SOUTHBOROUGH - Southborough’s historic “Doc Stone House” at 42 Main Street may soon face demolition.
This process has promptly sparked debate as representatives of the Fay School, which owns the building, say the structure is in poor condition, needing costly renovations that the school can’t afford.
Southborough Historical Commission members have questioned this assessment, though. And outside demolition opponents in town have begun work to rally in what they say is a pivotal moment for local preservation causes.
“Fay would love to be able to keep this property and to use it, but we really feel that the financial investment that would come along with it and the extensive work that would be required is really something that we can’t do,” Fay’s Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations Diane Byrne told the Historical Commission on April 12.
Shrewsbury voters head to the polls
Conlin, Samia lead Selectmen race in unofficial tally
By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor
SHREWSBURY - Shrewsbury voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, casting their ballots to settle contested Selectmen and School Committee races.
Unofficial results available as of press time on Tuesday night showed Michelle Conlin and incumbent John Samia winning the race for a pair of seats on the Board of Selectmen.
Garnering 2,292 and 2,322 votes, respectively, Samia and Conlin defeated Rajesh Uppalapati, who came in third place in the unofficial count after receiving 1,820 votes.
Erin Boucher and incumbent Lynsey Heffernan led a four-way race for two School Committee seats, according to those same unofficial results.
Boucher received 2,015 votes while Heffernan finished in second place with 1,965.
They won seats over Jenn Luke and Sanam Zaer, who finished with 1,272 and 1,135 votes.
This election clears the way for new names – Conlin and Boucher – to join both the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee.
They’re set to replace outgoing Selectman John Lebeaux and School Committee member Dale Magee who each opted to not seek re-election this year.
Turnout for this year’s election was 15.65% according to the unofficial tally. See full election results online at CommunityAdvocate.com
PHOTO/LAURA HAYES
Rajesh Uppalapati, John Samia and Michelle Conlin campaign on election day along South Street.
PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN
for Marlborough Girls Softball this past weekend. Community members gathered in Marlborough to celebrate the organization as it reached its milestone. Marlborough Girls Softball was founded in 1992. Games in the current 2022 season are now ongoing.
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letters to the editor
Re-elect Leslie Rutan for Northborough Board of Selectmen Leslie Rutan has been, and continues to be, a tremendous advocate for our schools and the education that our kids receive. She has great working relationships with the superintendent and school committees. These types of positive relationships take time to build and are invaluable to the communication between the schools and the Board of Selectmen. Our community is known for the quality of our schools and we need leaders like Leslie serving on the Board of Selectmen supporting our children’s future.
In addition to Leslie’s unwavering support of our schools, Leslie has been part of the team that has implemented financial policies for Northborough that has led to Northborough’s continued excellent financial condition. Northborough has won the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the state for 11 straight years and Leslie’s experience and understanding of the town’s financial management
MEXICAN TEQUILA
Tequila, the national spirit of Mexico, is made from the blue agave cactus (agave tequilana). These spiky cacti, which resemble giant aloe plants, are raised in certain regions of Mexico. Piñas, the underground bulbs of the blue agave plants, are harvested and cut into pieces that are steamed or baked in brick ovens. The cooked agave is crushed to extract its bittersweet juice. The juice is then fermented with yeast and finally distilled once or twice into a concentrated alcohol. The alcohol rests in tanks or may be aged in barrels. Before bottling, water is added to dilute the concentrate to the legal bottling strength of no more than 55 percent ABV (alcohol by volume). By law, tequila needs to be made from only 51 percent blue agave sugar. The remaining 49 percent can come from other sources, usually cane or corn sugar. Much like whiskey, adding a few drops of water to tequila can help expand its flavors. The Spirits department at JULIO’S LIQUORS carries many hard-to-find items from single malt scotches to high-end vodkas and gins. Please call 508-366-1942 for more information, or visit us at 140 Turnpike Rd., Rt. 9 East HINT: Tequila Blanco is rarely aged more than a few weeks and is considered the purest form of tequila because it has not acquired any additional flavors from aging in oak barrels.
has been an important part of the budget process. Because of this work, Northborough has one of the best bond ratings in the state which has saved taxpayers thousands, if not millions, of tax dollars in interest payments.
Leslie was also on the Board of Selectmen through the pandemic and supported many initiativ es that helped businesses in the community, led to Northborough having one the highest vaccination rates in the state and reducing taxes for residents.
Leslie Rutan is an excellent representative of our community values and has earned my vote and I hope she has earned yours too.
Tim Kaelin
Former Northborough Selectmen, Former Chair of the Northborough Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Appropriations Committee
Le slie Rutan is the Right Choice for Northborough Selectman
Leslie Rutan has been a very effective and steadying force
If you like our Un-cork’d article every week, check out our radio show & podcast –It’s The Liquor Talking
Live show every Saturday, 11 am on WCRN AM830
Or catch rebroadcasts on WCRN AM830 every weekday at 7 pm after Howie Carr! You can also pick and choose episodes on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Ryan Maloney, owner
Letters | from page 3
on our Board of Selectmen, and I highly endorse her for reelection. While our town has many challenges ahead, it’s important to also take stock of the accomplishments that Leslie has helped produce during her tenure on the board. Northborough has an e xtremely strong financial position, excellent school systems benefiting from continual capital improvements, wellstaffed police and fire departments, and a terrific DPW organization managing our roads and properties. Going forward, Leslie is committed to greater transparency and communication to hear citizens’ concerns, to balancing economic development with addressing the effects of traffic that comes as a result of growth, and to working through our Master Plan Implementation Committee to create an enhanced downtown that works better for pedestrians as well as businesses.
This is the time when we need all of our town boards to
work together toward these common goals, and Leslie has the leadership qualities and experience to make that happen. Leslie brings a genuineness to every interaction with fellow board members and citizens which conveys a sense of trust that she sees your point of view and will follow up to get results. With the challenges we have before us, we need to continue with what’s good and what works. Leslie Rutan is very good for Northborough and we need her working for us on the BOS.
John Campbell Northborough
I am sending this email to communicate my endorsement of Leslie Rutan for re-election to the Board of Selectmen in Northborough.
Selectman Rutan is exactly what the Town of Northborough needs and deserves on their Board. Leslie knows town governance in and out and whether it is the school system, pavement management plan or development issues there is no resident of town better prepared to find resolutions to everyday challenges. In a time
when the Commonwealth and the Town are on the precipice of unprecedented financial investment, there is no substitute f or experience and residents of Northborough need look no further than Selectman Rutan to have their backs. I encourage the residents of Northborough to vote to re-elect Leslie to the Board on Tuesday, May 10.
Sincerely, Danielle Gregoire
State Representative 4th Middlesex District
I am writing to put my endorsement behind Northborough B OS candidate Leslie Rutan. I have known Leslie for a few years now and I can tell you she cares about the town of Northborough and it’s residents. Leslie has continuously been a part of boards and committees to move Northborough in the right direction, she is a huge advocate for our school system which is one of the largest draws for bringing in new residents to this town. Along with her BOS position and the other various committees she donates her time at BC4T’s Veterans Food Corner & More.
While you may not see Leslie
knocking on doors, which she did preCovid, you can guarantee she has the best interests of Northborough and its residents at heart. She is honest, trustworthy and leads with integrity, all attributes a successful candidate should possess.
Thank you, Karen Brewster Northborough
Mitch Cohen and William Pierce for Bridging the Northborough Divide
To disagree without being disagreeable. Isn’t that what our town needs more than ever? The divisiveness witnessed in the last few years needs to heal. The only way to heal is through thoughtful debate and constructive conversation. When I read the platforms of Mitch Cohen for Selectman and William Pierce for Planning Board, I appreciate both the transparency and positivity. It makes me feel inspired and looking forward to the years ahead. It’s disheartening to see attacks as the cornerstone of other platforms. We need to move beyond this mindset. Both Mitch and William have shared what they stand for in a trans-
parent and constructive manner and provided their history of town government experience. I feel confident in voting for both in the Northborough election on May 10th and hope that you will join me.
Kerri Martinek Northborough
To the editor:
The Northborough Town Meeting is an important time for Northborough residents to get to use their voice and their vote to influence issues in the town. I am glad to see so many people get up at the meeting with questions and comments!
However, it seems like many residents ask questions that are tangential to the articles being discussed. People can come to the meeting prepared, having read about the articles in advance on the town website or through the town hall. And, if they have follow-up questions that don’t pertain to the passage of the article, they can follow-up by asking questions of town personnel, departments, and commissions after the meeting. This will allow us to use our meeting time as efficiently as possible.
Northborough mother and daughter raise thousands for Boston students
By Stuart Foster Reporter
NORTHBOROUGH - A
Northborough mother and her daughter raised nearly $16,000 for soccer and enrichment classes for Boston Public Schools (BPS) students through the Boston Marathon last month.
Tracey and Lauren Cammarano gathered this money for Boston Scores, which provides free after-school programming where BPS students can play soccer throughout a given week. That includes practices and games against classmates in the Scores program at nearby fields.
“They have the ability to play a team sport with that
Letters | from page 4
I would like to thank all who volunteer or are elected to various positions involved with our town organization. It is a lot of work, time, and energy.
Thank you
Beverly Shafner
Northborough
I second the motion raised by a recent letter to the editor regarding the annual Marlborough Easter Egg Hunt. The moment I saw the photo of the event in The Community Advocate and read that the hunt was over in a flash, I knew it had been overrun by parents. The candy maker, PEZ, had to discontinue their annual hunt when parents overran the field, destroying property and ruining it for the
Students also get academic support with a focus that progresses from poetry and writing to entrepreneurship and budgeting, to life coaching and college-choice mentoring as the students age.
Mother, daughter plan marathon run
tines after she graduated from college and stopped playing collegiate soccer. As a result, she took up running.
Lauren was training around six days a week, doing running-based workouts for three to four days and cross-training with weight-lifting workouts for two to three days a week.
That helped prepare Lauren to eventually take on the famed Boston Marathon course.
course was truly an honor and very exciting for both of us to be there together.”
Outside of their physical training, Lauren and Tracey reached out on social media and to friends and family to encourage donations. They also held raffles and events to drum up support.
community field that a lot of our suburban families get opportunities for,” Tracey said in a recent interview.
children. I’m glad I didn’t bring my family. I strongly suggest the sponsors of the event only allow those 12 and under to directly participate. No parents should be allowed on the field to satisfy their rude greediness unless holding the hands of those 3 and under, (and not carrying them, but going at the child’s pace).
Mark DerMarderosian Marlborough
Leslie Rutan is running for reelection for selectmen in the town of Northboro.
Leslie is a great asset to the community, very involved and caring. She has always been a great advocate to the food pantry.
Karen Scopetski Director Northborough Food Pantry
Lauren, who played soccer for 15 years including at the collegiate level at Taylor University, said that running the Boston Marathon had been a goal of hers for a long time. Lauren now lives in Pittsburgh and was excited to return to Boston for the race. She said that the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of gyms previously disrupted her plans to find new exercise rou-
‘[It was] very exciting for both of us to be there together’
When she learned about the marathon charity opportunity with Boston Scores, Lauren was not sure if her mother would want to run it as well.
But Tracey was glad to partake.
“I’ve wanted to do one marathon and only one marathon, and it was Boston because it is so historic of a marathon,” Tracey said. “To be on that
The two then ran on Marathon Monday as part of the Boston Scores team, which altogether raised around $138,000.
“It was really cool for me to come back to a city that I grew up in and to just be able to run this event that is such a huge deal,” Lauren said. “But then also to be able to wait at the end for my mom and just to be able to give her a hug and tell her that I love her and that I was proud of her, I think is something that is irreplaceable.”
Learn more about Boston Scores at www.bostonscores. org.
Tracey Cammarano and her daughter Lauren pose for a photo at the finish line of this year’s Boston Marathon.
By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter
SHREWSBURY - After 24 years on the Board of Selectmen, John Lebeaux is filled with stories — stories about the history of Shrewsbury, municipal government and decades of service in local and state government.
Now, though, Lebeaux is hanging up his hat, having opted to not seek re-election.
“I’ve been thinking about it for years,” Lebeaux told the Community Advocate in February. “I’ve been doing this for 24 years. I’m 67. I started when I was 43.”
Lebeaux has three grandchildren and two more on the horizon.
Lebeaux, who is Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, is also anticipating that he will be replaced at the end of Gov. Charlie Baker’s current and final term as a new governor transitions into the State House.
That sealed the deal.
Though he was unsure about what’s next for him, Lebeaux floated the idea of working as a consultant to hire town managers and administrators or working with Bigelow Nurseries.
“I’ve had a good run, and I’m happy to hear what some other people have to say or think,” Lebeaux said.
He was honored during his last meeting on April 26 by his fellow selectmen, Town Manager Kevin Mizikar and former colleagues Jim Kane, Henry Fitzgerald and Senator Michael Moore.
Lebeaux’s fellow selectmen noted his knowledge and history of the town. Fitzgerald called him a “great stabilizing force” and a “bedrock of this community” while Kane and Moore noted the Lebeaux consistently did what he thought was best for all Shrewsbury residents.
‘This town sustained my family’
A third generation Shrewsbury resident, Lebeaux grew up
and attended school in town. His family was active in town government.
Lebeaux was first elected to Town Meeting when he was 18 — though he hasn’t served as a member consecutively. He was then appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals in 1996.
In December of 1997, former Town Moderator Kevin Byrne was buying Christmas items at his family business Shrewsbury Nurseries when he suggested that Lebeaux should run for the Board of Selectmen.
That planted a seed in Lebeaux’s head.
Karyn Polito, who was a Selectmen in Shrewsbury before serving as a State Represente-
John Lebeaux has served on the Board of Selectmen for 24 years.
tive and, eventually, Lieutenant Governor, had announced she didn’t intend to run for re-election.
Lebeaux was attending a meeting for his son’s Boy Scout badge when then Selectman Donna O’Connor made the same announcement.
Lebeaux decided that night to run. He thought he had a good shot with two vacancies and noted that he always had an interest in serving Shrewsbury.
“Without sounding too corny, this town sustained my family,” Lebeaux said.
A Board of Selectmen career
Throughout his service on
the board, Lebeaux has been involved with numerous building projects, recently helping form the town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force.
Lebeaux said he’s always been interested in the organization of municipal government and calls himself a “student of the history of the board.”
He recalled some of the changes over the years that he’s been involved with, like a decision to remove a residency requirement for Town Managers after former manager Dan Morgado announced his retirement.
Lebeaux repeated his campaign slogan that he’s helped people with everything from roadkill to tax bills.
In his first term, a resident called him on a Saturday to inform him that there was a dead skunk.
“Knowing Town Manager Morgado’s legendary frugalness, I knew that if I called DPW, or the highway depart-
PHOTO/LAURA HAYES
Shrewsbury Town Meeting to consider changing ‘Board of Selectmen’ name
By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter
SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen is recommending a Town Meeting article that would change its title to “Select Board.”
Approval of this article at Town Meeting this month would make Shrewsbury the most recent town in the region to adopt such a change, joining area neighbors including Westborough, Hudson and Southborough.
The board approved this recommendation via a 3-0 vote on April 26, with Selectmen Maurice DePalo and John Lebeaux abstaining.
Before their vote, Lebeaux called the name Select Board “clumsy.”
He continued that he “had no issue” changing the name, acknowledging that “many people think that the term ‘selectmen’
Shrewsbury Selectman
John Lebeaux says goodbye
Lebeaux | from page 6
ment at the time, it would be an over time event and I would catch hell from Dan,” Lebeaux said.
He put a cardboard box in the back of his truck, got a shovel and did a “smell by” through the neighborhood.
He found the skunk and, with the help of former Assistant Town Manager Michael Hale who had been working in his yard and saw him driving by, took care of the “incident.”
“Kids are pretty [much like], ‘Big deal, dad. You’re a selectman. We don’t care,’ but when I came home and told them that story, their jaws dropped. I think it’s almost the only time that I surprised them,” Lebeaux said.
Lebeaux says goodbye
In his final meeting last month, Lebeaux thanked voters for electing him eight times.
He similarly recognized Shrewsbury volunteers, town staff, fellow selectmen and his family.
“I’ve loved being a member of this board. I love this town. … This town has nurtured my family, provided a place to live, to business, and I’m very grateful to it and for the opportunity to try to make it a better place,” Lebeaux said.
is not reflective of how society names positions.”
“The English language is a beautiful language,” he said, though. “I just don’t find ‘Select Board’ or ‘select person’ very elegant language.”
He called for state-level change to give boards like Shrewsbury’s more options, saying towns should petition
their legislators to pass new legislation to allow them to change their board names to “town council.”
This matter was previously a topic of conversation on April 5 when the selectmen reviewed the warrant for Shrewsbury’s Annual Town Meeting.
At that time, Town Manager Kevin Mizikar said that town
officials had talked with the attorney general’s office. He told the selectmen that “council,” in state and general law, is associated with the city form of government.
“Since that is not our form of government, that would be in conflict in any interpretation…of the general laws,” Mizikar said.
Back during last week’s
meeting, DePalo shared some of Lebeaux’s sentiment.
“‘Executive Board’ or ‘Town Council’ just makes more sense,” he said, comparing those options to ‘Select Board.’
“I think it’s clumsy,” he continued. “We’ll see what Town Meeting says.” Town Meeting is scheduled for May 21.
SPIRITS
Northborough Town Meeting votes down proposed distribution,
By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter
NORTHBOROUGH
- Town
Meeting voters narrowly defeated a proposed moratorium on distribution and transportation uses last Tuesday.
Proponents of the moratorium noted traffic and what they described as quality of life concerns.
Opponents, however, expressed concerns about the moratorium’s impact on economic development.
The article proceeded to a vote, where it failed to muster the two-thirds majority it needed to pass, with the final vote counted as 123-66.
A motion to reconsider the article also failed, as did a subsequent article which Planning Board Chair Kerri Martinek
called “Plan B.”
That item would have further expanded the definitions of “distribution and transportation uses” in the town’s bylaws.
Like the initial moratorium, “Plan B” required a two-thirds majority. It failed 124-67.
What was proposed
Martinek reported that, according to the Assessors Department, warehouses occupy 68% of the total count of industrial lots in Northborough.
She described both the initial moratorium and the subsequent article as two different “solutions” to concerns surrounding these warehouses.
According to Martinek, the Planning Board has seen “a lot” of different applications submitted for the town’s industrial zone for warehouse, trucking
and distribution projects over the last several years.
Prominent facilities currently in operation include Amazon warehouses off Bartlett Street as well as neighboring FedEx Freight and A. Duie Pyle properties.
“When we think about ecommerce as an industry, it’s really way out here,” Martinek said. “What we’re finding as a board is our bylaws are still way back here.”
“We’re not in a good spot which allows us to be protected as residents of the town because our bylaws are not in a spot where we can be proactive rather than reactive,” she continued.
The first article was a moratorium, meaning it would mandate a temporary pause on issuing new special permits and building permits for distribu-
tion and transportation uses in Northborough.
The moratorium would have lasted for one year.
In that time, Martinek said, the Planning Board would form a committee to study the potential impacts of these uses.
The committee would present its findings and recommendations to the Planning Board, which would then propose bylaws to Town Meeting.
The second article would have further refined the definitions of warehouses in town bylaws. The Planning Board had proposed this article in case the moratorium failed.
The article would have added three definitions — fulfillment centers, package and freight delivery facilities and delivery stations.
However, none of these uses
would be allowed in any of Northborough’s zoning districts, which led some to criticize this as having a similar effect as the proposed moratorium.
Unlike the moratorium, which had a one year time limit, opponents noted that these zoning use prohibitions could also remain in effect for an undetermined amount of time.
“Hopefully for next year we can come back with some different options for everybody to consider,” Martinek said, responding to this.
‘It’s only going to get worse’
Several residents who spoke in favor of both articles talked about the amount of heavy vehicles driving throughout town as a whole and in specific Moratorium | 10
Moratorium | from page 9
areas, such as on Bartlett Street in front of Algonquin Regional High School.
One resident said she couldn’t open her windows because of beeping, air horns and trucks revving their engines.
“Fifteen to 20 years from now, Northborough is going to look different,” said resident John Wixted.
He said he didn’t want the town to look like industrial areas, such as Saugus.
“Northborough doesn’t look like the apple town that it was in 1985,” Wixted said. “And if we don’t get in front of this, it’s only going to get worse.”
A year isn’t a long time, Wixted said, but it would be enough time to take a “pause” and come up with guidelines
for the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to get ahead of “the e-commerce problem that we’re going to face.”
Dario DiMare is an architect with his office and home in Northborough.
He noted that the last remaining available properties on Bartlett Street, where distribution centers might locate, abut residential neighborhoods. Many distribution centers run 24/7 and, by code, have back-up beepers.
DiMare also noted the nearby Algonquin Regional High School and concerns about the safety of students commuting to and from school.
“I think the safety thing here is paramount and nobody has really addressed that,”
DiMare said.
‘Businesses can pull out’
As residents spoke in favor of the trucking and distribution articles, others noted their opposition.
Resident John Rapa said one of the Planning Board’s focal points is supporting the master plan — a chunk of which, he said, is residential and commercial economic development.
“The last major piece of economic growth is yards from here on Bartlett Street,” Rapa said of the article adding definitions. “This would greatly reduce that and impact revenue to this town.”
Resident Michael Vulcano called the definitions article “self-serving,” saying that it
didn’t have “the best intentions for the town.”
“We need to keep developing commercially, not put a moratorium on it, not to change all these bylaws; this does not help business come into town,” Vulcano said. “This is on the taxpayer’s back.”
He continued, criticizing Northborough’s current permitting and approval process and noting specific concerns about the Planning Board.
“Most businesses don’t want to come here as it is because their building permits and stuff are always held up until the very last minute. This is not good,” Vulcano said.
Vulcano referenced ongoing appeals of recent Planning Board decisions, of which three are currently ongoing in state
Land Court. A fourth case is in Superior Court.
One of those Land Court cases is headed to a trial this month, and the Superior Court case is scheduled for a trial in August.
“What’s the cost of that to the town?” Vulcano asked. “What is going on? This is real money.”
Vulcano noted traffic on Hudson and Church streets and said that — with exits off I-290, I-495 and state roads like Rt. 20 — there will be traffic.
He additionally noted tax revenue generated from industrial projects, which town officials detailed in a presentation last fall.
Amazon alone was estimated to pay about $1.1 million
strongly
Moratorium | from page 10 in the 2022 Fiscal Year and was among the top three taxpayers in Northborough, according to that presentation.
“Tax dollars is what runs these towns, and if it’s not coming from commercial [taxpayers], it’s coming out of your pocket,” Vulcano said, directing his comments to fellow voters.
Rose DiBenedetto, who said she lives on Laurel Avenue, said she hasn’t heard or felt a difference in traffic in recent years. She called on voters to look at the situation as a whole and plan for the future.
In the future, the community may want to expand schools or the library. That money comes from businesses, DiBenedetto said.
“I know that we keep banging Amazon,” she said. “However, they can pull out tomorrow.”
NORTHBOROUGH - The Community Advocate recently reached out to candidates in Northborough’s contested municipal election requesting candidate statements to help inform voters.
The majority of statements were published in last week’s paper. Statements from William Barlow Redfern II, however, were received after last week’s print deadline. Redfern is running against incumbent Joan Frank for a seat on the Regional School Committee.
See Redfern’s responses to additional questions online at CommunityAdvocate.com...
WILLIAM BARLOW REDFERN II
Please provide a brief biographical background on yourself. What should voters know about you?
A Massachusetts native and lifelong resident, I moved to Northborough in 2004 with my wife, Danielle. Like many other families, the school district’s reputation played a big
part in our decision. In Northborough, we found both a welcoming community and highly rated schools. Simply put, the town “checked all the boxes” for a young couple making our way in the world. 18 years later, we still love the town and are raising two boys, an eighth grader at Melican, and a sophomore at Algonquin. During my time in town, I have sat on the Lincoln Street School Council, been an active member of the Northborough Baseball and
Softball Association Board, and volunteered as a coach for several Little League and youth basketball teams. Currently employed as an IT Director, over the past twenty years I have also worked in Finance and Consulting. I am a graduate of the St. Sebastian’s School, hold a BA from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Northeastern University. Why are you running?
The past two years have been difficult for everyone. For our children and teachers, they are faced with making up for lost time. For parents, there is a need for more engagement with the administration. In talking with other parents in Northborough, there is frustration around both the processes in place to have their voices heard by the school committee and in
getting information from the administration. I am running to help to change this dynamic. I want to engage with parents and ensure that their concerns have a platform. I also want to ensure that the administration is accountable to the parents and residents. The School Committee should be the conduit for getting information from the administration to parents AND from the parents to the administration. The latter is not working as it should.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Candidate statements have not been edited by the Community Advocate.
SAY I LOVE YOU ON Mother’s Day
Scan QR code to read all candidate responses
How homeownership can help shield you from inflation
Elaine Quigley, CBR, CRS, GRI
Elaine.Quigley@commonmoves.com
Cell: (508) 735-5161
www.EQRE.com
Ifyou’re following along with the news today, you’ve likely heard about rising inflation. You’re also likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as prices go up for gas, groceries, and more.
These rising consumer costs can put a pinch on your wallet and make you re-evaluate any big purchases you have planned to ensure they’re still worthwhile.
If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home this year, you’re probably wondering if you should continue down that path or if it makes more sense to wait. While the answer depends on your situation, here’s how homeownership can help you combat the rising costs that come with inflation.
Homeownership Offers Stability and Security
Investopedia explains that during a period of high inflation, prices rise across the board. That’s true for things like food, entertainment, and other goods and services, even housing. Both rental prices and home prices are on the rise. So, as a buyer, how can you protect yourself from increasing costs? The answer lies in homeownership.
Buying a home allows you to stabilize what’s typically your
biggest monthly expense: your housing cost. If you get a fixedrate mortgage on your home, you lock in your monthly payment for the duration of your loan, often 15 to 30 years. James Royal, Senior Wealth Management Reporter at Bankrate, says:
“A fixed-rate mortgage allows you to maintain the biggest portion of housing expenses at the same payment. Sure, property taxes will rise and other expenses may creep up, but your monthly housing payment remains the same.”
So even if other prices rise, your housing payment will be a reliable amount that can help keep your budget in check. If you rent, you don’t have that same benefit, and you won’t be protected from rising housing costs.
Use Home Price Appreciation to Your Benefit
While it’s true rising mortgage rates and home prices mean buying a house today costs more than it did a year ago, you still have an opportunity to set yourself up for a long-term win. Buying now lets you lock in at today’s rates and prices before both climb higher. In inflationary times, it’s especially important to invest your money in an asset that traditionally holds or grows in value. The graph below shows how home price appreciation outperformed inflation in most decades going all the way back to the seventies – making homeownership a historically strong hedge against inflation (see graph below):
So, what does that mean for you? Today, experts say home prices will only go up from here thanks to the ongoing imbalance in supply and demand. Once you buy a house, any home price appreciation that does occur will be good for your equity and your net worth. And since homes are typically assets that grow in value (even in inflationary times), you have peace of mind that history shows your investment is a strong one.
Bottom Line
If you’re ready to buy a home, it may make sense to move forward with your plans despite rising inflation. If you want expert advice on your specific situation and how to time your purchase, let’s connect.
Southborough’s Jonathan Hostage announces campaign for new state representative seat
By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor
SOUTHBOROUGH - There’s a new candidate in the race to represent the new 19th Worcester House district in the State Legislature.
Southborough businessman Jonathan Hostage announced his campaign on April 25, seeking the votes of residents in most of Westborough and Northborough, as well as all of Southborough and part of Framingham.
This district was created through the state’s redistricting process following the 2020 census, meaning there is no incumbent currently occupying the seat.
Candidate criticizes Beacon Hill leadership, notes small business experience
Hostage shared a statement last Wednesday, detailing the motivations behind his candidacy and citing “the need for all concerned citizens to get involved with so much at stake in Massachusetts.”
“The Massachusetts Legislature’s hard swing to the left hurts workers, families, and taxpayers,” said Hostage, who is running as a Republican.
“Our public schools have become centers for indoctrination and not critical thinking,” he continued. “The disconnect between Beacon Hill and those it supposedly represents has never been worse. I refuse to accept the status quo, and that’s why I’m running.”
Hostage is small business owner, serving as the owner and Vice President of Allegra Marketing. He is also the owner of Allegiance Graphics, according to his Linkedin page.
Hostage is married with four kids, emphasizing in his campaign statement that he is “not a career politician.”
Hostage criticized the current state legislature’s “growing disdain for transparency” as well as its “troubling history of prioritizing itself ahead of the public.”
“They were happy to take a back seat and continue collecting a paycheck while our businesses were being arbitrarily shut down,” Hostage said, noting COVID-19 lockdowns. “Yet when it came time to allocate
federal emergency funding, backroom deals and earmarks took preference over true relief, and the public was shut out of discussions because for far too long that’s the way they’ve done business up there.”
Hostage’s statement noted that he “believes it is time for some fresh, conservative perspective in the State House.”
“They govern as if power is their birthright, and that needs to change immediately,” he said of the state’s current leadership.
District includes area communities
What will become the 19th Worcester District is currently split between representatives Hannah Kane, Danielle Gregoire and Meghan Kilcoyne.
The area also includes part of what is now the 8th Middlesex District, which is without a state representative following the resignation of Carolyn Dykema in February.
Hostage is the first Republican to enter the race for the 19th Worcester District.
He joins Democrat Kate Donaghue, though, who announced her candidacy in January.
Contacted on April 27, a spokesperson for Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin confirmed that both Hostage and Donaghue had secured spots on the ballot for this year’s election.
Brett E. Peters had also pulled papers to run in the election, though he had not secured his spot as of April 27.
Jonathan Hostage’s campaign website is www.jonathanhostage.com.
His email is jonathanhostage@jonathanhostage.com
Southborough debates future of historic Doc Stone House
42 Main | from page 1 House boasts lengthy history
The Doc Stone House dates back to the mid-1800s, according to the Massachusetts Historical Commission, having been augmented through various additions and renovations in years since its construction.
Speaking at a Southborough Historical Society event last month, society Vice President Sally Waters noted that Timothy Stone eventually bought the home in the late 1940s to serve as his home office medical practice, where he proceeded to treat generations of community members.
Stone passed away in 2016, leading to the sale of the old home the following year to Fay.
Now, five years later, the school has applied for its demolition permit.
Fay meets with Historical Commission
Byrne was appearing before the Historical Commission as part of Southborough’s demoli-
“ Our goal really is to garner public support and appeal to Fay School to sell [the house] to someone who will care for the property responsibly and restore it and care for its legacy.
Patti Fiore
Southborough resident
tion delay process.
That bylaw, in part, sets out a timeline which can include a nine-month waiting period on demolition permits for Southborough buildings built before 1925.
Demolition opponents now plan to use that window to rally attention toward Fay’s plan and the Doc Stone House’s history.
“Our goal really is to garner public support and appeal to Fay School to sell [the house] to someone who will care for the property responsibly and restore it and care for its legacy,” Southborough resident Patti Fiore told guests at the afore-
mentioned Historical Society presentation on April 23.
Back on April 12, Byrne said Fay, itself, had purchased the Doc Stone property with the intention of using it for either residential purposes or as office space.
Byrne said that, after purchasing the property, though, Fay learned that it was structurally unsound. She said it also has both asbestos and lead paint, which she said the school did not know about before the purchase.
Fay Board of Trustees member Brendon Giblin added that
42 Main | 16
Jonathan Hostage is a Southborough businessman.
Southborough Planning Board candidates outline platforms ahead of elections
SOUTHBOROUGH - Southborough voters will head to the polls next week with choices to make.
There will be a contested race for a seat on the Planning Board as two candidates race to replace longtime incumbent Don Morris, who is not running for re-election after more than four decades on the Planning Board.
Southborough voters will also weigh in on a race for the Northborough seat on the Regional School Committee.
With the election set for May 10, the Community Advocate recently reached out to candidates in these contested races with a series of questions. School Committee incumbent Joan Frank’s answers ran last week. William Barlow Redfern II’s answers can be read on page 11 of this week’s paper.
See Planning Board candidates’ responses to additional questions online at CommunityAdvocate.com...
ALAN BELNIAK
Please provide a brief biographical background on yourself. What should voters know about you?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from WPI, and a Technologyfocused MBA from Babson College. My education and background are well-suited for a Planning Board position.
Throughout my career, I’ve developed these skills:
• A bility to quickly understand and clarify issues
• Asking probing questions to tackle the real issue
• Det ermine best paths to finding solutions
• Identify necessary resources for problem resolution
• Using a creative thinking approach
• Working collaboratively with cross-functional teams I believe I’ve also honed three
key character traits that define a strong work ethic:
• Integrity - I will uphold the commitment I have made and will make to my supportive community, past and present.
• Fairness - I will listen to understand issues, act responsibly, and execute collaboratively.
• Optimism - I love this town and think it has a great future. I want to help move Southborough forward while retaining the character that many of us chose as the reason to live here.
Why are you running?
I’ll offer a fresh perspective to the Planning Board. I have yet to serve on any elected board in the Town, and do not bring any preconceived notions or approaches with me.
I use a common-sense and practical approach when dealing with issues and problems, striving for timely and equitable solutions.
In my civil engineering career, I have worked with nu-
merous municipal planning boards. Through this work, I have built a strong working knowledge of the Massachusetts municipal planning board role and process.
DEBBIE DEMURIA
Please provide a brief biographical background on yourself. What should voters know about you?
Why are you running?
I am running for Planning Board to ensure that Southborough’s character is maintained through responsible development — both residential and commercial. I believe in a transparent process that allows for public input and is balanced between protecting the rights of the residents while encouraging the growth of new businesses. I have a true passion for Southborough, Southborough | 15
I have lived in Southborough for over 25 years with my husband and have two children. I am deeply rooted in the community, have hands-on experience in town government, and will work to keep Southborough’s historic character, scenic beauty, and sense of community, while also encouraging responsible development and increased business opportunities. I have served on Southborough boards since 2005, starting with the Recycling & Green Technology Committee (20052010). For the last 6 years I have served on the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), where I have dealt with many complex matters including hearing appeals for zoning relief and providing input into zoning code changes. Additionally, I currently serve on the Master Plan Committee, which has developed goals for achieving the residents’ vision for the town for the next decade. As a Planning Board member, I will be in a position to continue this momentum and get started on implementation.
Southborough | from page 14 the preservation of neighborhoods, and fostering new businesses that are harmonious with our community’s vision. I have a particular focus on climate change and sustainability and will promote the adoption of electric vehicle charging stations and solar into design guidelines. I’ll continue to work with boards and committees to identify paths to efficiency, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. I will bring an objective, independent voice to the Planning Board and will address each issue based on the facts before me without pre-conceived biases. My experience, dedication, ability, and vision have prepared me to serve on Southborough’s Planning Board.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Candidate statements have not been edited by the Community Advocate.
Scan QR code to read all candidate responses
SOUTHBOROUGH - One person was hospitalized with nonlife threatening injuries after a three-car crash in Southborough on April 28.
Emergency responders additionally warned of traffic delays as they worked to clear the area.
The crash reportedly took place around 6:20 a.m. at the intersection of Route 9 and Breakneck Hill Road.
Southborough Police took to social media just before 7 a.m. to note that officers were
on scene.
“Expect delays,” they wrote. The Southborough Fire Department then shared its own update roughly 30 minutes later, confirming that at least one person had been transported to the hospital as a result of this crash.
Photos from the crash scene showed debris littering part of the eastbound side of Route 9.
Photos also showed all three cars with damage as traffic inched by in one remaining open lane.
By Stuart Foster Reporter
WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough Civic Club will hold its annual fishing challenge at Minuteman Park on the shores of Sandra Pond in town on Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event is free and open to all ages, with multiple prizes
given out for the longest fish caught between three different age groups. A fishing license is not required to participate in the challenge.
“This is a great no-cost opportunity for children and adults to try fishing with guidance from onsite Mass Wildlife instructors,” said Fishing Challenge Chair Bill Kohler in a press release.
The Westborough Civic Club is sponsoring the event with funds raised at its annual Christmas Tree Sale and through its member volunteers.
Beyond this, the club also makes donations to local organizations in areas such as youth programs, arts, and scholarships. It is open to new members.
This year marks the return of the annual fishing challenge to its traditional date in May. Canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, the event was then postponed to September last year.
More information about the fishing challenge and the Civic Club can be found on the club’s Facebook page or website at www.WestboroCivicClub.org.
A firefighter pours absorbent powder on pavement around a pair of damaged cars following a three-car crash in Southborough last Thursday.
PHOTO/VIA SOUTHBOROUGH FIRE
Southborough debates future of historic Doc Stone House
42 Main | from page 13
Fay revisited opportunities for the Doc Stone House on multiple occasions since its acquisition, but continued to run into issues with the building’s condition.
The school’s demolition proposal, Giblin said, now comes from “a bit of a life safety position,” striving to “create a safe
environment.”
“The building, not receiving an abundance of care, is in a little bit of disrepair and there’s some danger on the inside and danger on the outside,” he said.
Contacted on April 25, Fay’s Director of Marketing and Communications Erin Sullivan offered further comment on the school’s position.
“I think it’s just important to know that Fay has not taken this issue lightly,” Sullivan said. “But after reviewing everything thoroughly, it was determined that what was proposed by Fay was the best they could do, and that to attempt to salvage the building wasn’t possible from a financial perspective and also the trustees fiduciary obligation
to the school.”
Historical Commission notes concerns
As Fay has highlighted the Doc Stone House’s issues, members of the Historical Commission, on April 12, noted concerns.
Rebecca Deans-Rowe said that she was puzzled by a claim that the house’s foundation required extensive renovation because reports on the building did not indicate that dramatic foundation work would be required.
Historical Commission Chair Kevin Miller, who shared photographs taken inside and outside of the building, said that there were no visible signs of leaks or rot, and that he did not see a building that is seriously compromised.
He also said that the presence of asbestos and lead paint was not surprising in a building built before 1978.
“What surprised me in the report was how little asbestos there actually is,” Miller said. “I was quite shocked.”
‘A turning point’
Discussion continued before the Historical Commission voted 4-0 last month to grant preferential preservation status to the Doc Stone House.
That started the clock on the demolition delay bylaw’s nine month waiting period, which will lapse in November of this year. Fay could then move forward with demolition at that point if it chooses to do so.
As Fay proposes this plan, though, it is sparking a conversation that has swirled before in Southborough.
That conversation included an extensive effort to save the Burnett/Garfield stone mansion at 84 Main Street from the wrecking ball just over seven years ago.
That conversation has also, among many other things, been part of efforts to add Southborough’s Main Street Area Historic District to the National Registry of Historic Places.
Waters weighed in on this last month, discussing similarities and differences between recent preservation pushes and the new one to save the Doc Stone House.
“We had a big campaign to save [the Burnett/Garfield mansion] and we knew an awful lot about those people,” she said. “...But this is a house that belonged to average people and those are the ones that we don’t seem to preserve.”
Deans-Rowe further highlighted the current debate as a possible larger “turning point” for Southborough’s downtown area in a recent email to the Community Advocate.
“I believe it is critical that we save this property,” she said, emphasizing that she spoke as an individual and not on behalf of the Historical Commission.
“If we lose Doc Stone’s house to demolition,” she later added, “I fear many others will follow and our historic district will be gutted.”
Deans-Rowe said it was “distressing” to receive Fay’s application to demolish the Doc Stone House, reiterating calls to preserve the structure.
“Southborough has a mixed record with regard to historic preservation, with many in town valuing these assets and some who do not,” she said. “It is my sincere hope that the town can commit to preservation and take pride in its historic district.”
The full Historical Commission meeting from April 12 can be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3L3Eor6EYTk.
The historic home at 42 Main Street in Southborough dates back to the mid-1800s.
PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN
Westborough DPW plants tree for Arbor Day
By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter
WESTBOROUGH - There is a new tree at Greg’s Field in Westborough.
Department of Public Works (DPW) personnel gathered at the field on April 29 to celebrate Arbor Day by planting a red maple tree.
“Today we’re celebrating Arbor Day, which is really about emphasizing the importance of planting trees,” said DPW Director Chris Payant during the event.
Westborough is designated as a Tree City USA and has signs announcing this designation on roads leading into town.
Every year, the DPW department celebrates Arbor Day in various ways. Some years, like this year, staff plant a tree. In other years, they hand out saplings.
The department has planted trees at local schools in each of the last several years.
This spring, Payant said
the DPW picked the Greg’s Field site, which is located on Upton Road, to specifically highlight recent work.
There’s ongoing pruning work on trees at Greg’s Field, Payant said. There’s also a tree that was damaged in a storm last year that needs to be removed, he added.
“So, there’s a whole life cycle to that tree system,” he continued.
Beyond celebrating Arbor Day, this work falls under the various recommendations
of Westborough’s Climate Action Plan, which was approved by the Select Board last year.
One of the plan’s goals was to protect and expand the natural environment. One of the strategies to accomplish this goal, in turn, was to educate and promote sustainable landscaping and tree canopy coverage.
The plan encouraged a town-wide goal to plant at least 250 trees every year.
Payant was joined by Tree Warden Kyle Grendell and Joe Lobas at last Friday’s event as their department took a step toward that goal.
He praised the work of DPW staff, specifically noting that Grendell and Lobas, who are new to the department, have had a “huge” impact on Westborough.
“We’re lucky to have a great staff here,” Payant said.
By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter
WESTBOROUGH - Community members gathered at Mill Pond Elementary School this past Saturday for the inaugural Westborough Energy Fair.
The fair was hosted by Sustainable Westborough and the Westborough Rotary Club.
“I think it’s good so far, and I’m really optimistic that we’re going to have a lot of people come through,” Sustainable Westborough Vice Chair Cheryl Thomas told the Community Advocate at the start of the event.
Sustainable Westborough is a town advisory committee that promotes environmental responsibility and energy efficiency within Westborough.
The Energy Fair aimed to promote many of those core Sustainable Westborough messages.
As Thomas described it, the fair, which was planned by a small group of people, took on a life of its own.
“We involved the schools, lo-
cal nonprofits, industry experts, state agencies — whoever we could think had something valuable that people could learn from,” she said.
The fair featured speakers and booths, highlighting groups like Zero Waste Westborough and Westborough Connects, state organizations like Mass Save and projects like the new Annie E. Fales Elementary School, which is designed to be a net zero building.
Organizers have noted thanks for this event’s sponsors, which included National Grid and Peregrine Energy Group.
Zero Waste Westborough founding member Scott Kadish talks to attendees of the recent Energy Fair.
Westborough DPW staff Joe Lobas and Kyle Grendell stand next to a tree they planted at Greg’s Field.
PHOTO/LAURA HAYES
PHOTO/LAURA HAYES
COMMUNITY SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD
ALGONQUIN
GIRLS’ LACROSSE – APRIL 25
Algonquin – 19, Medway – 6
Algonquin junior captain Ava Wilde notched her 100th career point last week in a larger 19-6 win over Medway. She scored six goals in the game, reaching her 100-point milestone on her fifth goal. The Algonquin girls lacrosse team boasted a 4-3 win-loss record as of Monday. The team was due back in action on Tuesday, after this edition of the Community Advocate went to press.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT
• June 6 – Aug 5 • • 2022-2023 FALL REGISTRATION •
• Now open for half and full day • Register on-line at www.themethodistpreschool.org Or call 508-366-0520 120 West Main St. Westborough
AMSA
BASEBALL – APRIL 27
AMSA – 8, Blackstone Valley – 1 AMSA solidly defeated Blackstone Valley Technical High School last week, cruising to an 8-1 win. The team was recognized two days later, on April 29, with the top spot in the MIAA’s power rankings of Division IV baseball teams.
ASSABET
BASEBALL – APRIL 27
Assabet – 10, Keefe Tech – 4
Assabet notched what was its third consecutive win with a 10-4 defeat of Keefe Tech last week.
Keegan Antelman led the Aztecs at the plate with three RBIs and two doubles in the win. The Aztecs saw their winning streak snapped last Friday against Milbury but were due back in action on Monday with a game against AMSA.
BOYS LACROSSE – APRIL 29
Assabet – 6, Holliston – 7
Assabet took an early lead against Holliston last week. Holliston kept pace though, eventually tying the game at 6-6 inside the final minute to force overtime. Holliston then emerged with the win, edging past the Aztecs in triple overtime.
The Algonquin girls lacrosse team rolled to a dominant win over Medway last week, initially improving their win-loss record to 4-2.
Assabet’s win-loss record sat at 4-4 as of Monday.
GRAFTON
GIRLS’ LACROSSE – APRIL 30
Grafton – 12, Shrewsbury – 11
Grafton freshman Josie Hamilton helped lift the Gators past Shrewsbury in overtime on Satur-
day. The win was Grafton’s seventh consecutive victory since a seasonopening loss to Bromfield on April 1.
HUDSON
SOFTBALL – APRIL 29
Hudson – 14, Westborough – 1
Lauren Cole tossed a no-hitter for the Hawks softball team as Hudson batters racked up 15 hits against Westborough last week. Hudson secured an undefeated record through April with this win.
MARLBOROUGH
GIRLS’ LACROSSE – APRIL 26
Marlborough – 15, North Middlesex – 14
Lauren Lefebvre scored 10 times against North Middlesex, leading the way as the Panthers narrowly defeated the Patriots. Allison Keenan also scored a hat trick in the game before Emily Gerosa snagged the game-winning-goal in overtime. Marlborough improved its win-loss record to 4-2 with this win.
SHREWSBURY
BASEBALL – APRIL 25
Shrewsbury – 10, Wachusett – 0 The Shrewsbury High School baseball team roared past Wachusett last week, shutting out the Mountaineers. Shrewsbury was subsequently ranked third overall in the MIAA’s power rankings of Division I baseball teams on April 29, boasting a record of 9-1.
WESTBOROUGH
BOYS’ LACROSSE – APRIL 26
Westborough – 10, North Middlesex – 11
Westborough’s boys lacrosse team forced overtime against North Middlesex last week, ultimately falling in the overtime period. The team’s win-loss record fell to 2-4 with this loss. The Rangers then rebounded on April 28, though, defeating Shepherd Hill.
WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough High School girls lacrosse team faced off against West Springfield this past Saturday, falling to the Terriers by a score of 9-4.
The loss at home was Westborough’s sixth of the year, dropping their win-loss record to 1-6, roughly four weeks after
a season-opening win against Wachusett on April 5.
The Rangers were due back in action on Tuesday against Bromfield before being scheduled to move into a busy stretch of local games against Algonquin, Marlborough, Grafton and Shrewsbury later this month.
Algonquin girls rugby falls to Lincoln-Sudbury
NORTHBOROUGH - The Algonquin girls rugby team took the field on Friday of last week for their second match of this year’s spring season, ultimately falling to Lincoln-Sudbury by a score of 43-17.
The loss was Algonquin’s second so far this spring after a defeat at the hands of Weymouth on April 12.
The Titans also previously scrimmaged Lincoln-Sudbury on April 8.
The Warriors opened the scoring against the Titans in the first half last Friday with a try and a successful kick.
The Algonquin squad managed to answer, cutting into the Warriors lead with a try of their own by Kareena Khurana.
The Titans picked up two more tries before the end of the game. But the Warriors kept the pressure on in between scores, adding to their lead for the win.
Algonquin was due back in action on May 6 with a game against Brookline High School, as of press time.
Westborough Junior Sydney Allen takes a shot during her team’s game against West Springfield.
Above: Algonquin player Eleni Chacharone gets tackled by her opponent during a game against Lincoln-Sudbury last Friday.
Left: Algonquin player Niamh McLaughlin kicks the ball. Algonquin was defeated by Lincoln Sudbury 43-17 last Friday.
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.
Westborough
Tuesday, April 19
12:35 p.m. Arrested, Renato Pereira
Porto, 46, of 223 Havre St., Apt. 2, Boston, for op MV with license suspended, straight warrant.
9:47 p.m. Technology Dr. Road/tree.
Wednesday, April 20
7:37 p.m. W Main St. Threats made.
Friday, April 22
5:23 p.m. Ruggles St. Road/tree.
Saturday, April 23
12:58 p.m. W Main St. Larceny.
Sunday, April 24
12:07 p.m. Arrested, Jeffrey R. Bathgate, 30, of 94 Leland Hill Rd., Sutton, on default warrant, shoplifting by concealing merchandise.
Monday, April 25
10:13 p.m. Arrested, Paul A. Lapierre Jr., 40, of 96 Wampum St., Wrentham, on straight warrant.
Tuesday, April 26
10:43 a.m. Arrested, Anne O’Leary, 63, of 10 Bradish Ln., Apt. 1003, Westborough, for no inspection sticker, oper MV with license suspended for OUI.
2:27 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Larceny.
9:30 p.m. Fisher St. Trespassing.
Wednesday, April 27
11:46 a.m. Turnpike Rd. Shoplifting.
Grafton
Sunday, April 17
9:47 a.m. Worcester St. Accident –personal injury.
Monday, April 18
2:07 p.m. Providence Rd. Fraud/ identity theft.
8:42 p.m. Providence Rd. Harassment.
Tuesday, April 19
5:00 p.m. Worcester St. Larceny/ theft.
7:27 p.m. Oakwood Ln. Larceny/ theft.
Wednesday, April 20
12:40 a.m. Providence Rd. Fraud/ identity theft.
5:58 a.m. Mass Pike E. Accident –hit & run.
10:35 a.m. Providence Rd. Threatening.
6:41 p.m. Hollywood Dr. Larceny/ theft.
Friday, April 22
1:01 p.m. Providence Rd. Fraud/ identity theft.
5:10 p.m. Forest Ln. Scam/attempted scam.
8:39 p.m. Harrison Ave. Assault – no injuries.
8:39 p.m. Arrested, Harry Renaldo, 66, of 17 East St., Grafton, for assault w/dangerous weapon, A&B, disorderly conduct.
Saturday, April 23
4:53 p.m. Shrewsbury/Elm Sts. Accident – personal injury.
5:26 p.m. Maxwell Dr. Threatening.
Southborough
Tuesday, April 19
5:51 a.m. East Main St. Tree/limb down in roadway.
6:23 a.m. Woodland/Richards Rds. Tree/limb down in roadway.
1:05 P.M. Mass Pike (I90). Road hazard.
Wednesday, April 20
12:16 a.m. Arrested, Matthew I. Fonseca,ofAlvaradoAve.,Worcester, on warrant.
11:18 p.m.Woodland/Turnpike Rds. Road hazard.
Friday, April 22
1:50a.m.Arrested,JenniferWaltonTolson,of Pleasant St.,Framingham, on warrant.
Saturday, April 23
12:26 a.m. Arrested, Joao Simith Sebe, of Tower St., Hudson, for op MV with license suspended, negligent operation of motor vehicle, unlicensed operation of MV, speeding, op MV with registration suspended, uninsured motor vehicle.
5:33 p.m. Turnpike/Breakneck Rds. Disabled MV
Sunday, April 24
8:24a.m.Turnpike/CrystalPondRds. Traffic lights inoperable. Monday, April 25
10:36 a.m. Turnpike/White Bagley Rds.
Northborough
Sunday, April 17
7:34 a.m. Brigham St. Larceny. 5:14 p.m. Otis St. Larceny. Tuesday, April 19
3:13 p.m. Lydia’s Way. Scams. Wednesday, April 20
1:50 a.m. Arrested, Yeverne R. Sarpee,32,of 27 Dewitt Rd.,Sutton, for speeding in viol special regulation, op MV with license suspended, unregistered motor vehicle, marked lanes violation.
12:04 p.m. Main St. Fraud.
4:46 p.m. Arrested, Curtis A. Cyriaque, 25, of 51 Samuel Dr., North Grafton, for bomb/hijack threat, threat to commit crime, vandalize property, warrant.
Thursday, April 21
7:04 a.m. Arrested, Juliano Araujo Dos Santos Silva, 26, of 5 Georgetown Dr., Apt. 9, Framingham, for unlicensed operation of MV, speeding in viol of special regulation. 7:40 a.m.Whitney St. Larceny. 1:03 p.m. Maynard St. Fraud. 5:25 p.m.Whitney St. Larceny. 8:04 p.m. Brigham St. Fraud. Friday, April 22
1:25 a.m. Arrested, John Zawalich, 33, of 21 5th St.,Apt. 2,Webster, on warrant.
Saturday, April 23
2:39 p.m. Shops Way Shoplifting.
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
Bonaventura Sr., Frank of Shrewsbury Cerasoli, Carol of Grafton Covello, Isabella of Shrewsbury Desmond, Genevieve of Grafton Dully, Laura of Northborough Dumas, Bernadette of Grafton Harrington, Barbara of Marlborough Laino, Pamela formerly of Southborough Lundy, Gloria of Shrewsbury Mariano, Susan of Millbury Navin, Joseph of Marlborough Norgard, Gladys of Northborough
Sannicandro, Sandra of Northborough Scouras, Helen of Marlborough Testa, Carlo of Shrewsbury Thorpe, Donald formerly of Marlborough Xible, Maria of Marlborough
Scan QR code to read all of this week’s obituaries on our website.
Pamela A. Laino, 64
WORCESTER - Pamela A. Laino, 64, passed away on April 25, 2022 in UMASS Memorial Medical Center University Campus after an illness. Pam was born in Worcester, was raised in Southborough, graduated from Algonquin High School in the Class of 1975 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Becker College.
She leaves her mother Carole Laino, aunts and uncles Susan White of Northbridge, John and Jane Laino of TN, Mary and Amos Green of FL, and Elaine and Ron Tibbetts of Holden; and 13 cousins. She was predeceased by her father Albert Laino, Jr. Nordgren Memorial Chapel of Worcester assisted with arrangements.
Bernadette M. Dumas, 80
GRAFTON - Bernadette M. (Purcell) Dumas, 80, passed away April 21, 2022 following a lengthy illness. Her husband Lavinus “Joe” Dumas predeceased her in 2020. Bernadette was born May 10, 1941 in New York City, daughter of the late
Mary B. (Honey) and John F. Purcell.
Bernadette leaves her daughter Deb Rosebrooks and her husband Lyman and their children David and Nicholas Dintino and her son John Dumas and his children Evan, Nicole and Kristina. She was predeceased by her young son Joe Dumas and her sister Anne L. Purcell.
Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton assisted with arrangements.
Isabella M. Covello, 97
SHREWSBURY - Isabella M. “Issy” (DiVerdi Scarcello) Covello, 97, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in 1925 and raised in Worcester, she was the second of four children of Joseph and Angelina (Scuderi) DiVerdi. Her first husband, Charles Henry Scarcello, died in 1961. She then married Retired Master Sergeant Henry Covello in 1993 until his death in 2014.
Beside her parents and husbands, Isabella was pre -
deceased by her three siblings and their spouses, Rocco “Rocky” DiVerdi and his wife Jocelyn, Angelo DiVerdi and his wife Camella and her loving sister Mary Gosselin Higgins and her husbands Joseph Gosselin and Jack Higgins.
Chiampa Funeral Home of Shrewsbury assisted with arrangements.
Donald F. Thorpe, 76
WORCESTER - Donald Francis Thorpe, 76, died peacefully at home on April 21st, after a lengthy illness.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ellen (O’Brien), he leaves two sons Michael F. Thorpe and his wife, MaryAnn, of Fiskdale; Andrew P. Thorpe and his wife, Shannon, of North Reading; a daughter Mary Kate Bailey and her husband, Alex, of South Windsor, CT; four grandchildren Emma, Matthew, Mia, and Samantha Phelps and her husband, Christopher, of Rutland; two great-grandchildren CJ and Dylan; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother William Thorpe of Allenstown, NH and sister Donna Allen-Smith of Augusta, GA. He is survived by sisters Pa-
tricia Thorpe and Dottie Steele of AZ and brother Ronald Allen. Donald was born in Marlborough MA, son of the late Harold and Phyllis (Felix) Thorpe. He served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps. He worked in the grocery business (Associated & New England Grocers) and was a Local 170 Teamster Union Steward. He concluded his career with the Diocese of Worcester, where in 2001, Bishop Daniel Reilly honored him with the St. Paul Award, for his contributions to the preservation of the Diocesan Cathedral of St Paul.
Don was totally devoted to the well-being of his family – to him, his family was everything. He could fix anything from an antique lock to large-scale automated systems. He loved hand woodcarving with an affinity for carving birds. He had a passion for gardening with his talented green thumb. As a history lover, he enjoyed reading all the old and new National Geographic magazines online. He will always be remembered for his famous Christmas cookies and Fourth of July cookouts.
The O’Connor Brothers Funeral Home of Worcester assisted with arrangements.
Docket No. WO21P4039EA
of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Worcester Division
Estate of: Kathryn L Hitchings
Also Known As: Kathryn L MacDonald
Date of Death: 4/27/2021
To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner: Sarah B Brown of Bellingham MA, a Will has been admitted to informal probate. Sarah B Brown of Bellingham MA has 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.
To place your legal notice call Alissa at 508-366-5500 or email alissa@ communityadvocate.com
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs MEPA Office
100 Cambridge St., Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114 Telephone 617-626-1020
PUBLIC NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
PROJECT: 25-29 Research Drive
LOCATION: 25-29 Research Drive, Westborough, MA 01581
PROPONENT: 25 Research Drive Properties LLC
The undersigned is submitting an Environmental Notification Form (“ENF”) to the Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs on or before May 2nd, 2022
This will initiate review of the above project pursuant to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (“MEPA”, M.G.L. c. 30, s.s. 61-62I). Copies of the ENF may be obtained from: Geoff Starsiak; gstarsiak@epsilonassociates.com; 978.897.7100
Electronic copies of the ENF are also being sent to the Conservation Commission and Planning Board of the Town of Westborough
The Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs will publish notice of the ENF in the Environmental Monitor, will receive public comments on the project for 30 days, and will then decide, within seven days, if an Environmental Impact Report is needed. A site visit and/or remote consultation session on the project may also be scheduled. All persons wishing to comment on the project, or to be notified of a site visit and/or remote consultation session, should email MEPA@mass.gov. Mail correspondence will continue to be accepted, though responses may be delayed. Mail correspondence should be direct to the Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs, 100 Cambridge St., Suite 900, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, Attention: MEPA Office, referencing the above project.
By 25 Research Drive Properties LLC
Aging Gracefully
by MariAnn Paladino, Dir. of Admissions, Notre Dame Long Term Care
SENIOR CENTERS –A VALUABLE RESOURCE
In the past, senior centers have been places older citizens gather to play chess or bingo, whereas today’s senior centers can provide a large pool of resources for the senior community. Classes on a variety of topics are often offered that can keep elderly minds active and engaged, potentially slowing the effects of aging such as memory loss. Wellequipped gyms may also be accessible, and dancing clubs and classes, as well as other types of physical activities including yoga, may be available. Cooking classes can not only help people remain independent longer, but can also teach healthy cooking techniques and encourage healthy eating habits. In addition, senior centers may help people find reputable property maintenance and cleaning companies as well as transportation services.
Many senior centers are dedicated to helping keep seniors in their homes longer and so they offer a variety of minor home repairs and seasonal care services to seniors who may not be able to complete these tasks on their own.
NOTRE DAME LONG TERM CARE CENTER is committed to providing residents with opportunities that enrich and enhance their wellbeing. Please call (508) 852-3011 to learn more about our long-term care center at 559 Plantation Street.
P.S. Volunteering is an excellent way to keep senior citizens active and engaged in their communities, and senior centers are good resources for volunteer opportunities.
Notre Dame Health Care
Long Term Care
559 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA
508.852.3011 · notredamehealthcare.org
Seniors on the move
TOD/POD Accounts versus Revocable Trusts –Which is Right for You?
By Emily Parker Beekman
In recent years, the use of transfer on death (TOD) or payable on death (POD) accounts has grown significantly, causing many to ask why they should bother working with an attorney to prepare a revocable trust. All three are good choices if your goal is simply to avoid probate, but trusts offer probate avoidance and much more.
TOD and POD accounts automatically transfer assets to a named beneficiary when the account holder dies. TOD accounts are typically nonretirement brokerage accounts, stocks, bonds, and other investments. POD accounts are typically bank accounts such as checking, savings, or Certificates of Deposit. Both, if done correctly, avoid probate and distribute assets directly to the intended beneficiary when the account owner dies.
POD and TOD accounts have drawbacks. When someone passes away, the person(s) responsible for
administering the estate is typically empowered under the law to seek contributions from the POD and TOD beneficiaries to pay any creditor debts, estate administration expenses, and taxes owed. If the beneficiary refuses to contribute or has already spent the money, legal action may be necessary to claw back those funds.
Revocable trusts also offer probate avoidance and can be tailored to you and your family’s needs.
• If the creator of the trust becomes incapacitated, a successor trustee can manage the account for the benefit of the creator.
• If your beneficiaries are minors, have special need, have creditor issues, or have mental health or substance abuse issues, trusts can hold and manage assets over a period of time and protect those assets for the beneficiary’s use.
• Revocable trusts can also pay any debts, expenses, or taxes of the creator’s estate, thereby negating the need to ask for funds from beneficiaries.
Estate planning is complicated. It’s always a good idea to speak with an estate planner to determine what is best for you and your family.
“ Emily Parker Beekman is an associate in Mirick O’Connell’s Trusts and Estates Group. Mirick O’Connell is a full-service law firm with offices in Worcester, Westborough and Boston, MA.”
Photo/submitted
Emily Parker Beekman, Esq.
By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter
NORTHBOROUGH - The principal of the Marion E. Zeh Elementary School in Northborough will not be returning for the rest of the school year,
SCHOOLS
according to an email from Superintendent Greg Martineau to Zeh families.
Martineau wrote that Principal Amy Souls will be on medical leave with plans to then resign from her position effective June 30.
“Over the last few years, I have been blessed to work amongst the most amazing students, staff and families,” Souls said in Martineau’s email. “The future holds great rewards for all.”
“Remember to stay Zeh-
Metrowest Oral Associates
& Operated for Over 60
“ I have been blessed to work amongst the most amazing students, staff and families.
Amy
Souls Principal
Stop heel pain and go back to pain free movement without medication, injection or surgery - Workshop
By Dr. Donald Pelto Podiatrist
Walking, staying active and going back to a normal life without heel pain IS possible. Strategies to reduce heel pain, its three most common causes and the biggest mistake pain sufferers make will be the focus of a FREE Workshop on May 11, 6 p.m., at Central Massachusetts Podiatry, in Westborough.
The event will be limited to the �irst 25 people that register at https://linktr.ee/centralmass
podiatry or call 508-757-4003.
Symptoms
This free workshop is for those who suffer with pain on the bottom of the foot or back of heel while standing or walking; have stiffness or tightness in the morning, making it hard to take those �irst few steps; and for those who avoid being on their feet for long periods due to pain. And for those who have tried EVERYTHING and just want to get back to pain free movement. If you have heel pain and want
Strong,” she continued. “Thank you in advance for respecting my privacy during this time.”
Martineau said he has accepted Souls’ resignation.
Assistant Superintendent of Operations Keith Lavoie is now serving as the school’s interim principal, working alongside District Coordinator of Social Emotional Learning Jennifer Lipton-O’Connor, who will be moving her office to Zeh.
“The Marion E. Zeh Elementary School is an excellent school with dedicated and caring teachers and amazing students,” Martineau wrote. “I know that a change in leadership can be unsettling; however, I am confident that the Zeh community is in excellent
hands with Mr. Lavoie and Dr. Lipton O’Connor.”
Lavoie previously served as the principal at Neary Elementary School and Trottier Middle School in Southborough.
“Mr. Lavoie brings to the interim position over 10 years of principal leadership, an understanding of the Public Schools of Northborough and a passion for working with students and families,” Martineau said.
Martineau said he will be forming a search committee for a new principal.
He added that he will be communicating information about the search process and opportunities for community members to participate.
District Assistant Superintendent of Operations Keith Lavoie is now the interim principal at the Zeh School.
PHOTO/LAURA HAYES
Westborough’s Armstrong School roof
By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter
WESTBOROUGH - A special Town Meeting may be on the horizon in Westborough to replace a section of the Armstrong Elementary School roof that has failed.
The roof has been a topic of discussion at recent School Committee and Select Board meetings, with town and schoolt leaders recently emphasizing a need to move quickly as material costs rise.
“To me, the evidence is there,” Select Board Chair Ian Johnson said on April 26. “We need to do this. We need to move forward.”
Roof issues
Superintendent Amber Bock told the School Committee back on April 13 that one of the sections of Armstrong’s roof had failed. That section of the roof dates back to 1996.
“The roof is well beyond its life,” Bock said.
Specifically, Bock said there was a 20-foot tear.
A consultant from the Garland Company was “clear” that the repairs to and maintenance of the roof had been excellent, she said.
“But it’s basically a structural failure of the PVC material and it’s just breaking down at this point,” Bock continued.
There are four sections of the building’s roof. This section in question spans about 22,500 square feet.
Work to repair the roof is one of three roof projects in the town’s capital planning cycle, having been planned for the 2022 fiscal year following a 2021 district roof assessment report.
The district submitted replacing the whole roof into the capital plan for 2023 as a top priority project, but it was later bumped to Fiscal Year 2025 to focus on roof repairs at Westborough’s Hastings Elementary School.
All roof items were then passed over and moved further down the capital planning list, though.
According to Bock’s presentation, staff made initial emergency repairs with sealcoating when water began leaking into rooms through the deteriorating Armstrong roof.
“The thing that’s the most concerning about it is it didn’t occur for any specific reason,” Bock said. “It wasn’t put under stress. There wasn’t anything that particularly happened. We weren’t running around up there. We didn’t drop anything on it, and it’s just breaking down. It’s a pretty large tear.”
Bock noted that staff responded “very quickly.”
As officials have noted the urgency of this situation, in later meetings, staff also said that mold tests have come back clear.
“I want to be reassuring to our families that their classrooms are in good shape,” Bock said.
Addressing the roof
During the April 13 School Committee meeting, Bock proposed fixing about 5,000 square-feet of the roof, which she estimated would cost between $38,000 and $50,000.
Bock suggested funding this emergency repair could be fol-
lowed by a Town Meeting article in the fall to replace the full 22,400-square-foot section of the roof, which is estimated to cost about $1.1 million.
At that time, some School Committee members expressed concerns about repairing only part of the roof and wasting funds when the whole section of the roof is replaced.
“Inflation right now is killing us,” said member Stephen Doret during an April 26 Select Board meeting.
Doret also noted that, under the proposed timeline, the roof may not be fixed until some time between March and June of next year, allowing more water to potentially leak into the Armstrong school’s insulation.
Garland’s Adam Silun told the School Committee on April 27, one day after that Select Board meeting, that insulation, which is part of roof projects, is scarce.
“It’s like gold right now,”
The Armstrong School is located at 18 Fisher Street in Westborough.
PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN
Shrewsbury Middle School student wins Law Day Essay contest
By Stuart Foster Reporter
SHREWSBURY – The Worcester County Bar Association (WCBA) presented an award to St. Mary School eighth grade student, Liam Collins, for Law Day on May 1.
The award recognizes Collins’ win in the Bar Association Law Day Essay contest, which was held for eighth-grade students throughout Worcester County.
The essay prompt, “Moving Towards a More Perfect Union,” asked students to describe “the next great moment…that would help move our nation towards becoming a more perfect union.” The contest drew over 80 essay submissions.
Association President Geoff Spofford and Law Day Committee Chair Courtney Mayo went to St. Mary School last Monday to inform Collins that he had won the contest.
Westborough’s Armstrong School roof needs repairs, district says
Armstrong | from page 25 Silun said. “You can’t find it. They’re naming their price when people go to place their orders.”
The quicker bids are received, the more money will be saved, he said.
When the project was presented to the Select Board on
April 26, members expressed support for moving forward quickly and developing a bid package for the project.
The Select Board also voiced support of replacing the whole section and calling a special Town Meeting to consider approving the project once a bid is acquired.
Collins received a $100 prize in addition to the award itself.
Collins dedicated his winning essay to the need to address climate change and global warming.
The award was formally presented by Spofford at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester
The Marlborough Commuter Shuttle is back in service!
last Sunday.
The Bar Association runs its Law Day essay contest each year, recognizing students for their work in response to a given prompt.
Learn more about the Bar Association by visiting https:// www.worcestercountybar.org.
The 12 -passenger handicap-accessible shuttle connects local commuters between three stops at the Southborough MBTA Commuter Rail, the Apex Center of New England, and the business park located at 200 Forest Street. This option provides free public transportation for those who take the train to and/or from Boston and Worcester.
Monday through Friday
Morning Trips: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Afternoon/Evening Trips: 3:45 p.m. to 6:46 p.m.
Any questions or concerns, please contact us at 508-229-2010 or info@marlboroughedc.com
Liam Collins poses with teachers and Worcester County Bar Association officials after being told he had won the Bar Association’s essay contest.
From left to right are Liam’s mother and St. Mary religion teacher Helen Collins, St. Mary teacher and essay contest coordinator Kathryn Edmunds, WCBA President-Elect Courtney Mayo, Liam Collins and WCBA President, Geoff Spofford.
Aspen Aerogels, Inc. seeks Senior Product Manager for Marlborough, MA.
• CNC programmer Amada & Haas
• Press brake mechanic NC9EX Amada
• Turret punch press set up/ operator
• Methods Engineer (JOBBOSS shop control )
• Quality control inspector (flat pattern)
• Welder (hielarc/mig)
• Shipper/Receiver & shipping help
• Customer service, sales & estimator
• Working Forman all around mechanic
• Book keeper/QuickBooks excel
• Part time (general shop help)
Great benefits including medical matched 401 contributions and paid vacations. Located at 40 Hayes Memorial Drive, Marlborough, MA 01752.
Tel 508-786-0309 fax 508-786-0310 Email resume to: sales@apahouser.com
Master’s or equiv deg in Chem Engg or Materials Engg. 8 yrs rlvt exp in prod mgmt leading Prod Dvlpmt Process (PDP). Must have exp w/: full scale prod launches incl establishing & stewarding the PDP & leading stage gate reviews; completion of portfolio anlss to provide strat recommendations for prod families; prod roadmap definition; evaluating & providing rel prod pricing & anlss; working directly w/ tech sales teams; dvlpng prod lvl value propositions. Up to 25% domestic trvl to spprt customers. May telecommute & rprt as needed to office in Marlborough, MA. Submit resume to https://www.aerogel.com/careers/
Novena to Saint Jude To Saint Jude, Holy Saint Jude. Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles.. near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depths of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition, in return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. Saint Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Marys and 3 Glory Be to the Father. Publication must be promised. This Novena must be said for 9 consecutive days. D.L.
COMMUNITY BUSINESS
Westborough business leaders celebrate recent growth at Year in Review awards breakfast
By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor
WESTBOROUGH - Westborough business leaders recognized local successes and discussed next steps for the local economy at the Westborough Economic Development Committee’s (EDC) Year in Review Awards Celebration on April 29.
Gathering in the Forbes Municipal Building, the event featured Lieutenant Governor and keynote speaker Karyn Polito and many others.
“It’s a great time to do business in Westborough,” EDC Chair Todd Alexander said in his opening remarks during the celebration.
Lt. Gov. applauds local business community
Speakers acknowledged COVID-19 challenges while highlighting business solutions crafted over the past two years.
The results of that work, local leaders noted, have included multiple major developments, new small business openings and other ventures.
“We have seen many people who, inspired by the Great Resignation, chose Westborough as the place to begin their entrepreneurial journey,” Alexander said, noting one trend now emerging from the coronavirus pandemic.
Polito, among other things, commended Westborough for its work to support businesses, adapting to a new normal during COVID-19 and making new investments where needed.
“Congratulations for not missing a beat and keeping that momentum going,” she said.
“This is, indeed, your moment,” Polito said of Westborough as a whole.
Businesses earn awards Friday’s event included award presentations.
Businesses were honored as follows:
• New Development Project Award - Amazon Robotics
• New Large Business Award
- Monroe Tractor
• New Small Business Award
- Thai Minal
• Innovation Award - Kopin Corporation
• Civic Pride Award - Art &
Frame
Emporium
• Hall of Fame Award - Nourse Farm
‘The Westborough economy can face anything’
As Westborough now moves forward, speakers and town leaders last Friday continued to highlight the contributions of this year’s award-winning business, among many others.
Their growth has ramifications throughout town, Select Board and EDC member Sean Keogh later noted in comments to Community Advocate.
“It’s important that we maintain balance between the residential and some of the commercial industrial base in town to really help moderate our tax rate,” he said That balance and commercial industrial base can help in other ways, he continued, including new local job opportunities.
New business arrivals and expansions are in the future as the EDC’s work continues, EDC Coordinator Zach Boughner
Jonathan Nourse of Nourse Farm accepts the Westborough EDC’s Hall of Fame award at its Year in Review awards breakfast last week.
said, highlighting a planned new location for the Coop, a restaurant which offers BBQ and comfort food.
That expansion is being aided by a $10,000 tax credit through a state program meant to encourage business growth into vacant storefronts.
“We are very excited to have had our first vacant storefront project approved and to be encouraging more restaurants and active uses to be opening in our downtown area,” Boughner said.
While the region’s economic future remains uncertain, speakers last Friday emphasized cause for optimism and confidence in light of this recent growth and success.
“We don’t know what lies ahead,” EDC Vice Chair Linda Townsend said. “But the last two years have only strengthened my belief that the Westborough economy can face anything.”
See the full EDC event online at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xHoBa8tooro.
American Heritage Museum to celebrate mother’s day
HUDSON - The American Heritage Museum in Hudson will offer free admission to mothers on Sunday, May 8, recognizing Mothers Day.
The American Heritage Museum traces the history of American conflicts through a massive collection of military technology and hardware, including numerous tanks and other assets not displayed elsewhere in North America.
The museum is located at 568 Main Street in Hudson.
“Since the American Heritage Museum is fairly new, chances are good your mom has not visited this extraordinary museum,” the museum noted in its Mother’s Day announcement. “Plan on a great trip for the entire family!”
Learn more at www.americanheritagemuseum.org.
PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN
By Jeff Theodore Contributing Writer
WESTBOROUGH - For thousands of years, people have used acupuncture to cure what ails them.
Now, here in Central Massachusetts, the practice is building momentum, according to Joe Foley of Ancient Wisdom Healing Arts, which provides acupuncture treatments, Tai Chi, and Qigong sessions.
“Many people come to acupuncture because they believe traditional medicine has failed them,” Foley said in a recent interview. “So, when they come to us, they feel they have nothing to lose.”
An estimated 36% of adults in the US use complementary and alternative medicine, according to a survey by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a component of the National Institute of Health (NIH).
Acupuncture, aiming to balance the flow of energy within the body, is one of the most
common forms of alternative medicine. And as more insurance companies realize that acupuncture is a cost-effective modality, and more of their enrollees request coverage, it is becoming more financially accessible to more people.
Foley is a 2021 graduate of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science. He has since joined the team at Ancient Wisdom, which is 17 years old and helmed by Foley’s professional partner and mentor, Lisa Spellman.
Lisa Spellman also attended New England School of Acupuncture, and has extensive experience in the medical industry, having been on staff at Boston Medical Center (as an acupuncturist) for 10 years in Oncology, Pediatrics, and Family Medicine.
Ancient Wisdom recently moved to its current location Westborough after formerly operating in Southborough.
‘It’s a very relaxing space’ On a typical day inside An-
cient Wisdom, patients arrive for appointments around 10 a.m. and file into one of three rooms, where they’re interviewed and then treated. “It’s a very relaxing space with soft lighting,” Foley said. “When you walk into our practice, you’re going to feel calm.”
“Most folks do not even feel the needles going in,” said Foley. And in truth, the practice predates needles. There is evidence of acupuncture that dates back 5,000 years, and it involves many other modalities to support the flow of en-
ergy in each individual.
At Ancient Wisdom, Foley said they treat everyone from pediatric to geriatric patients. Most suffer with some form of pain.
Spellman treats patients with many issues including digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, cancer, and an assortment of other chronic ailments.
Foley said the most common question the public pose is “Does acupuncture really work?’’
“We can treat a wide range
of things people don’t know about,” he said, adding that “Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture, is the longest continually practiced medicine in the world.”
“People have been doing this for a long time,” he said.
Learn more
The risks of acupuncture are low and common side effects might include soreness and minor bruising.
Most acupuncture practitioners use single-use disposable needles to minimize the risks of infection.
With patients seeking care and getting results, Foley predicts plenty of room for expansion in Ancient Wisdom’s future.
Ancient Wisdom is located at 69 Milk Street, Suite 205 in Westborough.
To learn more call 508-8716035 or 508-460-0444.
Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.
Joe Foley is part of the team at Ancient Wisdom Healing Arts.
POLICE FIRE&
Brush fire burns 1.5 acres behind Floral Street School in Shrewsbury
By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor
SHREWSBURY - A fast moving brush fire burned through part of a forested area behind the Floral Street School in Shrewsbury last Friday afternoon, occupying firefighters for multiple hours on scene.
The blaze burned roughly 1.5 acres of town-owned land, according to the Shrewsbury Fire Department.
Crews knock down fire
An initial call reporting this brush fire came in just before 4 p.m.
Firefighters arrived on scene to then find heavy smoke from the blaze, which “quickly escalated” due to wind.
Crews managed to knock down the fire, ultimately leaving the scene just after 6 p.m.
Experts note spring fire risks
This fire took place as experts across the region had already warned of increased fire
Shrewsbury firefighters navigated “challenging” topography to fight a brush fire behind the Floral Street Elementary School last week.
“Obviously — the dryer the season — the more brush fires we will deal with,” he said.
Where crews have experience in local brush fire situations, Vuona acknowledged that the topography of the land involved in this fire was a challenge.
Previously viewed on Sat-
urday, roughly 12 hours after firefighters left the scene, the burn area, indeed, stretched across a series of trails snaking down a slight slope several hundred feet from nearby roadways.
The cause of this fire remained undetermined as of Monday morning.
risks in recent days and weeks.
The Northborough and Westborough fire departments both noted bans on open burning on Thursday and Friday of last week through social media, with Northborough citing “elevated fire danger” on Friday morning.
The National Weather Service’s Boston office, itself, noted continuing dry conditions in multiple weather bulletins.
Beyond specific forecasts, a fact sheet assembled by the state Department of Fire Services notes a greater fire
danger at this time of year, citing “strong and unpredictable winds” coupled with other environmental factors.
“When snow recedes, but before new growth emerges, last year’s dead grass, leaves and wood are dangerous tinder,” the state says.
Topography of fire area posed challenges
Contacted on Monday, Fire Chief Jim Vuona said his department typically sees “several” brush fires of this size per year.
Grafton man arrested after allegedly threatening Northborough Amazon warehouse
By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter
NORTHBOROUGH - A Grafton man was arrested late last month after he allegedly made “threatening comments” toward one of Amazon’s facilities in Northborough, according to Northborough Police.
A former Amazon employee, Curtis Cyriaque, 25, faces charges of vandalism of property, threatening to commit a crime and bomb/hijack threat.
According to Lt. Brian Griffin, an Amazon HR staff member reached out to police on April 20, saying that an individual – allegedly Cyriaque – had been making threats for over 24 hours.
Griffin said Cyriaque hadn’t been working at Amazon for a couple of months.
Amazon received “numerous” emails, Griffin said.
There were threats to “commit workplace violence where multiple people would be hurt,” according to Griffin.
On April 20, and while police were investigating Amazon’s re-
port, Cyriaque allegedly showed up at Amazon and used a BB gun to shoot out the window of another employee’s car.
An arrest warrant was issued.
Griffin said Cyriaque was then located at his residence in Grafton. Northborough police were assisted by the Grafton Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Unit.
During the search, police
allegedly located a BB gun, which Griffin said resembled an assault rifle, under Cyriaque’s couch.
Cyriaque was arraigned in Westborough District Court on April 21.
He was back in court on Tuesday of last week for a dangerousness hearing, where he was ordered held without bail for a minimum 120 days.
