Westborough revives Civic Leadership Academy Dinner time at Farmers Market

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

WESTBOROUGH – The town is bringing back the Civic Leadership Academy (CLA).

During the Select Board meeting on June 13, Town Manager Kristi Williams provided a draft of the CLA, which has not been held since 2015.

“We’re pretty excited” to bring this program back, said Williams.

In the program, residents would have the opportunity to learn about town government; each class would explore onetwo municipal departments.

They would also be encouraged to fill available vacancies on the town’s boards and commissions.

Plans are still in the works, including possible tours and demonstrations.

Residents must apply for the Civic Leadership Academy, which would take place on

Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. from Sept. 13 through Nov. 8 (nine weeks). The academy concludes on Nov. 14 with a graduation ceremony at a Select Board meeting.

Applications are due by noon on Friday, July 28; prospective attendees will be notified of their admission status shortly thereafter.

Completed applications may be returned to the town manager’s office in Town Hall or emailed to opage@town. westborough.ma.us with the subject line “Civic Leadership Academy Application.”

To view the application and syllabus online, visit www. westboroughma.gov.

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

WESTBOROUGH – The Westborough Farmers Market has introduced a new feature — Dinner at the Market.

This twist on al fresco dining will take place one Thursday per month when the market is in session. For this event, the market will remain open until 7 p.m.

For the first Dinner at the Market on July 13, seven food trucks — Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizza, Birds Nest Italian Street Food, Shabby Gourmet Juices, Trolley Dogs, Uhlman’s Ice Cream, Uncle Joey’s Cannoli and Veg Out @ Nourse Farm — provided a variety of goodies. The market provided tables and chairs, and Mother Nature provided a near-perfect summer’s evening.

The event also featured live music, henna tattoos and 20 vendors offering everything from seasonal produce to massages.

“The first dinner’s a hit,” said Jeannette McCarthy, the marketing director for the Westborough Rotary Club, the market’s sponsor.

She came up with the idea for the dinner when she heard from those who couldn’t make it to the farmers market because it closes at 6 p.m.

“I’m really, really happy with the turnout,” said McCarthy.

The vendors were also happy with the early-evening crowd.

“It’s going well so far,” said Dominic Maynard of Anzio’s Brick Oven Pizza, which brought its mobile oven to serve up fresh, hot pizzas.

Dinner at the Market will take place on Aug. 10, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5.

The farmers market is held on Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m. at Temple B’nai Shalom, 117 East Main St. For updates, visit www.facebook.com/westborough.farmers.market.