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Vol. 48 | No. 19 | May 13, 2022

Northborough, Southborough voters cast ballots

Westborough Planning Board green lights Amazon Robotics expansion

Cohen beats Rutan in Northborough selectmen race

By Dakota Antelman and Laura Hayes

PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN

The Westborough Planning Board recently approved plans for a new facility at 54 Otis Street, next to Amazon Robotics’ existing 50 Otis Street site.

By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter WESTBOROUGH - A plan to build a new 100,000 square-foot building next to Westborough’s existing Amazon Robotics facility is moving forward after obtaining unanimous Planning Board approval on May 3.

Plans were submitted by Atlantic Management Corporation and its entity Atlantic-Westborough Realty LLC. They call for a structure at 54 Otis Street, which will represent an expansion of Amazon Robotic’s existing site at 50 Otis Street.

“The Planning Board finds and determines… that the project constitutes a suitable development and will not result in substantial detriment to the neighborhood,” Town Planner Jim Robbins read from the draft decision on May 3.

Amazon | 15

Supporters of candidates gathered outside of Melican Middle School in Northborough and Trottier Middle School in Southborough for town elections on Tuesday.

PHOTOS/LAURA HAYES

What is proposed Atlantic’s team first presented plans to the Planning Board on April 5.

NORTHBOROUGH - Voters headed to the polls in Northborough and Southborough on Tuesday, re-electing a number of incumbents while ushering a handful of newcomers onto town boards and commissions.

In Northborough, unofficial results released by the Town Clerk showed Mitch Cohen with a lead over longtime Selectman Leslie Rutan, who had been the board’s Vice Chair.

Cohen led in the unofficial count with 1,085 votes. Rutan came in second place with 886 votes, while Tom Dalton amassed 37 votes.

Still in Northborough, William Pierce led in the race to replace Planning Board member Michelle Gillespie, with unofficial results showing Pierce taking the win over Jon Lien.

Bryce Adam MacKnight appeared set to win a term on the Northborough K-8 School Committee over fellow candidate Gigi Howell.

Incumbent Joan Frank held the advantage in a race against William Barlow Redfern II for a Northborough seat on the Regional School Committee, according to unofficial Northborough results.

Southborough votes are also counted in the Regional School Committee tally, though.

Those results were not available as of press time on Tuesday night.

Southborough voters were also settling a contested Planning Board race between candidates Debbie DeMuria and Alan Belniak this week, among other uncontested races.

See expanded coverage, including full Northborough and Southborough results online at CommunityAdvocate.com…

2 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS Westborough resident works to fight cancer with ‘Sciarappa Strong’ efforts

By Stuart Foster Reporter WESTBOROUGH - In 2015, Corinne Sciarappa was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive pediatric soft tissue cancer.

While Corinne was undergoing treatment, her family was grateful for the research and care being done at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and wanted to find a way to help support it.

Now, though Corinne passed in 2019 when she was 18, work continues as her mother, Pauline, has repeatedly captained the “Sciarappa Strong” walking team in the annual Jimmy Fund Walk to benefit Dana Farber.

“She really had a strong vision for helping make our world a better place, and I’m trying my best to honor

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prised and touched to have been nominated, and that it made her “feel proud to be able to help bring our team spirit to light.”

her and to carry that type of work forward,” Pauline said of Corinne. “I’m hopeful that with the funds that we raise that they’ll find better treatments for the type of cancer that Corinne had and hopefully one day a cure because currently there is not a cure.”

Mother honored with ‘Alumni Team Captain of the Year’ title Corinne was very sick in her first year of treatment. Pauline, in kind, was constantly by her side supporting her.

Pauline’s husband and a family friend first participated in the Jimmy Fund Walk that year.

The following year, Pauline joined, herself.

“I wanted to try to walk, and while I was walking I met some people that I know from our town and they walked with me,” Pauline said. “So it

Pauline Sciarappa (left) poses for a photo with her daughter, Corinne (right).

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was not entirely planned.”

The next year Pauline made an effort to form a team including friends, coworkers and family members. The team eventually grew to around 50 people, with whom Pauline has continued to walk each year since.

This next Jimmy Fund trek will take place Oct. 2 on the Boston Marathon route.

Ahead of that event, earlier this year, Pauline was named alumni team captain of the year after being nominated by four team members.

She said that she was sur-

Family organizes blood drives In addition to fundraising for the walk, Pauline and her family have also hosted blood drives for years, continuing work that they began after it became clear that Corrine would have to receive many blood transfusions as part of her treatment.

The blood drives started after the Sciarappa family partnered with the Red Cross.

When the Red Cross stopped hosting drives west of Hopkinton, the family started hosting them, instead, with Boston Children’s Hospital through its bloodmobile parked at Tatnuck Bookseller.

“It’s just a really powerful feeling to know that you’re helping families in a way that’s irreplaceable,” Pauline said. “There’s no substitute for a blood donation. They can create medications and insulin and all sorts of drugs, but there’s no substitute for human blood.”

Pauline described Corinne as a passionate supporter of social justice issues with a keen interest in the sciences.

She was one of 100 students chosen nationwide to receive the Emperor Science Award and secured an internship, which she asked to do with Dana Farber.

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Westborough resident works to fight cancer with ‘Sciarappa Strong’ efforts

OVER TOP

Sciarappa | from page 2

THE

“

Corinne really had a strong vision for helping make our world a better place.

Pauline Sciarappa

PHOTO/TAMI WHITE

WESTBOROUGH - Drone photography shows the damaged roof of the Armstrong School in Westborough. Deteriorating in recent years, the roof is now in need of substantial repairs, according to district officials.

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chosen in 2018, and Pauline said they now include it on homemade cards they have made when asking for donations at farmer’s markets.

“It’s another way for us to share Corinne’s art and for people to learn a little bit more about Corinne and the significance of making a donation,” Pauline said.

This year they have been at the Natick farmers market, and will be at the Westborough farmers market throughout the summer.

Donations to Sciarappa Strong can be made on its fundraising page or on Pauline’s personal fundraising page at https://tinyurl.com/4cnrysve.

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At Dana Farber, Corinne worked in a lab doing research on melanoma.

“She wasn’t an intern getting coffee for people,” Pauline said. “She was a valued participant in Dr. [Rizwan] Haq’s lab.”

Pauline said that Corinne loved the theater and music.

While undergoing treatment, Corinne learned how to play the guitar and the ukulele.

Corinne was also an artist, her mother said, creating a rainbow diamond design as part of a Home Goods promotion for Jimmy Fund patients to create designs to be printed on bags and sold for donations. Corinne’s design was

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4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS

Shrewsbury town manager’s contract extended through 2026

By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter SHREWSBURY - Town Manager Kevin Mizikar will remain in his role in Shrewsbury for another three years after the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved an employment agreement last month.

Mizikar’s agreement has been extended through June 30, 2026.

This approval comes following Mizikar’s evaluation — both of which were reviewed by the selectmen during their April 26 meeting.

“I just appreciate the support of the board,” Mizikar said. “I appreciate the frank conversations that we have.”

He said that he and the selectmen “roll up their sleeves” and have good conversations.

“It’s enriching and enjoying and truly a pleasure to work for the town,” Mizikar said.

“Thanks for your continued support.”

Mizikar’s evaluation as-

sessed him in 12 categories on a scale of zero to four. Categories included knowledge, productivity, decision making, oral and written communication, financial administration, leadership, public relations, work relationships, staff development and training, personnel practices and his goals for the 2022 fiscal year.

In the selectmen’s feedback, which was read by Chair John Samia, the members said that Shrewsbury was “extremely fortunate” to have Mizikar.

They called him forward thinking, open minded, inclusive and not satisfied with the status quo. The selectmen said the strategic plan, which the town is working on, is a “glowing example” of Mizikar’s leadership.

Selectman Theresa Flynn said some people who watch the meeting may criticize the selectmen that they are being too complimentary.

“We challenge you on a daily basis,” she said to Mizikar,

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though. “You challenge us on a daily basis.”

“I think I go into this sometimes looking at how things could be — how wrong they could be, how bad they could be — and it makes me even more grateful for the position that we’re in,” Flynn continued.

Samia noted Mizikar’s availability and willingness to

answer questions.

“It was a very good year for you, and you continue to bring us forward as we continue to live in a changing world and we’re changing to meet our residents’ expectations,” Samia said.

Mizikar started his career as an intern and finance analyst for a town in West Virginia.

He transitioned from that role to a budget analyst posi-

Northborough’s Assabet Park may reopen

by Memorial Day

By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter NORTHBOROUGH - For the past several months, those traveling down South Street in Northborough have eagerly watched as crews have worked on extensive renovations to Assabet Park.

Now, town leaders are anticipating that the park will reopen to the public by Memorial Day. “The Recreation Department is very excited to have a new facility for the kids in town,” Director Allie Lane recently told the Community Advocate.

Construction on the upgrades to Assabet Park began last September. The park has been closed since.

This process is replacing the park’s playground, which was over 20-years old and which wasn’t accessible under Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

“It will be fully accessible and welcoming to all,” Lane

said of the new structure, adding that it will remain focused on children ages seven and under.

In an email to the Community Advocate in mid-April, Director of Public Works Scott Charpentier separately said that the Assabet Park project was progressing well.

Work had begun with grading and demolition, after which the new playground equipment, which the town already had stored in DPW’s facilities, was installed.

Once the playground equipment was installed, a safe, rubberized play surface was due to be poured.

Charpentier said that while the playground’s scheduled reopening date remained set at Memorial Day, it was a tight schedule.

Strict weather requirements govern when the rubberized surface can be poured, he noted.

As of Monday, some of that surface had been poured, though the process was not

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complete according to Lane.

The splash pad, which abuts the Assabet Park playground will open as schedule this year, Lane said, anticipating that it would open in mid-June.

The Board of Selectmen previously released American Rescue Plan Act funds in March to support part of this project, which had been affected by supply chain price hikes in addition to delivery delays.

The selectmen specifically appropriated $20,000 to replace fencing at the park.

“Northborough benefited significantly from the early decision to pre-purchase all of the play equipment,” Charpentier said, noting recent issues.

While the original intent of that approach allowed for the town to select the specific elements and desired colors in the park, Charpentier said Northborough benefited from having the order placed before the substantial material price increases and supply chain shortages that have come in recent weeks and months.

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tion with the Department of Energy, before taking an Economic Development Director gig in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

Mizikar came to the region in 2011 to serve as Assistant Town Administrator in Grafton and, later as Town Administrator in Leicester.

Mizikar has been Shrewsbury’s Town Manager since 2017.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 5

COMMUNITY NEWS

Shrewsbury Town Meeting article would increase building height limits

By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury Planning Board is recommending a Town Meeting article that may allow developers to build taller buildings in the town’s limited industrial zoning district.

This article, which is slated to go before Town Meeting next week, would allow building heights up to 75 feet in limited industrial areas, which are located primarily around Route 20 and in the northwest corner of town, bordering Worcester and West Boylston.

The article was petitioned to be placed on the warrant by the Boston-based commercial real estate development company GFI Partners, which owns property in Shrewsbury.

GFI’s Vice President of Development Hayley Palazola talked about the benefits of these developments to the town during a Planning Board hearing on Town Meeting articles on May 5.

“If the bylaws are not flexible in nature, the tenants will go somewhere else,” Palazola said. “That’s really what we’re here for is we want to be able to respond to these requirements that are in the marketplace and give the decision to the Planning Board to make the ultimate determination.”

What is proposed This article was one of the zoning articles ultimately recommended by the Planning Board on May 5.

It comes after Assistant Town Manager Kristen Las told the Board of Selectmen in March that the town had been approached by GFI Partners a couple months prior, who were requesting adjustments to the town’s zoning bylaws.

Back on May 5, Palazola told the Planning Board that the rise of e-commerce and a focus on optimizing the supply chain is increasing demand for warehouses with more vertical storage space.

In the 1990s, this average height, known as clear height, was 25 feet, she said. In the past decade, the standard has increased to 36 feet, though tenants prefer 40 feet or higher.

“Most recently, we’re seeing even higher requirements depending on the different users in the marketplace and what they’re storing inside,” Palazola said.

Article would allow special permit applications According to GFI’s attorney Mark Donahue, GFI Partners owns four properties in this district. These include Worcester Sand and Stone and its 185 acres of land on Holden Street, which GFI acquired back in 2020, according to its website.

As Donahue described it, this article would let develop-

ers apply for a special permit to build up to that 75 foot limit in the limited industrial district.

Additionally, the article would let developers seek a special permit to allow for loading and unloading in the front of a building in the limited industrial district.

That would change a standard in Shrewsbury’s bylaws that requires all loading and

unloading to take place in the rear of a building.

“That makes good sense in many cases, but there are cases in which it does not make sense,” Donahue said.

Palazola emphasized that Town Meeting approval of this article doesn’t rubber stamp a specific project.

“Instead it gives the Planning Board — you — the au-

thority to determine on a case-by-case basis if it meant for a specific project location — the same decisions that you are already making as part of the site plan approval process where you’re looking at setbacks, lighting, traffic and noise,” she said.

Town Meeting is scheduled for May 21 at Shrewsbury High School.

6 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kids get a healthy dose of fun at Westborough’s Boroughs YMCA

Westborough’s Hundredth Town Chorus seeks piano accompanist

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Contributing Writer

PHOTO/ED KARVOSKI JR.

WESTBOROUGH - Area children and their grownups got a healthy dose of fun on April 30 at the Boroughs Family Branch YMCA in Westborough.

There, a morning full of activities took place at an annual event known as Healthy Kids Day. This event was once again free of charge and open to the public.

It was part of the Y’s national Healthy Kids Day initiative, which seeks to improve health and well-being for kids and families.

“The Y hopes to use the day to get more kids moving and learning, creating healthy habits they can continue while they’re away from the classroom,” the YMCA notes on its website.

Locally, the two-hour event featured an Animal Adventures show, WooSox whiffle ball chal-

Angury Teron, 4, glides down an inflatable slide during last month’s Healthy Kids Day at the Boroughs YMCA.

lenges and one-on-one karate lessons led by “Karate Terk” of Daikaiju Kempo.

Other activities included an obstacle course, bouncy house, face painting and nutrition education.

Learn more about the Boroughs Y at ymcaofcm.org/locations/boroughs-family-branch and facebook.com/boroughsfamilyymca.

See additional photos online at CommunityAdvocate.com.

WESTBOROUGH - Westborough’s Hundredth Town Chorus is looking for a volunteer piano accompanist to share duties with its current accompanist.

When not playing, the accompanist would have the option of singing with the chorus.

The chorus is an all-volunteer treble chorus, rehearsing from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays at Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westborough.

The chorus is not affiliated with the synagogue and there are no night or weekend obligations, as well as no fundraising or ticket selling.

All performances are free and held on Wednesday mornings.

Any interested accompanists are invited to come to any of the chorus’ remaining concerts in May. Founded in 1949, the Chorus currently includes members from Westborough, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Marlborough, Grafton, Hopkinton, Southborough, Millbury, and Uxbridge. Music includes holiday classics, Broadway favorites, popular music, and folk songs, as well as an occasional classical number.

For more information, visit the chorus’ website hundredthtownchorus.com or its Facebook page. Individuals can also email htc.chorus@gmail.com or leave a message for the the chorus president at 508-393-8133.

Shrewsbury Garden Club to host plant sale on May 14 SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury Garden Club will host its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Shrewsbury Senior Center.

Perennial plants, annuals and herbs grown locally will

be available for purchase by cash, check and Venmo in addition to memorial baskets and more.

All proceeds from the sale will go toward the club’s town beautification program.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 7

COMMUNITY NEWS

Elected Shrewsbury School Committee members thank voters

By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter SHREWSBURY - Recently elected members of the Shrewsbury School Committee are thanking voters this week after last week’s municipal election.

Taking to the polls last Tuesday, voters re-elected Lynsey Heffernan and elected Erin Boucher to the Committee.

“It is an honor to serve the community as a member of the Shrewsbury School Committee,” Boucher told the Community Advocate after her win. “I would like to thank my fellow Shrewsbury residents for their support and the trust and confidence they have placed in me.”

Boucher joined her first School Committee meeting on May 4, the day after the election.

During that meeting, Heffernan was appointed to serve as chair of the School Committee.

“I’m thrilled to be able to serve the families and community of Shrewsbury,” Heffernan wrote in an email. “I thank all of the candidates for running and wanting to help improve our schools. I’m looking forward

to continuing to support our teachers, administrators and students.”

Boucher and Heffernan were two of the four candidates who threw their hats into the ring for two seats on this year’s ballot.

With a total of 6,394 votes in the School Committee race, Boucher secured 2,015 votes and Heffernan received 1,965.

Jenn Luke received 1,272 votes while Sanam Zaer received 1,135.

Boucher, last week, congratulated Heffernan on her re-election. She added thanks for Luke and Zaer for “putting themselves forward as candidates and the perspectives that they brought to the campaign.”

While Heffernan sought another term on the School Committee, the other seat was without an incumbent after Dale Magee announced that he didn’t intend to run for re-election to the committee.

Magee had served on the School Committee for 12 years.

“Twelve years is quite an amount of time, and I’m not one who believes that I should stay there because I can,” Magee told the Community Advocate earlier

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“I feel that 12 years is enough from my point of view, and that getting someone else in is going to bring a different perspective, different skill set and it may well benefit the organization,” Magee continued. “Time will tell.”

He later endorsed Heffernan and Boucher in a letter to the editor published in the Com-

and keep the focus on what benefits students,” Magee said of Boucher.

This year’s election also saw Selectman John Samia win another term alongside newcomer Michelle Conlin, emerging from a three-way race for two seats.

The Community Advocate has reached out to Samia and Conlin for post-election comments.

munity Advocate.

Magee said that Heffernan had “served us well” for the past three years, noting her volunteer service in the schools.

He also noted Boucher’s work on the Beal Building Committee.

“She brings the perspective of a mother with children in the system as well as an intellect that will grasp the issues

Assabet Valley Mastersingers plan performance of ‘The Seasons’ SHREWSBURY - The Assabet Valley Mastersingers are gearing up for their third concert of their current season this month.

The chorus, which draws members from Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, and Marlborough, will perform “The Seasons” by Franz Joseph Haydn.

Completed in 1801, this was Haydn’s last major composition.

“It is highly regarded to be his most mature, carefully crafted, and musical,” the Mastersingers

ter at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury.

Tickets may be purchased from www.AVMsingers.org or at the venue on the afternoon of the concert. The price is $25.00 and $20.00 for seniors and students.

All public health guidelines provided by federal, state, and local health departments and those of individual concert venues will be followed. As such, guests are advised to check the Mastersingers’ website for the most up-to-date information.

noted in a press release.

“No musical knowledge is necessary to delight in the simple folk song melodies and vivid orchestral tone-painting,” they added.

Mastersingers Founder and Artistic Director Robert P. Eaton will conduct soloist Mary Johnston Letellier, Gregory Zavracky and Baritone John Salvi along with orchestra and ensemble performers.

The show, itself, will run on Sunday, May 22 at 3:30 p.m. in the Robert Jay Performing Cen-

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8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS

Boston 25 to host Zip Trip broadcast in Hudson

By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor HUDSON - Hudson will get a day in the TV spotlight this summer as part of Boston 25’s annual Zip Trip series.

The broadcasts run live from individual communities, showcasing individuals, businesses and other local attractions.

Boston 25 announced its 2022 schedule last Thursday,

listing Hudson for an August 12 visit.

“We’re excited to bring Zip Trips back for summer 2022 and can’t wait to see everyone this summer!” the TV station wrote in its announcement.

As Hudson gets set for its day, other area communities have had their moment in front of the camera.

Marlborough was spotlighted in 2017.

Westborough was spotlighted in 2019.

Shrewsbury then hosted a mini-Zip Trip in 2020, though that event featured a scaleddown footprint due to COVID-19.

Zip Trip programming most recently took place last year.

Once again, though, Boston 25 opted for limited broadcasts aimed at avoiding large crowds of onlookers that traditionally

Friends of Shrewsbury Public Library seeks new annual book sale chair SHREWSBURY - The Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library Board of Directors is looking for a volunteer to serve a two-year term as the group’s annual book sale chair.

In a press release, the Friends said the chair is responsible for planning, managing and implementing activities and processes in the months leading

up to the four-day book sale, which will be held from Thursday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 16 this year at the library.

The chair is responsible for recruiting volunteers, coordinating event logistics and working with other members of the board and book vendors.

Candidates should have a desire to work with the public

and a customer-friendly attitude as well as a flexible schedule. Retail business experience and familiarity with Microsoft applications are also helpful.

Those interested in applying should email a letter of interest to Claire Nagle at crn160@ hotmail.com by Friday, June 17 or see the Shrewsbury Public Library’s website for more details.

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This broadcast will come as Hudson’s downtown area continues to thrive.

The region was recognized as the “Best Main Street in America” late last year through the national “America’s Main Street” contest.

The downtown area then recently celebrated as its last vacant storefront found an occupant last month.

“Hudson has weathered the storm of COVID probably better than other communities,” Hudson Downtown Business Improvement District Administrator Richard Braga Jr. told the Community Advocate last year.

“We lost a few businesses, but we’ve attracted just as many back,” he continued. “The word is out there that we have a good Main Street and a support system for our businesses.”

Westborough Garden Club to host annual plant sale WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough Garden Club will host its annual plant sale at the Hastings School in town on Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Those attending will be able to buy from a selection of locally grown perennials, native plants, herbs, annuals and more.

The sale’s proceeds will benefit the Garden Club’s beautification, education and scholarship programs.

The Garden Club will additionally give out this year’s three $1,000 scholarships during the sale.

Learn more about the Garden Club at http://westboroughgardenclub.org.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

Region pays respects at Southborough firefighter’s wake, funeral

By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor

‘She will be missed deeply by us all’ A Medway resident, Thompson had served as a call firefighter in Medway and Sherborn before joining the Southborough Fire Department in a full-time capacity late last year.

“In her short time with the department, she left her mark,” the Fire Department wrote in a statement on social media following Thompson’s funeral. “She was a dedicated firefighter/EMT and relished in learning all she could about her chosen profession.”

“More importantly, she was a loving wife, mother, daughter, friend and so many other things to countless people outside of our station,” the department added.

Thompson’s death drew reactions and condolences from across the region, with

PHOTO/DAVE BAGDON

SOUTHBOROUGH - First responders from across the region joined public officials as well as friends and family to pay respects to Southborough Firefighter Lisa Thompson last Thursday in Medway.

Gathering for Thompson’s wake, community members then returned on Friday for Thompson’s funeral as they continued to mourn the 38-year-old, who died unexpectedly on April 29 due to a medical issue.

“This loving wife and mother leaves behind a devastated family that is left to pick up the pieces of an unspeakable tragedy,” a GoFundMe fundraiser for Thompson’s husband and two children said, in part.

for the Southborough community’s kindness and outpouring of support this past week, as well as the numerous others who have expressed their condolences,” the Fire Department continued.

First responders from multiple agencies gathered in Medway last Thursday for the wake of Southborough Firefighter Lisa Thompson.

“

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She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, friend and so many other things to countless people outside of our station.

Southborough Fire Department

numerous area fire departments sharing messages on social media.

Outside of services in Medway, Thompson was separately honored last Wednesday night in the opening moments of Southborough’s annual town meeting, with Town Moderator Paul Cimino sharing initial comments from the Fire Department and calling for a moment of silence.

Fire department thanks community The Southborough Fire Department thanked community members last week, sharing additional comments following Thompson’s funeral.

“Although a solemn day, we were grateful for the opportunity to send Lisa off in

such a beautiful way and honor her family through fire service ceremonial traditions,” the department’s statement read, in part.

The fire department thanked the Medway Fire and Millis Police departments for their support before and during services.

They additionally thanked the Ashland, Hopkinton, Marlborough and Westborough fire departments for providing coverage in Southborough to allow firefighters to attend Thompson’s services.

The Fire Department thanked emergency personnel who turned out in Medway to pay their respects for Thompson.

“We would also like to express our sincere appreciation

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10 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS

Work ongoing on Northborough pickleball courts

By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter NORTHBOROUGH - Crews have broken ground on planned pickleball courts in Ellsworth McAfee Park in Northborough.

The project is moving forward a year after Town Meeting approved an article to use Community Preservation Act funds to build six pickleball courts off the southwest corner of the park’s parking lot.

“I can’t wait for these new courts to open,” Recreation Director Allie Lane recently told the Community Advocate.

“Never in my 20 years working for Northborough has there been so much anticipation for a building project.”

The Recreation Department has regularly been updating residents on the project through its Facebook page.

There were, for example, updates when a drainage pipe was installed in early April.

Posts were installed on April 29.

Work is underway on new Pickleball courts at Ellsworth McAfee Park in Northborough.

“Pickleball courts are looking good,” the department wrote in a separate post on April 14.

Director of Public Works Scott Charpentier told the Community Advocate in midApril that the contractor for the pickleball courts was well underway with efforts at the site, adding that excavation had been completed.

Preparation of the subgrade

PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN

was nearly ready for the first course of asphalt to be installed, he said.

“There is substantial work remaining, but we were recently informed that the extensive amount of fencing needed for the project has been secured by the contractor without delay,” Charpentier said.

Similar to work at the nearby Assabet Park to install its play surface, Charpentier said

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that this court installation process requires “stringent” weather requirements.

The project has also experienced delays in obtaining items, such as benches.

In March, the Board of Selectmen released $18,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for benches and gates at the pickleball courts.

Charpentier said last month that the contractor’s project schedule calls for the new pickleball courts being open and available for use by the Fourth of July.

With their opening, these courts will join a growing list of

facilities in neighboring communities built with the rapidly growing sport of pickleball in mind.

Lane previously told the Community Advocate that local players had been playing outside of town for years.

Now, town officials remain excited as those players will soon have a new space to play.

“People of all ages can’t wait to have six pickleball courts in town,” Lane said. “There is nothing better than having the whole community come together to create a space to feel healthy and have fun.”

Gaudette Insurance Agency announces Shrewsbury consolidation SHREWSBURY - Gaudette Insurance Agency, Inc. recently announced the consolidation of its two Shrewsbury locations and the move of its Main Street staff to its location inside the Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union (SFCU) on Route 9 in Shrewsbury.

Gaudette merged with the Daniels Insurance Agency last fall. Longtime employees Meghan Eaton and Sue Griffin then moved to the SFCU location on May 9.

Gaudette noted in a recent press release that it is looking forward to working more closely with the members and employees of the SFCU, to whom it offers a 5% auto insurance discount with both Mapfre Insurance and Plymouth Rock Assurance.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Southborough holds Annual Town Meeting

Voters approve Neary feasibility study, noise bylaw, PILOT committee

By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor SOUTHBOROUGH - Southborough voters completed this year’s annual Town Meeting last week, navigating a busy warrant that prompted debate over two nights at Algonquin Regional High School.

Among the votes, Town Meeting approved a feasibility study for the Neary Elementary School in town. A proposed noise bylaw also passed, as did a citizen petition seeking to create a standing committee focused on payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) contributions from Southborough’s large nonprofit schools.

Neary feasibility study approved One article specifically asked voters to appropriate $950,000 to assess current conditions as well as next steps for envisioned work at Neary Elementary School.

This approval comes as the town also eyes potentially consolidating Southborough’s school facilities and decommissioning Woodward Elementary School.

Woodward could then be put to municipal use as Southborough considers relocating some of its town offices in accordance with a recommendation delivered by town consultants earlier this year.

Speaking on the first night of Town Meeting May 4, and writing in materials handed out to voters, supporters of the article stressed that this feasibility study remains a crucial but preliminary step for any work at Neary.

Town officials said they don’t know if the results of this study will lead to a renovation project or, alternatively, a complete rebuild of the school.

They noted, however, that a known list of needed fixes would cost enough to trigger additional mandatory renovations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and building codes that could drive up the price tag on a Neary project.

“All of this would also ignore educational programming and function of the space, and leave the Town in a position to continue to patch together a solution that has no long-term vision,” a frequently asked

questions sheet shared with voters said.

Speaking following an initial presentation on this article, some residents raised concerns about the nearly $1 million feasibility study’s cost and broader school district restructuring plans.

Among them, Advisory Committee member Timothy Martel explained his “no” vote against recommending the feasibility study article for approval.

He contrasted what he said could be the approximately $60 million cost of closing the

Woodward School and renovating the Neary School, with what he said would be much lower costs of keeping Woodward open and closing Neary under a proposed consolidation push.

“While it’s understandable from a functional perspective, while the schools would prefer

to have Neary open,” he said “… when you look at the financial impact on the town adding a $60 million bond and what that will do to some of the more vulnerable members of our community, it doesn’t make sense to spend a million dollars Southborough | 14

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12 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

PEOPLE

Shrewsbury, Marlborough illustrators collaborate on children’s book series

By Stuart Foster Reporter SHREWSBURY - Shrewsbury resident Fern Davis Nissim’s father was trying to explain to his grandchildren the story of his family’s emigration from Eastern Europe to the United States.

But the children were having trouble understanding the story, leading Nissim’s father to create an allegory about a little red ant trying to escape servitude and gain freedom.

That was in 1977. More than forty years later, Nissim has taken the same ant story further with a series of illustrated children’s books.

“He created the original story, ‘Antiline the Ant,’ and then he gave it to me and he said ‘Why don’t you do something with it?’” Nissim said of

k Pray for U

her father. “I read it to the kids; they loved it, but I never did anything more with it because I was very busy with my own career and raising children.”

Nissim began writing what is now her “Little Red Ant Books” series around 2019, updating the story, putting it in rhyme and finding another artist — Marlborough-based Sue Fleishman — to help develop illustrations.

Their first book was entitled “Antiline’s Brave Adventure.”

They have since published a sequel, “Antiline’s True Discovery,” and finalized a third book, which is now available.

“Out of the three books altogether, I hope that children will get the general gist of the story, which is freedom, friendship and community,” Nissim said.

“Those are the three keywords that I’m trying to focus on.”

Fern Davis Nissim

Sue Fleishman

Upcoming book highlights ‘community circles’ “Antiline’s Brave Adventure” sees Antiline, a Serv-ant living under the reign of the Tyr-ant, traveling in search of a happier life until she ultimately finds an accepting home.

“Antiline’s True Discovery” is about Antiline’s journey to learn about her family ant-

cestry and her ant-cestors like Queen Victori-ant. She ultimately discovers the importance of sharing and learning about others’ histories.

Nissim described the upcoming “Antiline’s Community Circle” as somewhat of a how-to book for creating a “community circle” of friends.

Beyond her writing, Nissim

is also developing an advisory group to gather interest from parents, teachers and community groups. She hoped to work with this advisory group to create venues for the promotion of community circles, which she describes as “gathering a group of people together for one main purpose, which would be just to get to know each other.”

Fleishman said that the end of the third book has line drawings, designed to engage young readers. She said the decision to include this was influenced by a talk she and Nissim did at Tatnuck Bookseller in Westborough a few summers ago, when a child did her own drawing of the Antiline character.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

Shrewsbury, Marlborough illustrators collaborate on children’s book series Author | from page 12

grants, had been talking about their own traditions and family stories.

“It’s a book for young children, and young children love to draw,” Fleishman said.

Collaborative process creates books Nissim explained that both

she and Fleishman have backgrounds in art, although neither had done illustration before.

In their collaborative process, it’s Fleishman who draws the characters in the Little Red Ant Books. Nissim paints backgrounds.

Fleishman researched gestural drawings and children’s

movements to inform her character designs.

In their recent work , Fleishman has been drawing characters first, with Nissim then filling in the backgrounds.

“Despite the fact that the way we draw and paint are different, it works together,” Fleishman said.

Books available for sale Where many modern books are developed through using digital art tools, Nissim emphasized that all of these Little Red Ant illustrations are done by hand.

Nissim said the books have received a good response, with Nissim doing readings at li-

braries before the pandemic, among other things.

The books are self-published through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, meaning they’re also available for purchase through Amazon.

The books are additionally available in person at Tatnuck Bookseller and TidePool Bookshop in Worcester.

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14 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS

Southborough holds Annual Town Meeting Voters gathered at Algonquin Regional High School last week for Southborough’s Annual Town Meeting.

Southborough | from page 11

to try to decide whether or not we want to spend $60 million a couple years later.”

Supporters of the feasibility study article and the proposed decommissioning of Woodward have said that an alternative closure of Neary is simply not an option.

Building occupancy limits would hamper adding even a single new grade at Woodward in particular, they’ve said.

Logistical challenges within the school would further create problems for students and their teachers, forcing early lunch times, among other things, even if occupancy limits were not an issue, according to that frequently asked questions page.

Speaking prior to the larger discussion on the issue, Capital Planning Chair Jason Malinowski reiterated that this process differs from past construction projects, like the construction of Southborough’s Public Safety building, which bundled authorizations of feasibility and construction spending.

PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN

“By voting yes for this tonight, you are not voting for a construction project; you’re voting for a building committee to bring back all options that were considered and what the preferred path forward is,” Malinowski said.

He added that the stated $950,000 feasibility study cost could fall to as low as $589,000 under a potential reimbursement if Southborough moves forward in the Massachusetts School Building Association process, into which it has already been accepted.

Ultimately, Malinowski said, this study would have “zero impact” on the 2023 Fiscal Year

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budget and potential tax bills.

Voters ultimately decided to approve the feasibility study.

The first night of Town Meeting ended shortly after discussion came to a close on this article.

Noise bylaw passes On the second night, voters subsequently dug into a number of topics, including a proposed noise bylaw.

This bylaw would limit certain kinds of noises to specific hours, imposing fines on violators and giving police new options in responding to noise complaints.

“Noise enforcement is not possible without a bylaw on the books,” a frequently asked question sheet explaining the bylaw explained.

Proposed as a citizen petition a year ago, the first iteration of the bylaw failed to gain voter approval. It instead prompted the creation of an ad hoc committee to help develop a new version of the bylaw.

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The noise bylaw eventually passed, however, by a narrow 69-61 margin.

PILOT Committee article passes Town Meeting wound down last week with a quartet of citizens petitions.

Among those, an article to create a new standing PILOT Committee passed, capping discussion that had emerged during several previous articles about Southborough’s multiple large non-profit schools.

Those include the Fay School, the St. Mark’s School, and the New England Center for Children.

Exempt from paying property taxes, those facilities have negotiated various PILOT contributions to Southborough.

Residents have noted frustrations about these payments, though, calling for more money from the schools.

“Isn’t it reasonable to expect private non-profit schools to be good citizens of the community, contribute fairly to the cost of the town services they, their staff, students, faculty and families use?” petitioner Patricia Burns Fiore said in her article presentation.

Fiore previously won Town Meeting approval of an article in 2019 calling on the Select Board to revive a dormant PILOT committee. However, the board opted against seating a committee at that time, with Select Board member Marty Healey instead serving as a liaison in new talks with Fay and St. Marks.

Healey explained that decision, saying the board had noted downsides to holding negotiations with school officials

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in public meetings.

“That’s not how negotiations function effectively,” he said.

Operating with Healey heading negotiations has led schools to increase their contributions to Southborough “significantly” over the last three years, Healey said.

“More important than that, though, is that they understand very clearly where the town is coming from, that the town would like them to contribute more,” he continued.

Healey opted to not run for re-election following his term, which ends this week.

Continuing his comments, he argued against the PILOT committee proposal, saying the board should stick with a process that he said has been successful.

Town Meeting ultimately voted in favor of Fiore’s proposal, approving the creation of a PILOT Committee with an amendment from Fiore adjusting the committee’s makeup to include a member of the Select Board in place of an initially proposed seat for a member of the Advisory Committee.

Beyond Neary, the noise bylaw and the PILOT committee, Town Meeting saw extensive debate over police, board of health and school budgets.

Further discussion focused on an article to convert the Ad Hoc Trails Committee into a full-fledged standing committee, among other things.

Recordings of both nights of this year’s Town Meeting, including debate on a wide array of other articles are available online at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=lwYFSngYyu0 and https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=9_vlXS8n3N0.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

Westborough Planning Board green lights Amazon Robotics expansion Amazon | from page 1

As attorney Robert Buckley described it, the team was proposing to build a companion and supplemental research and development facility that would tie into the work being done at Amazon Robotics.

“We have had this in the planning for quite some time,” Buckley said.

Atlantic-Westboro Realty LLC purchased the site in September 2020. According to the developer’s application, 54 Otis Street is just under an acre. Atlantic plans to convey land from 50 Otis Street, which will result in a property just under 11 acres.

The site is currently occupied by a home and garage, which will be demolished according to the application.

Amazon has previously used the property as a temporary parking lot during the construction of its robotics facility, engineer William Park said.

Plans show a building with an 81,900-square-foot footprint and a 20,000-square-foot second level. There will be 186

“

The project constitutes a suitable development and will not result in substantial detriment to the neighborhood.

Jim Robbins Town Planner

parking spaces.

Park said there are also plans to install infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations.

There will be one driveway into the site, though Park noted that there will also be a shared driveway with Amazon Robotics.

Truck traffic is set to flow through that shared driveway between the two sites, Park said.

“It’s a much more friendly turning movement into the proposed loading dock,” he continued.

Robert Michaud, the managing principal of MDM Transportation Consultants, separately presented the results of a transportation impact study

on April 5.

According to his presentation, the developers are anticipating 766 daily trips, including 113 trips during the morning weekday peak hour and 104 trips during the evening weekday peak hour.

It’s estimated that the building will have about 230 employees.

Regal Cinema security concerns discussed During deliberations last week, Planning Board member Hazel Nourse asked whether the Planning Board’s decision should require the building owner to provide security beyond simply locking doors if the proposed building is vacant.

“I’m just throwing this out as a question because it’s a large building,” she said. “It’s close to a public street.”

She asked whether the board has ever required an applicant to have a security company occasionally check in on the building.

“You’re thinking about the cinema,” Robbins said, referencing Westborough’s former Regal Cinema property.

“Absolutely,” Nourse said.

The Regal site is now owned by the town after the theater abruptly closed its doors more than four years ago.

The closure kicked off a search for the property’s owners and ultimately resulted in the town being awarded ownership through a tax lien foreclosure process.

During Town Meeting in March, Police Chief Jeffrey Lourie said that officers are at the cinema every day and during every shift, dealing with issues ranging from vandalism to a sex offender being found being the building with a “young child.”

“Obviously, that’s an unusual circumstance because they didn’t know who the owner was,” Robbins said on May 3.

“In this case, there will still be an owner to the building. We know who the owner is. This is a boilerplate.”

Buckley added that there will be electronic and motionsensing security.

Nourse suggested that Buckley could return to the Planning Board to discuss further security measures if the buildings became vacant.

Amazon expands This is the latest of several moves by Amazon to expand its presence in Westborough.

The company was already in town in a smaller location on Technology Drive in 2019 when it announced its expansion into its current robotics facility on Otis Street.

Amazon then acquired a massive parcel on Computer Drive late last year, which it plans to develop as a last mile fulfillment center.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter NORTHBOROUGH – After 18 years and hundreds of meetings, Michelle Gillespie has decided to retire from the Northborough Planning Board.

This decision, she recently told the Community Advocate, comes as she wants to dedicate more time to her real estate business. Plus, her kids are older, and Gillespie wants to travel.

“I just feel like I’ve done my 18 years, and I like the results,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed it.”

Gillespie reflects on Planning Board career Gillespie had served on several committees throughout town before running for the Planning Board in 2004.

She served on PTOs and volunteered with her church. She had been the president of the Northborough Garden Club.

At the time, some people recommended that Gillespie consider running for the Board of Selectmen.

“I wasn’t really familiar with that,” she said. “But I always found land use interesting.”

So Gillespie decided to run for the Northborough Planning Board.

Over her career on the Planning Board, Gillespie has since seen various changes and projects come to Northborough.

When she first started on the board, Gillespie said growth was happening, but there were a lot of questions about the next steps and where Northborough would be in 10 years.

There wasn’t a roadmap besides an old master plan, she said.

She recalled some of the subsequent work, including a community development plan (which Gillespie described as a mini-master plan), major rezoning that was approved

by Town Meeting and the town’s more recent master plan, which is currently working its way through the Master Plan Implementation Committee.

Gillespie said she enjoyed work stemming from the master plan and enjoyed seeing properties be developed into

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Michelle Gillespie “something that is thriving now.”

“Whether it’s a small business owner or a mid-sized business owner, they’re successful,” she said.

She recalled projects that have come into Northborough over the years, such as CVS. “That’s when we realized at that point we didn’t have design standards,” Gillespie recalled.

The Design Review Committee, she said, undertook efforts led by former member Tom Reardon to create such design standards in town.

Gillespie, who was a member and chair of the Design Review Committee for years, said she enjoyed serving on the committee.

“We were often the first face that a business owner would see,” Gillespie said. “The message was always welcoming, even though you might say to someone, ‘Your design is not really what we’re looking for.’

It was very welcoming, very inclusive, very positive.”

Gillespie says goodbye Now done with her final term on the Planning Board,

Gillespie said she would like to remain active in the community.

“I’ve always been active within Northborough since I moved here,” she said.

As part of that, she’s already a key figure in local organizations, including a seat at the helm of the committee organizing annual Applefest events as its chair. Gillespie also helped found the local organizations Boros Cares 4 Troops.

In her comments to the Community Advocate, Gillespie endorsed Jon Lien to fill her seat. Lien ran against William Pierce in Tuesday’s election.

“I think Jon is going to bring an independent voice to the Planning Board,” Gillespie said, noting that Lien is a longtime business owner and resident in town and had similar philosophies to her.

She said he would be a “good candidate” to bring back town growth and maintain the character of Northborough.

See election results from Monday’s election on page one and online at CommunityAdvocate.com…

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18 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Worcester DA presents grant for Westborough’s Project Graduation

By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter

DA Joseph Early Jr. poses with Westborough High School students.

PHOTOS/LAURA HAYES

WESTBOROUGH - Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. stopped by Westborough High School last Wednesday to present a $1,375 check to go toward Westborough’s Project Graduation program.

A volunteer organization, Project Graduation strives to provide Westborough seniors with a safe, drug- and alcoholfree night to celebrate.

“We’re incredibly grateful that they contribute toward our end-of-year celebration, which is Project Graduation,” Project Graduation Board President Karen Henderson told the Community Advocate prior to Early’s check presentation.

This isn’t the first time that Project Graduation has received this funding from the district attorney’s office.

Two grants totaling $1,500

previously sent money to to Project Graduation and the Westborough Police Department in 2019.

Last year, Early’s office additionally helped contribute to Project Graduation’s memory lane event.

As contributions continue, this year is extra special because Project Graduation is celebrating its 30th year.

The organization estimated that over the past five years

before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 90% of seniors have attended the event.

Held at Teamworks in Northborough, the overnight event features numerous activities.

For example, the 2018 celebration was a “safari” theme and even featured animals like an alligator, boa constrictor, lemur and long-haired rabbit.

“We keep kids safe on the night of graduation with an overnight,” Henderson said.

As she described it, Project Graduation gives parents “peace of mind knowing that their kids are safe that evening.”

She said Project Graduation was “thrilled” to receive the funds from Early’s office, which came through the office’s ENDD grant.

Those dollars, in turn, are made possible through the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance Drunk Driving Trust Fund.

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“The DA’s office has been very supportive of Project Graduation in Westborough and one of the reasons that we can continue to provide a safe environment for those kids overnight,” Henderson said.

Early’s office is issuing $25,000 to 18 Worcester County Schools this year, all with a focus on preventing instances of students drinking and driving after graduation.

The Grafton High School Parent Connection and Algonquin Regional High School also received funds.

“This time of year should be a celebration for our students and their families,” Early said in a press release. “These celebrations can turn into tragedies in the blink of an eye when drinking and driving is involved. These programs help keep kids safe while they have fun and celebrate rituals of high school life.”

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 19

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

New data highlights student mental health issues, Shrewsbury school staff say

By Laura Hayes Senior Reporter SHREWSBURY - Stress and anxiety continue to represent top issues for Oak Middle School and Shrewsbury High School students, according to newly released survey results.

Shrewsbury Director of Nursing Noelle Freeman presented this data to the School Committee on May 4.

This, in turn, came a matter of months after Superintendent Joseph Sawyer reported in January that at least 19 students had been hospitalized for mental health crises to date in the current school year.

“When we came back to school in the fall, we could not have anticipated the level of distress that some of our students are currently experiencing,” Freeman said in a March 30 School Committee meeting.

In that March 30 meeting, district staff reported that a total of 73 students had been referred for mental health reasons to either emergency mental health, youth mobile crisis or emergency room care.

In total, Freeman said there has been a “marked increase” in the number of students with mental health challenges since the beginning of the school year.

That includes what officials in March described as “intense” feelings of stress and anxiety, depression, self harm and suicidal and homicidal ideation.

According to the more recently presented regional youth survey results collected from Dec. 2021, 67% of surveyed SHS students reported that their mental health was “not good” at least some times during the pandemic.

At Oak, 40% of students reported some struggle with their mental health over the past 30 days.

The survey further indicated that 15% of Oak students were seriously considering suicide while 8% had a suicide plan and 3% had made a suicide attempt.

At Oak, the number of students reporting non-suicidal self harm nearly doubled from 7% in 2019 to 13% in 2021.

“We are definitely seeing this play out in the number of students who are being seen by nurses and mental health professionals in the buildings for cutting injuries,” Freeman said.

At SHS, 38% of surveyed students reported feeling sad

or hopeless over the last 12 months, which is an increase from 27% in 2019.

The data was further broken

down by race and sexual orientation, with Freeman saying that the results indicate that students of color and students

who identify as LGBTQ+ were at higher risk for anxiety, depression, suicide and other mental health concerns.

‘It’s O.K. to not be O.K.’ In March, district staff called for increased awareness and continued discussions with Survey | 20

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WHS senior exhibits paintings at Westborough Library WESTBOROUGH - Westborough High School senior Celina Xiong will be exhibiting regional and national award-winning paintings at the Westborough Library during the month of May. Xiong has been exploring the world of art since the age of five. She then first started oil painting at age eight at Gallery in the Pines in Hudson.

In 2018, her painting received a National Gold Medal from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Over the course of five years, her art has received 13 awards in total.

From 2017 to 2022, Xiong received her one National Gold Medal, two Regional Gold Keys, six Regional Silver Keys and four Honorable Mentions.

Celina Xiong started painting at Gallery in the Pines in Hudson when she was eight-years old.

Her national-award-winning painting has been exhibited in art galleries in New York over the course of two years and was chosen by the U.S. Department of Education for a top honors display in Washington D.C. The Scholastic Art and

Writing Awards is the most prestigious creative recognition program across America and Canada and is held annually for students in grades 7 through 12.

In the regional competition, with over 15,000 students in Massachusetts, a small percentage receive an Honorable Mention. A smaller percentage receive a Silver Key while a lucky few hundred receive a Gold Key. A panel of creative professionals then review around 340,000 Regional Gold Key works to select roughly 2,700 as recipients of national awards.

There are 15 pieces on display in this ongoing Westborough Public Library exhibition.

New data highlights student mental health issues, Shrewsbury school staff say Survey | from page 19

students and families about mental health.

They also recommended adding mental and behavioral staff and expanding Shrewsbury’s social and emotional learning tier one program, while supporting and expanding digital media literacy education efforts including monitoring children’s use of social media, among other things.

The School Committee in May later said that this survey supported the need for additional staff members that are

being requested in the budget.

Assistant Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services Meghan Bartlett said the district should be additionally partnering with families and community members to keep kids safe.

“We need to have conversations with our kids and have them know that there are steps out there to manage their mental health,” Bartlett said.

She encouraged families to talk to their students and acknowledge their feelings. Monitor their social media, she said.

She advocated for community members to seek out treatment providers and place their names on waitlists.

“It’s O.K. to not be O.K.” Bartlett said.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Shrewsbury Public Schools have shared resources for those experiencing a mental health emergency. Resources include Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention Worcester (866-5492142), Emergency Mental Health Services (508-334-3562), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

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22 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

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Legal INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE Docket No. MI22P2224EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Middlesex Division Estate of: Rose L Modano Also Known As: Rose Lee Modano Date of Death: March 16, 2022

To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner: Karen L. Fahey of West Boylston MA. Karen L. Fahey of West Boylston 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.

CITATION ON PETITION TO CHANGE NAME Docket No. MI22C0361CA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court In the matter of: Tiffaney Ann Falco Middlesex Probate and Family Court 10-U Commerce Way Woburn, MA 01801 (781)865-4000

A Petition to Change Name of Adult has been filed by Tiffaney Ann Falco of Marlborough, MA requesting that the court enter a Decree changing their name to: Tiffaney Ann Connelly.

IMPORTANT NOTICE Any person may appear for purpose of objecting to the petition by filing an appearance at: Middlesex Probate and Family Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 05/24/2022.

This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance if you object to this proceeding.

WITNESS, Hon. Maureen H Monks, First Justice of this Court.

Date: April 26, 2022

Tel 508-786-0309 fax 508-786-0310 Email resume to: sales@apahouser.com CITY OF MARLBOROUGH CONSERVATION COMMISSION

A Notice is hereby given that the Marlborough Conservation Commission will hold a public meeting on May 19, 2022 at 7:00 PM at Marlborough City Hall, 140 Main St. on the 3rd Floor-Memorial Hall.

CAPTAIN’S COMMAND AT BLUEBEARD’S ) BEACH CLUB OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC. ) Plaintiff, ) vs. ) KRISTINE A. WINGATE, ) Defendant. ) ___________________________)

Request for Determination of Applicability was filed under provisions of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, G.L. c. 131, §40.

To:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Answers to Super Crossword Puzzle on page 27

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DIVISION OF ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN

Petition: Rich Deals, LLC proposes to do landscaping next to a brook at 204 Farm Rd. Plans and other information can be viewed in the Conservation Office.

All interested persons are invited.

Applicant or representative must be present.

Edward Clancy Chairman Conservation Commission

Scan QR code for rate information or to email your legal notice, or call Alissa at 508-366-5500.

Email: alissa@communityadvocate.com

Kristine A. Wingate 79 Oak Hill Road Fayville, MA 01745

Case No. ST–2021–CV–00440 ACTION FOR DEBT FORECLOSURE OF LIEN AND BREACH OF CONTRACT

SUMMONS

Within the time limited by law (see note below) you are hereby required to appear before this Court and answer to a complaint filed against you in this action and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment by default will be taken against you as demanded in the Complaint, for DEBT, FORECLOSURE OF LIEN AND BREACH OF CONTRACT. PURSUANT TO COURT ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION ENTERED BY HON. JUDGE RENEE GUMBS CARTY ON FEBRUARY 7, 2022.

Witness my hand and the Seal of this Court this 8th day of February, 2022.

TAMARA CHARLES Clerk of the Court By: Donna Donovan Richard H. Dollison, Esq. Deputy Clerk Attorney for Plaintiff, Law Offices of Richard H. Dollison, P.C. 5143 Palm Passage, Ste. B28/29 P.O. Box 6135 St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. 00804 NOTE: This defendant, if served personally, is required to file his/her answer or other defenses with the Clerk of this Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty one (21) days after service of this summons, excluding the date of service.

The defendant, if served by publication or by personal service outside of the jurisdiction, is required to file his/her answer or other defense with the Clerk of this Court within thirty (30) days after the completion of the period of publication or personal service outside of the jurisdiction, and to serve a copy thereof upon the attorney for the plaintiff, and in the case of any form of mailing requiring a signed receipt, within 30 days from the date of receipt as indicated by the signed receipt.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and at CommunityAdvocate.com

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

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 23

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 Allen Jr., Gordon of Shrewsbury Brewer, Mary of Grafton Broderick, John of Westborough Butts, Charles of Hudson Chamberlain, Lorraine of Shrewsbury Cobb, Daniel of Shrewsbury Conte, Leonard of Northborough DeArcangelis, Dorothy of Hudson Donahue, David of Shrewsbury Ferris, Eugene of Marlborough Haire, Theresa of Shrewsbury Harrison, Charles formerly Southborough Heath, Doris of Northborough and Southborough Holovnia, Sarah of Shrewsbury Hunt, Daniel of Hudson Johnson, Martha of Marlborough Kellicker, William formerly of Northborough Loader, Dorothy of Marlborough Mortensen, Marjorie of Marlborough Pomerleau, Gary of Marlborough Sabatalo, Robert of Shrewsbury and Hyannis Stuart, Harold of Shrewsbury Tauras, Heather of Grafton and Malden Tebo, Linda of Northborough Temple, Roberta of Marlborough Thompson, Lisa of Medway, Southborough Firefighter

Lisa Thompson, 38 MEDWAY - Lisa (Moulton) Thompson, 38, of Medway died suddenly at her home from an unsuspected medical condition on Friday, April 29, 2022. She was the beloved wife of Craig Thompson since 2014 and the devoted mother of Dylan James and Bentley George Thompson.

She is also survived by her parents James and Maureen (Gordon) Moulton of Hudson, New Hampshire, her grandmother Margaret Gordon of Hudson, her sister Amanda Moulton and her fiancé Stephen Frost of New Boston, New Hampshire and her brother Michael Moulton and his fiancée Emily of Cambridge. Lisa also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Lisa was an active proud firefighter for the Town of Southborough and served as a call-firefighter for the Towns of

Medway and Sherborn previously. She continued her life of service through the gift of organ donation.

The Ginley Crowley Funeral Home of Medway assisted with arrangements.

Linda V. Tebo, 100 NORTHBOROUGH - Linda V. (Morenzetti) Tebo, 100, of Northborough and formerly of Southborough, passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at UMass Medical Center in Worcester after a period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of Donald F. Tebo, who passed away in 1992.

She is survived by her children, Jeanne Shrum of Marlborough; Sandra Beane and her husband, Larry of Marlborough; Ruth Dupree and her husband, John of Marlborough; Penni Barger and her husband, John of Ripon, CA; Herbie Tebo and his wife, Jeanne of E. Douglas; her daughter in laws, Carolyn Tebo and Millie Tebo;

her son in laws, Rick Neiber and Bruce Bindman, numerous grandchildren and many great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Luigi and Eleanora (Catalani) Morenzetti, and her husband, she is predeceased by her children, Susan Bindman, Marie Neiber, Donald Tebo, Bobby Tebo, Ricky Tebo, Jackie Stevens; her siblings, Louis Morenzetti and Ann Edwards and a grandson, John Beane.

The Morris Funeral Home of Southborough assisted with arrangements.

Charles F. Harrison, 86 BELLINGHAM - Charles F. Harrison, 86, of Bellingham and formerly of VT and Southborough, passed away on Wednesday evening, April 27, 2022, as a result of an illness at Milford Regional Medical Center. He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Borelli) Harrison for the past 65 years.

In addition to his wife, he

is survived by his daughter, Joanne (Harrison) Keenan and her husband Bill; his brother, Bernard ‘Wally’ Harrison; his grandchildren, Jenny Harrison, Kate Harrison, Emily (Harrison) Jaquez, Luke Harrison, Jenna Keenan, Ryan Keenan, and Amanda (Wilson) Speier; and his great-grandchildren Jasmine Flowers and Cassius Jaquez.

He is predeceased by his daughter, Deborah (Harrison) Wilson; his son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Debra (Grout) Harrison; his sister, Marion McKelvie, and his brother, William Harrison.

The Morris Funeral Home of Southborough assisted with arrangements.

David C. Donahue, 83

2022, after a period of declining health. In 1989, David married Sandra A. Hammond and they spent the next 32 years devoted to each other and their families.

David is survived by his love, Sandra; three children, David Donahue of Easthampton, Daniel Donahue and his wife Susan of Acton, Sharon Golen, and her husband Jason of West Boylston. He also leaves Sandra’s four children, whom he loved as his own, Dr. Jennifer Sargent of Shrewsbury, Casandra and Christopher Funk of Worcester, and Brian Funk in Virginia; 11 grandchildren; extended family, and a host of friends who loved him.

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

SHREWSBURY - David C. Donahue, 83, a longtime Shrewsbury resident and real estate developer, passed away with loved ones gathered at his bedside, Friday, April 29th,

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24 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

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.

Southborough

Sunday, May 1 12:13 a.m. Arrested, Leslie G. Monteiro, of Madison Pl., Southborough, on warrant.

Shrewsbury

Thursday, April 21 12:21 p.m. Arrested, Fellype R. Desouza, 30, of 8 Maranda St., Worcester, for shoplifting by asportation.

5:02 p.m. Arrested, Jorge Ortiz, 44, of 25 Queen St., Worcester, for shoplifting by asportation, larceny over, warrant, and Angel J. Carrasquillo, 40, of 98 Orient St., Worcester, for shoplifting by asportation, larceny over.

Friday, April 22 7:31 p.m. Arrested, Joaquin Aquino-Rocha, 40, of 14 John St., Worcester, for OUI liquor, negligent operation of motor vehicle, unlicensed operation of MV. Saturday, April 23 4:10 a.m. Arrested, Rebecca Clare Pfeifle, 20, of 18 Orchard Rd., Shrewsbury, for MV operator refusing to identify self, obstruct traffic, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest.

8:07 p.m. Arrested, Jason Michael Fish, 43, of 116 Chapel St., Leicester, for fugitive from justice on court warrant, possession of Class A substance, and Matthew L. Pouliot, 23, of 4 Jefferson Dr., Shrewsbury, for possession Class A substance, possession Class B substance.

9:11 p.m. Arrested, Ashley M. George, 32, of 165 City Depot Rd., Charlton, for OUI drugs.

Sunday, April 24 9:45 p.m. Arrested, Hector Palafox, 44, of 96 Water St., Apt. 3, Clinton, on warrant.

Monday, April 25

4:14 p.m. Arrested, David L. Adams, 35, of 151 Hartford Tpke., Lot 42, Shrewsbury, on warrant.

Tuesday, April 26 12:48 a.m. Arrested, Ian Nathaniel Vorce, 32, of 45 Pope St., Hudson, on warrant.

Tuesday, May 3 12:50 p.m. Arrested, Michael T. Hoban, 33, of 83 Cleveland Ave., Apt. 2, Everett, for unlicensed operation of MV, possession Class B substance.

Wednesday, May 4 10:27 a.m. Arrested, Shamel S. Legree, 34, of 31 Chestnut St., Apt. 1, Clinton, on warrant, and Catherine Margaret Wheildon, 23, of 688 Brook St., Apt. 3, Clinton, for drink alcohol from open container in MV, possession of Class B substance, marked lanes violation.

Thursday, May 5 6:23 a.m. Arrested, Deshunda Gaines, 36, of 3 May St., Apt. 29, Worcester, on warrant.

Grafton

Friday, April 29 11:48 p.m. Arrested, Zachary

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Graffiti is seen on the side of one of two brick structures on the shores of Gates Pond in Berlin.

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By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor HUDSON - Graffiti in Hudson’s Gates Pond town forest prompted a police investigation that remained ongoing as of May 7.

Taking to social media, the Berlin Police Department asked for the public’s help in identifying individuals involved in this vandalism incident.

Gates Pond, which is located within Berlin’s town borders, is part of Hudson’s municipal water supply. The town owns an additional portion of land in the area, including the majority of a loop trail that encircles the reservoir.

Berlin police shared photos with their message on May 7 showing various graffiti symbols on rocks in the area.

Graffiti was also seen on at least one of multiple brick structures that sit near the edge of the reservoir.

Contacted on Monday morning, Hudson Police Chief Richard DiPersio said he was not aware of any Hudson involvement in this investigation.

Those with information are advised to contact Berlin Police Detective Kevin Trongone by calling (978) 391-5983.

Robert Bradley, 24, of 90 Pine Grove Ave., Bellingham, for negligent operation of motor vehicle,

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Westborough

Monday, May 2 2:04 a.m. Arrested, Robert Lee McMahon Jr., 44, of 1800 Computer Dr., Apt. 118, Westborough, for op MV with license suspended (criminal subsq. off.), number plate violation, no inspection sticker, MV brakes violation, fail to wear seat belt, straight warrant.

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

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 25

COMMUNITY SPORTS St. John’s baseball beats Westborough in Greg Montalbano Classic Beyond his playing career, Montalbano worked as an engineer. He also served as an assistant coach at St. John’s and worked to raise awareness about testicular cancer, among other community service en-

Westborough’s Cooper Hagen delivers a pitch during his team’s game against St. John’s at Westborough High School on Saturday.

deavors.

Montalbano passed away at the age of 31, “after repeatedly throwing every pitch in his repertoire at his 13-year battle with cancer,” as described in his obituary.

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Dubbed the Montalbano Classic, the game honored the late Greg Montalbano, who passed away in 2009.

St. John’s opened with five runs in the first inning on May

7, following that with four more runs before the end of the third inning.

Westborough answered, but still found itself trailing 9-3 through three innings. The Pioneers then tacked on two more runs in the seventh inning to secure the 11-3 win.

Improving their win-loss record to 8-5 on the year, St. John’s saw a four-inning, two hit start from pitcher Aaron Forgues, who also struck out six batters to help hold West-

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By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor

borough at bay.

Westborough fell to 7-4 with this defeat.

Honored last Saturday, Montalbano was a Westborough resident and St. John’s baseball star.

He graduated from St. John’s in 1995 and excelled at Northeastern University before being drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1999.

Montalbano subsequently went on to play minor league baseball, with the Boston Globe noting in its obituary that Montalbano continued with his baseball career even after having to restart treatment for testicular cancer that had been in remission.

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26 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

COMMUNITY SPORTS

Hudson snowboarder competes at nationals event

By Stuart Foster Reporter HUDSON - Spring is in full swing. But Hudson teenager and snowboarder Jake Prendergast still enjoyed a triumphant finale to his winter last month when he competed at the United States Ski and Snowboard Association Nationals Competition at Copper Mountain, Colorado.

Prendergast, who is a member of the snowboarding competition team at Wachusett Mountain, competed in the slopestyle and rail jam events in the competition, which ran from April 3 to April 9.

He finished 24th in the slopestyle and 18th in the rail jam.

“I gave it my all and did my best,” Prendergast said in a recent interview. “I’m planning to do better next year, hopefully.”

Snowboarder qualifies for national competition Prendergast qualified for the competition with his performance in the local Southern

Marlborough

tains.

“I’m only from Wachusett, and you also had these kids coming in from Japan,” Prendergast said. “I really didn’t know what to expect at the start.”

The slopestyle at Copper Mountain had three jumps and two rail sections, while the rail jam had three rail sections.

He navigated those courses, though he believes he bruised his tailbone during a rough landing on his last run of the slopestyle competition.

“Other than that, it was an amazing experience,” he said.

Jake Prendergast navigates a snowboard jump.

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Prendergast was the youngest in his nationals age group of 18- to 22-year-olds.

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when he was younger. He was into skateboarding at the time and made the jump because the two sports looked similar.

While now he says that the two are actually nothing alike, he has continued snowboarding and competes in events whenever he can.

“It’s fun,” he said. “You can go out there for a few hours and have a blast.”

“The people you meet, you make some pretty good memories,” he continued.

Outside of snowboarding, Pendergast attends Hudson High School, where he is currently completing his freshman year.

He is a member of the football and track teams at HHS.

Marlborough softball shuts out Fitchburg

By Tyler Charpentier Contributing Writer MARLBOROUGH – The Marlborough High School varsity softball team evened their winloss record at 5-5 on May 5 with a 16-0 victory over Fitchburg.

Sophomore pitcher Carolina Burgos stole the show for the Panthers, pitching a complete game shutout with no walks and two hits.

Burgos tacked on two RBIs with a 3-4 day at the plate.

“This is only her second year but she has progressed a lot,” said Head Coach Michaella DaSilva after the game. “...She has improved so much since last year.”

As the team dominated, DaSilva gave her squad props for their continued efforts and sportsmanship.

The Marlborough High School softball team took on Fitchburg last week.

“To win by a lot or to lose by a lot, it can really show a lot of character, and the girls stayed classy even though the score was so drastic,” DaSilva said.

As the season continues to progress, meanwhile, the

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Panthers hope to maintain their second-place spot in the Midland Wachusett League.

They back in action against the Leominster on Monday, falling in that game by a score of 8-1.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022 • 27

COMMUNITY BUSINESS

Shrewsbury shop still in the cleaning business

By Jeff Theodore Contributing Writer SHREWSBURY - Jay Wilson and his father, Tom, didn’t know what to expect when they ventured out to open their own vacuum business in 1992.

Former Hoover specialists who used to work at the iconic Spags store in town, Jay and his father faced uncertainty. Their business, known as Certified Vacuum, though, has since thrived.

“It was kind of scary to open at first, but we did it,” Jay said in a recent interview.

Versatility, Jay said, is the key to success.

Eighty percent of Certified Vacuum’s business involves installing, servicing and repairing central vacuum systems in residences.

They also sell, service and repair household and commercial vacuums, though.

Their store additionally offers accessories such as hoses, bags,

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filters, brushes and inlets for several vacuum cleaner brands.

Jane Davis, one of the store’s first customers, said the business remains viable because of Jay and his wife, Donna.

“They’re a hard-working self-made couple who built this business from the bottom up,” said Davis, who is now semi-retired but used Certified Vacuum for her commercial cleaning business.

“They repaired my equipment for 25 years and were always dependable, knowledgeable and accommodating,” she said.

Davis adds that it’s tough to find someone like Jay Wilson, who knows the vacuum cleaner industry inside out.

Indeed, over the course of 45 years in the business, Wilson said he’s witnessed many changes.

One of the biggest innovations is the rise in popularity of central vacuum cleaner systems. At Certified Vacuum, Wilson and his team have

Certified Vacuum is a family business that dates back to 1992.

successfully installed these vacuum tubes inside the walls of many Massachusetts residences.

The tubes collect dust particles throughout a home and send them to a container located in a garage or basement.

“With central vac systems, there’s no dust, no bags,” Wilson said. “You just empty out a canister. It’s a system that’s

convenient, powerful and has longevity. It will last during the lifetime of your house.”

When customers buy traditional vacuums, Wilson encourages them to consider buying German products.

“Miele and Sebo vacuums are high-end vacuums but of good quality because Germans spend a lot of time engineering the parts,” he said.

“Sebo offers a 10-year warranty, which is unheard of these days,” he added.

Jay said he’s seen several vacuum cleaner shops within a 30-mile radius of his operation close within the last decade.

Now, he hopes one of his two daughters will keep Certified Vacuum running once he retires.

“I was selling a central vacuum system to a guy one day and he said you probably won’t be around when the 25year warranty on this system expires,” Wilson said. “It was kind of eye-opening when he said that.”

Certified Vacuum continues to push forward.

Though his father has passed away, Jay said he knows he would be proud of their now three decade-old endeavor.

Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.

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Answers to puzzle located on p. 22

28 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, May 13, 2022

Brand new shipment of Hydropool Hot Tubs ready for delivery!

Choose from a wide array of serenity and selfcleaning hot tub models that are all energy efficient and built to last.

Hydropool Hot Tubs will exceed your expectations.

They require less maintenance and operate for pennies a day!

Ask us about financing your brand-new hot tub.

Stop by the showroom and outdoor living area!

Thinking about a new hot tub or outdoor living area this season?

Now is the time to act!

CA R I N G L I V E-I N M A N AG E R S AVA I LA B L E 24/7

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M O N T H-TO-M O N T H R E N T

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895 Turnpike Road Route 9 West · Shrewsbury

FERRARIPOOLS.COM 508-366-5849

R E S TA U RA N T-S TY L E D I N I N G W I T H 3 M E A L S A DAY

LOCK IN YOUR RATE FOR

Are the rising costs of gas, groceries and utility bills giving you

2 years

WHEN YOU MOVE IN BY 6/30/22*

the blues?

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For more information, call 508-841-9865.

The Highlands | 129 E. Main St., Westborough, MA 01581 Independent Living | retirementlivingmass.com

*Restrictions apply. Cannot be combined with other offers.