference on July 11, 2024 at 7:00 pm. Please contact the Conservation Commission Office for information on joining the meeting: phelinek@townofhudson.org or 978-562-2948.
All interested parties are urged to attend. The application can be obtained through email by contacting the Conservation Commission Office.
COMMUNITY CLASSIFIED
Westborough resident wins prosecutor award
WESTBOROUGH – A Westborough resident and member of the Worcester County district attorney’s office has received the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Prosecutor’s Award during the association’s Justice Awards Celebration.
Donald Xenos is the first assistant and chief of the Juvenile District Court Unit. He has been with the district attorney’s office for 33 years and
headed the unit since 2007.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve my community through my work in the district attorney’s office and am very humbled to receive this award,” he said.
The Prosecutor’s Award is given to a state or federal prosecutor who has distinguished themselves in public service, and whose commitment to justice and serving the com-
munities where they live or work is praiseworthy.
“Don has had a profound impact on the day-to-day operation of the office, particularly when it comes to addressing juvenile crime. His commitment to the community and crime prevention is unparalleled,” said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. “He heads a team of some of our best and
COMMUNITY CLASSIFIED
COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS
brightest prosecutors and with his outstanding leadership and through the team’s hard work, our efforts have led to a 78% reduction in juvenile delinquency rates over the last 16 years.”
Xenos also oversees the community outreach team, which gives presentations on safety and crime prevention topics throughout the county.
In awarding him, the as -
sociation noted, “Xenos has balanced the need for accountability in juvenile justice with a concern for the future prospects of young offenders. In leading a department focused on diversion, prevention and intervention, he has helped limit rates of youth incarceration by working to address problem behaviors rather than imposing the lifetime burden of a criminal record.”
COMMUNITY OBITUARIES
The Community Advocate will post obituaries online (and in print, as space allows). Please send information (and a picture if desired) to tracy@communityadvocate.com. Here is a complete list of individual obituaries posted on the Community Advocate website (www. communityadvocate.com).
DEATHS
Batchelder, Maureen of Shrewsbury Bassett, Allison formerly of Southborough Beland, Norman of Westborough Boylan, Lois of Shrewsbury Bradley, Elizabeth of Grafton Chock, Pery of Marlborough Curtis, Mary Anne of Shrewsbury
De Andrade, Reginaldo of Marlborough DeLorge, Gale of Shrewsbury Firmes, Richard of Shrewsbury Francese, Anthony of Shrewsbury
Greska, Jean formerly of Hudson Harrington, John of Northborough Ricker, Harold formerly of Northborough Robinson, Richard of Marlborough Spataro, Thomas of Northborough
SHREWSBURY - Lois Genevieve (Wing) Boylan passed away surrounded in love on April 3, 2024 in Worcester, MA. She was 76 and taken far too soon from this world. Her final weeks were spent in her home in Shrewsbury with her best friend and husband of 55 years, Joseph Robert Boylan, and her daughters, Andrea Jo Sanderson and Sarah Dale Boylan Cavanaugh with frequent visits and calls from her grandchildren, siblings, and cherished friends.
Above all, Lois held the heart of her family. She was adored by her high school sweetheart and love of her life Joe. Her daughters were blessed to know her not only as a mother but also as a beloved friend. Lois cherished her 8 grandchildren, Caleb (24), Peter (21), Noah (19), Elisabeth
(18) and Abigail (16), children of Andrea and Mark Sanderson and Nathaniel (18), Adah (13) and Norah (10), children of Sarah and Sean Cavanaugh. Lois poured herself into these children.
In addition to her husband and her daughters and their families, Lois will be remembered by her two brothers and their wives, Gerry and Barbara Wing and Alan and Virginia Wing, whom she remained close to all her life, and several dear friends and neighbors that became family, including Andrea Conner, Ruth Davis, and the Moss and Forts families.
Reginaldo De Andrade, 40
MARLBOROUGH - Reginaldo De Andrade, 40, of Marlborough died Wednesday June 19, 2024 at Marlborough Hospital. He was the devoted husband of Amanda Junia De Oliveira Andrade.
He was born, raised and educated in São João do Oriente, Minas Gerais, Brazil and was the son of Maria Aparecida Andrade.
He leaves his wife Amanda and their three children, Emanuel Oliveira Andrade (6), Heitor Oliveira Andrade (3) and Serena Oliveira Andrade (2) all of Marlborough.
The Collins Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.
John C. Harrington, 89
NORTHBOROUGH - John Charles Harrington, age 89, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2024 at St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham, MA, surrounded by his loving family. 1967, John and his late wife Carol moved to Northborough, MA where they lived for 56 years.
John is survived by his six children, Denise Staubach and her husband Peter of Newton, MA; Catherine Naughton and her husband Joseph of Natick, MA; Michael Harrington and his wife Karen of Franklin,
WI; John Harrington of Portsmouth, NH; Joan Provencal and her husband Tony of Southborough, MA; and James Harrington and his wife Ashley of Wilmette, IL. He was predeceased by his son, Timothy Harrington, who died in 1974.
John was a loving grandfather to Sarah and Emily; Charlie and Ben; Daphne; Shannon, Owen, Jimmy, Michael and Stephanie; and Luke and Evie. He was predeceased by grandson, Christopher Naughton.
Also surviving are siblings J. Timothy (Maureen); Mary (John) Post; and Margaret MacNeill. John was predeceased by brothers, Paul, Jr. and James, Jr. and brother-in-law, Jay MacNeill. John was the beloved uncle to several dozen nieces and nephews.
Hays Funeral Home of Northborough assisted with arrangements.
Thomas D. Spataro, 57
NORTHBOROUGH - With broken hearts we announce the passing of Thomas D. Spataro, 57, of Northborough, beloved husband, father, son, uncle, youth coach, and friend. On June 16, 2024, he lost his courageous battle with esophageal cancer. community.
He will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Katina, of 28 years; his sons, Michael and Zachary; his mother and stepfather, Shelia and Paul Deffely; sister and brother-in-law, Giovanna and David Sharpe, and their children, Kacey and Kolbey; uncle and aunt, Tim and Esther Murphy, and aunts, Carolyn Judd and De Parker as well as many cousins and extended family and friends around the globe; and Katina’s parents, Lou and Eileen Delegan, and their family.
Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Norman L. Beland, 85
Scan QR code to read all of this week’s obituaries on our website.
tal after many years of failing health. Born in Worcester, he was the son of the late Henry P. and Eva M. (Launier) Beland.
He leaves his wife of 56 years, Mary F. (Eaton) Beland of Westborough; and a brother, Richard P. Beland and his girlfriend, Joyce Larivee of Worcester; a niece, Tammy Beland, of Southbridge, Ma., and two nephews, Jaime Dowd of R.I. and Christopher Dowd, of Millville, Ma. Pickering and Son Westborough Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Pery Chock, 66
MARLBOROUGH - Pery Chock 66 of Marlborough passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024 in UMass Medical Center Worcester, MA.
Pery is survived by his wife of 38 years, Meena (Nagappan) Chock, a son Ganesh Chock, a daughter Seetha Chock all of Marlborough. He was one of seven siblings.
The Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.
Elizabeth Morse Bradley, 57
Richard P. Robinson, 80
MARLBOROUGH - Richard “Rick” Paul Robinson passed away on June 19, 2024, at his home in Marlborough after bravely battling illness under the compassionate care of hospice.
Rick married Sheila (May) in San Antonio, Texas, and they shared 58 years of married life. Together, they returned to Marlborough and raised two wonderful, beloved daughters, Laura R. and Jennifer L. (predeceased). His oldest daughter, Meredith Borden, later became a cherished family member. Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.
Maureen Batchelder, 90
SHREWSBURY - Maureen (Urton) Batchelder, 90, passed away peacefully June 19, 2024 following a lengthy illness. Her husband of 47 years, Jack Batchelder, predeceased her in May 2005.
NORTHBOROUGH - The words of Mary Oliver “In Blackwater Woods” are left with peace to the family and many friends of Elizabeth A.
Morse Bradley who passed away peacefully at home June 17, 2024 following complications from Stage IV Bone Cancer.
WESTBOROUGH - Norman L. Beland, age 85, of Westborough, MA died in UMASS Marlborough Hospi-
Elizabeth leaves her husband of 14 years, Terry Bradley, her sons Andrew Bergeron and his partner Rachel Wagner and Daniel Bergeron and his wife Charity, her mother Linda (Thresher) Morse, her brother Timothy Morse and his wife Donna, sister Cherie Lippard, her niece Alysha D’Orazi and nephews Ben, Phillip and Colby Morse. She was predeceased by her father Timothy Morse. Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton assisted with arrangements.
Maureen leaves two adult children- daughter Lee Berg of N. Grafton, married Larry Berg and son Keith Batchelder of Narragansett, RI married Cynthia Batchelder. Maureen leaves four grandchildrenKali Pisano married Vinnie Pisano, daughter Mia, Megan Smith partner Josh Johnson, William Batchelder partner Katie O’Connell and Theodore Batchelder married Madison Batchelder. Maureen was predeceased by her younger brother Norman Nathan Urton in February 2019 and her sonin-law John “Smitty” Smith, late husband of Lee and father of Megan and Kali in 2017. Maureen also leaves Norman’s wife Susan Urton and children, a nephew, David Urton and two nieces Lynzy Behrs and Jody Connell.
Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton assisted with arrangements.
Lois Boylan, 76
Shrewsbury rabbi seeks messages from community for trip to Western Wall
SHREWSBURY – Shmulik Fogelman, a Shrewsbury-based rabbi who also serves the UMass Memorial Medical Center area, is inviting residents to send messages that will be placed in the Western Wall in Israel.
Along with 180-plus other rabbis from around the United States, Fogelman will visit Israel to attend a conference and pray at different holy sites. While Jewish people worship at practically any time and place, praying in Jerusalem is said to give people a “direct line to G-d,” said Fogelman.
The Western Wall — one of the holiest sites in the Jewish faith — is located in the center of Jerusalem. More than 1 million notes are placed in the wall each year.
“When someone goes to Israel and they visit a holy place and come together, they’re really getting more than they’ regiving. We’re giving, but we’re going to take back a lot more. That’s because of the people there, and the holy sites we’re visiting: the Western Wall and the Cave of the Patriarchs … We’re going to pray there together,” Fogelman said.
“I want everyone to take advantage ... In general, I consider myself a facilitator. I facilitate people’s connection to G-d,” he said.
Fogelman will travel to Israel on July 9, and letters will be accepted until July 8. The letters, which should contain the person’s name and parents’ names, can be emailed to shmulikfogelman@gmail. com or, if preferred, Fogelman would be happy to arrange to pick up any notes. Interested community members can call Fogelman at 774-262-3770 with any additional questions.
Westborough Fire’s fleet undergoes maintenance
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
WESTBOROUGH – Usually, the sight of fire trucks in a business parking lot means a fire or other emergency.
But on June 26, it meant some regular maintenance.
The parking lot of the former Fallon Building on East Main Street was turned into an inspection station. Several Westborough Fire Department vehicles were being checked by Waterway, a company based in Hyde Park, New York.
One crew checked the hoses for holes or tears; another checked the engines’ gauges for proper operation.
A worker from Waterway said the department’s entire fleet would be inspected.
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
WESTBOROUGH – There are two brand-new corporals in the Westborough Police Department.
John Vosikas and Trevor MacNeil were among five officers promoted during a ceremony on June 25 in Memorial Hall.
“It feels great,” said MacNeil. “It’s a good time for the department.”
Chief Todd Minardi added the rank of corporal as an “entry-
level” supervisor. There will eventually be five corporals –one for each shift.
The other officers being promoted included Sgt. Caleb Polseno, Sgt. Tom Tepper and Det. Lt. Joshua Croft.
All five officers were sworn in by Town Clerk Deborah Ledoux. Family members pinned the badges.
“These promotions reflect their dedication, hard work, and commitment to serving and protecting our community,” said Minardi.
A worker from Waterway checks the gauges and clamps in Westborough Fire Department’s Engine 2 on June 26 (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
Town Clerk Deborah Ledoux swears in five Westborough Police officers, including two brand-new corporals, during a ceremony on June 25. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
Meet the region’s three American Legion baseball teams COMMUNITY SPORTS
By Evan Walsh Reporter
REGION – Summer baseball is here.
American Legion Baseball, which dates back to 1925, brings together almost 50,000 players and over 2,900 teams from across the country. The players range from high school freshmen to 19-year-old rising college sophomores. Teams are sponsored by American Legion posts, and, depending on the location, may be able to draw players from several neighboring communities to create a roster.
Here’s what you need to know about the local teams. The Community Advocate will have coverage of these teams as they fight for a spot in the 97th American Legion World Series, which will take place in Shelby, N.C., in August.
Shrewsbury Post 397
After winning Zone 4 last year and suffering narrow losses in the state and regional tournaments, Shrewsbury Post 397 is returning this season with a younger team, balanced out by a cast of reliable veterans. The team has started the year hot.
“We want to win the zone again. As long as you get into
the playoffs, you have a chance. I’m focused on making sure we have enough wins to make it to the playoffs. The back half of the year is where it matters. If things fare the way they should fare, we’ll make the playoffs. That’s the goal,” said longtime Post 397 Coach Frank Vaccaro. Post 397 is led by strong pitching, including Catholic
Shrewsbury Post 397 celebrates after winning the Zone 4 championship last year.
(Photo/Evan Walsh)
Conference MVP Brady Shea, who pitched for Saint John’s in the MIAA Division 1 championship game in early June.
Brady Chenevert , Connor Herlihy and Worcester State University’s Tedy Cove are also members of the pitching staff.
“Pitching is the key; I think we have enough of it,” said
Vaccaro. “We’ve got good balance, good speed. Pitching and defense are our keys. Teams with great pitchers can win — that’s what you need in these regional tournaments. If you’re nine pitchers deep, and we are, you’re going to be tough to beat.”
The Shrewsbury lineup is chock-full of dangerous bats as well. Shortstop Jimmy Mitchell and second-baseman JJ Ferguson bat toward the top of the order, with Owen Mongeon , Noah Basgaard , Jack Roche and Tommy Kursonis providing valuable at-bats. Post 397 had a seven-game stretch of scoring double-digit runs in June. Twitter: @Post397
Hudson Post 100 Hudson Post 100 is here to prove that experience makes a difference.
The team has 18 athletes on the roster, including nine college players, four recent
CHALLENGING GOLF FOR OVER 90 YEARS
graduates and four rising seniors. Anthony Moura is the sole junior on this battle-tested Hudson squad.
“We have a lot of experience, up and down the roster. We have a lot of college guys that came back from their college seasons. We have players that didn’t play in college but they’re of college age. We have a lot of high-school seniors,” Post 100 Head Coach Ryan Bowen told the Community Advocate.
The team prides itself on taking “really good at-bats,” said Bowen. Bobby Long, Jr., a Hud-
son High School graduate and college player at Lasell University, and Chase Donahue have been at the heart of a lineup that has surged in recent weeks, helping the team win seven consecutive games in June.
The pitching staff, which includes Donahue, has also been dominant. Connor Madden and Teddy McFarland — two 2023 Hudson High School graduates — have lent their arms to the Post 100 team, while Michael Atwater and Littleton’s Ryan Graf have pitched quality innings. Michael Domino, the
former ace at Advanced Math and Science Academy, also joins the pitching staff.
Hudson — which defeated Shrewsbury, last year’s Zone 4 champion, in a come-frombehind 3-2 win in June — has high hopes for the season, but the team is focusing on the present for now.
“We’re trying to take it day by day… There’s really no other way to go about it,” said Bowen. Twitter: @HudsonPost100
Northborough Post 234
With players from Algon-
(Photos/Evan Walsh)
quin, Westborough, Saint Mark’s, Noble and Greenough School, and Saint John’s, this Northborough Post 234 squad is just beginning to gel. After narrowly losing in the zone semifinals last year, the team is now looking to register some wins and get hot down the stretch.
“Our pitching has been very good. We’re starting to get the offense going and we’re trying to play well in all three phases of the game — defense, pitching, and offense,” Post 234 Head Coach Ken MacDonald said. Nine of the team’s players
hail from Algonquin, where MacDonald is also the head coach.
Jackson Redfern, the team’s ace, is one of those players. The southpaw is joined on the pitching staff by two more Algonquin teammates: Will Mahoney and Quinn Salvi, who is committed to play at Anna Maria College. The trio has provided quality starts for Post 234 throughout the season.
Northborough’s offense was inconsistent to start the season, but is now getting into form. Joe Russell, who has batted lead-off for most of the year, is a threat at the top of the order. Conor Secrist — the Saint John’s rising junior whose walk-off hit sent the Pioneers to the MIAA Division 1 semifinals — and Zach Meehl are also big pieces in this Post 234 lineup. It’s just about the team getting hot, said MacDonald.
“This year, we lost a lot of guys, but we’re starting to get healthy and put some wins together. We’re hoping to get consistent — and we’ll be a dangerous team. We’ve got a resilient group,” he said. Twitter: @Post234Baseball
Left: Hudson’s Michael Atwater hurls a pitch toward home plate plate while competing against East Side Post 201 on June 27.
