CA Nov12 2021

Shrewsbury officers honored after saving baby

Southborough enjoys ‘Great Pumpkin Chuck’

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Vol. 47 | No. 46 | November 12, 2021

Northborough honors local veterans

Southborough Town Meeting approves downtown district bylaw

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter

PHOTOS/LAURA HAYES

Town Meeting voters hold up their red cards to vote during the Special Town Meeting on Nov. 1.

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter

Town Meeting | 7

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Northborough turned out in large numbers, Nov. 7, for the Rolling Hometown Heroes Parade.

PHOTOS/CHERYL ARSENAULT

SOUTHBOROUGH - Southborough Town Meeting voters approved bylaws to add a downtown district, Nov. 1, after several hours of debate and proposed amendments.

The bylaw required a two-thirds majority to pass.

“We think that this is a huge improvement to what we have now,” said Economic Development Committee (EDC) member Julie Connelly.

“We think that it will garner responsible development. It doesn’t mean something is

NORTHBOROUGH - Northborough community members gathered for the Rolling Hometown Heroes Parade on Nov. 7, waving flags as the parade rolled along Main Street.

The parade was held by Boros Cares 4 Troops (BC4T).

It’s the second year that the organization has held such an event, according to BC4T founder Michelle Gillespie.

“It was nice to get the veterans to see each other at a distance,” she said of last year’s parade.

Gillespie and Leslie Arsenault started the Hometown Heroes Program after seeing banners dedicated to individual veterans in Bolton.

Arsenault’s son, Army Spc. Brian K. Arsenault was killed in Afghanistan in 2014 while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Northborough hung roughly 100 of its own banners last year. This year, there are about 136 banners, including ones honoring veterans from the Civil War. In Northborough, the banners are on display throughout October and

2 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Westborough celebrates debut Interfaith Music Festival

By Jesse Kucewicz Contributing Writer

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PHOTOS/JESSE KUCEWICZ

WESTBOROUGH - More than a dozen performance groups celebrated the diversity of the community in and around Westborough at the town’s debut Interfaith Music Festival, Nov. 7.

Held at Bay State Commons, the event was presented by Central Mass Connections in Faith and Westborough Interfaith Clergy.

“In this world where there is so much confusion and chaos over whose religion is great, and who is better than the other person, music is the common link that can bring people together,” said Shehla Eledroos.

Eledroos is a member of Central Mass Connections in Faith and was a coordinator for the festival.

A group of young people gather on stage for a performance.

Performers sing and play instruments onstage during the debut Interfaith Music Festival in Westborough this past weekend.

“We call God differently, we all have different names for God, and we pray differently, we might have devotional songs that are in different languages, but the idea is the same,” she said.

“In the end, when you listen

“ T h e o rg a n i z a t i o n i s about learning about each other and, whenever possible, learning how much alike we are,” Sebell said.

“The theme of getting to know other faiths is resonating with people, and what

to different music, it just brings nothing but peace and harmony. That was the whole idea behind this.”

Mark Sebell was another organizer for the festival and is the lead facilitator of Connections in Faith.

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The festival ended with a combined finale performance by all of the groups, as well as an audience singalong to “We Are The World.”

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 3

Shrewsbury officers honored after saving baby

THE

OVER TOP

Shrewsbury police recently gathered to recognize officer Shawn Valliere and Detective Matthew Caola for their work to save a baby’s life on Sept. 22.

PHOTO/TAMI WHITE

Construction at Centech North SHREWSBURY - Drone photography recently captured the scene as site work and construction began at the Centech North property in Shrewsbury. Developers gained town approval earlier this year for a multi-building campus at that site.

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SHREWSBURY - Two Shrewsbury officers were recently recognized after they saved a baby’s life.

Officer Shawn Valliere and Detective Matthew Caola responded to a report of a one-year-old girl who wasn’t breathing on Sept. 22, according to a press release from the Shrewsbury Police Department.

Valliere and Caola began performing lifesaving measures including CPR and rescue breathing. The pair worked together with Shrewsbury firefighters and Worcester EMS paramedics to revive the baby.

The child was transported to UMass Memorial Hospital and survived.

“The emergency room physician credited the immediate actions of Officer Valliere, Detective Caola and other first responders with saving the life of the girl,” the department wrote.

Chief Kevin Anderson presented Valliere and Caola with letters of commendation on Nov. 3.

“We would like to commend Officer Valliere and Detective Caola for their excellent skills, heroic lifesaving actions and commitment to our great community,” the police press release said.

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4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kindness Week kicks off in Westborough, Nov. 13

“

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter WESTBOROUGH - Kindness Week is heading back to Westborough starting Nov. 13, just in time for World Kindness Day. Kindness Week is hosted by Westborough Connects.

“People have said to us before, ‘Really? You need a week about kindness? Shouldn’t we be kind all the time?’” said Laura Cerniglia in a recent interview. “Obviously, we say, ‘Of course,’ and that we know that kindness exists in Westborough. It’s just taking a week to intentionally think about it and to intentionally do things about it.”

Kindness Week evolves through COVID-19 According to Executive Director Kelley Petralia, Kindness Week was born out of a brainstorming meeting shortly after the inception of Westborough Connects in 2018.

The goal of the week is to amplify kindness in the com-

We know that kindness is something that people should always be practicing, but this is an opportunity for the community to rally around a simple and positive thing and just do it together.

Kelley Petralia Executive Director

munity.

“We know that kindness is something that people should always be practicing, but this is an opportunity for the community to rally around a simple and positive thing and just do it together,” Petralia said.

That first Kindness Week was held in person. Organizers were planning a second week of programming when the world shut down due to COVID-19, said Cerniglia.

Westborough Connects quickly shifted.

“We said, ‘We’re not giving up. We’re doing this. We need

it. We still need it, even though we’ll be inside our houses,’” recalled Cerniglia.

An abbreviated Kindness Week went forward, as did another Kindness Week earlier this year.

As they started to plan for this latest event, this month, Cerniglia said the group wanted the community to feel like they could celebrate while also being respectful of others’ feelings.

Kindness Week in November to coincide with World Kindness Day on Nov. 13.

The festivities, which are for all ages, kick off on World Kindness Day itself and run through Nov. 19.

Organizers are hosting an in-person event on Nov. 13 at Westborough High School, which will feature a keynote address by the children’s author Susan Verde.

There will be activities along with kindness stations at the high school after that address, such as a knitting group led by the Westborough

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Cerniglia said her address will be livestreamed through Westborough TV for people who are uncomfortable or unable to attend in-person events. Individuals can also pick up toolkits for activities.

Visit https://www.westboroughconnects.org/ for a full list of activities.

Westborough Connects has over 60 partners in kindness, which Meghan Gavalis said are groups, organizations and businesses in town that celebrate or partner with Westborough Connects on their events.

“We are grateful to several Partners in Kindness for their financial support: Westborough Public Schools, Westborough Public Library, Reliant Foundation, Central One Federal Credit Union, Realtor Stephanie Stuchlik, Right at Home, Pastoral Counseling Centers of MA and the Highlands Gracious Retirement Living,” Petralia wrote in an email to the Community Advocate.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 5

COMMUNITY NEWS

Shrewsbury approves draft changes to voting, town meeting precincts

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter SHREWSBURY - Some Shrewsbury residents may have new voting precincts next year under new draft re-precincting plans approved by the Board of Selectmen during their Oct. 26 meeting.

Selectman Maurice DePalo thanked Town Clerk Sharyn Thomas and GIS Coordinator Dan McCullen for their work.

“I know how hard this is to do,” DePalo said. “It’s not as easy as just moving a street here and there. You have to look with the census blocks that are given to you by the government … which makes it really complicated.”

The maps were originally presented to the selectmen during their Oct. 12 meeting.

According to Town Manager Kevin Mizikar, municipalities are asked to examine their voting boundaries every 10 years based on voting data from the census. State law, he said, limits precincts to 4,000 people.

According to a memo from Thomas to the selectmen, the census indicated that Shrewsbury’s population increased from 35,608 to 38,325 between 2010 and 2020.

Town meeting representation During that Oct. 12 meeting, selectmen discussed various ways the different drafts would affect voters.

At that time, Thomas said staff attempted to keep the boundaries unchanged where possible, allowing voters to stay with their familiar precincts.

Selectman Theresa Flynn asked if the changes would affect the number of Town Meeting members.

“It does not,” Thomas said. “[There’s] 240 Town Meeting members. It will just be recalculated over the precincts based on the populations under the new precincts.”

Approved map During this more recent Oct. 26 meeting, Thomas said that the new plan would still contain 10 precincts, though nine will have changes to their borders. Precinct three is the only one that will remain unchanged.

Shrewsbury’s Town Meeting members are elected by

“

I know how hard this is to do. It’s not as easy as just moving a street here and there. You have to look with the census blocks … which makes it really complicated.

Maurice DePalo Selectman

voters. Six precincts will have about 24 Town Meeting members, while two will have 23 and two will have 25, Thomas said.

She said staff made some of their decisions with planned developments at Edgemere Crossing at Flint Pond in mind.

This map remained a draft as of the first week of Novem-

ber, pending state approval.

The state will have the opportunity to approve or request changes to Shrewsbury’s new map.

That review process will occur over the next several weeks. The map will be posted on the town’s website once it has been approved by the state.

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6 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Buyer backs out of deal to buy Whitney St. properties

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter

Agent Mia McDonald during an Oct. 25 meeting of the Open Space Committee.

“The purchase and sale for 429 and 432 Whitney St. has fallen through, has been taken off the Board of Selectmen agenda.”

She said she did not know why the buyer backed out.

NORTHBOROUGH - The sale of a pair of properties on Whitney Street in Northborough has fallen through, according to town staff.

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chase and sale has been signed, but that prospective buyer has already requested a meeting with staff,” McDonald said.

If this purchase and sale moves forward, the buyer would have to undergo the same process that Lincoln did, McDonald said.

Property’s history looms over proceedings Under the terms of the Chapter 61 program, the Board of Selectmen will receive recommendations from town boards and commission on whether the town should exercise its right of first refusal to purchase the land in question.

Earlier this summer, the Open Space Committee received an appraisal of 432 Whitney St. for $1.6 million.

Across the street, 429 Whitney St. was appraised at $1.5 million.

The Conservation Commission and Planning Board ultimately recommended that Northborough should not purchase the properties.

Specifically, none of the board or commission members expressed interest in 429 Whitney St., with many citing

the property’s history.

Indeed, after his initial illegal dump conviction, Anza was then ordered to pay Northborough $20,000 in January of last year for allegedly failing to comply with an order banning additional dumping on the site.

In agreement on 429 Whitney St., some board and commission members were interested in purchasing the land on 432 Whitney St. Town staff had previously said there hadn’t been much use on the property.

“It’s a large, virgin parcel left in town,” Planning Board member Anthony Ziton said during an August meeting.

“Instead of having another distribution center, if you look at different uses, whether it’s fields or whatever, I think it would be worth looking at.”

However, others expressed concern about the town paying Anza.

“Considering the grief we have received from the owner, I don’t think the town should pay him anything,” said Conservation Commission member Thomas Beals at a separate meeting in August.

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New process underway The properties, located at 429 and 432 Whitney St., are owned by Santo Anza, who was convicted in 2013 on charges that he was operating an illegal solid waste dump at 429 Whitney St. Both sites are located within the Chapter 61 agricultural program, which offers landowners tax exemptions on properties that meet certain benchmarks.

Northborough has to be notified before a property owner withdraws from the program, though. That has given the town a seat at the table as this sale process has gone forward.

During past municipal meetings, McDonald has said that Lincoln Properties signed the purchase and sale agreement for the site and was proposing to construct warehouses.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

Southborough Town Meeting approves downtown district bylaw Town Meeting voters hold up their red cards to vote during the Special Town Meeting on Nov. 1

Town Meeting | from page 1

going to happen tomorrow, but it’s an absolutely critical first step to opening the door to maybe having something in the future.”

Advisory Committee member Tim Martel speaks during Town Meeting.

PHOTOS/LAURA HAYES

What the bylaw proposes Select Board member Martin Healey said the bylaw encourages investment in town and in the downtown district.

“I didn’t realize the statistics, but there hasn’t been anything done there, built there, in more than 40 years,” said Healey of the downtown district.

The town established its EDC, and Healey said one of the areas they focused on was downtown.

A number of surveys, in turn, indicated that the town should take steps to attract small businesses to downtown.

Southborough looked at what other communities, including Hudson, have done to promote economic development. One of the ways towns can make downtown improvements is through zoning, Healey said.

The current downtown zoning bylaw is over 60 years old, said Connelly. This bylaw added a downtown district to Southborough’s zoning map. The map of the district indicated that it would be located to the north of the current Village Business District and include parts of Main and Newton streets.

Healey said zoning in downtown has been primarily special permit zoning.

“In other words, there’s not a lot of as of right zoning,” he said.

The bylaw included a number of permitted uses by-right including mixed-use developments, bakeries and offices

and banks, for example. It also included uses permitted after receiving a special permit by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals, such as microbreweries, exercise facilities and animal clinics.

Voters react Before the bylaw was ultimately approved, several Town Meeting members moved to postpone it indefinitely.

Others offered amendments, some of which were successful.

One such amendment increased the by-right floor area ratio and the depth of streetlevel commercial spaces.

Advisory Committee member Tim Martel wanted to remove a portion of the bylaw that would have allowed multifamily dwellings up to 10 units.

He expressed concern about how that portion was written, fearing it would undermine other goals to promote mixeduse development.

Multifamily dwellings would still be allowed under mixeduse. But they wouldn’t be residential-only structures, Martel said. The subsection competes with the main purpose of the bylaw, he said.

“The fact of the matter is, if we want to change our housing

structure in the town, it should be its own bylaw,” Martel said.

Select Board Chair Lisa Braccio said Southborough has talked about opportunities for diverse and affordable housing.

“By taking this out, you’re taking out an opportunity to have affordable housing in our downtown in a smaller scale,” Braccio said.

Martel’s amendment ultimately failed.

Other approvals Though downtown district bylaw debate dominated the day, Southborough voters also weighed in on a number of other

articles at Town Meeting, Nov. 1.

Town Meeting approved changing the name of the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board.

Voters also greenlit a request to add a Senior IT Specialist to the IT department.

Voters then approved an amendment, which eliminated a $99,682 increase from the Board of Health and benefits budgets.

Chelsea Malinowski, who is chair of the Board of Health and vice chair on the Select Board, said there was a consensus among members of the Board of Health and Advisory Committee to use other funding sources for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2022.

The article originally sought funds to boost two Board of Health positions to full-time status. That boost will still take place. It will now be funded from different sources, though.

“Even though we’re removing the budget increase, that does not diminish the need for the public health staffing, which will be coming in for FY [2023] budget,” Malinowski said.

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8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Westborough Town Seal Review Committee to hold information gathering session

By Stuart Foster Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough Town Seal Review Committee will hold its first information gathering session on Nov. 15 on the second floor of the Forbes Building from 7 to 9 p.m.

The Review Committee is tasked with making a recommendation about whether the town seal, which contains a depiction of a cotton gin, should be changed due to its role in the expansion of American slavery.

The cotton gin is on the town seal because its inventor, Eli Whitney, was born in Westborough.

“As we are working on issuing our recommendation, we definitely need to take stock of the pulse in this town of what people are actually thinking about changing the seal,” said Committee Co-Chair Alla Baranovsky. “It’s important for people to be heard.”

The Review Committee has had five meetings since West-

ments at our first information gathering session.”

Argento said it is important for the committee to reach out to as many residents as possible.

Baranovsky added that residents unable to attend the information gathering session can email their thoughts and comments to townsealreview@ town.westborough.ma.us. borough’s Annual Town Meeting approved its creation in May. This, however, will be the first meeting where non-committee members can express their views on the seal.

One of those previous meetings had featured a presentation from Westborough Public Library historian Anthony Vaver.

Co-Chair Nicholas Argento said that presentation provided important context about the origin of Westborough’s town seal.

“That presentation was very helpful,” he said. “In fact, it was so helpful that his comments that he presented to us, we’re going to distribute those com-

While the committee will eventually issue a recommendation, Argento noted that residents will have the final say on the matter when it comes back before Town Meeting.

“It’s not just in the hands of the people on this committee, and we hope we are going to hear a diverse number of opinions,” Argento said.

Argento added that a specific

charge of the committee is to consult with a diverse group of stakeholders in Westborough.

He said that the committee’s meeting on Dec. 2 will specifically focus on determining ways to do just that.

Argento noted that members of the committee come from a wide variety of backgrounds including education, town government and graphic design.

Westborough Civic Club reassures public ahead of annual Tree Sale WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough Civic Club is reassuring customers that the club’s annual tree, wreath and roping sale will be fully stocked and going ahead as planned this year, despite supply chain shortages.

The fundraiser will commence on Saturday, Nov. 27.

It will then run daily through Dec. 24.

Civic Club Vice-President George Grosner said in a recent statement that the Civic Club is aware of a recent statement by the American Christmas Tree Association warning of possible tree shortages this year due to severe weather in the Pacific Northwest and supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The club also noted, though, that their

customers should have “little to worry about” this year.

“We have a great relationship with our long-term supplier in Nova Scotia and, having placed our order a couple of months ago, we are assured that our 2021 order...will be met in full,” Grosner said.

The tree lot will be located at the Hastings School at 111 East Main St. in Westborough.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

Man donates $1,000 to fund new flag drop box in Marlborough City Hall

“

By Stuart Foster Contributing Writer MARLBOROUGH - Ray LaCouture Jr. was inspired by his father as he recently made a donation to fund a new flag drop box in Marlborough’s City Hall.

LaCouture’s father, Raymond LaCouture Sr., served in World War II and was awarded five medals, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

“The minute I saw the Bronze Star, I knew right off the bat that he was a hero,” LaCouture said in a recent interview.

Ray LaCouture Jr.

PHOTO/VIA CITY OF MARLBOROUGH

‘They did a good job on it’ LaCouture Jr. contributed $1,000 to reimburse costs associated with building the flag box. His money also helped fund programming for local veterans, according to a vote taken by the Marlborough City Council to accept the donation on Oct. 18.

LaCouture, who was adopted and never knew his father, said that his father died in a Japanese-run internment camp in

It just blends right into the hallway nicely. They did a good job on it.

The flag drop box sits on the main level of City Hall in front of the City Clerk’s office.

Inset: Flags sit inside the new flag drop box at Marlborough City Hall.

Formosa, which is now Taiwan, 14 days before Allied prisoners were released.

LaCouture currently lives in

Texas and became specifically interested in the idea of a flag drop after reading an article about an Eagle Scout who in-

stalled a flag drop box at the Veterans Plaza in Boerne, Texas.

He has family members living in Marlborough and noticed the city did not have such a drop box during a visit in 2018. He was then told that there used to be one at City Hall.

“I told them, ‘Well, we’re going to start another one then,’” LaCouture said. “So, that’s how it got started.”

Though he hasn’t been to Marlborough since the box was built, LaCouture said he’s looking forward to his next visit.

Already, he said, cousins have told him that the box looks good.

“It just blends right into the hallway nicely,” LaCouture said.

“They did a good job on it.”

Box located near City Clerk’s office The Marlborough Department of Public Works’ Facilities Division helped craft the box, which now sits on the main level of City Hall in front of the City Clerk’s office.

“This box is specifically designated for the collection of tattered, torn or worn American flags,” reads a statement posted to the official City of Marlborough Facebook account last month. “You are encouraged to place any American flags you have in this box in order that they be given a proper retirement.”

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10 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

COMMUNITY BUSINESS Craftworks brings community together, one stitch at a time Ande Lockwood is the owner of Craftworks gift and yarn shop.

By Craftworks Staff NORTHBOROUGH - When asked how many types of yarn are available in her shop, Craftworks gift and yarn shop owner Ande Lockwood smiles as she tries answer.

“Honestly, I don’t truly know because there are so many different brands of yarn here,” she said in a recent interview, “and many manufacturers and independent spinners and dyers create several different weights and varieties of yarn using a blend of fibers. We have yarn mixed with silk, cashmere, nylon, merino wool, llama, yak, cotton and many other combinations of fibers.”

Yarn isn’t the only attraction at this paradise for crafters in Northborough. The store also offers a variety of classes including crochet, painting and knitting which are the most popular.

Free drop-ins (social knit times) are also offered, where enthusi-

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Craftworks also includes a handcrafted gift shop where creative works from numerous artisans and small American family-owned companies can be found. This side of the shop is a brick-and-mortar year-round craft fair. Several of the artisans work in the shop, and inventory is constantly changing with many of the items being one of a kind.

Lockwood said Craftworks holds a distinct advantage over other craft-style businesses in the area. “We know our customers’ names and their stories,” she said. “When they walk in here, they’ve got a friend and one-on-one service; we care about them! Additionally, many of the Artisans will work with customers to make the perfect gift/ item for them.”

“While most of our customer base is from surrounding towns, we have a number of folks who

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jump in their cars and make a road-trip to come visit us, and some who make time to stop by on their annual trek to their vacation spot in Maine and New Hampshire.” Lockwood said.

While Craftworks serves as a place for creative expression, it also gives back to the community.

Craftworks collects food for food pantries, donates socks for a fellowship group in Worcester and convenes programs at libraries to teach knitting and crochet. Craftworks is also connected to area schools, sponsoring after-school and summer programs for young people. “We find that, when the kids are around age eight and up, their attention span and unbridled creativity is

great for learning crafts and exploring what they might like to try,” Lockwood said.

Stacey Incorvaia, the events and special projects planner at Craftworks, said the future of crafting is bright because it’s a soothing experience for the entire family. That has been especially true during the pandemic.

“Crafting is something you do with your hands,” Incorvaia said. “Before computers and cell phones, people took pride in the things they made, and they still do.”

Craftworks is located at 243 West Main Street in Northborough.

Learn more and get the latest on Craftworks events by visiting https://www.craftworkscoop. com.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 11

COMMUNITY BUSINESS

Avidia Bank Announces Partnership with J.C. Jackson HUDSON - Avidia Bank is joining forces with New England cornerback J.C. Jackson to support the Boys and Girls Club of MetroWest.

The partnership is part of the “Be a Champion for a Child” initiative.

Avidia does the “Match of the Game” at every home game during the season, partnering a child and a mentor from the Boys and Girls Clubs of MetroWest and sending them to see a game together.

Avidia Bank will also be donating $1,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of MetroWest for every defensive inter-

Avidia Bank CEO Mark O’Connell stands with J.C. Jackson during an event announcing Jackson’s partnership with Avidia Bank.

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12 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Southborough enjoys ‘Great Pumpkin Chuck’ Farm workers load a giant trebuchet at Southborough’s Chestnut Hill Farm for this year’s “Great Pumpkin Chuck” event.

Onlookers wait to see pumpkins fly, Nov. 6.

Shrewsbury resident joins Salem State Board of Trustees

A group of young people play in a large hay pile.

SHREWSBURY - A Shrewsbury resident has been appointed to the Salem State University Board of Trustees.

Yalile Maldonado received both her bachelor’s in psychology and Master of Social Work degree from Salem State. She works as an adolescent social worker for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

Maldonado came to the United States from Honduras when she was 13.

“My goal was to live the American Dream and make a difference in the world that we all live in,” Maldonado said.

“Salem State has helped make that dream come true. I am thrilled to be in a position to give back to the university that has given so much to me and my family.”

By Jesse Kucewicz, Contributing Writer SOUTHBOROUGH - Families got the chance to see their jack-o’lanterns fly, Nov. 6, during the Chestnut Hill Farm’s annual “Great Pumpkin Chuck.”

Though some technical difficulties grounded later operations, the farm was able to launch a number of pumpkins through the air with its trebuchet early in the day.

The event offered hot cider and cookies while also opening the farm’s extensive trail network for those who wanted to enjoy a hike through the autumn foliage.

See additional coverage online at CommunityAdvocate.com.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

Northborough honors local veterans

PHOTOS/CHERYL ARSENAULT

A sign thanks veterans for their service.

participating in the parade.

The parade began at the American Legion and ended at the Northborough baseball fields on East Main Street.

BC4T has been busy receiving requests for banners.

According to the organization’s website, the program is open to Northborough veterans — both natives and new residents to town — who have served in the active military, naval or air service and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

People can still request banners for their loved ones by visiting BC4T’s website at http://www. bc4t.org/hometown-heroes.html.

Attendees at Northborough’s Rolling Hometown Heroes Parade wave to passersby.

Parade | from page 1

November.

BC4T delivered care packages to veterans during the pandemic, realizing, through that process, how many veterans lived in the area.

So, they decided to hold a rolling parade down Main Street, where the banners lined the streets. Some of the participants were the veterans themselves, while others were

their family members.

Residents came out and waved as the veterans drove past.

“The veterans enjoyed it, and the residents wanted to acknowledge their service,” Gillespie said.

When she spoke with the Community Advocate before this year’s parade, Gillespie estimated that anywhere between 75 to 100 cars may be

Bear hunt kicks off in Shrewsbury SHREWSBURY - Be on the lookout for bears in Shrewsbury.

The #ShrewsburyBearHunt is being hosted by the Council on Aging throughout the month of November.

Ten bear signs are scattered throughout Shrewsbury at the Senior Center, the Maple Avenue fields, Jordan Pond, the Shrewsbury Public Library, the Town Common and Municipal Fields, as well as Lake Street, and Edgemere, Prospect

and Dean parks.

Individuals can use QR codes on the signs to track their progress.

Those who find all 10 signs by Tuesday, Nov. 30 will be entered to win a prize. The prize drawing will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 8.

For more information, visit https://shrewsburyma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10523/ ShrewsburyBearHunt-Flyer.

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14 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Developers decrease size of proposed retail building in Shrewsbury

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter SHREWSBURY - Developers for a potential mixed-use project near Lakeway Commons in Shrewsbury were back before the Shrewsbury Planning Board on Nov. 4 after they revised their plans.

The project would build both a retail building and a residential building at 34-36 Harrington Ave. Changes included a reduction in the size of the retail building.

When it first went before the Planning Board on Oct. 7, plans called for a 2,000-squarefoot retail building. These most recent plans showed a 1,000-square-foot building, which was rotated to face the property’s entrance off Harrington Avenue.

This will help the development have a better street presence, said John Grenier of J.M. Grenier Associates.

“I like the change,” said Chair Steven Boulay after Grenier’s presentation. “It certain-

A proposed development would add a retail building and a residential building at 3436 Harrington Ave. in Shrewsbury.

PHOTO/JESSE KUCEWICZ

ly is helpful in terms of safety for the vehicles coming in and out of the site with the new position of the retail space.”

By rotating the retail building, the developers also reconfigured the parking layout.

Gone is a row of five parking spots immediately to the right of the entrance to the site.

The new plans show a total of 12 spots, including a parking aisle opposite the retail building.

This will cause less confusion for drivers both pulling in and exiting, Grenier said.

“We feel that this flow

works even better for emergency vehicles than in the previous submittal,” Grenier continued.

Grenier said that by reducing the size of the retail building, the number of trips in and out of the site will be reduced by about 25 percent.

The project had faced questions about its parking layout at the Planning Board’s Oct. 7 meeting. Some board members said there seemed to be too much parking for the retail business and not enough for the apartment building, which

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would include 16 units across three floors.

Some said developers should reduce the overall number of units to improve the traffic flow and to free up space to store snow in the winter.

“We know that you were looking for a reduction in the number of units,” Grenier said on Nov. 4. “I did talk to my client. They would like to keep the number of units as they are now, knowing that two units would be affordable.”

Boulay also expressed concern about the location of snow

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storage, which he said is currently slated for the Harrington Avenue side of the property.

“That’s a recipe for disaster,” he said.

Planning Board member Joseph Thomas said they’re proposing “a lot” of pavement, which means a lot of snow.

“To pile up that snow on ... the corner of Harrington Ave. is really the only place you have to pile it. So, when people are trying to go left or right out of the site, they’re going to be looking at mountains of snow if that’s your only snow storage space,” said Thomas.

Boulay reiterated a desire to decrease the number of units so that an area near the southern end of the site could be used for snow storage.

“I know financially it’s a challenge,” Boulay said. “Unfortunately, there are other considerations that this board has that’s not financial in nature.”

The developers will be back before the Planning Board on Thursday, Dec. 2.

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16 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Northborough student asks for Diwali to be an observed holiday

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter NORTHBOROUGH - A local eighthgrader is asking the Northborough School Committee to include Diwali as an observed holiday.

“The Town of Northborough observes numerous holidays —

Christmas, Thanksgiving, Columbus Day or Indigenous People’s Day, Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah and many more,” said Ishita Urs during a Nov. 3 Northborough School Committee meeting. “In order for us to be a truly inclusive community, Diwali should be included in the list of holidays that

are observed.”

Urs wrote a letter to the School Committee, which she read on Nov. 3. She has resided in Northborough for the past seven years with her family.

“My family and I practice Hinduism, which is more than a religion; it’s a way of life and code of

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She said her family believes that all beings in creation have a sense of faith, duty and morality.

“We are connected to each other through our different cultures, and they should be highly valued,” Urs said.

Diwali, which is also known as the Festival of Lights, is important to the culture and religion of Hinduism, celebrating the return of Rama after his exile and victory over Ravana, Urs said.

“Diwali symbolizes the universal message that good always prevails over evil,” Urs said.

There’s a large Hindu population in Worcester County, she said, adding that other school districts, including the Westborough Public Schools, observe Diwali.

“Considering the two towns are situated exceptionally close

Northborough to study elementary school configuration

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter

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to each other, our school district should also consider adopting an inclusive approach for diversity to flourish,” Urs said.

She said such an approach could be accomplished by adding Diwali to the list of no-school days.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Northborough to be one of the few towns that have declared Diwali a holiday,” Urs said. “It is crucial for our community to be inclusive and accepting of others’ beliefs. Awareness of others’ culture can help one appreciate and value diversity.”

School Committee Chair Lauren Bailey-Jones said this letter and presentation came at a great time because the school calendar will be discussed at the next joint school committee meeting.

That meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

NORTHBOROUGH - The Northborough Public Schools will be forming a study group that will study the configuration of the town’s elementary schools.

This group could eventually recommend changes in terms of where families in certain parts of town send their children for school.

The Northborough School Committee voiced their support for the effort during their Nov. 3 meeting.

“I love this,” said Committee Member Kelly Guenette. “I’ve been thinking about this for years and trying to figure out something, especially with the enrollment numbers the way they are and redistricting that has to happen.”

Enrollment numbers Superintendent Gregory Martineau said at a Sept. 1 School Committee meeting that there were 1,541 students enrolled in Northborough schools.

At that time, he said there were several classrooms at the cap under the district’s class size policy, which indicates that the target class range for kindergarten through second grade is between 16 to 20 students. The target range for third through fifth grade is between 16 to 22 students. For sixth through eighth grade, it is between 18 to 24 students.

Over the summer, a first-grade classroom was added at Peaslee Elementary School because all of the classrooms there were at the

class size ceiling, Martineau said.

“That allows us more space for new enrollments in terms of first grade,” Martineau said.

What is proposed Martineau initially raised the idea of a study group.

“We have amazing elementary schools, and they’ve been organized by neighborhood schools for many years,” Martineau said. “Any good organization evaluates and assesses the advantages and disadvantages of current configurations.”

School Committee member Erin Tagliaferri asked if the group would have a blank slate or whether Martineau had an idea of what the configuration should be.

“I think we have some ideas, obviously, but I also want to keep an open mind. I want to look at all different opportunities. My prediction is that we’ll land on two potential scenarios,” Martineau said.

The group would examine those advantages and disadvantages, considering enrollment trends and grade level configuration to see if there are other opportunities to maximize Northborough schools and resources, he said.

The group will hold its first meeting next month.

Staff, families and the community will then be surveyed throughout the first couple of months of 2022, and an analysis will be conducted.

The group will present a formal report to the School Committee next year. Martineau projected that such a meeting would occur in April.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 17

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Westborough School Committee continues discussion on flexible masking

By Stuart Foster Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough School Committee discussed the districts proposed flexible masking policy for Westborough High School and Gibbons Middle School at a meeting on Nov. 2.

Currently Westborough schools require masks for students and faculty. But the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides waivers to schools that have met the appropriate vaccination criteria. And the high school and Gibbons have both received waivers.

Superintendent Amber Bock emphasized at the Nov. 2 meeting that all students and faculty would be required to have a mask on their person at all times if new rules go into effect. The Westborough Public Schools would continually look at data in case classrooms or buildings need to temporarily return to mandatory masking.

“Flex masking means flex masking, it doesn’t mean

“

We are taking steps forward. We will not drag our feet, but we want to answer questions thoughtfully.

Amber Bock Superintendent

you’re going to shed your mask and never put it on again the rest of the year,” Bock said.

Bock said that the district will be looking at practices that will examine ways to establish safety standards for the different faculty and students in both schools.

All unvaccinated students would be required to mask indoors under this policy.

Bock recommended not voting until Nov. 17 to give the district time to have conversations with various groups and finalize their protocol. If the vote were to pass at that point, the new policy would go into effect shortly before the Thanksgiving break.

All students would go back to masking for the week after

the break, though.

School Committee member Sara Dullea said she had been prepared to make a vote on Nov. 2, though she said she respected Bock’s reasoning for her recommendation. She also questioned the necessity of requiring students and faculty to wear masks after returning from the break, however.

“I don’t personally, in my opinion, see much difference between a regular weekend where people are gathering with their families and friends, or an extended weekend over Thanksgiving where people are traveling and gathering with family and friends,” Dullea said. “They’re probably traveling this weekend too.”

School Committee member

Lisa Edinberg said that the School Committee should wait until after the Thanksgiving break to make a decision on implementing flexible masking, when more data and information to base the decision on will be available.

School Committee Chair Kristen Vincent, who, like Dullea, also said she would have been prepared to vote on the matter on Nov. 2, said that the district should not further delay a vote.

“We need to try this for a few weeks, collect the data, see where we’re at,” she said.

“There’s no good time to try this...I think it just has to happen.”

“I think we should let the process guide us and I can promise you that we don’t want to be spending more time than we need to,” Bock said. “We need enough time to do it well.”

Vice Chair Steven Doret said that the proposed timing of a vote may be “too soon for some and too late for others.”

He also noted that individuals often do travel during

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holidays, sometimes visiting places with lower vaccination rates than Westborough. He supported temporarily bringing back masking for all after holidays like Thanksgiving even if the district has otherwise transitioned to a flex model at those times.

“I think it’s in the best interest of the community that we do so,” he said. “And after a week or two after that event, if there aren’t any other impacts of it, then we could go back to whatever the vote of the School Committee would be.”

Speaking Nov. 2, Bock discussed steps the committee has taken, such as meeting with and receiving recommendations from the Board of Health, and steps she plans to take, such as drafting a letter to faculty and staff about the range of discussion on flexible masking.

“We are taking steps forward,” Bock said of the ongoing process around this decision. “We will not drag our feet, but we want to answer questions thoughtfully.”

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COMMUNITY OBITUARIES The Community Advocate will post obituaries online (and in print, as space allows) at no charge as a courtesy to our readers. 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 Castillo de Villamil, Matilde of Northborough D’Amato, Henry of Shrewsbury Fernandes, Virginia of Hudson Field, Lauretta of Marlborough Fontaine, Sr. Alice a Sister of St. Chretienne Gremo, Helen of Shrewsbury Griswold, Larry of Hudson Mastrogiovanni, Carol of Shrewsbury Mattero, Domenic of Shrewsbury Meunier, Edith of Shrewsbury Roberts, George of North Grafton Scearbo, Charlotte of Shrewsbury Sheldrick, Radley of Westborough Siraco, Richard formerly of Northborough Vigeant, Anne-Marie of Marlborough Weir Sr., Richard of Northborough

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

Matilde Castillo de Villamil, 78 NORTHBOROUGH - Matilde Castillo de Villamil, 78, of Northborough, died Monday, November 1, 2021 at Rose Monahan Hospice, Worcester.

She leaves her husband of 60 years, Anibal Villamil; three sons, Victor Julio Villamil and his wife Luz Neila Patino, Jorge Villamil and his wife Claudia, and Nelson Villamil; three daughters, Olga Villamil and her husband Rodrigo Ceron, Lisbey Viillamil, and Yolanda Villamil and her husband Luis Castilla; ten grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Blanca Cecilia Villamil.

R i c e Fu n e ra l H o m e o f Worcester assisted with arrangements.

Edith D. Meunier, 99 SHREWSBURY - Edith D. (Belanger) Meunier, 99 longtime Shrewsbury resident, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Paul H. Meunier in May of 1986, her siblings, Rita Foister, Arthur Belanger Jr., and their parents, Arthur Belanger Sr. and Gertrude (Gaulin) Belanger.

Edie is survived by her sister, Dorothy Manning of Millbury and her devoted children, Carol Sullivan, Donald Meunier, Paula Vincequere (James) all of Shrewsbury and Gail Reuter of White Plains, N.Y., eight grandchildren: John, Michele, Michael (Colleen) Sullivan, Daniel Meunier, Andrea (Alan) Plante, Jamie (Erin) Vincequere, Christopher (Theresa) Reuter, Kimberly (Ankush) Reuter and eleven great grandchildren: Aaron and Kellen Sullivan, Hannah Sullivan-Ford, Shawn, Erin, Patrick and Ryan Sullivan, Katelyn and Lauren Plante and Sophia and Ashley Reuter.

The Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

Radley D. Sheldrick, 85 WESTBOROUGH - Radley D. “Lee” Sheldrick passed away Friday, October 29, 2021 at UMass/ Memorial Hospital after a long period of declining health. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island to Radley D. Sheldrick and Emma (Downie) Sheldrick.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 56 years, Karen (Lingaitis) Sheldrick and his adored children Jennifer Sheldrick, wife

of Joseph Sain of Tyngsboro, MA and Christopher Sheldrick and his wife Meghan McGrath of Brookline. He also leaves his grandchildren Jon Sheehan, Elizabeth Sheehan, Caleb McGrath Sheldrick, Peter McGrath Sheldrick, Stephanie Sain, and Christopher Sain, of whom he was so proud.

The Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

Charlotte A. Scearbo, 85 SHREWSBURY - Charlotte A. (Burrone) Scearbo, 85, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Belmont, passed away quietly at home on Thursday, October 28, 2021. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Joseph P. Scearbo, and her parents, Joseph C. and Rose L. (Barbato) Burrone.

Charlotte was the devoted and loving mother to her five children: Deborah Scearbo and husband Patrick Everett, of Winthrop, Joseph Scearbo and wife Michele, of Lebanon, NH, James Scearbo and wife Nancy, of Arlington, Gail Plocharczyk, of Leominster, and Daniel Scearbo and wife Gail, of Shrewsbury; nine grandchildren; ten greatgrandchildren; three sisters:

June Blasius, of Orange, Diane McCormick, of Florida, and Dorothy Boyle and husband Terrance, of Belmont; along with several nieces, nephews, and friends.

The Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

George M. Roberts, 89 NORTH GRAFTON - George M. Roberts, a retired pharmacist and life-long resident of North Grafton, MA passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, October 28th, 2021 at the age of 89 years.

He fought a valiant fight against a dual diagnosis of hydrocephalus and dementia.

George is survived by his wife of 43 years, Carol Roberts and their daughter Stephanie Roberts; his step-daughter Karla Grignon; his step-sons Kevin Anderson and wife Lauri, and Michael Anderson and wife Lisa; his step-grandchildren, Lindsey Boulay, Brianna Grignon and Kayla Anderson; and his committed personal aide Ama Grant.

Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel of Worcester assisted with arrangements.

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.

Northborough

Wednesday, Oct. 27 5:13 p.m. Main/Maple Sts. Accident: P.D. 6:24 p.m. Howard St. Scams.

Thursday, Oct. 28 7:58 a.m. Main St. Vandalism.

11:03 a.m. Milk Porridge Cir. Fraud.

6:55 p.m. Moore Ln. Scams.

Friday, Oct. 29 1:11 a.m. Arrested, Danielle Lashay Wheaton, 27, of 233 America Blvd., Ashland, for negligent operation of MV, OUI-liquor or .08% 2nd offense, marked lanes violation.

12:51 p.m. Whitney St. Fraud.

Sunday, Oct. 31 5:12 p.m. Howard St. Accident: P.I. 5:58 p.m. Juniper Brook Rd. Fraud.

Monday, Nov. 1 9:08 a.m. Bryant Ln. Fraud.

3:20 p.m. Shops Way. Larceny.

Southborough

Friday, Oct. 15 5:41 p.m. Arrested, George T. Murfitt, of Beacon Cir., Springfield, for op MV with license suspended, marked lanes violation, no inspection sticker.

Saturday, Oct. 16 11:28 a.m. Mt Vickery Rd. Larceny.

Sunday, Oct. 17 4:24 p.m. Turnpike Rd. MVA property damage only.

Wednesday, Oct. 20 10:53 a.m. Turnpike Rd. Assault.

Thursday, Oct. 21 11:53 a.m. Turnpike Rd. Larceny/forgery/ fraud.

12:07 p.m. Ted Ln. Larceny/forgery/fraud.

4:34 p.m. Cordaville Rd. Larceny/forgery/ fraud.

Friday, Oct. 22 11:01 a.m. Parkerville Rd. Larceny/forgery/ fraud.

Sunday, Oct. 24 2:30 p.m. Pine Hill Rd. Burglary/B&E past.

5:55 p.m. Madison Pl. MVA property damage only.

Monday, Oct. 25 7:49 a.m. William Colleary Ln. Larceny/ forgery/fraud.

1:02 p.m. White Bagley Rd. Larceny/ forgery/fraud.

Tuesday, Oct. 26 2:22 p.m. Boston Rd. MVA property damage only.

3:14 p.m. Latisquama Rd. Larceny/forgery/ fraud.

8:30 p.m. Foley Dr. Larceny/forgery/fraud.

8:38 p.m. Foley Dr. Larceny/forgery/fraud.

Thursday, Oct. 28 9:59 a.m. Clifford St. Larceny/forgery/ fraud.

Friday, Oct. 29 4:03 p.m. Main St. Larceny/forgery/fraud.

Saturday, Oct. 30 8:24 p.m. Turnpike/Cordaville Rds. MVA property damage only.

Sunday, Oct. 31 10:06 a.m. Cherry St. MVA property damage only.

Monday, Nov. 1 1:17 p.m. Cordaville Rd. Larceny/forgery/ fraud.

7:55 p.m. Turnpike Rd./Central St. MVA property damage only.

Tuesday, Nov. 2 5:28 p.m. Arrested, Rosangela R. Vanegas, of Royal Crest Dr., Marlborough, for OUIliquor or .08% 2nd offense, unlicensed operation of MV, possess open container of alcohol in MV, negligent operation of MV.

Shrewsbury

Wednesday, Oct. 27 11:36 a.m. Hartford Tpke. Larceny.

7:23 p.m. Lake St. B&E motor vehicle.

Friday, Oct. 29 3:19 p.m. Hapgood Way. Identity theft.

9:45 p.m. Arrested, Fabio Santos, 34, of

223 Old Mill Rd., Shrewsbury, for op MV with license suspended/revoked, fail to stop for police, MV lights violation, operation to endanger, red light violation, speeding, obstruct emergency vehicle, warrant.

Saturday, Oct. 30 2:16 p.m. Arrested, Fredlief Eustac Rasch, 32, of be 103 Illinois St., Apt. 3, Worcester, for op MV with license suspended/revoked, miscellaneous MV equipment violation, warrant.

4:36 p.m. Arrested, Vitorino Jose Eduardo, 46, of 16 Grove St., Apt. 1, Westborough, on warrant.

Monday, Nov. 1 10:09 p.m. Boston Tpke. Threats.

Tuesday, Nov. 2 3:54 p.m. Shirley Rd. B&E residential.

5:07 p.m. Maple Ave. Identity theft.

Wednesday, Nov. 3 3:44 p.m. Hartford Tpke. Larceny.

8:21 p.m. Arrested, Joseph M. Flagg, 60, of 10 Williamsburg Ct., Apt. 4, Shrewsbury, for OUI liquor 2nd offense.

8:25 p.m. Arrested, Clifton Mark Dempsey, 61, of 36 North Quinsigamond, Apt. 704, Shrewsbury, on warrant.

Thursday, Nov. 4 10:04 a.m. Commerce Rd. Larceny by check.

Westborough

Friday, Oct. 29 9:15 a.m. Longmeadow Rd. Burglary/

breaking & entering.

Saturday, Oct. 30 12:22 a.m. Charles St. B&E in a MV. 2:49 p.m. W Main St. B&E in MV. Sunday, Oct. 31 12:25 p.m. W Main St. Assault.

Tuesday, Nov. 2 12:32 p.m. Arrested, Travis Santos, 32, of 3123 Homestead Blvd., Apt. 3123, Westborough, for trespass.

Grafton

Wednesday, Oct. 27 3:37 p.m. Old Upton Rd. Scam/attempted scam.

7:58 p.m. Millbury St. Road rage.

Friday, Oct. 29 7:41 p.m. Providence Rd. Accident – hit & run.

Saturday, Oct. 30 2:20 a.m. Arrested, Zachary Tyler Dube, 21, of 26 Grace Ave., Sutton, for OUI-liquor or .08%.

2:11 p.m. Worcester St. Accident – personal injury.

Scan QR code to read this week’s police and fire news on our website.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 19

COMMUNITY SPORTS Shrewsbury girls soccer falls to Arlington in playoff matchup SHREWSBURY - This year’s spring season came to an end for the Shrewsbury High School girls soccer team in the form of a 4-0 loss to Arlington, Nov. 6.

The Colonials squad had marched through the regular season, landing near the middle of the pack as the 19th seed in a 38-team postseason bracket this month.

They entered the game with a 7-6-1 record, having gone 3-1 in the last four games of the season.

Arlington jumped out to an early lead on their home turf, though, and did not look back.

“Great season Ladies,” read a message on the official Shrewsbury High School Athletics Twitter account following the loss.

Shrewsbury’s Amanda Kalinowski jumps to head the ball away from an opponent.

PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN

“CHAIN LINKS”

Shrewsbury Boys Cross Country dominates District Championship meet

The Shrewsbury Boys Cross Country team poses for a photo after winning their District Championship. From left to right are Coach Jim Smith, Jonathan Shan, Captain James Riley, Niko Manolakos, “Mrs. Coach,” Captain and race winner Dennis McNamara, Declan Daley, Yuta Sasaki, Alex Kaneko, assistant XC coach Dan Mortimer and alumnus Dan Wentworth.

SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury Boys Cross Country team recently won its District Championship at the Gardner Golf Course.

The win, a week after the Colonials won their league title, marks the first such district championship in program history.

“My boys came ready to race hard and race they did,” wrote coach Jim Smith in an email to the Community Advocate.

With momentum from this district championship, the Colonials will next lace up on Saturday, Nov. 13 for the state qualifier meet.

See expanded coverage online at CommunityAdvocate.com.

SUPER CROSSWORD

Answers to puzzle located on p. 23

20 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

COMMUNITY SPORTS

‘A tough pill to swallow’:

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD: Schools begin MIAA tournament play

Algonquin football left out of MIAA playoffs

By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor

An Algonquin player charges forward during a game in the Fall II sports season earlier this year.

PHOTO/JEFF SLOVIN

NORTHBOROUGH/SOUTHBOROUGH - Algonquin football finished its regular season with a 6-2 record.

When playoff seeding came out, though, the team was on the outside looking in under the MIAA’s new power ranking system, which takes into account a number of factors besides winloss records in ranking teams.

Algonquin football coach Mark Allen told the Community Advocate that the experience of telling his senior players that they had missed the playoffs was one of the hardest things he has ever had to do.

“Regarding the new system, I think the biggest takeaway is that wins aren’t factored into the formula, and it also can rely too much on other teams to impact your rating,” Allen said.

He called attention to Worcester Tech, another team with a winning record that missed the playoffs.

“There’s teams that are in with three wins,” he said.

“That’s a tough pill to swallow.”

“It’s disappointing for the kids, especially the seniors, who have worked so hard all season and do not have that opportunity to compete in the state tournament,” he continued.

Allen said his team has shifted its focus for the last three weeks of the season.

“The team has played with a chip on their shoulder all year, and not getting into the playoffs

has just added to that,” he said.

“Going 3-0 the last few games would be a great end to the season, but we have to take it one game at a time.”

Algonquin opened non-playoff action with a 28-7 win over Nashoba on Nov. 5. It will face Fitchburg on Friday, Nov. 12 before capping off the season with the annual Thanksgiving game against Westborough.

The St. John’s football team executes a handoff while on offense in a game they would ultimately win over Taunton last week.

Additional reporting by Kevin J. Stone

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REGION - Regional schools competed in the MIAA state tournament last week. For some, losses meant the end of the season. Others, though, are moving on in their respective postseason brackets.

Shrewsbury – 3, Lowell – 0 FIELD HOCKEY – NOV. 4 Shrewsbury – 6, Durfee – 1 BOYS SOCCER – NOV. 4 Shrewsbury – 0, Durfee – 1 FOOTBALL – NOV. 5 Shrewsbury – 0, St. John’s Prep – 28 GIRLS SOCCER – NOV. 6 Shrewsbury – 0, Arlington – 4

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GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – NOV. 3 Grafton – 0, Longmeadow – 3 FIELD HOCKEY – NOV. 4 Grafton – 2, Nauset – 1 BOYS SOCCER – NOV. 4 Grafton – 0, Duxbury – 2 FOOTBALL – NOV. 5 Grafton – 35, Marlborough – 7 GIRLS SOCCER – NOV. 6 Grafton – 2, Wakefield – 0

WESTBOROUGH BOYS SOCCER – NOV. 4 Westborough – 0, Westwood – 1 FOOTBALL – NOV. 5 Westborough – 7, Tantasqua – 8 GIRLS SOCCER – NOV. 5 Westborough – 2, Marblehead – 1 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – NOV. 5 Westborough – 3, Longmeadow - 0

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 21

COMMUNITY SPORTS

Key sequence powers Grafton football past Marlborough

By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor

PHOTOS/DAKOTA ANTELMAN

MARLBOROUGH/GRAFTON - The fourth ranked Grafton Gators hosted the 13th ranked Panthers, Friday, defeating Marlborough 35-7 to remain undefeated this fall and prolong their state championship bid. “[It’s] always a great game with Marlborough,” Grafton Head Coach Chris McMahon said after the win.

Things started fast for Grafton, with the Gators offense quickly punching in a 14 point lead in the first quarter.

Grafton was still surging in the second quarter when Marlborough’s Nealon Stemple nabbed an interception in the endzone.

Stemple then saw his team halve their deficit on a Miguel Borges rushing touchdown.

“I thought we were back in it,” Marlborough Head Coach Sean Mahoney said after the game.

Marlborough looked to

Marlborough’s Ryan Blaisdell juggles a loose ball while defending a hail mary pass from Grafton quarterback Tyler Dimond.

Grafton’s Tyson Thomas cuts upfield during a run on Nov. 5.

maintain their momentum with an onside kick to start the third quarter.

The Panthers recovered the kick. But officials called it back, citing a quirk in federation football rules.

Grafton took possession at midfield and marched into the Marlborough end for a touchdown.

quence because the whole game shifted on those three plays,” McMahon said. “That was huge.”

Grafton held the game from there, adding a touchdown with 55 seconds left to make the score 35-7.

They’ll move on in the playoffs, hosting a round two matchup with Bedford on Fri-

A blistering hit by Grafton’s TJ Cahill then forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, allowing the Gators to recover for another touchdown. A twopoint conversion after that score completed a swing that turned a 14-7 lead into a 29-7 advantage for Grafton in a matter of seconds.

“That was an amazing se-

day, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.

Marlborough, meanwhile, is pivoting its attention to the annual Thanksgiving Day game against Hudson.

As Grafton eyes a state title, Mahoney hit the road on Nov. 6 to watch this year’s Hawks squad defeat Austin Prep.

“Busy weekend,” Mahoney said before that game.

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22 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

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Boston Magazine Top Real Estate Producer 2020/2021 Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professional Remax Executive Realty #1 Agent 2020/2021

Call for your complimentary Market Analysis Today

508-958-0225

mar yg woodrealtor@gmail.com | www.callmar ywood.com

our policy.

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with refinancing or simply getting into a home. Rates are slowing creeping up and are still at relatively low levels.

In general, the financial markets are favorable. The DJIA is up 18.51% as of the end of October. As always, they have their ups and downs in the short term. Fidelity taught me to always take the long view….and the view is nice.

Vaccines provided some with a step towards normalcy, including an ability to host open houses. We still sanitize and wear masks as needed… and it is more “normal” behavior than a reaction out of fear. I’m not wearing gloves and booties to protect myself in 2021.

I know it’s silly, but the Macy’s parade will be real this year. Last year Macy’s and NBC did an admirable job of giving a made-for-TV event. There’s something about the “real” parade I like. I got to attend in person ten years ago, and it was very cool (and very cold) and we had a great time.

Enjoy this time of year and stay sanitized!

Here is a free app for your phone/tablet tied directly to the MLS https://www.homesnap.com/Gary-Kelley.

Gary can be heard on WCRN AM 830 discussing “All Things Real Estate.”

If you need advice on selling your home or buying a new one, give us a call at 508-733-6005.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021 • 23

Legal

For Sale & Services

Hudson Community Preservation Plan LEGAL NOTICE Town of Hudson, Massachusetts Public Notice of Hearing Notice is hereby given that the Hudson Community Preservation Committee will hold a public hearing under the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 44B, Section 5, on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 7:00p.m in the community meeting room of the Hudson Police Station, Municipal Drive, Hudson, MA. The hearing is concerning the needs, possibilities and resources of the town regarding community preservation funds.

You Call John it Will Be Gone!

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Prayers

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St. Augustine - Thank you for answering my prayers. ~ J.S.

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The Community Preservation Plan may be viewed at the Town Hall, Town Clerks Office or on the website at www.townofhudson.org under the Community Preservation Committee.

The Committee will also be accepting Applications until Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 12:00noon, for eligible projects to be considered for submission to the May Annual 2022 Town Meeting Warrant. Applications must be sent electronically to lghilonicpc@gmail.com AND by submitting ten copies to Community Preservation Committee, 78 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749. Applicants will have the opportunity to meet with the Committee on December 9, 2021 to support their projects submission to the warrant.

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Answers to Super Crossword (puzzle on page 19)

Advertising Submission Deadline is Friday noon, one week prior to publication.

Call Mary Ellen at 508-366-5500 x17 or email classified@communityadvocate.com

24 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, November 12, 2021

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