MH 240802

City Council overrides

job classification veto

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

MARLBOROUGH – Come Sept. 1, several municipal employees will be getting a raise.

During its meeting on Monday, July 22, the City Council overrode a veto from Mayor J. Christian Dumais and approved changes to several job classifications, including new salary ordinances.

In his veto message to the council, Dumais cited the need for the mayor to help attract, recruit and retain qualified personnel.

“As the labor market evolves both in the public and private sector, Marlborough must find ways to remain competitive in relation to its neighboring communities,” he said. “This ordinance will severely restrict the city’s hiring authority (the mayor) from attracting, recruiting and retaining qualified personnel.”

He said, “It is the belief of both myself and the human resources director (who submitted a memo to the Personnel Committee on the detrimental effects of this ordinance change if passed) that if a candidate be required to go in front of the City Council prior to hiring in order to bargain for a higher step and/or vacation, that that candidate will retract their application or not apply in the first place. Due to the public nature of that process, it would make it impossible to retain the confidentiality that is much needed through the hiring process.”

Council President Michael Ossing criticized Dumais for providing “misleading information” both within his letter and in a follow-up email.

A new look for Avidia Bank’s

Marlborough branch

marlborough | 9

Hudson author roars into publishing with new book

hudson | 25

By Evan Walsh Reporter

HUDSON – With the game almost secured, Hudson pitcher Chase Donahue looked anxiously into the dugout.

At 103 pitches, Donahue knew he was approaching the American Legion pitch limit of 105, and he wasn’t quite certain if his cadre of Hudson Post 100 coaches would allow him to stay in the game. With the bases empty and one out remaining in the seventh — and potentially last — inning, Donahue said he had one thought running through his mind as he watched his coaches chat along the edge of Guidotti Field: “Please, stay on the sideline.”

“I was not going to come off this mound. You would’ve had to physically come and drag me off the mound,” said Donahue.

The coaches allowed Donahue to remain on the mound, and several pitches later, he got the final batter to fly out,

City Council OKs new overlay district for Lizotte Drive

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

MARLBOROUGH – The City Council has approved an overlay district for Lizotte Drive.

Following approval from the Planning Board, and some revisions from City Solicitor Jason Grossfield, the council gave the OK to amend the city’s zoning ordinance to create the district.

According to Building Commissioner Tin Htway, the overlay district still needs approval from Mayor J. Christian Dumais.

“The applicant will have to submit a special permit application for any uses that require a special permit under the use regulation table and apply for a building permit for all uses al-

Hudson’s Marshall Kehlhem swims around the tag to score Post 100’s first run. (Photo/ Evan Walsh)

By Laney Halsey Contributing Writer

Shrewsbury Girl Scout’s Silver Award project aims to educate on rescue dog care Pickleball tournament to benefit Westborough Connects

SHREWSBURY - As part of her Silver Award project, Shrewsbury Girl Scout Preethi Sivashankar shared how to care for rescue dogs.

The Silver Award is the highest award that a Girl Scout Cadette can earn, and it requires 50 hours of community service. Sivashankar, an incoming ninth grader, has been working with veterinarians at Putnam Veterinary Clinic to put together a presentation entitled “Rescue Dog Care for New Owners.”

“My main goal was that people maintain a strong relationship with their dogs and avoid sending their dog back to the rescue center, which can add to the dog’s trauma,” Sivashankar said.

After watching a YouTube video about a family returning a rescue dog due to a misun-

Now Under New Ownership

(formerly Durand Chevrolet) Easy access off Rte. 290 and I-495 to Rte. 85 in Hudson

derstanding of how to properly care for it, Sivashankar further developed her passion

for animal welfare.

“I’ve always really liked animals, and when I wanted to do my Silver Award project I was drawn towards dogs, and I thought specifically about rescue dogs because of their struggles,” Sivashankar said.

The presentation included three different sections: introducing your dog, what makes a rescue dog different and the needs of a dog. Each contained information that can be useful for rescue and non-rescue owners alike.

The presentation was the first of three. In addition to her presentation, Sivashankar is creating informative booklets and care items for shelters and developing a website that will serve as a hub of information for rescue dog owners.

WESTBOROUGH – Professor

Dink and Cumberland Farms will sponsor a pickleball tournament fundraiser, “Connect at the Courts,” on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Nelson Ball Pickleball Courts at Lake Chauncy, 60 Lyman St.

There will be men’s, women’s and mixed doubles divisions.

Entry fee is $50 per person, $25 for each additional event.

Proceeds will benefit Westborough Connects. To register, go to www. pickleballbrackets.com/WC.

Preethi Sivashankar utilized a slideshow presentation to display the information she had gathered from working witwh veterinarians at Putnam Veterinary Clinic. (Photo/Laney Halsey)

REGION – Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. recently provided funding to support prom and graduation safety events at three local high schools: Algonquin Regional High School, Westborough High School and Grafton High School.

The funding is thanks to his annual grant program. This year, his office awarded a total of $25,000 to 21 high schools across Worcester County to fund events that offer drug- and alcohol-free alternatives where students can celebrate after events like prom and graduation.

“These events should be times of celebration for our students and their families, but these celebrations can turn into tragedies. We know that life can and often does change in the blink of an eye, especially when alcohol or drugs are involved,” Early said. “Our goal is to prevent tragedies before they happen by encouraging students to celebrate in safe, fun environments.”

CLARIFICATION: The photographer of the Community Snapshot on pg. 16 of the July 26 issue of the Community Advocate is Paul Smith. He can be reached at diffangle@ aol.com.

No and low ABV wine

of

EDITORIAL

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.

No- and low-alcohol by volume (ABV) wines are gaining popularity as consumers seek lighter, more mindful drinking options. These wines offer all the flavor and enjoyment of traditional wines but with reduced alcohol content, making them suitable for various occasions and preferences. With ABV levels typically ranging from 6% to 11%, these wines cater to health-conscious individuals, designated drivers, and those looking to moderate their alcohol intake without sacrificing taste. Additionally, the rise of wellness trends and a growing interest in mindful drinking contribute to the increasing demand. Their versatility and accessibility make them a welcome addition to social gatherings, brunches, and weekday evenings, appealing to a broad spectrum of consumers seeking balance in their drinking experiences.

JULIO’S LIQUORS boasts an extensive selection of wines from all over the globe. Our wine department carries over 3,000 labels from 16 different countries. We also carry many unique items that set us apart from the average liquor store. Please call 508-366-1942 for more information, or visit us at 140 Turnpike Rd., Rt. 9 East P.S. No- and low-ABV wines come in a variety of styles, including sparkling, still, and rosé.

With over 150 non-alcoholic products, Julio’s Liquors offers a wide selection of brands including Guinness, Samuel Adams and Blue Moon, as well as emerging brands — Partake Brewing, North Brewing and Athletic Brewing Co. Check out our selection as it continues to grow!

DON’T MISS OUR AD ON PAGE 4

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

MARLBOROUGH – Plans for the city’s annual Labor Day Parade are underway.

And there will be a festival, too.

The festival will take place on Sunday, Sept. 1, and the parade on Monday, Sept. 2.

The festival is a new event this

year added by Mayor J. Christian Dumais in an effort to bring the community together on Labor Day weekend. The festival will take place on the entirety of Main Street from noon to 5 p.m. It will encompass musical and artistic performances; children’s games and activities; touch-a-truck; a beer garden; food trucks; vendors; and much more.

Residents and visitors of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join this free event.

The parade will begin at noon on Lincoln Street in French Hill, and will head down Main Street, and many other places, before ending up at the American Legion post.

The Bed Races will take place before the parade.

A route map, parking suggestions and other logistics for the public will be made available on this website and on social media as the event draws closer.

Donations and sponsorships are welcome.

To donate, send a check to the City of Marlborough, 140 Main St., Marlborough, MA 01752; checks should be made payable

to the City of Marlborough, and write Labor Day Parade/Festival in the memo.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss your sponsorship with the program manager, email laborday@marlborough-ma.gov or call Bill Sell at 508-596-6118. Check the latest at https:// www.marlboroughlaborday. org/

City Council

Ready-to-Go FEST

Whisk(e)y Wednesday: Cape Horn Tequila*

lowed by right,” he said.

Let’s

Meet the man behind the bottle — Taylor Grieger — explaining the ins and outs of his tequila making process and how each bottle supports the Veteran community.

The new district would allow multifamily housing by special permit. The use of the site as a contractor’s or landscaper’s yard would not be permitted.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday: Lochlea Scotch*

Lochlea’s David Ferguson will guide us through an informative evening tasting 6 expressions.

David Ferris of Ferris Development Group LLC owns a Lizotte Drive building, which has been vacant for nearly a decade. He plans to convert the site into multifamily housing.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday: High Wire Distilling*

The current plans call for 75 units, mostly one- and twobedroom condos, in the building. Two more buildings will be constructed to house up to 105 additional units.

Ferris said there would be a few three-bedroom units.

National Sales Director, Jay Liddel, will guide us through a tasting and discovery of the “High Wire Di erence”. A treat for any bourbon fan.

In the meantime, work continues at the site. Recent permits pulled include the installation of security cameras and interior wiring.

Whisk(e)y Wednesday: Taconic Distillery*

Sean O’Donnell

According to Htway, no permits for building construction have been submitted.

Another proposed district — for Donald Lynch Boulevard — has been sent to the city solicitor. It will come before the council on Monday, Aug. 19. If approved, the new district would allow more businesses to open in the area, such as stand-alone restaurants, medical offices or clinics, open-air markets and, with a special permit, multifamily housing and artists’ studios.

There may be exemptions, such as height, to allow for a recreation complex such as the Hampshire Dome.

The proposed district would encourage more parking for bicycles, more landscaped islands within parking lots, and shared outdoor spaces.

Lizotte | from page 1

Briefing discusses effects of PFAS contamination

HUDSON – In late June, there was a State House briefing about the harmful effects of PFAS contamination, with speakers including lawmakers; firefighters; municipal, public health and environmental leaders; and residents whose water has been contaminated.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of chemicals used to make products stain-proof, water resistant and nonstick. The chemicals increase the risk of cancers, immunosuppression, liver disease and more. When products containing PFAS are manufactured and disposed of, PFAS seep into the soil, groundwater and drinking water.

Rep. Kate Hogan and Sen. Julian Cyr have filed a bill aiming to phase out the use of PFAS in many products, including food packaging, children’s products, firefighter protective gear, personal care items and others. The bill would also restrict indus-

try discharges of PFAS, the spread of sludge containing PFAS on farm land and set up a fund to help communities test and treat contamination.

In a press release, Hogan said that the bill is a “thoughtful” and “evidencebased” response to PFAS con-

tamination.

“This legislation makes our Commonwealth safer and builds upon existing efforts to address PFAS contamination and advances the unanimously approved recommendations from the Legislature’s PFAS Interagency Task Force, which we led,” said Hogan. “We have worked extensively to gather a healthy consensus on this bill and early drafts have been strengthened through input from our environmental advocates, public safety experts, business stakeholders and the scientific community. It is time to join all the other states in the Northeast in remediating and regulating these ubiquitous ‘forever’ chemicals.”

One of the guest speakers at the briefing was Hudson Department of Public Works Director Eric Ryder.

The event was co-sponsored by a broad coalition including MASSPIRG, Professional Firefighters of

Massachusetts, Clean Water Action, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Sierra Club, Massachusetts Municipal Association, Massachusetts League of Women Voters, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, Community Action Works, Nantucket PFAS Action Group, Environment Massachusetts, Seaside Sustainability, and the Alliance for a Health Tomorrow.

City receives grants to bolster transportation

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

MARLBOROUGH – During its Monday, July 22, meeting, the City Council approved several grants that will help bolster transportation options.

The Marlborough Economic Development Corp. will receive a grant of $425,000 from the Rail and Transit Division of the state’s Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The grant will be used to continue MEDC’s commuter shuttle that goes to and from the

Southborough Commuter Rail Station.

A $25,000 grant from the Massachusetts Council on Aging will enable the senior center to hire an additional bus driver for its transportation program.

The aging council also awarded the senior center a grant of $3,400 to be used to develop a marketing/informational packet for services. This packet would be made available to new residents, as well as residents turning 60 years of age.

Hudson DPW Director Eric Ryder stands with Rep. Kate Hogan. (Photo/Courtesy)

Work nearly done on ADA trail at Northborough Senior Center

By Laura Hayes Managing Editor

NORTHBOROUGH – Work is almost complete on an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible trail at the Northborough Senior Center.

“I’m so pleased to see the work that has been done on the ADA trail at the Northborough

Your Money, Your

Senior Center,” said Director Kendra Faldetta. “This will give many of our seniors a chance to get outside and get some exercise. This will be such a wonderful addition to our Senior Center and the community.”

According to Department of Public Works Director Scott Charpentier, the project began with the Trails Com -

mittee. There are a series of trails behind the Senior Center through Edmund Hill Woods, and Charpentier said the committee thought it would be nice to have an accessible trail for seniors near the pond built by the Fish and Game Club.

The committee brought the project before the Senior Center and Recreation Department

Teaching Kids Financial Responsibility: Summer Jobs and Roth IRAs

Have a teenager working this summer?

Did they earn money babysitting or mowing lawns?

How about a W-2 from selling ice cream or as a camp counselor?

You can open a Roth IRA for your child to evolve their financial knowledge while helping invest for retirement, a first house and/ or qualified educational expenses.

Kids establishing Roth IRAs. There is no age minimum, as long as they earn income. It’s up to the parent to document to IRS that their kids had income earned from work, either W-2 or self-employment taxable wages.

If under 18, an adult opens and maintains control of a Custodial Roth IRA with the child as beneficiary. Once an adult, usually 18 in most states, the account is transferred to a Roth IRA in their ownership.

After a Custodial Roth IRA is opened for 5 years, the advantages of tax-free earnings and withdrawals are same as Roth IRA. Recall a Roth IRA’s tax treatment is most valuable when time horizons are long and current tax rates are low, both true for kids.

What if your teen spent all their earnings? After a talk about budgeting (i.e. 3 Jars - Spend, Save, Gift), a parent or grandparent could fund a Roth IRA up to the amount of the child’s reported earned income on tax returns.

Some parents will make ‘match’ contributions based on money earned in a summer job. If a teen earned $3,800 for 2024, a parent will fund $3,800.

Remember, these contributions count against the $18,000 tax-free gifts per individual for 2024. So, if you’ve funded $18,000 for child’s 529 Plan, find another individual (i.e. spouse, relative) who can make the Roth IRA contribution. Introduction to personal investing. Have fun by letting your teen research an ETF or company to invest in, have them explain reasoning behind their choice and teach how they can follow. The next year, have them choose a different investment with the new contribution. Over

time, they have a mix of investments, outcomes and lessons learned. This hands-on experience lays a foundation for making informed financial decisions of greater magnitude later in life.

Taxation of withdrawals before age 59 ½

A Roth IRA allows for 100% of contributions to be taken out for any reason, with no taxes or penalties. Furthermore, if a Roth IRA withdrawal is for qualified education expenses, you avoid the 10% penalty on earnings but still pay income tax on the earnings at the kid’s tax rate. Thus, Roth IRA could supplement educational savings. Later, they could also withdraw up to a $10,000 to pay for a first-time home purchase.

Impact to financial aid? Yes, in a good way. The “expected family contribution” or “EFC” formula has student owned assets assessed at 20% with two notable exceptions. First is 529’s owned by parent’s is 5.6% and retirement accounts owned by parent or child counts as 0%. However, if a child takes money from a Roth IRA, even to pay for college, up to 50% of the withdrawal may be assessed.

In conclusion, opening a Roth IRA for kids is a proactive way for parents to teach financial responsibility and secure their children’s financial future. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about cultivating a mindset of financial discipline and planning that will benefit them throughout their lives. By harnessing the power of investing, compounding and leveraging tax advantages, parents can give their children a head start towards financial independence and security.

Not all institutions offer Custodial Roth IRAs, but many do with no minimums and low fees. Consult your Certified Financial Planner to learn more.

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.

directors, who then looped in Charpentier to find funding for the project. The Trails Committee submitted an application to the Community Preservation Committee for Community Preservation Act funds.

According to Charpentier, the total cost of construction of the trail is $370,000, which was appropriated at Town Meeting.

The walking trail will be 0.5 miles long with an overlook on a peninsula into the pond. In the past, town staff have said that it will be suitable for both wheelchairs and walkers. Last year, the Select Board accepted a grant from the AARP for two benches and a picnic table.

The contract for a general contractor was awarded to Flynn Enterprises; Charpentier said the company has a lot of experience when it comes to ADA-compliant construction, particularly with the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s parks and grounds.

“They worked seamlessly and tirelessly to get through what was a challenging early construction season. If you remember this spring, there was

quite a bit of rain and precipitation,” said Charpentier, noting environmental sensitivities nearby.

Once the weather cleared, the workers proceeded efficiently, he said. Now, the project is nearly substantially complete, which is a construction categorization meaning that the project can be opened and utilized for its intended use.

“It came out better than expected. We were able to provide some improvements to the original layout to allow quicker access down the path; they’re referred to as convenience paths,” said Charpentier.

But don’t break out your hiking shoes quite yet. Charpentier said the town intends to have a public announcement through its Town News alert system for the opening.

“We appreciate all of the hard work that has gone into the trail and are eager to see it be used. Having accessible places is so important, and this is one great step to making Northborough more accessible,” said Faldetta.

Local shops named stops on Mass. Ice Cream Trail

REGION – Three local ice cream shops were named as stops on the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail on July 25, which was developed by the Massachusetts Dairy Promotion Board, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

According to a press release from the administration, the trail celebrates the history of ice cream making in Massachusetts and encourages visitors to explore the different flavors of over 100 places across the state.

“We are excited to launch the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail, a delicious route that

highlights the incredible diversity of our dairy farms and ice cream shops,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts has a vibrant agricultural sector that thrives thanks to the hardworking farmers who diligently support our communities. This new tourism trail is designed to invite residents and visitors to experience our creative dessert offerings at traditional parlors, innovative shops, and local farm stands.”

There are three stops on the trail in the Community Advocate’s coverage area – New City Microcreamery in Hudson, Swirls and Scoops in Grafton and Trombetta’s Farm in Marlborough.

A copy of the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail guide can be found at www.visitma.com/ ice-cream-trail.

The ADA trail behind the Senior Center is 0.5 miles long.

(Photo/Laura Hayes)

Independence

Glenn Brown, CFP

City Council overrides mayor’s job classification veto

Override | from page 1 at the committee meeting on Monday, July 8.

“This is one of the biggest pieces of fiction, in my opinion, to come from the mayor’s office I’ve seen in my 25 years on the council,” he said.

Ossing said the ordinance has been around since 1993, and “there’s been no impact or evidence” that the ordinance has affected the city’s ability to hire and retain personnel.

“Also, the ordinance has nothing to do with retaining personnel,” he said.

He added that Dumais has used the ordinance to increase the salaries and vacation time for “his friends,” including the chief of staff, administrative aide and personnel director.

The council voted 8-3 to approve the override. Councilors Kate Robey, Mark Oram and David Doucette voted against the override.

About the ordinances

Members of the City Council’s Finance Committee discussed the proposed changes

The discussions underscored a point brought up at City Council meetings — that the city has been underpaying its employees, compared to other communities.

“It’s so under everything near our community,” said Marlborough Public Library Director Sara Belisle, who brought forth a request to increase the assistant director’s salary.

Belisle said that Morgan Manzella, the current assistant director, has been in that position for eight years.

Under the proposed new salary schedule, Manzella would get a bump of $10,000, or 15% above her current salary. Effective Sept. 1, she would receive $80,621.

The library also wants to add a part-time reference librarian. According to Belisle, she did a salary study, and she found the current wage scale “a couple of dollars per hour” behind similar positions at

other libraries.

With approval by the City Council, the position would range from $25.90 per hour (Step 1) to $29.75 per hour (Step 7, after five years of service).

Changes to DPW

The Department of Public Works is in the process of reorganizing.

According to interim Commissioner Theodore Scott, the position of assistant director of facilities — which is currently unfilled — would be replaced with the new position of capital projects manager.

The manager would be responsible for the planning, development and oversight of all DPW capital projects, focusing on roadway and infrastructure improvements, as well as necessary upgrades to public facilities within the city.

This would include the Marlborough Public Library, the future fire station and other facilities, said Scott.

With the approval, the manager would be paid a starting

annual salary of $131,000, plus benefits.

Salaries would also be adjusted for the following positions:

DPW Commissioner$159,000 (Step 1) to $180,000 (Step 7)

Assistant DPW Commissioner – $131,000 (Step 1) to $149,000 (Step 7)

City Engineer – $131,000 (Step 1) to $149,000 (Step 7)

All positions under the new salary schedule would begin at Step 1.

In addition, the DPW is seeking salary increases for the junior civil engineer and a dropoff facility attendant.

The annual salary for the junior civil engineer, a 40-hourper-week position, would range from $74,106.66 (Step 0), to $86,272.78 (Step 3).

For the attendant, also a 40-hour-week-week posi -

tion, the salary would range from $46,102.16 (Step 0) to $51,227.70 (Step 3).

“The attendant position interacts with more city residents on a daily basis than any other position in the city,” said Scott. “We currently only have one attendant out of three on staff, and coverage for the open positions is provided by highersalaried DPW clerks and equipment operators at both regular and overtime rates.”

He added that the salary increases for these two positions were already included in the 2024 fiscal year budget.

Ossing reminded committee members of the study on municipal salaries being conducted. He also cautioned that increases in salary would also include increases in benefits, retirement and more.

The committee approved all the ordinances.

By Kate Tobiasson History Columnist

WESTBOROUGH – Descendants of the Puritanical founding fathers of Westborough could be lumped into two different groups; those who believed in stern, hard living, and those who valued community, generosity and service. Stephen Maynard was unquestionably a member of the latter group.

Captain John Maynard, father of Stephen, was one of the original named settlers of Westborough. A wealthy man, John’s farm stretched across a number of acres. Stephen’s mother, Hepsibath Brigham, was the daughter of a wealthy tanner in Marlborough. Ebenezer Parkman, the first minister of Westborough, described John and Hepsibath Maynard as “the salt of the earth… Hepsibath (was) a woman of remarkable diligence and skill in family af-

fairs and very compassionate and bountiful to the poor. A very serviceable person in our neighborhood.”

An only child, Stephen was by all accounts, a good-looking and charming young man. A leader of all sports in the village as a child, he married for love in 1747 at the age of 27. Rather than continuing to live with his well-to-do parents, Stephen and his wife, Thankful, moved into a small one-story cottage down the road. The couple had nine children before Thankful passed away in the summer of 1756. Only four of their children were still living at the time of her passing.

Stephen committed himself to the military following Thankful’s passing. Serving in multiple battles in the French and Indian War, including Crown Point and Ticonderoga, Stephen found success in the military, quickly rising to captain. Upon his return from the front, the townsfolk were aflutter with gossip; Stephen’s time in the service only helped to improve his good looks and character;

he was viewed by the ladies in town as Westborough’s most eligible bachelor.

It was only three days after his return that he married Anna Brigham in January of 1759. After their hurried nuptials, Captain Stephen Maynard returned to the front, often visiting home until the surrender of Canada to the British in 1763; the couple

presents of meat, packages of drink and other sundries were often left at the parsonage in town. At one time, he even endeavored to straighten one of the roads in town, footing the bill and managing the project himself.

For the rest of his life, Stephen Maynard worked to “do more.” It was said that if his neighbors sent a load of wood to the parsonage, he would send three. When Billy Parkman forgot his checkered shirt in a campaign, Stephen packed them with his own belongings and delivered them to the boy.

had five children throughout their marriage.

After his return to Westborough in 1763, Stephen began to take on many roles and offices in Westborough politics. He served as selectman, Indian Trustee, and was known to all in town as a generous man. He worked to perpetuate his parents’ legacy of generosity;

Although not known to be one who worked for his own comforts, Stephen endeavored to build his family what was to be known as one of the grandest houses in town in 1770. The oak was said to have been brought in from England; the house continued to stand in grandeur until 1891.Unfortunately, Stephen’s timing for building a home of esteem couldn’t have been worse. With the Revolutionary War, and the years

Maynard | 9

The house of Stephen Maynard in Westborough, a much-admired 18thcentury resident who later fell into public disgrace and left town.

following, trade was difficult; inflation was tremendous, and Stephen had no trade to offer the community. Like many of his status, Stephen Maynard fell into tremendous debt. He took out two considerable mortgages on his homestead, and his other properties were sold off. He had also squandered $27,000 (about $621,000 in today’s dollars) of money he was holding in trust for the local indigenous peoples, a crime for which he was charged, pros-

ecuted, and jailed.

Upon his release from jail, Stephen Maynard gave what little he had left to some of his children. He deeded his pews in the meeting house to his two sons, and packed his few belongings. Stephen Maynard was said to have taken to the road with his wife, and possibly a few other family members; little was said in town about their quiet, shameful departure. There stands no record of his death, nor marker to his grave.

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

MARLBOROUGH – The Avidia Bank at 256 Maple St. has a new look.

The bank unveiled its transformation during a ribboncutting ceremony and open house on Wednesday, July 24.

“The objective for our colleagues is to have a comfortable space,” said Avidia Bank CEO Rob Cozzone. “For customers, we want to be welcoming.”

The bank’s safe deposit area has been made more secure; there’s also more seating for customers, along with a new coin-counting machine.

There’s also an investment office, where customers may discuss financial options.

Cozzone termed the renovations, which took several months, a “transformation;” similar work will be done to branches in Clinton and Westborough.

After Waiting 16 Years We Are Now A Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Inspection Station

The event was co-sponsored by the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Avidia is a mutual community bank headquartered in Hudson. The Marlborough branch is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fri -

days, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Learn more about what’s offered at https://www.avidiabank.com/branches/marlborough/

Stephen Maynard was born in the house of his father, Captain John Maynard, who was one of the original named settlers of Westborough. (Photo/Courtesy of Reed Collection)

Maynard | from page 8

Avidia Bank CEO Rob Cozzone cuts the ribbon at the newly renovated Marlborough branch at 256 Maple St. With him is Mayor J. Christian Dumais, who presented a citation. “It’s my mom’s favorite bank,” he said. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)

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“Buyers are still out there and they’re willing to pay today’s high prices, but only if the house is in really good shape. They don’t want to spend extra money on paint or new appliances.”

It makes sense when you think about it. They’re having to pay a lot of money for a house in today’s market. That means they may not be able to easily afford upgrades after they move in. So, if your home is outdated or needs some work, buyers might pass it by or offer a lower price than you were hoping for.

And there are a lot of homes that need upgrades right now. Millions are entering their prime remodel years, meaning they’re between 20 and 39 years old. Maybe yours is one of them. According to John Burns Research and Consulting (JBRC), the number of homes in their prime remodel years is high and growing (see graph):

If your house falls into this category, it’s important to consider making selective updates to help it appeal to buyers, so it sells faster. But how do you know where to spend your time and money?

Why You Need a Real Estate Agent

By working with a local real estate agent to be strategic about the improvements you make, you can be sure you’re making a smart investment. Put simply, not all upgrades are worth the cost. As Bankrate says:

“Before you spend money on costly upgrades, be sure the changes you make will have a high return on investment. It doesn’t make sense to install new granite countertops, for example, if you only stand to break even on them, or even lose money.”

And, as that same Bankrate article goes on to say, that’s where a local real estate agent comes in:

“. . . a good real estate agent will know what local buyers expect and can help you decide what needs doing and what doesn’t.”

Your agent will know what buyers in your area are looking for and what they’re willing to pay for it. By working together, you can avoid spending money on upgrades that won’t pay off. Instead, they’ll fill you in on which changes will make your house more appealing and valuable.

Bottom Line

Selling a house right now requires more than just putting up a For Sale sign. You need to make sure it’s in good condition to attract buyers who are willing to pay today’s high prices.

The way to do that is by making smart improvements that will give you the best return on your investment. Let’s work together so you know what buyers are looking for and what your house needs before selling.

Post Office dedicates plaque to Westborough Garden Club

By Evan Walsh Reporter

WESTBOROUGH – The Post Office has given the Westborough Garden Club a stamp of approval.

On July 22, Westborough Garden Club members — including Karen Hong, Glenn Hong, Trudy Roybal, and Steven Rowell — met at the Westborough Post Office for a dedication ceremony. Tom Brault and Patrick Graham, who work for the United States Postal Service (USPS), presented the group with a plaque.

The plaque includes four

“Garden Delight” stamps, which were released nationwide earlier in 2024. Each stamp features a picture taken by wildlife photographer Ben

of a hummingbird hovering next to a flower. Brault said he was excited to dedicate the plaque to the Garden Club, which gives the Post Office

wreaths and maintains two flower beds around the building.

“We really appreciate the Post Office noticing our work, not only here, but … around town,” said Westborough Garden Club Co-President Glenn Hong. “This is one of our biggest undertakings in the Garden Club — to take care of the community beautification. We’ve been doing it for many, many years, and it’s nice that people notice.”

The Westborough Garden Club was founded 92 years ago and largely focuses on beautifying the town.

ZBA approves 300-unit Emerald Run development

By Evan Walsh Reporter

SHREWSBURY – The Shrewsbury Zoning Board of Appeals on July 17 unanimously approved Emerald Run, a 300unit development planned for 33-69 Green St. in the southeast corner of town near Route 20.

Celebrating 30 years!

Developed by Pulte Homes of New England, the project will include six four-story buildings on a roughly 36acre lot. The design — which includes one section with five buildings and another section, closer to Route 20, with one building — is compact, with about 20 acres of the surrounding wetlands left untouched.

The 40B development will have 75 units priced as “affordable housing.” The state’s 40B law allows developers to sidestep many local zoning regulations as long as 25% of the units are “affordable.”

Pulte worked with the town to create a “friendly 40B” project.

As part of the development, the developer is giving Shrewsbury a stretch of land between South Street and Green Street, which could be used to connect the two streets. A road would allow residents in the area easier access to Green Street’s signalized intersection with Route 20. The town would be responsible for constructing any road. The connection was first conceptualized by former Select Board member Moe

Pulte Homes also worked with Town Manager Kevin Mizikar to adapt the project. Additions include clubhouse space, pickleball courts and extra patios.

“I would commend you on the fact that you’re bringing 300 units of homeownership to the town,” said ZBA Chair Maribeth Lynch just before approving the project. “The way you design your complexes — it’s beautifully done. I think our town would be made better with 300 new units. Thank you for making them available

The plan — which was submitted in November — was approved after seven meetings which covered every aspect of the project, including traffic and stormwater-related matters.

King

Post Office and Westborough Garden Club members gather at the Westborough Post Office. (L-R) Karen Hong, Patrick Graham, Glenn Hong, Trudy Roybal, Steven Rowell and Tom Brault. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

Architects present renovation options for Golf Club building

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

WESTBOROUGH – What if the Westborough Golf Club building could be renovated instead of demolished?

On Thursday, July 25, Arthur Love and Lauren Mitchell of BFE Architects came before the Municipal Building Committee with two options to rebuild from within.

Both options are similar in that everything is on one level — pro shop, kitchen, dining areas, etc. According to Mitchell, the second level would not be touched.

In Option A1-1, a bar/tavern would be next to the pro shop, with a kitchen and more formal dining area in the space of the former Civic restaurant. A porch would be built overlooking West Main Street. There would be one set of restrooms serving the entire floor.

In Option A2-1, the pro shop would have its own set of restrooms. The bar/tavern would be on the West Main side of the building, between the dining area and the porch.

Both options would have a deck overlooking the course; also, parking would remain the same, with no extra spaces created.

After an extensive discussion on whether the building was considered historic, and thereby worthy of preservation, the committee decided to invite the Westborough Historical Commission to its next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 8 a.m.

Tweaks on the other options

Earlier in July, the Municipal Building Committee viewed new build options for the Westborough Golf Club.

Based on input received from the committee and others, BFE Architects presented some updates.

Option A1: One floor. The pro shop and storage would be moved into a separate building. A kitchen/dining area would be next to the pro shop; there would be some outdoor seating with a view of the course; some seating near the putting green. The parking lot would gain 11 spaces.

In the updated version, the breezeway was narrowed, and there’s easier access to the kitchen.

Renovation option A1-1 shows a bar/ tavern at one end of the building, and a restaurant on the other.

Option A4-1: Two floors.

The first floor would have an elevator between the pro shop and kitchen. The putting green would be relocated, and a parking lot built at the present putting green. On the second floor, a dining room and bar would be built, with an outdoor patio.

The updated version has the green remain in its present po-

sition; there would be kitchen space on both floors, as well as restrooms.

The findings of the feasibility study are scheduled to be presented in mid-September.

Updates on the project are available via https://www. westboroughma.gov/1219/ Westborough-Golf-ClubBuilding

Our residents are cheering for the Olympic athletes & their Commitment to Excellence!

MARLBOROUGH – Spooky season is arriving early in Marlborough this year as the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation will be hosting SummerWEEN on Saturday, Aug. 17. Pumpkins and skeletons will be taking over the Marlborough Farmers Market and the Downtown Pop-Up Shops and you won’t want to miss out on the spinetingling fun. Attendees will get to enjoy family activities

including trick-or-treat bag decorating and face painting as well as pay a visit to JR’s Spooky Shack and his famous hearse... if you dare. The SummerWEEN fun will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 13 Weed St. and we’re DYING to see you there.

THE VIN BIN will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a Grand Tasting Saturday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m., in the 91 Main St, Marlborough location. Guests will dine on cheese, charcuterie and small bites from the

Café and Donut Stand, while sampling dozens of hand selected wines. In addition to a 20 percent off wine sale, guests can purchase Riedel stemware, with proceeds benefiting the Marlborough Public Library Foundation.

THE MARLBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS are thrilled to highlight Marlborough High School graduate, Justin Bonina, who has been promoted to the permanent rank of Sergeant in the Marlborough Police De-

Justin Bonina, a graduate of Marlborough High School, has been promoted to the permanent rank of Sergeant in the Marlborough Police Department. At left is City Clerk Steve Kerrigan. Sarah Hanahan, a graduate of Marlborough High School, recently released her debut record, “Among Giants.” (Photos/Courtesy)

partment. Sgt. Bonina joined the Department in April 2016.

THE MARLBOROUGH POLICE YOUTH ACADEMY –July Class 2024 recently held Graduation Day. After a week of testing the recruit’s merit and resilience, each cadet passed the Marlborough Youth Academy with flying colors. They acquired a wide variety of training and hopefully left the academy a little more confident in themselves from when they started.

THE MARLBOROUGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY is looking for information, photos, and uniform items from United States Coast Guard Veterans from Marlborough to highlight during November’s Coast Guard Veterans Showcase at the Peter Rice Homestead. If interested, please reach out to mattysargent@gmail.com!

THE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES continues on Union Common at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, with The BackTrack Band playing 50s, 60s and 70s. On Aug. 1 Usual Suspects will present classic rock.

SARAH HANAHAN, a graduate of Marlborough High School, recently released her debut record, “Among Giants.” “I’m so beyond excited to share this with you all,” said Sarah. “I’m so proud of this record and I hope it takes you on a journey!” Streaming on all platforms NOW!! CDs are for sale at Jazz. org/Sarah.

Sarah sends a huge thank

you to her incredible band, Marc Cary, Nat Reeves, Jeff Watts and Bobby Allende, for playing so beautifully.

A DRIVE-UP RETURN BIN in the library parking lot was recently installed. This feature at the new Library further improves the accessibility of the Library for everyone. Thank you for Marlborough Facilities Department for helping identify a location for the return bin and making the necessary adjustments to the sidewalk. Also, a HUGE thank you to the Marlborough Public Library Foundation and all of the donors that made this a reality.

THE ROTARY CLUB OF MARLBOROUGH recently awarded ten scholarships:

Five $4,000.00 (Walter & Joyce Morse Scholarships) went to:

Mallory Farrell

Ana VanBuskirk

Mariam Morcos

Gabriella Bourassa

Emma Reilly

Five $1,000.00 scholarships went to:

Ariana Baia

Rose King

Alexis Ott Joseph Florindo Jacqueline Hartman

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Aug. 1 – Mary Rowe

Aug. 2 – Barbara McGuire

Aug. 3 – Bob Kays

Aug. 5 – Christopher Coppola

Aug. 6 – Todd Emich and Tammy Ducey

Aug. 6 – Leslie Meyers

Aug. 8 – Don Landers, Becca

Baur, Katherine Stacy and Ed Ducey

Aug. 9 – Sue Leeber and Amelia Kinney

Aug. 13 – Brianne Perdue and Christopher Hill

Aug. 16 – Sean Deneen and Kate Fiore

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Aug. 3 – Pauline and Max Wills

Aug. 8 – Bonnie Power and Peter Weiler

Send items for “Marlborough at a Glance” to Mary Wenzel at marysampler@verizon.net. Put GLANCE in the subject line.

DPW seeks to expand Evergreen Cemetery

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

MARLBOROUGH – Evergreen Cemetery is running out of space.

According to Theodore Scott, the interim commissioner of public works, an expansion is needed to keep up with the demand for burial space.

He said the Department of Public Works started initial design plans about five years ago because the “cemetery was reaching its limit.”

Scott said they’ve identified some areas to expand, and they would like to concentrate on the hills close to Section K.

Scott said the expansion would include removing boulders, collapsed buildings, wells and other debris, as well as building a retaining wall.

He added the full expansion project could take about three years and cost up to $2 million.

Councilor Mike Vital asked whether the expansion would go into the area bordered by

Wilson Street and Sheridan Road. Scott replied that they would first focus on the dirt parking lot, but would eventually include that area.

Both Scott and Mayor J. Christian Dumais stressed the need to get this project under way.

“I want to make sure this project gets done,” said Dumais.

The initial expansion costs — $350,000 — would be cov-

ered by a bond approved by the City Council’s Finance Committee. Council President Michael Ossing said the bond request could be switched to free cash so the city could save on interest payments. That decision could come in September.

The City Council’s Finance Committee approved the bonding request. It also received approval from the full City Council on Monday, July 22.

The city’s Department of Public Works is planning to expand Evergreen Cemetery. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)

Neighbor Brigade offers community

By Laney Halsey Contributing Writer

NORTHBOROUGH - When a family faces a crisis, the Neighbor Brigade steps in, providing help when it’s needed most.

The Neighbor Brigade is a nonprofit organization designed to supply families in need with a robust network of resources and volunteers. Marcy Eckel, the executive director, manages fundraising efforts and oversees the activities of more than 3,000 registered volunteers.

“All of us actually work other jobs. We do this part time because we feel really connected to the mission. Whether it’s a personal circumstance or something that we’re going through or knowing someone that was touched by the Neighbor Brigade,” Eckel said.

The origin

The organization was founded in 2003 after Pam Washek and her friend Jean Seiden were both diagnosed with cancer. They were struck by the incred-

ible amount of community aid they were provided and decided to form the Wayland Angels. It was later renamed the Neighbor Brigade after the organization became an official nonprofit and spread across the MetroWest Boston area. Although Washek and Seiden have passed away, their legacy continues through the dedicat-

Northborough and Southborough Neighbor Brigade chapter leader Judy Boyle (left) stands with other volunteers wearing festive attire to deliver presents to a family being helped by the organization. (Photo courtesy of the Neighbor Brigade)

ed volunteers of the Neighbor Brigade.

Judy Boyle, the chapter leader for Northborough and Southborough, is one of the founding leaders of the organization and has been involved since 2003.

“[Washek] was so inspired by the outpouring of support from her neighbors and community members that she said,

‘I want to take this and turn it into something formal and have a chapter in every community everywhere.’ That was her dying wish,” Boyle said.

Boyle joined and decided to represent her community in Northborough in an effort to uphold the words that she lives by: “I don’t volunteer because I have an easy life. To the contrary, I’ve had a difficult life. Adversity has made me the strong person that I am today. I draw strength from helping others, and if I can ease the burden of someone in crisis, then I’m going to take that opportunity and run with it.”

The mission

The group is able to aid people during short-term crises, typically ones that are under 12 weeks. This can include delivering meals, providing rides and helping kids with homework.

“It’s really a wrap-around service designed to help the family and not overwhelm them,” Boyle said. “That’s really the message: We fill in where your family and neighbors and

community members cannot.”

Boyle understands the difficulties families can face, and she aims for the Northborough Neighbor Brigade to be an aid that people can rely on when they need help or when they know someone else who does.

“We are just another resource, another layer of support. We understand that with a death everybody in the days after are bringing meals. The family with the crisis is often overwhelmed. They have 16 lasagnas that are going to go to waste. The goal for me is to know if a family is experiencing a sudden crisis and they can reach out to me and I will be the liaison to the family. I’ll find out what they need and then disseminate the needs out to the volunteers,” Boyle said.

Neighbor Brigade gives back

Throughout the years, the Northborough chapter of the Neighbor Brigade has touched the lives of many.

Boyle shared a story about a family that faced significant challenges. Although the usual policy was to help for 12 weeks, the family’s special circumstances led to them receiving assistance for over three years.

“The Neighbor Brigade took that journey with the family,” Boyle said. “It was tiring for all of us because we had so much empathy for the family we just couldn’t do enough to ease the burden that they were facing.”

When she was delivering meals, Boyle noticed that the lawn had grown long, and the brigade reached out to a local landscaper to get the house on his regular schedule.

“He has been going over and doing it on his own for years,” Boyle said.

Recently, in 2023, roughly 30 migrant families arrived in Northborough seeking asylum. The Neighbor Brigade stepped in to bring people to doctor and dentist appointments as well as driving the kids to sports and concerts.

“We had this big pool of resources, and we made sure that these migrant families could get to appointments,” Boyle said.

How to get involved

Northborough Neighbor Brigade has 100 registered volunteers. The group is always looking for more people to sign up and get involved.

Brigade | 17

Brigade | from page 16

Going to the webpage www. neighborbrigade.org and pressing the volunteer heading will lead you to a list of all the locations where the organization runs. From there, the volunteer application is easily accessible.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization. They’re so important to us,” Eckel said “We really try to honor everything they do for the organization and the people that they serve.”

The group hopes to gain more volunteers and sponsors who carry the dedication and desire to help the community. Furthermore, Boyle hopes to connect the community in even more ways through town offices and agencies in order

A group of volunteers for the Neighbor Brigade stand before a sign at Pam’s Run, an event that honors the legacy of Pam Washek.

(Photo courtesy of the Neighbor Brigade)

to better provide services to clients.

“That’s one message I want to pass on,” Boyle said. “The Neighbor Brigade wants to work with the churches and schools and streamline the pool of resources.”

Additionally, an annual event called Pam’s Run, which honors Washek, will be hosted in Wayland on Oct. 20 at 8:15 a.m. The event is open to everyone and includes a 10k, 5k, walk and a kid’s run for children ages 2-9.

“Lots and lots of people run that, and they’ve been running it for all twelve years,” Eckel said. “The same sponsors come back every year. It’s a feel-good, wonderful event that works to see people connected.”

West Nile virus detected in Marlborough

MARLBOROUGH – West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from the city.

While the Health Department continues to work closely with the state’s Department of Public Health and other agencies, locally the city is working with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project to treat stormwater catch basins, deploying additional mosquito traps, and implementing localized spraying that was executed on Thursday, July 25.

This year, 153 mosquito samples have been tested for the virus in Middlesex County, and four samples were positive. Marlborough has had one West Nile virus positive mosquito sample identified. The virus is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in

urban as well as more rural areas. While West Nile virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection. By taking a few, commonsense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Avoid mosquito bites

Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethylm-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [pmethane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times

for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.

Mosquito proof your home

Drain standing water because many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in bird baths frequently.

Install or repair screens. Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitting screens on all your windows and doors.

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COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Select Board votes to use ARPA funds for air conditioning at Melican

By Laura Hayes Managing Editor

NORTHBOROUGH – Some of the classrooms at Melican Middle School may soon receive air conditioning.

The Public Schools of Northborough went before the Select Board on July 15, seeking American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to fund the Melican Air Conditioning Project.

“This is very timely as the weather has been very hot,” said Superintendent Greg Martineau.

Melican Middle School is the only three-story school in the fleet. Martineau said its second and third floors become “extremely hot” during the beginning of the school year and at the end.

“It is really not conducive for learning. It’s really not conducive for teaching,” he said.

According to a memo from

Assistant Superintendent of Operations Keith Lavoie to Town Administrator Tim McInerney, the air conditioning project is part of the school district’s five-year capital plan. He said the current infrastructure doesn’t allow for an all-inclusive solution as the HVAC units are univents that serve individual classrooms.

“A full retrofit of the HVAC system would require significant engineering and further study,” Lavoie wrote.

Lavoie said the school district would support a “shortterm solution.”

The school district sought $98,000 to outfit the exterior classrooms on the second floor with window units.

The Select Board allocated ARPA funds for air conditioning at Melican Middle School. (File Photo/ Dakota Antelman)

Lavoie said the units will allow district staff to control humidity levels and reduce conditions for mold blooms.

Using another school in the district with air conditioning units as a comparison, Martineau estimated that this will generate an approximately 5% increase in energy costs, and the district will look to solar

savings to offset the expenses. During Town Meeting in April, voters approved three articles to lease the roofs to solar energy providers for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and operating a solar facility and entering into a power purchase agreement with solar energy providers.

As of early June, Northborough had about $1.7 million in unallocated ARPA funds. With a deadline of the end of the year to commit the funds, the Select Board prepared a list of projects the members were interested in funding totaling about $320,000 — or the total of $1.7 million divided by approximately five.

The allocation for the air conditioning will come from Select Board member Mike Tietjen’s $320,000.

“We wouldn’t be sitting in this room without that running. To have those kids sitting in those hot classrooms — that’s not fair,” said Tietjen.

By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer

HUDSON – Superintendent

Brian Reagan presented a very early forecast for the fiscal year 2026 budget for Hudson Public Schools at the School Committee’s July 16 meeting.

The slides he reviewed with the School Committee represented topics that needed to be considered while preparing for the budget. Reagan used the term “structural deficit” to describe the current conditions of the budget planning, which means that the operating costs exceeded the available revenue.

“But there’s different ways that we can reduce and try to maintain programs,” said Reagan.

To minimize any potential staff reductions, the district would work to identify operational savings through consolidation or other methods, he said.

Reagan said, “Where we’ll probably end up is considering staffing.”

He noted that presently the school district projects a $4.4 million gap for 2026. He said the gap could increase each year, going from $4.9 million in fiscal 2027 to $6.4 million in fiscal 2030 if they assume a 2.5% annual town appropriation.

With a 3.5% annual town appropriation, he said the schools would get $500,000 in additional local funding to close the gap.

In this scenario, Reagan said, “We would be in good shape.”

He said they want to be thoughtful about a possible Proposition 2 1/2 override and not be “digging a hole again over time.” A passing ballot by the Hudson voters would be necessary to approve such an override.

He noted that Director of Finance and Operations Dan Gale has “a multiyear fiscal projection document” to plan the budget.

Reagan said, “Today we started to sort of flush out this idea of level service budgets versus reduction budgets.”

They are starting to “put down on paper” what some of the main budget assumptions will be with a level service budget, he said. In addition, there have been efforts to project assumptions for the budget should an override fail as a good solution.

Looking forward, he said the

focus is “what’s the fiscal plan.”

As they cannot operate the budget with a $4.4 million reduction, Reagan said, “There’s going to have to be something from stabilization with the town side to help minimize that gap. So we’ll have to have those conversations ahead of time.”

He said they have to be clear with everyone of the fact it is “not feasible” to operate the budget with such a deep reduction and to reduce staff to the point that services are not being maintained.

School Committee member

Christopher Yates proposed a hypothetical scenario — if the town had $8 million in a stabilization fund, and the school district used $1 million of that for next year, it would be committed for only that fiscal year. Furthermore, he questioned how to figure that in since the effect is to have an automatic gap for $1 million the year after that.

Yates said he believed an adjustment to the override by at least $330,000 per year over three years could be considered.

Gale noted that Yates’ scenario would occur if a hypothetical override failed.

Reagan said the school district would need help from the town finance office to continue to “do business” in a responsible way. One such use for the stabi-

lization funds could be to fund the Special Education Stabilization Fund, which was approved several years ago, with town stabilization monies. He noted that with School Choice not being there as a consistent funding source, it

would be smart for the town to consider moving an amount of funds from stabilization to the special education account. That would require two official votes by the School Committee and Select Board, Reagan said.

Boston Lawnmower Company announces Tax-Free Weekend sale

WESTBOROUGH — Boston

Lawnmower Company is thrilled to announce its special Tax-Free Weekend Sale on Aug.10 to 11. This is the perfect opportunity for customers to prepare for winter while enjoying substantial savings and exclusive offers.

During this event, customers can save $200 on select 2-stage Ariens snow throwers. To reserve, call 508-898-3500 ext. 1. Enjoy free local delivery on any 2-stage snow thrower purchase, and trade in your old snow thrower — regardless

of condition — to receive $50 towards a new one. Receive a free Ariens/Patriots winter hat with this promotion and 10% off select Husqvarna in-stock equipment while supplies last. It cannot be combined with current sale items.

Additionally, customers can take advantage of 50% off pick-up and delivery on twostage snow thrower tune-ups when you schedule by Aug. 31 with our Service Department. With any Stihl purchase over $299.99, you’ll also receive a free Stihl baseball hat. Men-

tion this promo at the Parts Counter to get 10% off your residential parts purchase and inquire about special deals on landscaper parts.

All offers are valid only on Aug. 10 to 11, unless specified. Offers cannot be redeemed for cash, and restrictions apply. For full details, please see an associate.

Boston Lawnmower Company is located at 233 Turnpike Road in Westboro, MA. For more information, call 508-898-3500 or visit www. bostonlawnmower.com.

LEGAL NOTICES

Scan QR code for rate information or to email your legal notice.

SHREWSBURY

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 August 21, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at 30 Municipal Dr. Shrewsbury MA. Invitations will be provided by SELCO before the end of business on August 20, 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 #12 Bids will be received at: Town Manager’s Office Shrewsbury Town Hall 100 Maple Avenue Shrewsbury, MA 01545 Bids are due by August 28, 2024 by 9:00 AM, to the Shrewsbury Town Hall, Town Manager’s office 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA. 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. 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.

August 1, 2024

Christopher Roy, General Manager -SELCO

TOWN OF SHREWSBURY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Disposition of Easement Interest in Real Property 20 Centech Boulevard, Shrewsbury, MA

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30B, Section 16, and M.G.L. c. 40, Section 3, the Town of Shrewsbury (the “Town”) is soliciting proposals for the disposition by sale of a non-exclusive easement in Town-owned property located at 20 Centech Boulevard, Shrewsbury, MA, 01545 shown on the Town’s Assessor’s Map 48 as Parcel 0040000 (the “Property”).

By vote of the 2024 Shrewsbury Town Meeting, the Town’s Select Board is authorized to convey a non-exclusive easement for access over a portion of the Property, said easement area to consist of approximately 94,000 square feet, for the purposes of providing rights for vehicular and pedestrian access and egress and the rights to install, repair, and replace utilities to and from Centech Boulevard to property now or formerly owned by BT-Newyo, LLC, located at 414 – 428 Cherry Street, Shrewsbury, MA, and shown on the Town’s Assessor’s Map 55 as Parcel 001000, and to other property now or formerly of BTNewyo, LLC.

A complete copy of the Request for Proposals (“RFP”) containing additional information, including the submission requirements for a Proposal, is available at https:// shrewsburyma.gov/bids or the Office of the Town Manager, Town of Shrewsbury, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, or by calling (508) 841-8508 during business hours. Proposals must be submitted to the Town’s Office of the Town Manager by Tuesday, August 30, 2024, at 12:00 PM

The Town reserves the right to cancel this RFP or reject any or all proposals if it is determined to be in the public interest to do so. The RFP and supporting documentation do not constitute an offer or agreement to sell or convey the Property or an interest therein. Such an offer and agreement may result only from a duly adopted vote of the Select Board.

NORTHBOROUGH

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NORTHBOROUGH ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

In accordance with the provisions of MGL Chapter 40A, Section 9, the Northborough Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 7pm, in Conference Room B, 2nd floor of Town Hall, to consider the petition of Domenic Vincenzino for a dimensional variance for placement of a pre-fabricated shed within the side yard setback and rear setback on the property located at 9 Valentine Road, Map 37, Parcel 104 in the Residential B Zoning District. This meeting will also be conducted via Zoom. To participate in the public comment portion of this meeting from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device, please click this URL to join: https://town-northboroughma-us.zoom.us/j/84075375325 or join by phone: +1 646 876 9923 Webinar ID: 840 7537 5325 Passcode: 311390 Live Stream link YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCRdBrw3HeEAMB_KFKasrgXA

This application can be viewed in the Planning Department during business hours or online at https://www.town.northborough.ma.us/zoning-board-appeals/pages/currently-under-review-zba.

Brad Blanchette, Clerk

WESTBOROUGH

LEGAL NOTICE FOR SPECIAL PERMIT HEARING

In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 9 and Sections 3.1 and 6.2 of the Town of Westborough Zon-

ing Bylaw, the Westborough Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 6:30 PM on application record no. 24-02544, requesting a Special Permit and Site Plan Review for the conversation of seven hotel buildings residential apartments. The location of the proposed project is 25 Connector Road (Assessors Parcel ID’s 35-161-0), Westborough, MA, located in the Highway Business Zoning District. The owner and applicant for the filing is AVIA BOS Research Drive LLC.

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 application and any submitted documents, please go to our online permitting system, PermitPro (https://westborough.patriotpermitpro.com/) and search the above referenced record number. Records 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

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE OF INTENT WESTBOROUGH, MA

In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Westborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Conservation Commission will conduct a Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 after 6:30 PM at the Fire Dept, 1st Fl meeting room, 42 Milk Street, Westborough, MA, for a Notice of Intent for 15 Chauncy St. (Parcel ID: 34-120-0) filed by Tim Wright for proposed replacement and expansion of existing garage and addition of breezeway with associated grading and utilities within jurisdictional resource areas.

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY WESTBOROUGH, MA

In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Westborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Conservation Commission will conduct a Public Hearing held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 after 6:30 PM at the Fire Department, 1st Fl meeting room, 42 Milk Street, Westborough, MA, for a Request for Determination of Applicability for 6 Fox Ln. (Parcel ID: 10-124-0) submitted by Alka Yada-Mehta for proposed installation of 8’ x 40’ hydroponic container and removal of three trees within jurisdictional resource areas.

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY WESTBOROUGH, MA

In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Westborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Conservation Commission will conduct a Public Hearing held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 after 6:30 PM at the Fire Department, 1st Fl meeting room, 42 Milk Street, Westborough, MA, for a Request for Determination of Applicability for 28 Old Colony Dr. (Parcel ID: 15-45-0) submitted by Steven Rust for proposed grade filling and grading in a portion of rear yard within jurisdictional resource areas.

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY WESTBOROUGH, MA

In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Westborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Conservation Commission will conduct a Public Hearing held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 after 6:30 PM at the Fire Dept, 1st

Fl meeting room, 42 Milk Street, Westborough, MA, for a Request for Determination of Applicability for 7 Brady Road Extension (Parcel ID: 35-72-0) submitted by Srinivas Nyayapati for proposed construction of an addition to a single-family house within jurisdictional resource areas.

HUDSON

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Petition #ZSP-24-4

Notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing to be held by the Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023 extending the remote meeting provisions of March 12, 2020, Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, this meeting of the Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals will be conducted via remote participation. Specific information for remote participation will be included on the agenda.

At this time the Board of Appeals will hear the request of David and Wanda Saunders, requesting a Special Permit for a shed to be installed in the front setbacks of their non-conforming corner parcel, pursuant to Sections 7.3 of the Town of Hudson Protective Zoning By-Laws. The subject property is located at 118 Cottage Street in the R40 Single Family Zoning District, Assessors’ Map 10, Parcels 18. The Board may consider any action deemed necessary relative to the subject petition.

All petition materials are available for review in the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, on the Town of Hudson website at https://go.boarddocs. com/ma/hudsonma/Board.nsf/ goto?open&id=D73JBR4C6D28 and can be requested by calling (978) 562-2989 or by sending an email to kevangelisti@ townofhudson.org.

Jason Mauro, Chair Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING HUDSON PLANNING BOARD

Petition # SPR-24-3

Notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing to be held by the Hudson Planning Board on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Hudson Senior Center, First Floor, Hudson, MA 01749.

At this time the Board of Appeals will hear the request of KM R2 Realty LLC, requesting a Site Plan Review to construct a threestory multi-family dwelling, consisting of 12 two-bedroom units, pursuant to Section 8.1.7 of the Town of Hudson Protective Zoning By-Laws. The subject property is located at 60-62 Washington Street in the NB Neighborhood Business Zoning District, Assessors’ Map 40, Parcels 48. The Board may consider any action deemed necessary relative to the subject petition.

All petition materials are available for review in the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, on the Town of Hudson website at https://go.boarddocs. com/ma/hudsonma/Board.nsf/ goto?open&id=D72PX766B2EF and can be requested by calling (978) 562-2989 or by sending an email to kevangelisti@ townofhudson.org.

Hudson Planning Board

Robert D’Amelio, Chairman

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Petition #ZVR-24-3 and ZSP-24-6

Notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing to be held by the Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023 extending the remote meeting provisions of March 12, 2020, Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, this meeting of the Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals will be conducted via remote participation. Specific information for remote participation will be included on the agenda.

At this time the Board of Appeals will hear the request of KM R2 Realty LLC, requesting a Special Permit and two (2) Variances to construct a three-story multi-family dwelling, consisting of 12 two-bedroom

units, pursuant to Sections 5.2.4.5 and 8.1.4.2 for the Variances and Section 5.2.3.1 for the Special Permit of the Town of Hudson Protective Zoning By-Laws. The subject property is located at 60-62 Washington Street in the NB Neighborhood Business Zoning District, Assessors’ Map 40, Parcels 48. The Board may consider any action deemed necessary relative to the subject petition.

All petition materials are available for review in the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, on the Town of Hudson website at https://go.boarddocs. com/ma/hudsonma/Board.nsf/ goto?open&id=D73JBS4C6E78 and can be requested by calling (978) 562-2989 or by sending an email to kevangelisti@ townofhudson.org.

Jason Mauro, Chair Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals

FAMILY & PROBATE LAW

Docket No. MI24P3580EA

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court

Middlesex Division

Probate and Family Court

Estate of: Florence N. Freitas

Date of Death: May 1, 2024

To all persons interested in the above captioned estate by Petition of Petitioners, John J. Freitas Jr. of Burlington VT and Mary E. Duggan of Acton, MA

A Will has been admitted to informal probate. John J. Freitas Jr. of Burlington VT and Mary E. Duggan of Acton, MA have been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond.

The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.

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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

Amoroso, John of Westborough DeFeudis, Edward of Northborough Farley, Ernest of Northborough Giroux, Teresita of Marlborough Hamilton, George of Northborough Hayes, William formerly of Shrewsbury Heskey, William of Northborough and Framingham Kronlund, Lucas of Shrewsbury Lynn, Zachary of Marlborough Martinson, David of Shrewsbury McKinnon, Doris of formerly Marlborough Mullen, Steven formerly of North Grafton Ready Jr., John of Marlborough Robledo, René of Northborough Sahagian, John of Marlborough Short, Camilla of Marlborough Uhlman, Carol-Ann formerly of Westborough Watters, James of Southborough

René Robledo, 66

NORTHBOROUGHRené Robledo, 66, passed away at Marlborough Hospital on July 13, 2024 after a period of declining health due to kidney disease. He was predeceased by his parents Perfecto Robledo and Conrada Rosario as well as his two older brothers, Rolando and Ruben Robledo. Rene leaves his longtime partner, Cynthia Merchant of Northborough, who served for many years as his primary caregiver. He also leaves his daughter Lara Robledo and his grandchildren Yariel and Nyeema, as well as son Marco Robledo, his sister Raquel Robledo, her husband Reymond Knight Shirley, sister in law Malika Robledo and many nieces and nephews, along with his adopted daughter Bianca Cruz and her children. Born in Brooklyn N.Y. on October 17, 1958, Rene’ would often recall stories of how, at just 7 years old, he would run to catch the ladder on the back of the city busses in order to get around the city and of eagerly shoveling for his neighbors to earn spending money. When

he was 10, his family moved back to Puerto Rico where he became interested in construction. At the age of 15 he was already working on jobsites, first during high school and later while attending the University of Puerto Rico where he earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Humanities and Education.

Robledo moved to Fitchburg in 1990 and began work as an institutional carpenter at Clinton Hospital. In 1995 he began working for the Fitchburg Public Schools as a maintenance worker which led to his being offered a position as an Occupational Education Instructor at the former B.F. Brown School in Fitchburg. There, he worked with at-risk students in the alternative education program. When funding was cut for the program, he returned to carpentry for a number of years.

In 2014, when he was no longer able to continue due to health reasons, he enrolled at Mount Wachusett Community College, earning his Energy Management Certificate, a field he had hoped to one day return.

René was a man of great curiosity and a very strong work ethic. He worked for decades in the carpentry and construction trades and took great pride in the quality of the work he produced. He was also a voracious learner who would research and read endlessly. He was deeply grateful to Cynthia for her support as they navigated his health challenges together.

Arrangements have been under the care of Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532. www. HaysFuneralHome.com. At this time, no public services are planned. Donations may be made to the American kidney foundation.

John C. Amoroso, 86

WESTBOROUGH - John C. Amoroso, 86, of Westborough, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at home. He was the husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” (Duke) Amoroso.

Born in New London, CT he was the son of the late Paul and Madelyn (Fisher) Amoroso. He is survived by two daughters, Lyn Amoroso of N. Grafton

and Jane Raylor and her husband, Lloyd, of Scottsdale, AZ: two granddaughters, Isabella Roybal and Katherine Roybal and one step-granddaughter, Madison Vance.

Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

Marilyn A. Phelps, 89

MARLBOROUGH - Marilyn A. Phelps, age 89, of Marlboro, MA died at Bear Mountain Rehab, Sudbury, MA, July 19, 2024 after a period of declining health.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor & Leonard Douglas, her husband Ray Phelps and her younger sister Patricia (Patty) Cate.

She is survived by her daughter, Diana Giancola and her husband Richard; her grandchildren who were the light of her life, Mark Giancola and his wife Tina, Leah Parsons and her husband Jake and Kristie Giancola; her great-grandchildren whom she adored Jaime, Jesse, Dylan & Colin; her youngest sister Elizabeth (Betty) Sorrenti and many nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held at a later date.

John J. Ready Jr., 79

MARLBOROUGH - John Joseph (“Butch”) Ready, Jr., 79, of Marlborough, MA, formerly of Dorchester, MA, passed away at his home of nearly 50 years on July 19, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

John is survived by his children Jacqueline Ryan and her husband John Ryan, Jr., Matthew Ready, and Christopher Ready and his fiancé Chrystal Anderson. He is predeceased by his loving wife Janet, whom he missed every day since her passing, his son John J. Ready III, his sister Kathleen Reynolds and her husband George Reynolds, his brother Kevin Ready and his wife Margie Ready, and his sister Patricia Wood and her husband Tom Wood.

Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home of Hudson assisted with arrangements.

Scan QR code to read all of this week’s obituaries on our website.

James Watters, 82

SOUTHBOROUGH - James “Jed” Watters died with his family by his side on July 13th after a long illness. He was born in Lockport, New York, the son of Lonel and Ruth (McFadden) Watters. He grew up in Georgia and Florida, the oldest in a lively household of four brothers.

Jed was predeceased by his parents, Lon and Ruth Watters and his brothers Drake and Michael. He is survived by his brother Kenneth of St. Petersburg, FL. He is also survived by his wife Sally, his daughter Rebecca of Bozeman, MT, his daughter Amanda, his sonin-law Michael McGrane, and his granddaughter Adina of Northfield, VT.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Jed on Saturday, August 17th at 1 PM at Pilgrim Church, 15 Common Street, Southborough, MA

The Morris-Johnston Funeral Home of Southborough assisted with arrangements.

Camilla D. Short, 88

MARLBOROUGH - Camilla D. (Dalton) Short 88 of Marlborough passed away peacefully at her home on July 17, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Boston, the daughter of the late Paul E. and Edith F. (Delany) Dalton and the older sister to David Dalton.

She is survived by her four children Paul Short and his wife Kristen of Marlborough, Christopher Short of Lexington, Leanne Koponen and her husband Jason of Ludlow, VT, and Gregory Short of Marlborough. As the beloved grandmother of four grandchildren Brian, Kevin, Jason, and Mia, she was affectionately known to many as ‘Nana Shorty.’ Having the opportunity to spend time in retirement with her grandchildren and watch them grow up was one of the great joys of her lifetime and she was so proud of each of them.

The Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.

Zachary Lynn, 34

MARLBOROUGH - Zachary Ross Lynn, 34, of Marlborough, died tragically and unexpectedly on July 11, 2024, at home. He is survived by his parents, Michael and Pamela (Bernstein) Lynn of Pleasantville, NY; his wife, Amy (Sorabella) Lynn and daughter, Audrey Rose Lynn; and his brother and sister-in-law, Brandon and Allison Lynn. In addition, Zachary is survived by many extended family members, including aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Slattery Funeral Home, Inc. of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.

Edward

M. DeFeudis, 79 NORTHBOROUGH/EAST DENNIS - Edward M. DeFeudis, affectionately known as Eddie, of Northborough and East Dennis, MA, suffered a massive heart attack and passed away at 79 years old, at UMass Memorial Campus in Worcester, MA on July 15, 2024.

Eddie is survived by his devoted wife, Candy, and their four children: Amy DeFeudis of Shrewsbury, Wendy DeFeudis of Dennis, Todd DeFeudis (Cristy) of Cottonwood Heights, UT, and Ted DeFeudis (Karen) of Boca Raton, FL. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Brock, Annabelle, Damon Kyle, Lilly, Tyler, Spencer, William, Stefano, and Matteo. Eddie leaves behind his siblings: Donald (Ann) DeFeudis of Webster, Joanne DeFeudis Powers of Naples, FL, Gene (Julie) DeFeudis of Shrewsbury and Naples, FL, Louise (John) Schofield, Loretta Kerr of Shrewsbury, Linda DeFeudis of Sutton, and Elizabeth (Gary) Zelch of Grafton, along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Francis and Kenneth DeFeudis.

The Britton Funeral Home of Shrewsbury assisted with arrangements.

Obituaries | 21

COMMUNITY CLASSIFIED

COMMUNITY OBITUARIES

Obituaries | from page 1

George W. Hamilton, 96

NORTHBOROUGH - George Whitney Hamilton, 96, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 15, 2024. George was born on November 22, 1927, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the son of George Daniel Hamilton and Marion Estelle Hood. He was predeceased by his wife, Marcia Hilton Penniman in 2021, and he leaves his three chil-dren, Deborah McQuade (John), Marcia Buss (James), and George Hamilton (Theresa); his six grandchildren, Julie McQuade Ladimer (Gary), Keith McQuade (Precious), Sarah Riviere (Mat-thieu), Kristen Buss, Benjamin Hamilton, and Thomas Hamilton; and six great grandchildren, Es-tella Ladimer, Sophie Riviere, Brian Ladimer, Vesper McQuade, Charlotte Riviere, and Grady McQuade.

A private family burial will be held in Framingham and a Memorial Service will be held on

Sunday, November 24 at Westborough First United Methodist Church in Westborough.

Chiampa Funeral Home of Shrewsbury assisted with arrangements.

Carol-Ann Uhlman, 79

SOUTHBRIDGE - Carol-Ann Uhlman, 79, of Southbridge, formerly of Westborough, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at UMass Memorial

Healthcare-Harrington Hospital in Southbridge. Born in Marlborough, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Stella (Maslowski) Dyka.

Carol-Ann is survived by three children, Leslie A. Robillard and her husband, David, of Westborough, Mark D. Uhlman

and his fiancé, Laura, formerly of Westborough and Pamela J. White and her husband, Gary, of Westborough, two brothers, Frederick A. Dyka, Jr. and his spouse, Thomas O’Connor, of Yarmouth Port and Robert P. Dyka and his wife, Kerry, of Barnsta-ble: six grandchildren, Erin, Jay, Alexzandra, Jessie, Casie and Nicholas and four great-grandchildren, Matthew, Josh, Kylie and Mark. CarolAnn was predeceased by a son, Peter F. Uhlman.

Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

William F. Hayes, 90

WORCESTER - William F. “Bill” Hayes, 90 of Worcester, passed away with loved ones gathered at his bedside, Thursday, July 18, 2024, after a lengthy period of health challenges. Bill was born in Shrewsbury, one of

COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS

twelve children of Patrick and Delia (Corcoran) Hayes. Bill is survived by his three daughters, Paula J. Thornton. Susan M. Richmond and her husband Donald all of Worcester, Andrea Husereau and her husband Patrick of Charlton; a stepdaughter, Delina “Dolly” Knight; a brother, George Hayes of Shrewsbury; eight grandchildren who loving called him “Grampa”, Shawn Hayes and his wife Lauren, Brian Paradis and his wife Lauren, Erica Paradis, Erin Keeney and her husband Stephen, Megan Thornton, Brock, Ryan and Brandon Richmond; four great grandchildren who knew Bill as “GiGi or GG”, Kylie and Colton Hayes, Thomas and Shane Keeney and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. In addition to his parents, Bill is predeceased by his former wife and mother of his children, Pauline (Dellomo) Hayes, stepson, Arthur “Buster” Merchant, son-in-law Thomas Thornton, and siblings including, brothers, Patrick, Edmond, Daniel, and John, and sisters, Mary and

Theresa Hayes, Eileen Atchue, Margaret Tuttle, Rita Perry and Patricia Vaudreuil.

The Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel of Worcester assisted with arrangements.

Ernest R. Farley, 92

NORTHBOROUGH - Ernest R. “Ernie” Farley, 92, of Northborough, Passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Margaret L. (Ross) Farley.

Ernie is survived by his daughter, Kathleen; his son, Patrick, Patrick’s wife Chris, and their son Jack; his granddaughter Billie Lee, her husband Keith, and their children Lillian and Dominic; his granddaughter Hannah and also dear friend Tom Dunn. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, and his son, William. Ernie will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

The Chiampa Funeral Home of Shrewsbury assisted with arrangements.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, the helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this nine times a day, for nine days and your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication is necessary. My prayers were and are being answered. ~ J.A.W.

POLICE FIRE&

POLICE LOG

The information in the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court issued documentation. The below is a representation of this week’s police log. Some calls lacking severity have been omitted due to space constraints.

Westborough

Monday, July 15

1:33 a.m. Flanders Rd. Accident – hit & run.

2:18 p.m. Milk St. Erratic operator.

5:11 p.m. Flanders Rd./E Main St. Accident property damage.

6:24 p.m. Arrested, Rachel E. Petrella, 59, of 847 Ocean Crest Rd., Cardiff, CA, on default warrant, fail to stop/yield.

Tuesday, July 16

8:46 a.m. W Main St. Accident property damage.

10:33 a.m. Arrested, Jean Claude Bavugireje, 24, of 97 Harrison St., Apt. 1, Worcester, for credit card fraud under $1200, receive stolen credit card, credit card fraud under $1200.

3:29 p.m. W Main St. Larceny.

5:08 p.m. Otis St. Road/tree.

9:43 p.m. Oak St. Larceny.

Wednesday, July 17

9:35 a.m. West St. AC, animalcomplaint.

10:15 a.m. Ruggles/Eli Whitney Sts. Parking violation/complaint.

5:24 p.m. Union St. Accident (pedestrian).

10:21 p.m. Arrested, Welding Cuestas Melgar, 26, of 49 N Leyden St., Apt. 2, Brockton, for op MV with license suspended, carry dangerous weapon.

Thursday, July 18

11:31 a.m. Townsend Blvd. Larceny. 5:12 p.m. Hopkinton Rd. Erratic operator.

5:28 p.m. Fisher St./Mill Rd. Accident – hit & run.

6:55 p.m. W Main St. Accident – hit & run.

Friday, July 19

9:45 a.m. W Main St. Accident property damage.

10:34 a.m. Waterville Cir. AC, animalassist.

10:51 a.m. Arch St. Road/tree.

Saturday, July 20

7:26 a.m. E Main St. Road/tree.

1:40 p.m. Milk St. AC, animal-assist.

7:01 p.m. Warren St. AC, animalunleashed.

Sunday, July 21

12:05 p.m. E Main/Walker Sts. Fire, wires down.

8:02 p.m. W Main St. Larceny.

Southborough

Tuesday, July 16

4:22 p.m. Cordaville Rd. Erratic operator.

10:45 p.m. Coslin Dr. Noise investigation.

10:54 p.m. Turnpike/Crystal Pond Rds. Disabled MV. Wednesday, July 17

4:22 p.m. Cordaville/Turnpike Rds. Motor vehicle accident.

5:30 p.m. Marlboro Rd. Larceny/ forgery/fraud.

5:45 p.m. Cordaville Rd. Parking complaint.

7:46 p.m. Boston Rd. Disabled MV. Thursday, July 18

12:57 a.m. Chestnut Hill Rd. Road hazard.

8:59 a.m. Framingham Rd. Animal complaint.

1:02 p.m. Parmenter Rd./Metcalf Ln. Tree/limb down in roadway. Friday. July 19

10:39 a.m. Boston/Framingham Rds. Traffic lights inoperable.

1:10 p.m. Boston Rd./Willow St. Erratic operator.

8:38 p.m. Coslin Dr. Disabled MV. Saturday, July 20

9:07 p.m. Dairy Farm Ln. Fireworks complaint.

9:26 p.m. Framingham Rd. Road hazard.

Sunday, July 21

3:38 p.m. Cordaville Rd. Erratic operator.

4:37 p.m. Valley Rd. Abandoned MV.

5:14 p.m. Darlene Dr. Burglary/B&E past.

Monday, July 22

9:57 a.m. River St. Noise investigation.

2:38 p.m. Presidential Dr. Unregsoliciting.

3:40 p.m. Cordaville Rd. Soliciting.

8:06 p.m. Parkerville Rd. Soliciting. Grafton

Sunday, July 7

4:23 p.m. Pine St. B&E into vehicle. Monday, July 8

7:38 a.m. Old Westboro Rd. Accident – no injuries.

8:15 a.m. Old Westboro Rd. Road hazard.

4:40 p.m. Sunrise Ave. Wires down.

5:36 p.m. Pleasant St./Providence Rd. Traffic hazard.

6:10 p.m. Mass Pike E. Fire –HAZMAT spill.

8:09 p.m. Potter Hill Rd. Assist public.

10:22 p.m. Flint Pond Dr. Vandalism. Tuesday, July 9

7:20 a.m. Providence Rd. Larceny/ theft.

8:59 a.m. Follette St. Road hazard.

9:52 a.m. Worcester St. Road hazard.

1:55 p.m. Sunrise Ave. Wires down. Wednesday, July 10

3:18 p.m. Fairlawn St./Brigham Hill Rd. Accident – no injuries.

5:20 p.m. Old Upton Rd. Accident –no injuries.

5:48 p.m. Depot St. Assault. Thursday, July 11

10:27 a.m. Carroll Rd. Animal complaint.

2:21 p.m. Brigham Hill Rd. Vandalism.

2:40 p.m. Main St. Wires down.

7:51 p.m. Providence Rd. Threatening.

Friday, July 12

4:36 p.m. Bedford Dr. Fire – structure.

4:52 p.m. Adams Rd. Assist public.

7:18 p.m. Pine St. Erratic operator. Saturday, July 13

12:59 p.m. Brigham Hill Rd./Maplewood Dr. Parking violation.

11:42 p.m. Daffodil Ct. Threatening. 11:48 p.m. Providence Rd. Erratic operator.

Shrewsbury

Wednesday, July 17

8:37 a.m. Stonybrook Ln. Aid to public.

10:06 a.m. Maple Ave. Aid to public.

10:15 a.m. Park St. Aid to public.

12:04 p.m. Sheryl Dr. Threats.

12:29 p.m. Arch St. Road hazard –trees/wires/debris.

3:27 p.m. Lear Street North. Animal complaint.

3:29 p.m. Eagle Dr. Animal complaint.

4:58 p.m. Hillside Dr. Aid to public.

7:11 p.m. Grafton St. Aid to public. Thursday, July 18

10:17 a.m. Whitney St. Animal complaint.

10:59 a.m. Water St./South Quinsigamond. Animal complaint.

12:27 p.m. Arbor Dr. Aid to public.

12:44 p.m. Hancock St. B&E residential.

12:46 p.m. Boylston St. Harassment.

2:18 p.m. Hillside Dr. Aid to public.

2:24 p.m. Maple Ave. Larceny.

3:36 p.m. Hartford Tpke. Preserve the peace.

4:28 p.m. Fairmont Ave. Identity theft.

5:03 p.m. Walnut St. Road hazard –trees/wires/debris.

7:39 p.m. Pleasant St. Aid to public.

Marlborough

Tuesday, July 16

9:12 a.m. Howe St. MVA property damage only.

12:07 p.m. Lakeside Shell/Lakeside Ave. Harassment.

12:18 p.m. Gleason/Williams Sts. MVA property damage only.

1:57 p.m. CVS Pharmacy/East Main St. Auto theft.

2:04 p.m. Shell Gas-Seasons Market/ BPRE. MVA property damage only.

3:10 p.m. Prestige Carwash/BPRW. MVA property damage only.

5:35 p.m. Hosmer St./Royal Crest Dr. MVA property damage only.

Wednesday, July 17

7:55 a.m. Guidepost Montessori School/Forest St. MVA property damage only.

9:38 a.m. Home Depot/BPRE. MVA property damage only.

1:59 p.m. Barracuda Dr. Fraud/ forgery.

3:59 p.m. Orchard Apartments/ Farmhouse Ln. Larceny.

4:36 p.m. Granger Blvd./Liberty St. MVA with injuries.

5:28 p.m. Bolton/Union Sts. MVA property damage only.

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6:33 p.m. Arrested, Israel Yurisson Dos Santos, 24, of 347 Lake Ave., Apt. 2, Worcester, on true warrants.

8:05 p.m. Marlborough Post Office/ Florence St. MVA property damage only.

Thursday, July 18

9:29 a.m. The Reservoir Center Health Care/Bolston St. Fraud/forgery.

11:20 a.m. Sasseville Way/Fitchburg St. MVA property damage only.

8:04 p.m. Mechanic St. Erratic operator.

Friday, July 19

3:30 a.m. Brigham Ave./Frye St. Animal complaint.

1:50 p.m. Marlborough Hills Health Care/Northboro Road East. Fraud/ forgery.

3:38 p.m. St. Mary’s Credit Union/ West Main St. MVA property damage only.

5:19 p.m. Marlborough Hospital/ Union St. Threats.

6:18 p.m. Post Road Used Auto parts/ BPRE. Larceny.

6:27 p.m. River/Maple Sts. MVA property damage only.

9:11 p.m. VIP Boutique/BPRE. MVA property damage only.

9:32 p.m. Dairy Queen/East Main St. MVA property damage only.

Saturday, July 20

12:54 p.m. Hannaford Super Market/ BPRW. Threats.

1:41 p.m. Maple St./Warren Ave. MVA property damage only.

11:26 p.m. Farm Rd. MVA property damage only.

Sunday, July 21

1:21 a.m. Arrested, Jefferson Goncalves Dias, 28, of 8 Cross St., Apt. 2, Marlborough, for unlicensed operation of MV, marked lanes violation, OUI-liquor or .08%.

1:47 a.m. Lincoln St. Vandalism.

2:09 a.m. TD Bank/East Main St. Threats.

8:17 a.m. John/Howe Sts. Erratic operator.

12:25 p.m. Elm St. Larceny.

5:21 p.m. Broadmeadow Rd./ Gulbankian Dr. Erratic operator.

7:02 p.m. Spoonhill Ave. Harassment.

7:19 p.m. Arrested, Charles Evans

Chacon, 41, of 22 Mary Anna Dr. E St., Fitchburg, on true warrant, possess Class B drug, arrestee furnish false ID information to law enforcement.

Monday, July 22

2:50 a.m. Lincoln St. Vandalism. 9:00 a.m. Sunnyside Café/BPRE. MVA property damage only. 10:09 a.m. Lincoln St. Vandalism.

2:44 p.m. Shawmut Ave. MVA property damage only.

4:23 p.m. South Bolton St./Granger Blvd. MVA property damage only.

5:32 p.m. Prestige Carwash/BPRW. MVA property damage only.

6:47 p.m. Acorn Self Storage/East Main St. Animal complaint.

8:16 p.m. Alltown Gas and Convenience/BPRE. MVA property damage only.

Tuesday, July 23

7:53 a.m. Jake’s Coffee Shop/Main

St. MVA property damage only.

8:59 a.m. Hosmer St. Harassment. 12:18 p.m. JC Penny/Doanld J. Lynch Blvd. Animal complaint.

2:27 p.m. Settlers Ln. Harassment. 4:00 p.m. Winter St. Fraud/forgery. Northborough

Wednesday, July 17

10:34 p.m. Bay Dr. Fraud. Thursday, July 18

8:27 p.m. Overlock Dr. Animal calls. Friday, July 19

7:12 a.m. Church/Whitney Sts. Dog complaint.

10:04 a.m. Main St. Accident: P.D. 4:47 p.m. Shops Way. Animal calls. 6:10 p.m. Davis St. Animal calls.

8:39 p.m. Brigham St. Fraud.

9:40 p.m. Arrested , Michael W. Callaghan, 49, of 1 Nelson Dr., Northborough, for negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08%, possess open container of alcohol in MV, marked lanes violation.

11:33 p.m. Arrested, Colin Rich, 28, of 16 Stone Meadow Farm Dr., Apt. 1, Shrewsbury, for negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08%, possess open container of alcohol in MV, marked lanes violation.

Saturday, July 20

1:37 a.m. Pleasant St. Keep the peace.

9:29 a.m. Main St. Vandalism. 11:15 p.m. Arrested, Juan GragedaLopez, 36, of 28 2nd Rd., Apt. 1, Chelsea, on warrant.

Sunday, July 21

1:26 a.m. East Main St. Vandalism. 1:37 a.m. Arrested, Doreena Ruiz, 44, of 1800 Computer Dr., Apt. 116, Westborough, for negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08%, possess open container of alcohol in MV, marked lanes violation. 1:42 p.m. Bay Dr. Fraud. 7:38 p.m. West Main St. Illegal dumping/littering.

Monday, July 22

8:34 a.m. Hamilton Rd. Animal calls. 11:15 a.m. Newton St. Scams. 5:08 p.m. Arrested , Matthew E. Leduc, 55, of 5 Crestwood Dr., Westborough, for op MV with license suspended for OUI/CDL/MVH.

Tuesday, July 23

10:04 a.m. Southwest Cut. Illegal dumping/littering.

Wednesday, July 24

10:25 a.m. Lyman St. Accident: P.D. 11:39 a.m. Bartlett St. Trespass.

8:47 p.m. Arrested, Klevin Lamaj, 44, of 88 Lovell St., Apt. 2, Worcester, for negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08%, lewd, wanton & lascivious conduct.

Thursday, July 25

12:55 p.m. West Main/Davis Sts. Animal calls.

9:37 p.m. Arrested, Michael Casey, 29, of 265 E 237 St., Apt. CB, Bronx, NY, for unlicensed operation of MV, speeding in viol special regulation, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08%, marked lanes violation.

Hudson author roars into publishing with new book “The Dragon, The Bear and Me”

By Sarah Freedman

Contributing Writer

HUDSON – Betsy is a little girl who lives with a teal dragon and a brown bear.

They have unique personality traits, and even though the dragon and bear can appear scary or overwhelming, they both love Betsy very much. Betsy even wears a bear headband and a dragon wing-cape to be like them.

And, while brown-haired, blue-eyed Betsy is a fictional character in a children’s book, she was inspired by a real-life girl of the same name: the almost-5-year-old daughter of Anna McCabe, who is the author of the upcoming “The Dragon, The Bear and Me.”

A Hudson resident and mother of Betsy, 4, and Brianna, 3, McCabe said, “I have two very spunky little girls. They are basically my sole inspiration for everything I do.”

She was inspired to write “The Dragon, The Bear and Me” when she started reading to her girls. She said she realized there are many books for children that were not as well written as they could be.

She said, “So many children’s books aren’t very good. … They have little to no story line, and the characters are often underdeveloped.”

Her daughters were involved in the writing process as she read each book through every step of the editing phases. They would suggest details like the color of the dragon or the things they choose to do in the book.

“I wanted to make sure it was relatable, funny and captivating.

Author Anna McCabe will see her first book “The Dragon, The Bear and Me” be released in August.

The dragon, Betsy and the bear from McCabe’s book come to life in color artwork by Dago Baute. (Photos/Anna McCabe)

They even helped me craft some of the characters,” McCabe said.

McCabe, who described herself as a good creative writer in high school, never envisioned herself as an author. Yet “The Dragon, the Bear and Me” is a passion project.

She was in an outreach program at Manhattan School of Music, where she earned a master’s degree in voice and opera. She had to write and compose two operas, including the words and dialogue.

She said, “Those were really fun. One of them was called ‘Alice in Operaland,’ and the other was ‘The Secret Music Garden.’ ”

As a part of the work, she had to rhyme in sync with the music. This love of language bloomed, she said, into her first book, which features rhyming.

The book, which features many rhymes, is a new adventure for her.

“I never meant to be an author of children’s books,” she said.

It is illustrated by Artist Dago Baute, who McCabe said was “beyond talented.”

She said the dragon and bear each have their own characteristics and parenting styles and represent different family dynamics. She tried to show the dynamic by separating different traits into the two characters. She found that there is usually a rule-maker and a comforter.

McCabe said, “The perfect representation was a dragon and a bear.”

She would like for “The Dragon, the Bear and Me,” and her next two books, “The Traveling Teeth” and “The Thousand Mile Slide” to be relatable to children

and parents in terms of experiencing similar feelings and situations.

She added, “My inspiration is for them to be relatable. I want them to have some sort of lesson.”

The lesson in her first book was that every family dynamic is unique, and the things that seem scary sometimes are not at all. She said there is the lesson that “the people in your life who take care of you, love you deeply.”

She said it was surreal to realize that she would soon be a published author and was proud that “something that came out of my brain” has turned into a creative outlet for others to enjoy. The idea brings a smile to her face.

She said, “I am proud. I am excited. I am hoping I can release ‘The Dragon, The Bear and Me’ on Betsy’s birthday, Aug. 1.”

She thanked her editor Kathleen Krueger for fleshing out her ideas into “an actual story with action” happening to all of the characters.

Second book

Her second book, “The Traveling Teeth,” is based on when her brother Anthony lost his two front teeth in a bicycle accident and had to use a flipper, or retainer with two fake teeth, until his jaw healed and he could get permanent replacements. Their dog Coco found them and bit the flipper in half.

She said, “Any time my brother got mad or tried to yell at you or sneezed or any of those things, the teeth would go flying out of his mouth.”

He lost them in the ocean, spit them out a car window and left them in a trashcan, and his best friend David, the superhero of the book, was the one who always found them for him.

She said, “That book is mostly about the awkward stages of growing up. We all go through losing our teeth.”

It is also about having a best friend who is going through the same awkward changes and taking responsibility for something important, according to McCabe. She called it a “laugh out loud, hilarious story.”

Her second book will be released in fall 2024 sometime in September or October, while “The Thousand Mile Slide” is in development. A girl repeats a rhyme and rides down a slide into an “imaginative play land” where she can go anywhere like the North Pole or to meet mermaids.

Brianna will be the model for the little girl in the story,

McCabe said. She hopes to stand out from the crowd and write and publish creative stories that are imaginative, relatable and make kids and their parents laugh. McCabe’s books will be available on Amazon, and she can be followed on Instagram with @authorannamccabe to stay up-to-date on release dates and events.

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finishing his complete-game shutout, and officially securing Hudson Post 100’s 8-0 win over North County Post 129. The win capped a best-of-three-game championship series between the two teams, and marked the first Zone 4 championship in program history for Post 100.

“It really is crazy. It’s hard to believe,” Hudson Head Coach Ryan Bowen said. “Our program was brought back to life in 2002 … I played for Coach Blair Brissette for three years, he was the coach for eight years. So, to be able to take over the reins from him and get us to this level — it’s huge, it really is.”

Donahue anchored the team, pitching seven innings of five-hit baseball. Handed the ball in a winner-take-all game, Donahue felt some pressure, he admitted, but when speaking to reporters after the game, he echoed the words of Billie Jean King: “Pressure is a privilege.”

“There’s going to be pressure

in every game. If there’s no pressure, then you don’t love the game. It meant the world to me to have the ball in this game, to have a coach like Coach Bowen — who I had never met before this summer — have that much faith in me in a game like this, where it could go down in the history books … I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Donahue said.

“He’s our guy,” said Bowen. “When we have a big game, it’s Chase’s ball. It’s the reason why he was out there pitching today, it’s the reason he pitched in our first playoff game on Thursday, and he’ll be pitching as soon as he’s eligible in the state tournament.”

Hudson’s bats gave Donahue early run support.

Post 100 lead-off hitter Marshall Kehlhem was everywhere on the basepaths in the first inning — he reached on a single, stole second two pitches later, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a double-

steal to plate Hudson’s first run. Dan Demirjian’s single sent home another run, putting Hudson ahead 2-0.

“Early in the game … we’re trying to play ‘small ball’ and get an edge any way we can. [Kehlhem’s] been unbelievable on the bases for us all year. I think today he might’ve got up to over 40 steals on the year. He’s been huge for us all year. We knew if he got on, he

CHALLENGING GOLF

was going to be a threat,” said Bowen.

On July 23 — less than 24 hours before the championship game — North County pitcher Caleb Allen shut down Hudson’s bats, leading his team to a 3-0 victory and forcing a winner-take-all matchup. Yet, Post 100 seemed to move on from the deflating loss quickly, and the team’s offense didn’t stop after its first-inning outburst. Post 100 went ahead 5-0 after the second inning, eventually pulling ahead 8-0.

“We have so much trust in our guys. We put together good at-bats and good innings all year. We faced a really good pitcher yesterday — and credit to him, he shut us down — and we had a good pitcher today. We did our job today. That’s baseball, you have to take it day by day,” said Bowen.

Hudson’s day-by-day approach paid dividends during the Massachusetts American Legion tournament. Post 100

dropped its opening-round contest to Lowell Post 87 in extra innings on July 27, but came back the next day and won against Hingham Post 120 in a do-or-die contest.

Post 100 trailed 5-4 going into the final inning and came within one strike of losing — but the team fought back and tied the game. Peter Wardproved to be the hero; his RBI single drove in the winning run in the ninth inning, sending Hudson to the next round.

“Once we got down, the message was, ‘If we’re going to go out, let’s go out having fun.’ We got down early, and the guys just stuck to it,” said Bowen.

The American Legion State Tournament continued throughout the rest of the week, after the Community Advocate went to print. Visit our website or our X, formerly Twitter, account (@ CommunityAdNews) for the latest updates on Hudson Post 100.

Victory! Hudson’s Chase Donahue hugs his teammate after finishing his complete-game shutout.

(Photo/Evan Walsh)

Shrewsbury Post 397 harnesses momentum in state tournament

By Evan Walsh Reporter

SHREWSBURY – As they competed in the Massachusetts American Legion baseball championship tournament, Shrewsbury Post 397 players called upon Uncle “Mo.”

That’s “Mo,” as in, “momentum” — and “Mo” has certainly been on Shrewsbury’s side as of late.

On July 28, Shrewsbury Post 397 met Hyde Park Post 78 in the second round of the state tournament, which Shrewsbury is hosting at the College of the Holy Cross’ Fitton Field. With strong pitching and timely hitting, Post 397 emerged victorious, winning 7-2 over Hyde Park and moving even closer to becoming state champions.

“We’ve had some great games and some stagnant games. It’s great during the playoffs to finally click as a team and build confidence. We’re telling the boys to try to keep Uncle ‘Mo’ on our side. We’ve gotta get a little momentum with us, and we’ve got it right now. We’re going to keep the train moving,” said Acting Head Coach Chris DeSantis.

DeSantis was managing the team on behalf of longtime coach Frank Vaccaro at the start of the tournament.

Shrewsbury plated one run in each of the first two innings, only for Hyde Park to match the scoring in the third, tying the game at 2-2. With key performances from Connor Rice — who went 4-4 with three doubles over the course of the game — and Noah Basgaard, who went 3-4 with 3 RBIs, Post 397 scored five runs between the fifth and the sixth innings to pull ahead. Basgaard’s sixth-inning, 2-RBI double officially put the game out of reach.

“I was just looking to do damage,” Basgaard said after the game. “The kids in front of me were getting on base, and I was trying to do my job and get them in. We’ve got a lot of momentum right now. … We’re getting an opportunity to play against a good team, and we’re making the most of it.”

“The team’s hot right now. We’re feeling good — everyone’s getting on base for everyone. It’s all about doing what’s best for the team,” said Rice.

the plate — going 1-3 with a double — and was just as effective on the mound. Cove pitched all seven innings, hurling 99 pitches and 74 strikes.

A captain of this Post 397 squad, Cove showed great command, allowing zero walks and registering five strikeouts.

“I just tried to attack early, get ahead in the count, and let my defense do the work. At the plate, I was out in front most of the way, so I thought I had to sit back and try to hit it the other way. The pitch came, and I hit the ball the other way,” Cove told the Community Advocate

“He’s a college kid — loves the team, loves being part of the team, cares so much. We want him in the outfield, he’ll go in the outfield. He’s one of the team’s leaders. He’s a captain, and we expect our captains to step up when the lights come on. He did tonight, so kudos to him,” said

DeSantis.

The American Legion State Tournament continued throughout the rest of the week, after the Community Advocate went to print. Visit our website or our X, formerly Twitter, account (@CommunityAdNews) for the latest updates on Shrewsbury Post 397.

Tedy Cove did damage at

With the dugout eagerly watching, a Post 397 player hits the ball. (Photo/ Evan Walsh)

A Post 397 player dives back into first base to beat a pick-off attempt. (Photo/Evan Walsh)