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Vol. 51 | No. 51 | December 19, 2025
Something sweeter than candy at BORO Sugar Shack By Evan Walsh Managing Editor
Santa | 10
Post Office working through busiest time of year By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH — They may not be Santa, but every year they’re delivering gifts to families across America, including many right here in Westborough. “Christmas is our biggest time of the year,” said Westborough Postmaster Patrick Graham. “It’s our heaviest time. [Employees] are busy from the time they walk in to the time they leave.” Having delivered mail in Westborough for the last 37
years, Dana Lamorticelli, of Watertown, knows the “Christmas crush” all too well. Over time, he said he’s seen the Post Office delivering more and more packages, all while continuing to deliver first-class mail and periodicals. Graham said people don’t mail like they used to, but he’s “still seeing a decent amount.” He recalls the early days of his time at the Westborough Post Office, where he became postmaster in 2012, when packages filled
the whole building: “You couldn’t walk around in here because there were so many packages.” “Now, it’s a little more manageable,” he added, noting the office has gone from eight to 10 mail-trays a day per carrier to about three or four. These days, the office processes about 3,000 packages a month, but the volume is certainly amplified during the holiday season, he said. “We try to just make sure [the carriers and clerks] understand that, you
Major development proposed for abandoned Shrewsbury factory
$8.8 million project would bring changes to Route 30 in Westborough
After construction, Southborough History and Arts Center is open
SHREWSBURY | 14
WESTBOROUGH | 24
SOUTHBOROUGH | 24
Fudge | 9
Post Office | 9
In her first varsity game, freshman Anna Preciado scores three goals
NORTHBOROUGH | 35
STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE NEWS! VISIT CommunityAdvocate.com
Coming To Town
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in Southborough. Read the story of how Santa and his friends have worked to maintain Christmas magic in Central Mass. (Photo/Leighah Beausoleil)
WESTBOROUGH – What is fudge? The rich blend of sugar, butter, and milk is a holiday favorite – and an important part of these Westborough students’ weekly routine. It’s one of the busiest times of the year at the Sugar Shack on East Main Street, a candy store operated by the BORO (Bridging Over to Right Opportunities) Program. Within the walls of the candy shop, students produce between 30 and 72 pounds of fresh fudge weekly – and the number can balloon to 100 pounds during the craziest weeks. That includes all sorts of different flavors, ranging from Cookies & Cream to Rocky Road. The array of housemade sweets also includes favorites like chocolatedipped oreos, pretzel rods, and Nutter Butter cookies. “We try to find the things that our customers are going to want, the things that we can do, and the students can get excited about. We want what the customers want, and we want what the students can make,” said Kristen Dadah-Wall, a BORO employee who oversees the production of the sweet treats.
2 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 3
PE
T OF
HARRIET FEMALE, 13 YEARS OLD
WEE
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GET TO KNOW ME! Hi! I’m Harriet, a 13-year-old former outdoor cat now enjoying the comfort of a foster home. I’m deaf and have early kidney disease, but I still live life my way. I prefer a pet-free, adult-only home and tolerate humans mostly for food and a cozy bed. I’m not aggressive, just slow to trust. For me, nights are for exploring and playing with catnip toys; days are for sunny naps. (508) 875-3776 I need a calm, patient, cat-savvy home that respects my boundaries and appreciates my quiet slow blinks.
ADOPT ME!
An abandoned factory along Route 9 in Shrewsbury could be the site of the town’s next major development. A developer plans to utilize practically every inch of land to construct 270 residential units, a supermarket, and a half-dozen other retail buildings on the lot. Plans call for over 900 parking spaces. The project will be discussed at upcoming Planning Board meetings. Read Page 14 for more information.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
METROWEST HUMANE SOCIETY
The Community Advocate’s Policy on Letters to the Editor
Letters must be signed with a name, address and telephone number for verification (only name and town will be printed). Letters should be sent to news@communityadvocate.com or mailed to Managing Editor c/o Community Advocate, 32 South St. Westborough MA 01581. The editor reserves the right to reject letters on the basis of length, libelous content, suitability and space constraints. Multiple letters from the same person will not be accepted within a 30-day period. “Form letter” submissions, in which the content of one letter is essentially duplicated, will not be accepted. Letters should be 350 words or less. Deadline is 12 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Opinions expressed in the letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Community Advocate management or its advertisers.
news.................................4 history...............................5 homes & more...................6
legal notices....................23 obituaries........................31 classified.........................25
PUBLISHER/EDITOR: David Bagdon
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: 508.930.9022 MANAGING EDITOR: Evan Walsh ASSISTANT EDITOR: Leighah Beausoleil PROJECT EDITOR: Brett Peruzzi SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR/REPORTER: Shealagh Sullivan ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: Angela Gilbert | 508-366-5500 ext. 20 Barbara Clifford | 508.769.6259 Cynthia Merchant | 508.736.4332 Diane Sabatini | 508.366.5500 Mary Ellen Cyganiewicz | 508.366.5500 ext. 17 LEGAL & CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Cynthia Merchant | 508.736.4332 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Jess Walters Lynne Fountain Michelina Portas OFFICE MANAGER: Tracy Nickerson BILLING INQUIRIES: Bookkeeping Dept. | ext. 19
schools............................28 police & fire.....................30 sports..............................34
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The Community Advocate is a weekly periodical, (U.S.P.S. # 014-423), published by Bagdon Advertising, Inc., with offices located at 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Periodicals postage is paid at Shrewsbury, MA 01546 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Community Advocate, 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Publication date is Friday. Deadline for R.O.P. advertising, local community news and classified advertising is Friday, noon, seven days prior to publication. Not liable for typographical errors, however, we will reprint that portion of the ad wherein error occurred if notified in writing within three working days of the publication date. All material included is the property of The Community Advocate and may include material produced under copyright or a syndicated ad service. Permission must be obtained in writing before reproducing any material from any issue of the Community Advocate.
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Ryan Maloney, owner
LIGHT BEER Light beer is a lighter version of regular beer, with fewer calories and carbs, usually around 90–110 calories and 3–6 grams of carbohydrates per 12-ounce serving, compared to 150–200 calories in standard beers. It maintains a mild, clean flavor and pale color, often made with adjunct grains like rice or corn to help reduce calories. Most light beers have a slightly lower alcohol content, around 4–4.5% ABV, making them easy to enjoy over longer sessions. Though some people feel they lack the robust taste of fuller beers, many appreciate their refreshing, easy-drinking nature. Thanks to their crisp profile, light beers pair well with salads, grilled chicken, and spicy dishes. Light beer offers a simple, low-calorie choice. JULIO’S LIQUORS has one of the largest selections of microbrews, domestics, imports, Belgians and Trappist beers, totaling over 1000 beers in stock! Last, but not least, our Spirits department carries many hard-to-find items from single malt scotches to high-end vodkas and gins. Stop by our store at 140 Turnpike Rd., Rt. 9 East and take a look at our great selection! PH: 508-366-1942. P.S. Brands like Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, Heineken Light, and Natural Light are popular examples of light beer.
140 Turnpike Road, Rt. 9E, Westborough 508-366-1942 • www.JuliosLiquors.com HOURS: MON-SAT 9am-9pm • SUN 10am-7pm
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 itstheliquortalking.com
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. DON’T MISS OUR AD ON PAGE 4
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4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
Both lanes now open on Fruit Street Bridge By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH — Progress continues on MassDOT ’s I- 495/I-90 interchange project in Westborough and Hopkinton. The
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Fruit Street Bridge, which carries vehicles between the towns, now has both lanes open to traffic. The first lane reduction for Fruit Street, which spans over I-495, occurred on May 1, 2023. As of Dec. 11, both lanes have been opened, according to John Goggins, a spokesperson for MassDOT. Work has begun constructing Fruit Street’s sidewalk, and other paving improvements are underway. Phase 1 of the bridge construction was completed in 2024 and Phase 2 of the bridge construction has continued through 2025, Goggins said. During the spring and summer of 2026, full-depth approach work on Fruit Street will take place, followed by final paving once all approach work is finished. Throughout the remainder of the work in 2026, two-way traffic will remain in place, and police details will be utilized to manage day-to-day operations. The project delay for Fruit Street over I-495 was due to the lack of availability of “third-party utility relocations,” Goggins explained. The delay was compounded by time-of-year work restrictions and other I-495 / I-90 interchange construction activities. The completion of all Fruit Street work is scheduled for the late spring of 2026. For more information, visit the Community Advocate website.
The secret to happiness is not in doing what one likes, but liking what one does - James M. Barrie
Brought to you as a community service by Robert J. Terkanian
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 5
COMMUNITY HISTORY
Hudson native Burton Wheeler became prominent U.S. senator HUDSON THEN
NOW
By Conrad Tiedeman Contributing Writer HUDSON – Burton K. Wheeler was born in Hudson on Feb. 27, 1882, and attended the public schools. Raised in a modest family, he was the tenth child of a Quaker shoemaker at a time when shoemaking was Hudson’s dominant industry; about 17 factories employed about 1,000 workers. From his humble beginnings in Hudson, he would eventually rise to a position of great power and influence as an attorney and U.S. senator. He worked for a time as a stenographer in Boston before attending and graduating from the University of Michigan Law School in 1905. A chance stopover on the way to Seattle led him to Montana, where, legend has it, he lost every cent he had in a crooked poker game and was forced to stay as a fiscal necessity. In Montana, he built his legal and political career. As a progressive Democrat, he served in the Montana House of Representatives (1910–1912) and as U.S. Attorney for Montana (1913–1918), earning acclaim for defending civil liberties during World War I, notably protecting dissenters targeted under wartime laws. Wheeler was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1922 and served Montana until 1947. During his tenure, he exposed corruption in the Teapot Dome scandal, cementing his repu-
tation as a reformer. He was featured twice on the cover of Time Magazine. In 1924, he ran as the Progressive Party’s vice-presidential candidate alongside Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette. A key New Deal advocate, Wheeler co-sponsored the Public Utilities Holding Company Act of 1935 and supported the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, advancing Native American self-governance. According to historical accounts, Roosevelt’s team approached Wheeler about running for vice-president in 1932 because of his progressive views, reformist reputation, and his geographical (western) location. However, Wheeler declined to pursue the role, and Roosevelt ultimately chose John Garner, a conservative Texan and Speaker of the House, as his running mate. Later, Wheeler clashed with President Franklin Roosevelt over the 1937 Supreme Court packing plan, opposing what he saw as executive overreach. Wheeler also criticized Roosevelt’s proposed Lend-Lease program, which would provide planes, ships, and other weaponry to the Allies. He argued this program would end up killing every fourth American boy in combat. As a leading isolationist, Wheeler backed the America First Committee, resisting U.S. entry into World War II, a stance that later cost him political support and led to accusations of antisemitism, anti-Americanism, and cowardice. His temperament changed after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when he said, “The only
Welcome home to Saint Michael’s for Christmas! Saint Michael Catholic Parish
a principled, if controversial, figure who championed reform while navigating the turbulent politics of his era. It was a long journey to Washington D.C. (via M o n t a n a ) f ro m Hudson, which had fewer than 5,000 residents at that time. Were it not for his ambition and education, Wheeler might have spent his life toiling in a local shoe factory like his father. Hudson native Burton Wheeler became a prominent senator from Montana and well-known national political figure who was featured twice on the cover of Time Magazine. (Photo/ Library of Congress)
thing now to do is to lick the hell out of them.” Perhaps because of his original pacifist stance, he later also demanded in 1946, “That the United States quit appeasing Russia and let her know once and for all that we did not fight this war to let her enslave Europe.” After losing his Senate seat in 1946 in a primary to Leif Ericson, Wheeler practiced law in Washington, D.C., until his death on Jan. 6, 1975. His autobiography, “Yankee from the West” (1962), details his maverick career. Wheeler’s legacy endures as
Christmas Mass Schedule Wednesday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve: 4:00 p.m. - English 6:00 p.m. - Portuguese/Brazilian 11:45 p.m. - Midnight Mass English (featuring Majestic Brass Quintet)
Thursday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day: 10:00 a.m. - English 11:30 a.m. - Portuguese/Brazilian
21 Manning Street, Hudson, MA
All Masses will take place in the Upper Church
ASK THE PR
with Rick Marino
Dan from Westborough asks, Is it true that there’s a mechanic shortage and why is that?
Yes, there’s a shortage of mechanics. Here’s why you should care: By Rick Marino Owner, Professional Automotive
Most of the problems stem from utilizing flat-rate pay systems that 99% of new-car dealers use to compensate their mechanics. The mechanics do not get paid until they produce work, oftentimes having to dig up work on their own free time. The service advisors are usually commission based so the combination of the two can lead to an aggressive sales approach. Repairs and maintenance can get exaggerated to make a paycheck. Not saying this happens every time but it goes on. Today’s vehicles require less maintenance and are built better so there’s no longer a supply of “Gravy” work for a mechanics. Additionally, when your vehicle
goes in for warranty work, those repairs often take longer than the flat-rate mechanic gets paid for. The flat-rate systems leads to poor work-life balance, negative industry perception and high turnover. Despite the industry’s annual need for thousands of new technicians to replace retirees, the job itself becomes more complex due to vehicle technology. Flat-rate mechanic compensation is one of the leading causes of the shortage issue.
Most independent shops, like Professional Automotive, pay their technicians a salary leading to a more satisfying workplace environment and an outstanding experience for our clients.
(508) 485-8633 19 Mechanic St., Marlborough Hours: Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5:30pm ProfessionalAutomotive.com
6 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
HOMES MORE This is a paid advertisement
Beyond the Walls: Connection as a Leading Home Amenity By Stephanie Stuchlik
R
ewind with me nearly a decade ago after I bought my first house in Westborough. It was right before Thanksgiving, and I was preparing to throw my annual pie party for clients—a gesture of gratitude for their support, business, and friendship. At that time, we were just getting accustomed to our new home and didn’t know many people yet. I wanted to get to know the neighbors but felt unsure of where to start. Then I had an idea: I’d throw a pie party for the neighborhood as well. Hesitantly, I printed invitation flyers and hung them on doorknobs. I posted on our neighborhood Facebook page. On the day of the party, I picked up the pies, prepared the food, and waited. Would anyone show up? One by one, guests trickled in, and we had a fantastic evening with new friends. This spontaneous gathering has now become another annual tradition.
508-380-5795
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The US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy states that, “Loneliness and weak social connections are associated with a reduction in lifespan similar to that caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day.” Truly, lack of social connection can be an epidemic in this modern world, and I think many of us admit this feels true.
Real Estate Q&A with Kathleen Goneau, Your Concierge Realtor linens, and bathroom supplies. Is the Best Way Q: What Sorting these items early keeps the to Help an Aging Parent Prepare for a Move?
Kathleen Goneau Mobile: (508) 868-4090 Kgoneau@kw.com goneaugroup.com/blog
process moving, makes organizing simpler, and allows for easy donations to charity.
families face the challenges A: Asof helping an aging parent Finally, evaluate the furniture and
downsize, one common question arises: What is the best way to help Mom or Dad prepare for a major move? One misconception is thinking the process begins by simply packing without a plan. We forget the emotions our parents are going through, and it quickly turns to overwhelm. Without a plan, it can feel chaotic. A structured, step-by-step approach works best. Begin with personal items your parents will bring to their new space, such as jewelry, photos, meaningful keepsakes, and important documents. Starting here gives a parent a sense of control, and comfort. Next, move to essential household items such as kitchen goods,
larger possessions. Decide what will be kept, donated, or sold, but avoid emptying the home too quickly. A completely vacant property can feel cold while thoughtful staging helps buyers connect with the space. Starting with personal belongings allows other family members to step in and assist without disrupting your parents’ comfort. Following a clear step-by-step plan reduces stress, keeps decision making manageable, and ensures the move is smoother.
ADVOCATE
When it comes to real estate, being in a community is often near the top of my clients’ wish lists when we discuss needs and wants. This desire encompasses the feel of the neighborhood, features such as having a vibrant downtown, a high walk score, or the social richness of shared amenities. In fact, a recent Realtor.com survey found that “A whopping 90% of Gen Z and millennial respondents said they’d pay more for a home in a walkable community.” And according to urban planner Mike Hathorne, author of The Great Housing Reversal and the New American Dream, “these aren’t passing preferences—they are signs of a generational pivot... The new measure of value is connection: how close we are to the things that make life work.” I tend to agree. Sometimes I feel like we are bursting at the seams in my home. But while we could certainly use more space, when I have neighbors who have become like family, and I can walk to my office or downtown with my kids, why move? My advice to those testing out a new community and lifestyle looks like becoming a local tourist for a day. Explore different neighborhoods. Visit the town center at different times to see what the vibe is like. Map out the grocery stores, playgrounds, and coffee shops, and imagine how your days would unfold in this new life. Whether you have been living in your home for a few months or twenty years, this holiday season I challenge you to look for a small way to initiate connection in your community. Dropping off cookies for a new neighbor or shoveling a driveway for an elderly one can be a gesture that stays with someone longer than we know. So if you can’t move to the community you want just yet, let’s take those small steps together to make the ones we already have just what we are looking for. Happy Holidays and I look forward to unpacking the real estate market with you in 2026. If you have a move on the horizon, save my contact and let’s chat in the new year to make that next home a reality. 508-380-5795.
For a complete guide and additional tips on helping aging parents prepare a move, visit the latest blog at GoneauGroup.com SHREWSBURY
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COMMUNITY
I love seeing the small ways that neighborhoods work together to overcome this and build community. Just in my own neighborhood, we have a communal Facebook page, a Little Free Library, a Turquoise Table, and organized events like a Block Party and Christmas stroll. This past year, one neighbor even included us in their Diwali celebration with sparklers and treats outside. Community is something that is cultivated over time with small steps of putting ourselves out there and saying, “You are welcome. You belong.”
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 7
The ones who outperform.
Our results prove that we’re the real estate partners you can trust.
Local Real Estate Sales
December 8–December 12 Note: This is a list of single-family home sales for the dates specified. Certain transfers may have been omitted due to space constraints. These listings have been sold by a wide variety of local realty firms and not exclusively by Mathieu Newton Sotheby’s International Realty.
Thinking of a move? Contact Maria Vagnini & Katie Mulcahy
Maria 617.640.1400 maria.vagnini @mnsir.com
Katie 774.244.7727 katie.mulcahy @mnsir.com
HOME ADDRESS
SOLD
SELLER
BUYER
SHREWSBURY 251 Boylston Street
$444,900
John P. Graham, Joanna Lyn Graham
Erin Johnson
21 Fiske Street
$625,000
Victoria M. Kelly, Michaela M. Kelly
Matthew Winchester
WESTBOROUGH 7 Jennings Road
$615,000
Buu Tran, Hung Hua
Jonathan Guerrero, Jessica Guerrero
8 Samuel Harrington Road
$1,115,000
Michael L. Steinberg, Cindy H. Steinberg
Dana Philbrook, Linda Philbrook
14 Nourse Street
$1,075,000
Viakom Subramanian Mahadevan
Emam Hussein, Sally Farag
41 Adams Street
$730,000
Adam Wloszek, Katelyn Wloszek
Ahmed Abdelgany
NORTHBOROUGH 12 Saddle Hill Drive
$970,000
Malik Mustafa
Imraan Hosein
26 Maple Street
$682,000
Jeffrey Fortune, Natalie Stefan
Andrew Tougas
35 Woodstone Road
$1,495,000
Michael C. Dowd, Leilah K. Dowd
Michael L. Shi, Linda Vo
GRAFTON 73 Potter Hill Road
$450,000
Elizabeth Spinney
Noah Arnold, Jasmine Arnold
110 Main Street
$425,000
Jeremy D. Weeks, Carolyn Weeks
Lauren Noble
MARLBOROUGH 306 Berlin Road
$679,000
Valteir Torres
Carlos Cavalcante
HUDSON 10 Town Line Road
$1,911,534
Toll Northeast V Corp
Tenzin Tamula
18 Collins Drive
$662,000
John Sordillo, Donna Churchill
Jason Goldman
$995,000
Sumbul Z. Naovi
Robert Lowry, Jessica Lowry
SOUTHBOROUGH 67 Pine Hill Road
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8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
COMMUNITY NEWS
‘Merry on Cherry’ brings annual holiday cheer to Hudson and beyond By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter HUDSON — For Meg and Charlie Bear, the holidays start in August. It takes nearly 200 hours to set up (and then eventually take down) the couple’s light displays for Halloween and Christmas, an endeavor that begins before fall starts. In the Christmas display, there are about 300,000 lights on and around the house. On Charlie’s laptop, there is a 3D rendering of the house and its lights, connecting the bulbs to a computer program synced with music. If you drive by after 5 p.m. in December, the house is lit with glowing candy canes, snowmen, and more. Cheery holiday carols play, and cars line up to watch the display. Their house on Cherry Street — appropriately dubbed “Merry on Cherry” — has become a regional sensation since it began in 2021. “I always knew it would be
a hit,” said Meg, “but I didn’t really expect the traction immediately, you know? We went the first week having a car here and there to having lines of traffic, and that was really shocking.” The Bears recommend p a rk i n g i n t h e l o t j u s t down the street and walking to stand and watch the lights. Each night, Charlie ventures outside (wearing a lit-up jacket) to pass out candy canes (last year they gave out 5,000) and glow sticks that sync with the lights and music. They also collect “letters to Santa” in a mailbox — and even send responses. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone loves it,” Meg said. “[Charlie] doesn’t do anything small, and so this is his baby. It’s just so community driven.” Despite their unique holiday tradition, neither Meg nor Charlie grew up in homes that were decorated for Christmas like Clark Griswold: “There’s nothing in my family
history that would suggest that I would do such a thing,” Charlie joked. For the Bears, the light show is just another part of the holiday season. They build their routines around it, and run a website and social media page dedicated to their house each year. The couple says the display all goes back to happy memories with family. “We’re very fortunate. Christmas has been very warm for the two of us. We have warm memories of our fami-
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lies, and I think that’s kind of how we carry through,” Meg said. “We have a 16-yearold and a 13-year-old, and we wanted them to feel the warmth that we feel when we think of Christmas.” The Bears have consistently done Christmas light displays since moving to Hudson in 2009. While shopping at Home Depot shortly after they moved in, Charlie spotted a towering inflatable Santa and couldn’t resist putting it in his cart. From there, the display grew year after year, with the couple incorporating more inflatables, lights, and eventually music. Charlie is a software engineer and uses computer programs to design the light shows and synchronize them with over 400 holiday songs. Last year, he incorporated a software that allowed people to choose their own songs to go along with the lights. He said he’s hoping to bring that
feature back this year before the end of the holiday season. According to the Bears, they have been asked to participate in ABC’s “The Great Light Fight” in previous years, but have turned down the opportunity time and time again. “Merry on Cherry” may be Hudson’s worst-kept secret, but the Bears say they love the community-feel of their operation. Though there’s a panicked phone call now and then (and occasional glitches in the software), it isn’t something either of them would change for the world. “It’s been an adventure of our own making, and frustrations of our own making,” Charlie laughed. The “Merry on Cherry” show runs from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 9
COMMUNITY NEWS
Post Office working through busiest time of year Post Office | from page 1
know, it’s going to be heavy. That way they can try to prepare themselves mentally.” And the snow doesn’t make their jobs any easier. “It’s a little scary sometimes,” Lamorticelli said. “You’re looking around and you can’t see anything. You can’t see anything but white.” Carriers will do what it takes to get a package delivered, and they depend on residents to make sure driveways and walkways are clean. Graham noted that sometimes residents might forget that clearing enough driveable space is important: “If it’s not big enough for the carrier, well, picture getting out of the truck 500 times. Could be a problem. Could be a long day,” he said. “We don’t want anybody to get hurt trying to do that,”
Graham said. “Some people realize they need to clean their areas and others just think that it magically happens where packages just show up at your door.” And if the truck gets stuck? It happens sometimes, and it certainly makes for a long day. Graham says he encourages his carriers to skip areas that might be questionable. Lamorticelli recalls a time when it had snowed and he was trying to deliver some medication. He ended up “plowing through” the driveway to make sure it got to the resident: “I knew they were elderly and couldn’t shovel their mailbox out, so I went diving through to give them their medication,” he said. For Lamorticelli, Westborough has become a home away from home. “All my
customers, no matter what route, always treat me like a townie – like family,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine being a mailman in a better place.” “It’s a very special feeling,” he added. “They realize you’re still part of the community and you’re doing your job to help out the town.” He noted how some residents will leave out brownies or Christmas candies as an extra thank you. “It’s nice because they say, ‘Yes, I know you get paid to do your job, but you do it so well we just want to say a little extra thank you.’ It is very much appreciated just because of that fact,” Lamorticelli said. Though it’s a tough time of year at the Post Office, he said, “At the end, everyone chips in and pulls together.”
Something sweeter than candy at BORO Sugar Shack Fudge | from page 1
There are also lessons that come with the confections. The BORO Program, part of Westborough Public Schools, educates 18- to 22-year-old special education students. The program focuses on supporting these students while they gain important workforce training. Through interacting with the community, preparing candy, and, yes, making fudge, students reinforce skills that will be useful for their next step – whether that’s attending college, an internship, or living independently. One day, they’re packaging truffles. The next, they’ve become more confident and capable. “It’s very cool. I’m always happy to come to work. It feels like home here — it’s the staff and the students,” said Program Director Erin LaPrad, who joined the district in 2019. “Everyone works as such a team. The students — we learn as much from them as they learn from us. I think it’d be fun to be part of a candy store no matter what, but this is just incredible.” During the fudge-making process, students combine the ingredients and send the mixture to a kettle to cook. Inclusions – like nuts and
BORO students package confections during the holiday season.
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Oreos – are added to the mix, and students package the final product to display on store shelves. In every step, BORO students are involved. “We could hands-down just buy fudge, but then you’re using somebody else’s taste. I’m sure the other stuff is all good, but there’s something to be said for our candy factory. It’s fun, it smells so good. You want something you can make yourself and be proud of,” said Dadah-Wall. Not every job is easy. The crew uses stirrer sticks to keep tabs on the desserts. “Quality control — it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it,” said LaPrad. There’s more than just
homemade items at the Sugar Shack – the store sells a variety of local sweets, Westborough-themed holiday gifts, and name-brand candy options. Yes, the penuche is quite tasty, but all you need is a quick visit to realize why this place is really sweet. “I want people to buy the candy, yes. But I also want them to come and meet the amazing young adults here,” said Dadah-Wall. “Candy and amazing young adults in a great community — what’s not to love?”
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10 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
COMMUNITY NEWS
How Santa’s friends have made Christmas magic in Central Mass. By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor REGION — Captain Christian Dano of the Southborough Fire Department had never really been a fan of Christmas. Reflecting on all the unfortunate incidents and families he met throughout the year in his line of work, the holiday would often have him feeling down. That was until the moment he found himself in a big red suit with a beard glued to his face, circling in a helicopter above hundreds of children. Everyone was awaiting his arrival. Taking on the role of one of Santa’s “friends” had restored his Christmas spirit. “Seeing the little kids and the look on their faces when they see Santa Claus, it really cheers me up,” he said. Four years ago, Dano was asked to take on the role after the previous Santa “helper” retired. Flying in a helicopter wasn’t anything new to Dano, a U.S. Army veteran, but see-
ing all the excited children was exhilarating: “I felt like a rockstar.” “It’s funny,” he said. “It didn’t occur to me that I’d be Santa Claus, but at the time, I was honored.” He’s taken on the role with pride, practicing his bellowing – “ho, ho, ho” – and having his girlfriend’s mother make him an old-school suit by hand. And he doesn’t take his job lightly. Pulling out a slightly crumbled note from his backpack, Dano recalled the time a girl reached out to give him a letter. In the note, the girl explained that she was still learning English, but wanted to let him know of the candies and toy rabbit she wanted for Christmas. Dano has carried the note with him ever since. This year, he had a girl, around 13-years-old with special needs, who came to meet him. He knew her mother had just died, and all she requested was a pair of
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a big inflatable belly. His face would get itchy and sweaty with the glued-on beard. But most of all, he remembers the day one little girl came to see him. Tepper had heard of all the different gadgets and gizmos the kids were asking for – though he had no clue what they actually were. But all this little girl asked for was a bed to sleep in. “It took my breath away. I had to look at her face again – she was sincere,” he said. Afterward he and other members of the Rotary were able to track her family down
to ensure they were connected with resources. “I am a retired Santa, but I do have vivid memories of the joy that these kids had on their faces. They were different – all different,” Tepper said. He added: “I look back fondly on it, yet, as with many things, it’s time to pass the torch to somebody else. Somebody else will now get that enjoyment of watching the kids and talking to them.”
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UGG boots. Unsure if she would get these – as he didn’t know her family situation – he inquired about her size and sought out her family afterward. Realizing she was OK and would have a nice Christmas, most likely with her new boots, his search ended there. “In my line of work, you always think of the worstcase scenario,” he said, saying he was worried she would be lonely on Christmas. “It’s going to be a happy ending for her.” Dano isn’t the only one of Santa’s “friends” who is working toward maintaining Central Mass. Christmas magic. Westborough’s James Tepper, though retired from the role now, served as the Santa for the Rotary Club’s annual Winter Lights for about a decade. He remembers the days hiding where nobody would spot him, getting dressed in a parking lot, and the difficulty of getting into the sleigh with
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 11
COMMUNITY NEWS
Shrewsbury lights the menorah to kick off Hanukkah By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – The Fogelman family woke up to terrible news on Dec. 14. Earlier that day, a gunman had killed more than 15 people celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney, Australia, one of the first places in the world to start celebrating the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights. Shmulik Fogelman had interned in Sydney and had cousins who described running for cover. Sarah Fogelman, his wife, learned her aunt’s brother had been murdered. It was a difficult morning,
but the Fogelmans couldn’t let the tragedy dampen their spirits. As the sun set,, they lit the menorah at Shrewsbury’s Hanukkah celebration, observing the holiday with a crowd of over 100 community members. “Australia always has the honor of having the first menorah lighting. They attacked a very public menorah lighting in Sydney. They were trying to dampen the menorah lightings around the world, so we had to counter that,” said Shmulik Fogelman, the rabbi at Chabad of Shrewsbury and UMass Medical School. He added: “Chabad is
the biggest organization in the world. The number-one threat to evil in the world is Chabad. Because it’s such a force for good, people want to attack it, they want to stop it.” With an increased police presence – and a lively boost from dancing student rabbis from Suffield, Connecticut – the menorah was lit. Food was plentiful, including sufganiyot and potato latkes, and the crowd was encouraged to sing and dance along to in celebration. Located on the corner of Boylston Street and Main Street, directly in the center of town, it was a very public display of Jewish joy,
even amid a tragic event. “A m e r i c a g u a ra n t e e s freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. It’s so important we put the menorah in public spaces –
in the most public spaces, like the center of town – enshrining that this is part of America. We have public displays here,” said Shmulik Fogelman.
Meet the Central Mass. Facebook group that’s saving Christmas By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter MARLBOROUGH — ShaneaJoi Cowens has always tried to teach her kids to be grateful, especially around the holidays. She practices what she preaches. Cowens has worked for nearly two decades to give back to families in Central Massachusetts, starting her volunteerism in her sister’s basement. Cowens founded the nonprofit Santa’s Elves of MetroWest 19 years ago while working at a residential housing facility in Natick. At the time, Cowens said many of the kids living there were transitioning out of the program, and the facility was working to connect their families with resources to support them
through the holiday season. However, for one reason or another, many of the families in need didn’t qualify for assistance. “I just thought at that point, let me kind of see what I can do,” Cowens said. Then a resident of Framingham, she began collecting toys, games, and more, storing them in her sister’s house. She reached out to some of the families in need and asked for their children’s clothing sizes. The first few years, she had a handful of people helping her organize the donated toys and clothes. But over time, as word spread, the demand grew — and so did the number of volunteers. She eventually made the organization official, and today, Santa’s Elves collects monetary and toy donations, allowing vol-
To Santa Elves helper, You are such a blessing and you helped my family this holiday season, I am so grateful for you. Thank you, Family 38
unteers to “adopt” a family for Christmas and help fill their wishlists. Cowens brought Santa’s Elves to Facebook shortly after she moved to Marlborough a decade ago. In a new city, she needed help finding families in need and turned to the internet for help. Today, the Santa’s Elves Facebook group has over 1,000 members. Some are people looking for assistance, while others are volunteers. “It’s my baby. I literally built it from the ground up, but I have only been able to be where I am at because of the help of everybody else,” Cowens said. For Cowens, Santa’s Elves is about more than just getting gifts under the tree. She said getting to see her three daughters help and learn the
true meaning of Christmas has been her biggest gift yet. “[I’m] teaching my kids to be thankful for what it is that you’re receiving, because there’s somebody that is working twice as hard to try to
get the bare minimum,” Cowens said. “In that journey, it’s not just about me, it’s about my teaching my daughters that we have to realize that we don’t know what everybody else is going through.”
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12 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
COMMUNITY NEWS
What is the best gift you’ve ever received? We asked residents during The Willows at Westborough’s Holiday Fair By Evan Walsh
Gail T.
Sally W. “I think it was last Christmas when my son bought me tickets to fly to Virginia to see my family who I hadn’t seen in a while. I lost one sister a year ago, and an older sister after that, and so these two – one had dementia, and one is in failing health – I got to see them. I got to see my great-nephew.”
“The opportunity to have the people who circulate in my world. I just moved in here. It includes the myriad of people that have helped me understand the world more because of running into them, or because of speaking to a stranger.”
Miriam M. “Diamonds. They’re gorgeous. Two carats – beautiful.”
Marilyn T. Wendell L. “The best gift I ever received was my wife, Emily. We’ve been married 65 years, and we’re still going. We’ve kept ourselves challenged, and we’re always working and pulling together. We’ve lived in nine states. The thing that brought us here was our daughter, and she’s just finishing up her teaching in Northborough. She’s a first-grade teacher in Northborough, and she’s been there 25 years.”
I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. ~ Luke 2:10
Today, just as on the night of Jesus’ birth more than 2,000 years ago, the angels still bring us a message of “good news of great joy”. The presence of the living Christ in your heart will bring you the greatest joy that you could ever know. The good news of Christmas is that Jesus Christ came to live with you. The angels promised that they had great news for all people — including you. Christ sacrificed Himself for you because of His great love. Get to know Him as Savior, Redeemer, Lord and Friend. Embrace Christ as the Lord of your life and experience the joy that the angels announced for all people. Lord Jesus, Your coming into our broken world is steadfast proof that God loves us and cares for us. We praise and thank You for that. Amen.
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“It’s too long a story, but a pair of skis. My other skis had fallen off the car and broken. They were wooden skis. This was about 65 years ago.”
“I have to say my grandchildren. I have four. What can I say? They’re geniuses. They’re a blessing.”
“My daughter [Robbie]. She’s the best gift I ever received – just because she’s my daughter. And my son, too. Family. Why is it the best gift? Please, I don’t have that much time.”
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Mathieu Newton Sotheby’s International Realty staff recently went shopping for the Youth and Family Services holiday store. The team plans to deliver the $3,800 worth of toys to local youth this holiday season. (Photo/Leighah Beausoleil)
Visit CommunityAdvocate.com for daily updates on local news!
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 13
COMMUNITY NEWS
‘Welcoming to all’: Saint Mark’s Episcopal offers programs for everyone By Matt LaBarre Contributing Writer SOUTHBOROUGH – “Join us on the way – become the person you long to be” is the headline when you visit the Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church’s website, and according to the Southborough congregation’s interim priest, Reverend Stephanie Bradbury, the congregation is indeed very welcoming. Reverend Bradbury was called to be Saint Mark’s Interim Priest about a year ago when the previous longtime rector became a bishop in Washington. Bradbury was ordained 29 years ago – serving as a rector over a span of 20 years at several churches – and decided to become an “intentional interim” at congregations going through a transition. “I enjoy coming into a congregation, discerning what’s going on in the church, and helping with a congregation’s
self-evaluation, which leads to inviting, or calling, a new rector,” Bradbury explained. Bradbury says that she has found Saint Mark’s to be a very healthy and communityminded congregation. The church leadership works at having ministries and programs for every age group. Children may attend Sunday School on the first and third Sundays of every month, and activity books are always available in the pews. A Youth Group for children meets every Sunday after the 10 a.m. service. Messy Church is a unique worship experience offered once a month, on the fourth Sunday of the month from 4 to 6 p.m. during the school year. “We have a theme for that day, with a Bible story, games, crafts, a communion service, and we end with a meal,” Bradbury said. “It’s a wonderful and different time together for families.” “We’ve begun a new min-
istry: Meditations for the Nations,” she continued. “Our national situation is gravely unbalanced and dangerous, and people are suffering so much, so we’ve created this new program on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 4:30 until 5 p.m. where we will meditate and ask God to intervene, to bring balance back to the earth, and heal the suffering.” The meditation and prayer program is open to anyone; you don’t have to be a member of Saint Mark’s to participate. Ministries of importance to the congregation include the Community Fridge, where people in need can come by the church parking lot and take what they need for that day, and the Bargain Box clothing resale “store” at Saint Mark’s, where gently used clothing is sold and proceeds go to ministries in the church and community. The Bargain Box is open on select days and times in October and November, and
Reverend Stephanie Bradbury
again in April and May. “We invite anyone who might be interested in exploring a relationship with God and Christ to Saint Mark’s, and our congregation is indeed welcoming to all,”
Bradbury said. The church is located at 27 Main Street in Southborough. For additional information, please visit the church’s website: www.stmarks-sb.org.
How three Grafton parishes came together as one By Matt LaBarre Contributing Writer GRAFTON – In July of 2022, three Roman Catholic parishes – Saint Phillip Parish in Grafton, Saint James Parish in South Grafton, and Saint Mary Parish in North Grafton – merged to form Our Lady of Hope Parish. Reverend Anthony Mpagi, who had been pastor of Saint James Parish from July 2021 through the merger, was named pastor of the combined parishes. “Mergers can be ver y sensitive because you are changing the way things have been for many years for people in the parish,” Mpagi told the Community Advocate. “ The parish is a place of beginnings and endings: baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages, funerals, and burials.” “The parish becomes a spiritual home, a part of one’s family,” he continued. “In addition, the town
culture of Grafton Center, South Grafton, and North Grafton are all different and historically separate, so coming together takes a lot of work, a lot of taking time to see the bigger picture.”
The process has not been without “growing pains,” said Mpagi. “I need to do a lot of listening and re-learning, trying to understand the culture of the Catholic faith in
Grafton, and asking what can make the faith more vibrant and new,” Mpagi said. “How can the Gospel still speak to our times here and now in Grafton?” Mpagi believes that the merger was necessary. Each independent parish had struggled with maintaining buildings and facilities, he said, but the larger organization can more effectively tackle these challenges. Saint James Hall has been refurbished for use by the community, for example. There are also immaterial benefits, Mpagi argued. “Beyond lowering the cost of maintaining the buildings, the second benefit is reshaping the mission and heart of why we are Christians,” he said. “This is a great antidote to a society of isolation or separateness that we see all around us, and we must ask again what unites us rather than what divides us.” The transition process continues: “We’ll be hold-
ing listening sessions to ask parishioners what they think should be part of the new vision, what traditions or practices that were part of parish life in one of the churches could be shared, and I hope that home ministry and Bible study could be revived,” said Mpagi. Everyone is invited to Our Lady of Hope – whether you’re a North Grafton or South Grafton local. Mpagi believes that “faith given” must be “faith shared.” “There is a buzz, or a socalled surge, in the Christian faith, and churches are getting filled again,” Mpagi said. “Yet a faith that speaks only to our political and social preferences and likes, conservative or liberal, continues to divide and not bring people together.” All are invited to Our Lady of Hope to experience Christ. For information, including Mass times, events, and ministries, please visit the parish’s website: www. ourladyofhopegrafton.org
14 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
COMMUNITY NEWS
Major proposed development would bring 270 units, supermarket, and a half-dozen other businesses to abandoned Shrewsbury factory Over 900 parking spaces included in plans By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – A major project would turn a defunct factory into a mixed-use development. The development would be located at 335 Maple Avenue, a 24.5-acre lot wedged between Maple Avenue and Route 9. Somewhat of an eyesore, the vacant property currently contains an abandoned 77,000-square-foot Canada Dry facility. The site has been subdivided into two lots, and plans have been filed separately with the Planning Board. Plans for Lot 1 – which comprises about 400,000 square feet located along Route 9 within the Commercial-Business District – show seven retail buildings, all constructed parallel to one another. Buildings range between 3,500
and 4,200 square feet. The lot would have several uses, according to construction documents, including 10,500 square feet of retail space, 7,000 square feet of retail space, a 3,000-square-foot car wash, and a 2,340-square-foot bank. Over 300 parking spaces would be included as part of the plans for the lot. The development would span practically the entirety of the northern side of Route 9 from Oak Street to Maple Avenue. Vehicles would access Lot 1 through one Oak Street entrance-exit, one Maple Avenue entrance-exit, and two Route 9 driveways, one being entrance-only. Internal traffic circulation would be handled through several rotaries, according to plans. Plans for Lot 2 – which is approximately 680,000 square feet, closer to Maple Avenue, and within the Lake-
way Overlay District – call for a 20,000-square-foot supermarket and a 270-unit multifamily development. There would be 625 parking spaces in this portion of the development, according to plans filed with the
Planning Board. The residential development would be constructed as five four-story buildings, with unit counts ranging from 45
to 70. Residents would access the development either from Oak Street or Maple Avenue – internal roads would not connect every area of the property.
Celebrating one year of comfort with Marshall By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter NORTHBOROUGH — The Northborough Select Board appointed the Northborough Police Department’s comfort dog Marshall as the “sergeant of snuggles” a year ago. Since his “swearing in,” Marshall has become a local celebrity in Northborough. Whether he’s walking down the street with his handler, Detective Stephen Sullivan, or giving a community member comfort, Marshall’s always-wagging tail can’t be missed. “That’s my biggest thing – bringing joy to others,” Sullivan said. T h e d e p a r t m e n t f i rs t started looking at bringing a comfort dog to Northborough in 2024. The program, which can help victims after traumatic incidents, has also brought a sense of camaraderie to the town and department. “A dog, or any sort of comfort dog, naturally just kind of brings people together. And that has totally proven to be
true,” said Northborough Police Chief Brian Griffin. The adoption was always ‘meant to be’ Marshall was adopted from Boonefield Labradors in New Hampshire, which breeds dogs that have gone to other police departments. Throughout the summer and fall of 2024, Sullivan went to visit the dogs at Boonefield. Time and time again, a chocolate lab puppy with a green collar would come and sit next to him. When he brought his daughter, the same puppy sought her out. Boonefield owners Peggi and Dave Brogan match puppies with their respective owners based on temperament. In the end, they matched the puppy with the green collar to the Northborough Police Department. “It was always kind of meant to be,” Sullivan said. After Marshall was officially adopted, Sullivan took name suggestions from around town and the police department. Eventually, he narrowed it down to the top five, and let third-graders at
Northborough elementary schools choose. Marshall was the overwhelming winner. Today, Sullivan runs an Instagram for Marshall, which has accumulated about 1,400 followers. “He is an absolute rock star. He is way more popular than I am,” Griffin laughed. Marshall’s face can be found on collectable cards and stickers, and Sullivan said the department is in the process of making him his own comfort dog patch. Although he can get rambunctious like any puppy — even taking a few bites out of Griffin’s dress police hat during a bout of zoomies — Marshall has found his home in Northborough. “People want to pet the dog, and then that sparks conversation. And when you spark conversation, that’s just a great thing,” Griffin said. Providing comfort across the state Marshall underwent training through Animal Assisted Therapy Services. The train-
Marshall has become a Northborough celebrity.
ing lasted about 25 weeks and covered topics like obedience and comfort. Today, Sullivan said Marshall brightens any room he walks into. He’s helped people after medical emergencies and students having a bad day. Most recently, Marshall was one of over 20 comfort dogs across the state that
attended National Adoption Day at the Worcester County Courthouse. “It’s intimidating when you walk in. So when a kid walks in and they see dogs, that’s their focus,” Sullivan said. “When they think about the day and the actual atmosphere of it, we just want joy to be everywhere.”
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 15
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH — Ninety bicycles are on their way to youth in need this holiday season. Working with adults from Westborough’s Post 22, about 45 E.L. Harvey employees took part in an annual Bike Build. This year’s event resulted in the waste management company’s largest donation total to date. The Bike Build has been a tradition for about 20 years, with donations coming in from vendors, customers, and employees. All donations are matched by Waste Connections. On Friday, Dec. 5, the new bikes were assembled. They’ll be donated to several local non-profits and municipalities, including Habitat for Humanity MetroWest and the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester. The bikes will come with a matching helmet. District Manager Mike Kuzmicz said this was the first year the company worked with Post 22 and “it was very successful.” Each year, the build only gets bigger and easier to put together, Kuzmicz said: “It’s a cool thing. It’s something different that not a
lot of corporate companies do. Executive Vice President B.J. Harvey said, “We are a people-driven and peoplefocused company, it’s not just the people that work for Harvey, but the people in the
communities we serve.” “We are fortunate to have the best employees in the industry on our team, and that was truly represented with the success of the bike build,” Harvey said. “It doesn’t just
happen. It took the hands of many to put all those bikes together, and I know everybody thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to give back, especially this time of year.”
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16 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E
Need a NEW idea for this Holiday? Looking for the perfect present that inspires and delights? This holiday season, give the gift of music lessons with a Bach to Rock gift certificate!
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 17
GRAY’S CARPET CENTER, INC. “Serving You Since 1943”
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18 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
TATNUCK AFTER CHRISTMAS
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PLUS GET 20% OFF ONE REGULAR PRICED GIFT ITEM* Includes gifts, boxed cards and candy! *Coupon below is required for 20% discount. ie c e s
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 19
FREE
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UPCOMING SERVICES Sunday, December 21st , 10AM Christmas Pageant & Cookie Walk Wednesday, December 24th , 7PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WESTBOROUGH
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20 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
COMMUNITY NEWS
r u o t u o k Chec ! s e r o t s w exciting ne
Photos with
body copy here
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 21
OPEN FOR BUSINESS Buy Local: Give Back to the Businesses that Power our Local Communities
T
he holiday season is a wonderful time to reflect on how your spending choices can shape the future of our local communities. In an age of big-box retailers and lightning-fast online delivery, it’s easy IN THE NEWS to forget how significant local spending can be to our region’s economy. When you shop, dine, play, and buy locally, you’re not just supporting a single business—you’re strengthening the very fabric of our communities. Across the U.S., there are 33.2 million small businesses, making up 99% of all businesses. These businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heart of our neighborhoods. Studies show that buying local creates a powerful “multiplier effect.” When you spend a dollar at a locally owned
business, more of that dollar stays in the community. Local owners purchase goods and services locally, hire local staff, invest profits locally, and patronize other local businesses. This cycle builds community cohesiveness and fosters valuable, trustworthy, and personal connections. The Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of MetroWest is committed to keeping our local economy strong by championing the Buy Local movement—not just during the holiday season but all year long. Our powerful initiatives include: · Offer Discounts from Local Businesses - Chamber members offer exclusive discounts and savings to fellow members and the public to incentivize purchasing goods and services from local businesses. Visit the Chamber’s website at www.corridornine.org to take advantage of the discounts available on our Member to Member Discount page.
· Showcase Local Business - The Chamber hosts a high-visibility Business Expo annually for businesses to showcase their products and services directly to consumers and other local businesses. This face-to-face engagement fosters trust, builds partnerships, and encourages buying from each other. · Promote Local Business on Chamber Website - Available 24/7 on the Chamber’s website, our business directory makes it easy for residents and businesses to find local products and services. · Host Networking Events to Cultivate Relationships with Local Business - With over 60 programs and networking events each year hosted by the Chamber, we create countless opportunities for businesses to connect, collaborate, and refer business to each other. These events strengthen the local business ecosystem and
Karen Chapman, President & CEO, Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of MetroWest
reinforces the importance of supporting one another. The power to strengthen the local communities of MetroWest is in all our hands. Please shop, dine, play, and do business locally to keep money where it matters most—right here in our local communities.
COX Your keys to test success
TUTORING GROUP
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Visit the Chamber’s website at www.corridornine.org for more information or to register for events.
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22 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
No More Winter Worries Enjoy the comfort and convenience of living at New Horizons
Independent & Assisted Living, and Memory Care in Marlborough Residents at New Horizons in Marlborough enjoy worry-free retirement living, never having to be concerned with cleaning snow off their cars, shoveling walkways, or braving the New England winter. Residents savor wine and cheese by the fire or comfortably stroll with f riends through the quarter-mile fully heated, indoor walking circle. Others will splash into “Watercise” in the 84-degree waters of the indoor lap swimming pool, and dine on sumptuous home-cooked meals with pleasant companions. Immediate availability, including three home-cooked meals daily, starting at $3,400/month for one resident.
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• Eat delicious home-style meals • Enjoy our greenhouse and raised garden beds • Simplify your life and enjoy new friendships • Explore new activities; have new adventures • Exercise in the on-site health and fitness club • Swim in our indoor 84-degree lap swimming pool • For new residents, we will guarantee no increase for six full years to the basic monthly fee!
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 23
Call 508.366.5500 to advertise your legal notice
LEGAL NOTICES Scan QR code for rate information or to email your legal notice.
SHREWSBURY SHREWSBURY PLANNING BOARD LEGAL NOTICE The Shrewsbury Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday evening, January 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM, in the Selectboard’s Hearing Room at the Richard D. Carney Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Avenue, to hear the application of Shrewsbury Center LLC, on behalf of WCS-333 South Street, INC., 55 Lake Avenue North, Room S2-337, Worcester, MA 01608, as required by the Town of Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section VII.P.3.b.1.b for a Special Permit by the Planning Board, to permit a manufacturing enterprise use with an accessory warehouse space. The proposed layout plan is shown on a plan accompanied by the application that is named “Site Plan for 333 South Street” prepared by J.Supanich, Industrial Commercial Properties LLC., 6110 Parkland Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44124, dated November 5, 2025 and unstamped. The subject project is located at 333 South Street, southerly of Boston Turnpike and east of South Street and consists in whole or in part of Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 35 Plot 028001. A copy of the application and plans may be seen in the Office of the Planning and Economic Development Department at the Richard D. Carney Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA, and on the Planning Board website at www.shrewsburyma.gov/ongoingprojects SHREWSBURY PLANNING BOARD Timothy Fitzgerald, Clerk SHREWSBURY PLANNING BOARD LEGAL NOTICE The Shrewsbury Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday evening, January 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM, in the Selectboard’s Hearing Room at the Richard D. Carney Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Avenue, to hear the application of SPAGTACULAR LLC., P.O. Box 500, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, as required by the Town of Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section VII.F for Site Plan Approval by the Planning Board to allow for the construction of seven commercial buildings. The proposed layout plan is shown on a plan accompanied by the application that is named “Proposed Site Plan Documents for Spagtacular LLC” prepared by Bohler, 45 Franklin Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02110 dated December 9, 2025 and stamped by Timothy A Hayes PE. The subject project is located at 335 Maple Avenue, northerly of Boston Turnpike and west of Oak Street and consists in whole or in part of Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 32 Plot 380000. A copy of the application and plans may be seen in the Office of the Planning and Economic Development Department at the Richard D. Carney Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA, and on the Planning Board website at www.shrewsburyma.gov/ongoingprojects SHREWSBURY PLANNING BOARD Timothy Fitzgerald, Clerk SHREWSBURY PLANNING BOARD LEGAL NOTICE The Shrewsbury Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday evening, January 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM, in the Selectboard’s Hearing Room at the Richard D. Carney Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Avenue, to hear the application of SPAGTACULAR LLC., P.O. Box 500, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, as required by the Town of Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section VII.F for Site Plan Approval and Section VII.M for a Special Permit by the Planning Board to allow for the construction of five residen-
Legal notices are also available online at www.masspublishers.org
tial buildings with a total of two-hundred seventy (270) units and construct one retail building. The proposed layout plan is shown on a plan accompanied by the application that is named “Proposed Site Plan Documents for Spagtacular LLC” prepared by Bohler, 45 Franklin Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02110 dated December 9, 2025 and stamped by Timothy A Hayes PE. The subject project is located at 335 Maple Avenue, northerly of Boston Turnpike and west of Oak Street and consists in whole or in part of Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 32 Plot 380000. A copy of the application and plans may be seen in the Office of the Planning and Economic Development Department at the Richard D. Carney Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA, and on the Planning Board website at www.shrewsburyma.gov/ongoingprojects SHREWSBURY PLANNING BOARD Timothy Fitzgerald, Clerk SHREWSBURY PLANNING BOARD LEGAL NOTICE The Shrewsbury Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday evening, January 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM, in the Selectboard’s Hearing Room at the Richard D. Carney Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Avenue, to hear the application of Tom Corbett, Goventure Capital Group, LLC., 1 Mercantile Street, Suite 630, Worcester, MA 01545, as required by the Town of Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section VII.F for a Site Plan Approval and Section VII.N for a Special Permit by the Planning Board, to allow for the construction of a twelve thousand square feet (12,000 ft²) commercial building along with two five-story residential buildings containing a maximum of two hundred and fifty (250) units. The proposed layout plan is shown on a plan accompanied by the application titled “Permitting Plans for 525 Hartford Turnpike” prepared by Fuss & O’Neill, 1250 Hancock Street, Suite 815N, Quincy, MA 02169, dated December 8, 2025 and stamped by Scott D. Turner, PE. The subject project is located at 525 Hartford Turnpike, northerly of Hartford Turnpike and east of Memorial Drive and consists in whole or in part of Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 48 Plot 012000. A copy of the application and plans may be seen in the Office of the Planning and Economic Development Department at the Richard D. Carney Municipal Office Building, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA, and on the Planning Board website at www.shrewsburyma.gov/ongoingprojects SHREWSBURY PLANNING BOARD Timothy Fitzgerald, Clerk
HUDSON TOWN OF HUDSON REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS MASS CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL DESIGN SERVICES PRIEST STREET TO FELTON STREET FELTON STREET TO BERLIN TOWN LINE The Town of Hudson acting through the Department of Planning and Community Development is seeking proposals from qualified professional engineers registered in Massachusetts who are prequalified to conduct engineering services for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), for project development, design, and engineering consulting services for two segments of the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT) in the Town of Hudson. The project development, design, and engineering services for the two MCRT segments will be carried out as two separate design and project development efforts. Copies of the Request for Qualifications will be available December 22, 2025 and can be requested by emailing Everett Beals, Administrative Assistant at ebeals@ townofhudson.org. All questions and requests for information shall be directed in writing to Everett Beals, Administrative Assistant at ebeals@townofhudson.org
All proposals are due to the Planning and Community Development Office by January 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM and shall be submitted in hard copy with the electronic files. Any contract issued in response to a successful proposal must be approved by the Hudson Select Board. The Town of Hudson reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, and reserves the right not to make an award on this contract if doing so is in the best interest of the Town. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PETITION #ZSP-25-19 Notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing to be held by the Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025 extending the remote meeting provisions of March 12, 2020, Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, this meeting of the Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals will be conducted via remote participation. Specific information for remote participation will be included on the agenda. At this time the Board of Appeals will hear the request of Crown Castle USA Inc. on behalf of T-Mobile Northeast LLC to obtain a Special Permit to add or replace antennas, ancillary equipment and ground equipment per plans for an existing carrier on an existing wireless communications facility pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Town of Hudson Zoning By-laws and MGL Chapter 40A Section 9. The subject property is located at 7 Crestview Drive in the R60 zoning district, Assessor Map 44, Parcel 26. The Board may consider any action deemed necessary relative to the subject petition. All petition materials are available for review in the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, on the Town of Hudson website at https://townofhudson.community.highbond.com/Portal/ DocumentLibrary.aspx?id=110bd5272e84-4ddd-b4bb-423135055158 and can be requested by calling (978) 562-2989 or by sending an email to kjohnson@townofhudson.org. Antonio Mancini, Jr., Clerk HUDSON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PETITION #ZSP-25-18 Notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing to be held by the Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025 extending the remote meeting provisions of March 12, 2020, Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, this meeting of the Hudson Zoning Board of Appeals will be conducted via remote participation. Specific information for remote participation will be included on the agenda. At this time the Board of Appeals will hear the request of Philip Brown, on behalf of Christopher Stournaras, to obtain a Special Permit to alter a non-conforming structure for the construction of a second point of egress, stairs, and deck, pursuant to Section 5.1.6 of the Town of Hudson Zoning By-laws and MGL Chapter 40A Section 9. The subject property is located at 18 Marion Street in the R15 zoning district, Assessor Map 19, Parcel 159. The Board may consider any action deemed necessary relative to the subject petition. All petition materials are available for review in the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, on the Town of Hudson website at https://townofhudson.community.highbond.com/Portal/ DocumentLibrary.aspx?id=a7d6b8ac90de-4d67-9dbd-66656d05aa7e and can be requested by calling (978) 562-2989 or by sending an email to kjohnson@townofhudson.org.
WESTBOROUGH LEGAL NOTICE TOWN OF WESTBOROUGH INVITATION FOR BIDS
(IFB) IFB 25-6200 ROADWAY AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS BOSTONWORCESTER TURNPIKE (ROUTE 9)/OTIS STREET CONTRACT 25-6200 DOCUMENT 00010 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS The Town of Westborough, Massachusetts will receive sealed bids for Roadway and Intersection Improvements, Boston-Worcester Turnpike (Route 9)/Otis Street, Contract 25 6200, until 11:00 a.m. local time on January 20, 2026, at the office of the Westborough Public Works Director 131 Oak St, Westborough, MA 01581 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. The work includes, but is not limited to, excavation, box widening, full-depth construction, drainage system modifications; sidewalk, shared-use path, pedestrian curb ramp and driveway construction; vertical granite curb installation; hot mix asphalt berm installation; traffic signal installation and modifications; traffic sign and pavement marking installation, overhead utility modifications, street lighting modifications, traffic control management during construction, and other improvements in accordance with the Plans, a construction schedule to be completed by contractor and distributed to abutting land owners prior to start of construction and these Special Provisions. There is one Add Alternate for the project. Add Alternate #1 consists of constructing an additional 900’ length of 10’-wide HMA shared use path. The entire project shall be constructed in one phase. Bid Documents will be available online beginning at 9:00 AM on December 17, 2025 at https:// www.bidnetdirect.com/massachusetts/ townwestborough. All plan holders must have an active online account on www. bidnetdirect.com to acquire documents, receive project notifications, submit questions and receive addenda. It shall be the responsibility of prospective proposers to check www.BidNetDirect.com for new information via any addenda to this solicitation. Any addenda issued will be emailed to all plan holders registered with BidNetDirect. Questions regarding this Bid should be emailed to Daniel Mills at dmills@mdmtrans.com, shall have the subject line “IFB 25-6200 – Questions ROADWAY AND INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS BOSTONWORCESTER TURNPIKE (ROUTE 9)/OTIS STREET” and be submitted at least eight (8) days prior to the date of the bid opening. Addenda will be posted on BidNetDirect.com and will be distributed to all Plan holders registered on BidNet. Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid bond in the amount of five percent ( 5 %) of the value of the bid in the form described in the Information for Bidders. A payment bond and performance bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the contract price will be required in the form described in the Information for Bidders. An award will not be made to a Contractor and their Subcontractors who are not currently pre-qualified by MassDOT prior to the opening of Bids. The Contractor and their Subcontractors shall provide evidence of prequalification with the bid package. MassDOT prequalification of contractors with the class of work as “Highway - Construction” for the project with an estimated value of $5,400,000 will be required. Each Bidder agrees to achieve final completion of the Project in accordance with the project Contract Specifications. All bids for this project are subject to applicable public bidding laws of Massachusetts, including, but not limited to M.G.L. c.30, §39M. The Contract award is subject to the availability of funding through the Town of Westborough. Attention is directed to the minimum wage rates to be paid as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce development and the weekly payroll record submittal requirements under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 149, Section 26 through 27D inclusive. No bidder may withdraw their bid within 90 days after the actual date of the bid opening. Any bid submitted will be binding for ninety (90) days after the time of bid opening. The Owner may waive any informalities or minor defects or reject any or all bids if it is in the best interest of the Town of Westborough to do so. A bid which includes for any item a Bid Price that is abnormally low or
high may be rejected as unbalanced. The Contractor shall take note of the Construction Schedule. It is expected that construction work can begin in March 2026. It is expected that Substantial Completion shall be achieved by November 15, 2027. Tina Cote Procurement Officer tcote@westboroughma.gov
FAMILY & PROBATE LAW INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE Docket No. WO25P3891EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Worcester Division Probate and Family Court Estate of: Lillian M. Fulton Date of Death: August 17, 2025 To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner, Linda R. Fulton of Uxbridge, MA. A Will has been admitted to informal probate. Linda R. Fulton of Uxbridge, 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.
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24 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
COMMUNITY NEWS
$8.8 million project would bring changes to Route 30 in Westborough By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH — An approximately $8.8 million project, funded largely by MassDOT, looks to make improvements to Westborough’s East Main Street corridor. The project – which has been in the works since 2022 – is still in the very early stages, with the town collecting feedback as the design progresses. At a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 9, town officials and consultants from Howard Stein Hudson shared a concept proposal, which aims to create an 8-foot shared-use path along East Main Street from Hastings Elementary School to Thomas Newton Drive. Additionally, a traffic light is proposed for the intersection at Flanders Road. The goals of the project can be traced back to the town’s master plan, where several
corridors, including East Main Street, were identified as needing transportation infrastructure improvements to enhance operations, efficiency, and safety for all users. While the construction will be funded by MassDOT and planned for 2030, the design is paid for by the town. To date, the town has used $250,000 in Chapter 90 funds for the project. According to Chris Lyman, the project manager, the remainder of the project’s design would cost $1.2 million, which would also be covered by Chapter 90. The proposed project includes the addition of four new crossing locations: one across from the Post Office, one adjacent to McDonalds, one at Windsor Ridge Drive, and one at the BWALT trail. The existing sidewalk is 4 to 5 feet wide. Though state law requires the shared-use path
to be 10 feet, the town is seeking a waiver to reduce the path to 8 feet, which would create fewer right-of-way issues with private property. The goal is to maintain an 11foot travel lane on both sides of the road. There would be 4-foot shoulders, with a 2-foot buffer along the full length of the path. This would exclude the portion of the road that goes under the railroad bridge, where the town expects the path to narrow to about 5.5 feet. “We were trying to make sure that if you’re driving down, you’d have the same length-width the entire way through the corridor and that you have the same shoulder width through the corridor,” Lyman said. By summer 2027, the town hopes to be at 75 percent design, which would include environmental permitting, rightof-way plans, and more details
about the cost of the project. By the end of 2028, the design will be completed and finalized. “This one was the most competitive [project] from the standpoint that it had the most right-of-way – although there are impacts, which we recognize. These are the least amount of impacts to the abutting property owners, and it was solving problems the town already had identified,” Payant said. The use of Chapter 90 funds, which are typically used for repaving roads and sidewalk ramps, was questioned by
several residents, with some claiming the roads are in poor condition. “The town wants mobility along East Main Street and the other corridors, so we pursued opportunities to make those improvements,” he said. “But we’re doing what we think the town asked us to do, in the most cost-efficient way because we’re using somebody else’s money to get it done.” He added: “ That $1.5 million is paying to get us an $8 million road, so there’s a trade-off.”
After construction, Southborough History and Arts Center is open By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor SOUTHBOROUGH — After five years of work – and a $2.2 million sale of a historical asset – the Southborough History and Arts Center has officially made it to its new home at Fayetteville Village Hall, located at 42 Central Street. “It’s been a huge, huge endeavor,” said Michael Weishan, president and CEO, at the opening on Saturday, Dec. 6. Originally settled in the town-owned Flag School, the organization was faced with a choice: renovate its space for about a half-a-million dollars, or purchase and renovate a building of its own. The decision to pursue the latter happened just before the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a lot the Historical Society needed to accomplish to get the building open to the public – and work is still not quite done. The building is five times the size of the organization’s original place, featuring lots of gallery space and a large classroom on the basement level. But before? “It was a shell,” Weishan said. “There was literally nothing here.” And the project wasn’t
without its complications, he added, pointing out the original soil basement and the artesian spring that, when hit, filled the floor with 4 feet of water on Christmas Eve in 2022. “It was just a nightmare,” said Weishan. The project also ended up going “way over budget,” he said. Though it managed to get through before tariffs set in, it was hit with all the construction cost increases from the pandemic. So far, the project has cost between $2 and $2.5 million, Weishan said, adding the group will likely need to spend about $300,000 more to get it completely finished. The cost increases came in unexpected ways, he said, pointing out the approximately $60,000 for windows and $15,000 for fire doors. Funding for the project came from a substantial Mass Cultural Council grant, donations from various local businesses, and the “strategic” sale of one of the organization’s historical assets. “We owned a copy of the Declaration of Independence – a broadsheet copy. It’s not an original, but it was donated to us in the 1960s when we were founded. It was worth maybe $4,000 then. Over time, for
whatever reason, the value of it skyrocketed,” he said. And because of its value, Weishan said: “We couldn’t insure it. We couldn’t show it. It was just stuck in a vault.” So the board decided to sell it. It went up for auction in 2023 and sold for about $2.2 million. According to Weishan, back in the 1700s, one copy of the declaration was sent to each of the colonies. Massachusetts sent more copies to each congregation and ordered them by law to read it out to their residents. “Our minister at the time … read this out to his congregation at the time and then went home and to his household, where he was a slave-owner,” he explained. Weishan noted some people from the community were upset with the organization for selling the copy, claiming the Historical Society had broken their trust. However, he argued that the organization had much more unique pieces from Southborough history. “I thought there was a certain little irony here, that this declaration would be our Declaration of Independence,” he said. With the center being for both history and arts, Weis-
Before
After
han noted how town organizations focused solely on history are no longer sustainable: “I think this hybrid mixture will be successful,” he said. “This was our kind of opening gambit to introduce Southborough back to its own art.” The first exhibit, which will open in January, features the work of four Southborough artists. “ The range of work is extraordinary,” Weishan
added. “I mean really mindblowing we have this talent that’s sort of been hidden here in town all this time.” He said the organization plans to host multiple exhibits at the center and has a full roster of classes set up, with drawing, sewing, beadmaking, and more. “I think this is a building for the next century in Southborough,” he said.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 25
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COMMUNITY NEWS
300-unit 40B project asks for $822K in fees waived: ‘Simply for a fair deal’ By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – On Nov. 24, Hingham-based Saxon Partners asked the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to waive $822,000 in project fees. Saxon Partners is seeking to construct a 300-unit 40B multifamily rental development at 104 Main Street, a 5.8-acre parcel wedged between North Quinsigamond Avenue, Main Street, and Interstate 290. The 300 units would include 19 studios, 175 one-bedroom units, 76 two-bedroom units, and 30 three-bedroom units, with roughly 350,000 square feet of space. The site, currently used for industrial storage, would have 471 total parking spaces with a fourstory parking garage. The development would be an expected $100 million investment. It was originally reported that Saxon Partners was seeking $4 million in fees waived.
It was clarified that the firm is seeking $822,000 in fee waivers, an amount calculated based on the amount of affordable units, and waivers Shrewsbury has granted to other 40B projects. A 198-unit 40B project at 409 South Street was used as an example. The developer would still pay around $3.1 million in other fees. “What we seek with regard to the fees is just a fair shake,” said Mark Donahue, an attorney representing the developer. Saxon Partners Director David Calhoun said the project was originally 12 percent bigger in terms of square footage, but Saxon Partners made a “big concession” and chose a smaller project, sacrificing somewhere around $2.3 million in revenue. “On the site visit, one of the requests from the Planning Department was for us to reduce the size of our units, in other words the square foot-
“
Maybe it’s not as much of a waiver, but the concept that there would be no waiver when you’re constructing affordable housing of this magnitude and doing the other things that are offered for the community strikes me as somewhat inequitable. - Mark Donahue, attorney representing Saxon Partners
age of your apartments. And we did that, and we took almost 12 percent out of the building. The value of that change [is in] real dollars,” he said.
The town, represented by Director of Economic Development Christopher McGoldrick, did not recommend granting the fee waiver – even with the reduced amount. He said so with the understanding that certain “above and beyond” bonuses the developer promised – like a $100,000 renovation to the proposed development’s dilapidated neighbor, Gauch Park – would go away. “I don’t think [104 Main and 409 South] can be compared so tightly together. Looking at 409 [South] – that project deliberately reduced the number of units that are being proposed on that site. There’s a difference in the scale of the structures,” said McGoldrick. “I think it’s a little apples and oranges. I think it’s somewhat different in nature, this project,” he added. Certain ZBA members disagreed that the 12 percent reduction counted as
a concession. “The impact to the town is still the same. There’s still the same number of bathrooms, the same number of kitchens, faucets, toilets, sinks, etc. … Your 12 percent reduction in square feet, I agree with you, does impact the total value of the property, but also your impact to the town is still the same because the units are the same,” said ZBA Member David Moore. Donahue argued that giving no waivers would be “inequitable,” even if the projects are different. “Maybe one would see them differently. It’s very hard to understand how ‘differently’ would take you to zero [dollars]. Very hard. Maybe it’s not as much of a waiver, but the concept that there would be no waiver when you’re constructing affordable housing of this magnitude and doing the other things that are offered for the community strikes me as somewhat inequitable,” he said.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 27
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COMMUNITY SCHOOLS With Northborough holding out, school committees approve 26-27 school calendar By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter NORTHBOROUGH — The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough is one step closer to approving a school calendar for the 2026-27 school year. The Regional School Committee, Northborough School Committee, and Southborough School Committee considered four calendar proposals from Superintendent Gregory Martineau. Unlike last year, there was no proposed calendar that did not acknowledge religious holidays throughout the school year. Martineau said all the options were essentially a “mirror” of the schools’ current calendar, which was approved in March. The Regional and Southborough committees voted to approve the third calendar option, which opted for professional
development days on Yom Kippur and Ed al-Fitr, and no school on Good Friday. The last day of school will be June 17. The vote to approve the calendar failed in the Northborough committee, 2-2. The committee will vote at its next meeting in January to approve the calendar with a full board. Northborough committee members expressed concern over having professional development on religious holidays, arguing that if a staff member chooses to take the day off to observe their holiday, they could miss vital development learning. “I didn’t join the school committee to be a person who decides a hierarchy of individual faith beliefs,” said Northborough School Committee Chair Bryan MacKnight. According to Martineau, the district intends to rotate where professional development days land each year. While 2026-27
will see them on Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr, the following year will have them on Diwali and Lunar New Year, he said. “Using PD days on some of those observance days means we don’t have to take other days off for professional development,” Martineau said. “I think it strikes a balance,” he added. Some committee members and parents pushed back against observing religious holidays during the school year. “I believe we are a public school. I believe we are a secular organization and I really don’t support any calendar that has any religious holidays in it — not because I don’t think that they have value, but because I think that it does open the door to being selective of which holidays we are choosing as a committee to basically prefer over one or another,” said Christopher Covino, a member of the Regional School Committee.
Sherwood invites families to first annual Reading Night
By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – Sherwood families were treated to a night of excitement – and it was all about books. On Oct. 23, Sherwood Middle School hosted its first annual Family Reading Night, an event where families were invited into the school to participate in a host of readingrelated activities ranging from bookmark-making to shopping at the school’s Book Fair. “Every year, we try to look at what we can do to bring in different members of the community. If there’s an opportunity to partner with the community – we want to do that. The community wanted more events they could come to with their child, during the day or night,” said Sherwood Principal Jonathan Kelly. Sherwood has plenty of events: Food Truck Night, Culture Night, and school dances, to name a few. But Kelly and Co. wanted to continue to create experiences geared towards different groups: “I’m always
trying to think about how we attract different types of kids. We’ve tried different things, and we tried the Reading Night,” he told the Community Advocate. Kelly and Media Specialist Hilary Clegg got to work on the event, reaching out to the Shrewsbury Public Library, various organizations and athletic groups from Shrewsbury High School, and even the Colonial Jazz Band, which played in the school’s foyer. At the event, Kelly announced the winner of the school’s Blue Jay Drawing Contest. The blue jay is Sherwood’s new mascot. “It’s so important. The transition here to Sherwood is a big transition. This age is so critical for reading, writing, and those critical thinking skills. We’ve seen from COVID that those skills are still lagging. Part of it was creating a fun night for the community, no doubt. The other part of it was trying to take the excitement and build enthusiasm around reading, achievement, and writing,” said Kelly. “It’s kind of what you dream of. It was awesome.”
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COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Five scenarios on the table for Westborough’s K-3 school redistricting By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH — Five starting scenarios have been proposed to the Westborough School Committee as options for the planned redistricting of Fales Elementary, Hastings Elementary, and Armstrong Elementary. The goal of the redistricting – which kicked off in October by Dillinger Research and Applied Data – is to rebalance each facility based on capacity and projected enrollment increases from incoming multifamily developments. According to Nick Stellitano, managing director and co-founder of Dillinger, many students in the district – as many as 33 percent over the last decade – live in major multifamily residential developments throughout Westborough. “The role that the multifamily unit is playing across Westborough, I think, cannot be denied,” Stellitano said. “They house a rich, diverse set of families and students, and so failing to take an opportunity to think about what they can do for Fales and that experience I think could be a missed opportunity.” With more developments in progress, there is fear of over-enrollment at Armstrong and Hastings, whereas Fales, the district’s newest elementary school, continues to see a lack of development within its boundary and sits at 60 percent utilization. Stellitano says there needs to be at least a 10 percent shift, or about 100 students, of the K-3 population to Fales. Stellitano noted he would like to see the schools at between 80 percent and 90 percent utilization, which would be in line with state averages. Additionally, the district hopes to ensure parity in education and a student body at each school that is representative of the Westborough population. At this time, individual schools do not consistently reflect the town-wide averages for special education, English proficiency, and socioeconomic status. Some scenarios use multifamily developments as “satellite zones” to shift students in one school’s boundary to another. This is already
the case with Westborough Village, which currently serves as a satellite for Fales Elementary. Each scenario would free up instructional space at Hastings. Scenario 1 would establish two new satellite zones, using the Parc and Homestead developments – in addition to the existing Westborough Village – to satellite for Fales. The plan would additionally shift a southern portion of the Armstrong district – south of Route 30 – to Fales. This plan would even out each school district demographically. Scenario 1A eliminates the Parc Development’s satellite in Scenario 1, but the scenario remains otherwise the same. Scenario 2 would send students at Arrive Westborough to Fales, in addition to students at Westborough Village. Then, a portion of the Hastings district – which includes the Heritage Park neighborhood and the Baystate Commons area – would become a satellite zone for Armstrong. This plan would increase Fales utilization to 81 percent and significantly increase diversity between schools. Scenario 3 would expand Fales School’s district into adjacent neighborhoods without adding any new satellites. This would include adding Armstrong’s districts south of Route 30, neighborhoods around the high school, and a southern portion of the Hastings district. This scenario would increase Fales utilization to 80 percent, concentrate Fales demographics, and exclude new multifamily housing from the shift. Scenario 4 would eliminate the existing Westborough Village satellite to Fales to create a purely contiguous expansion of the school. This would expand the Fales district into the two other schools’ districts. This scenario would result in minimal utilization gain at Fales at 75 percent, significant demographic isolation at Fales, and moves existing students out of the school. These scenarios are just to get the School Committee started, Stellitano explained, as he hopes to see one or two selected that he could then explore further. The commit-
tee plans to make its initial decision in January. However, some parents in the district have co n ce r n s re ga rd i n g t h e implementation and timing of this work. At a community forum regarding the redistricting on Monday,
Dec. 8, resident Jonathan Toland said he feels the district is creating a sense of “false urgency” and may be moving too fast for all the families involved. “The only timeline pressure is the one we’ve created ourselves,” Toland said. “I
think we got to pause for a moment and think about the impact of our children. … One extra year of planning won’t hurt the district, but rushing this decision could hurt families for the next decade. Let’s get it right, not get it done fast.”
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30 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
POLICE
FIRE
Starving dog found in Northborough basement By Evan Walsh Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH – A starving dog was located in a Northborough residence. At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 20, officers were dispatched to the area of West Main Street and Westbrook Road after neighbors reported a dog that sounded in distress. When officers arrived, they heard the dog’s “loud, repetitive whining and yelping.” Officers discovered a white female husky named Purna. The dog was allegedly sticking its head out of a small pet door attached to the bottom of the basement door. The dog was fed a small portion of carrots and eggshells from a
Scan QR code to read this week’s police and fire news on our website.
dirty, yellow-stained container. The canine was reportedly eating in a “fast and frantic manner” that indicated it had not been fed recently. The interior of the house was “cluttered and unclean,” officers said, with a clear lack of sanitation. There was also a strong smell of mildew, and the dog’s fur was greasy, patchy, and unkempt, according to court documents. The officers allegedly could feel the dog’s ribs and spine, indicating it was underfed. Joyce A. Lepine and Laura Kutzko are each being charged with cruelty to animals. An arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2026, in Westborough District Court. Both individuals are innocent until proven guilty.
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. What’s below is a representation of this week’s police log. Some calls lacking severity have been omitted due to space constraints.
Southborough
Saturday, Nov. 29 2:59 a.m. Arrested, Saqoya D. Pryor, of Hollywood St., Worcester, for operate MV with license suspended, marked lanes violation, possess Class B drug. 10:02 p.m. Arrested, Wender L. Cassimiro, of Hickory Ln., Hudson, for operate MV with license suspended, possess open container of alcohol in MV, OUI-liquor or .08%.
Thursday, Nov. 27 2:17 a.m. Arrested, Leandro Da Silva Alves, of Avon St., Framingham, for OUI liquor or .08%, speeding/rate of speed exceeding posted limit, marked lanes only, negligent operation of motor vehicle.
Sunday, Nov. 30 1:07 a.m. Arrested, Roberto Dos Santos Girardon, of Clare St., Lowell, for OUI-liquor or .08%, negligent operation of motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, speeding/rate of speed exceeding posted limit.
Friday, Nov. 28 9:57 a.m. Arrested, Fernando A. Li-Vargas, of Hingham Rd., Grafton, for operate MV with license suspended, operate MV with registration suspended, no inspection sticker.
Westborough Sunday, Nov. 30 5:01 p.m. Arrested, Isaac D. Morelos Fabra, 26, of Worcester, for negligent operation of motor vehicle, operate MV with license
suspended, improper operation of motor vehicle. Monday, Dec. 1 6:06 p.m. Arrested, Donnie Roy Cook, 32, of Westborough, for operate MV with license suspended for OUI, fail to stop/ yield, license not in possession. Wednesday, Dec. 3 9:33 p.m. Arrested, Sami Abdullah M. Alzahrani, 31, of Worcester, for OUI-liquor or .08%, negligent operation of motor vehicle, leave scene of property damage, marked lanes violation. Friday, Dec. 5 8:43 p.m. Arrested, Christopher Rivera, 25, of Holliston, for operate MV with license suspended, MV lights violation. Sunday, Dec. 7 6:17 p.m. Arrested, Michael Stafford Wedge, 56, of Bellingham, for operate MV with license suspended, MV not meeting RMV safety standards.
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Monday, Dec. 1 10:31 a.m. Arrested, Destiny Velazquez, 23, of Worcester, for fail to stop/yield, unlicensed operation of MV. 9:13 p.m. Arrested, Luis Angel Santiago, 51, of Holden, for fail to stop/yield, operate MV with license suspended, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUIliquor or .08%. Tuesday, Dec. 2 6:08 p.m. Arrested, Jacqueline Ana D’Andrea, 21, of Shrewsbury, for passing violation, leave scene of property damage, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-drugs, OUI-liquor or .08% 2nd offense, possess/use false/ stolen RMV document, marked lanes violation.
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Sunday, Dec. 7 12:47 p.m. Arrested, Nnenna Sylvie Uneke, 45, of Sudbury, for operate MV with license suspended/revoke, registration not in possession. 8:40 p.m. Arrested, Byron E. Ordonez-Govea, 64, address unknown, Marlborough, for MV lights violation, possess Class E drug (3 cts), possess Class B drug to distribute.
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 Anderson, Ned of Southborough Brookes Jr., James of Shrewsbury Carr, Suzanne of Marlborough Connolly, Marjorie of Marlborough Cook, Mary Ann of Westborough and Marcos Island, FL Davis, Carolyn of Northborough Ferranti, Michael of Shrewsbury Giumentaro, Mildred of Shrewsbury Hallowell, MaryEllen of Hudson Kasperowicz, Beverly of Marlborough Kennedy, Paul of Shrewsbury Macricosta, Helen of Marlborough Michalewich, Michael of Northborough Ouellett, James of Grafton Prescott, Heather of Shrewsbury Quirk Jr., Brian of Marlborough Ribbe, David of Westborough Rio, Alfred of Hudson Robinson, Sosie of Westborough Smith, Bruce of Grafton Solano, Anne of Marlborough Thayer, Patricia of Northborough Wright, Jacqueline formerly of Marlborough
MaryEllen Hallowell, 91 HUDSON - MaryEllen McCarthy (Creed) Hallowell passed away peacefully on December 3 at age 91. She was born in Dorchester on June 3, 1934 the fourth of six children to Margaret (McCarthy)
Creed and William Carey Creed. MaryEllen is survived by her children, Bruce Eric Hallowell, Jr, and his wife Donna of Tyngsborough, MA, Cindy Ann (Hallowell) Hoglund and her husband Gary of Amesbury, MA, and Robert Gary Hallowell and his partner Carol Kelly of Hollis, NH and a total of 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. In addition to her immediate family, MaryEllen is survived by her sister, Margaret “Peggy” M. (Creed) Scollins of Marshfield, and brother John P. Creed and his wife Nancy of Kingston, and was predeceased by her brothers, James, William, and Joseph and their spouses and by her brother-in-law Donald Scollins. Her many nieces and nephews nicknamed her Auntie ‘Lulla’ and she always made sure our whole family was there for all the major events and she made sure to bring her fudge or banana bread along as treats. The MacDonald Funeral Home of Marshfield assisted the family.
Ned P. Anderson, 81 SOUTHBOROUGH - Ned Paul Anderson, 81, of Southborough, Massachusetts, passed away on December 3, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife Maja (nee Elmér), son David, and daughter Katherine Jones (Brian), as well as beloved grandsons Benjamin, Tyler, and William. He was preceded in death by parents Paul and Caroline Anderson and brother Herbert Anderson. Wake Funeral & Cremation Services assisted the family.
Alfred Rio, 90 HUDSON - Alfred Joseph Perry, Rio, 90, born on June 13, 1935, in Hudson, Massachusetts. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2025 at UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus in Worcester, Mas-
sachusetts with his wife of 68 years, Maria Pinto Rio, and his loving family surrounding him with their love. A l fred’s life was marked by his unwavering dedication to his family, faith and friends along with Alfred is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, the love of his life, Maria J. (Pinto) Rio, along with their two daughters, Donna M. Rio-DiBlasi and her partner John Welch and Cynthia Rio – Bacon. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Charles J. Bacon II and his partner Meghan McGorty, Thomas D. DiBlasi and his wife Danielle Dignan-DiBlasi, Christopher P. Bacon and his partner Kayla Stephens, Nicholas D. DiBlasi, Celina M. Bacon-Hass and her husband Ryan Hass and step-granddaughter Jessica Welch-Wood; his great grandchildren; Caleb J. A. Bacon, Riley M. Bacon-Hass, Charley J. Bacon and Oakley J. Bacon along with his granddaughter Celina’s close friend Alexis King and her husband Will and their children Tobias and Julian, all of whom Alfred adopted as his own grandchildren. Alfred‘s legacy is further carried on by his sister-inlaw‘s: Irene Teixeira, Drina Cardoso, and Lucia Lampinen and her husband Jack as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including his longtime best friend Ruben Souza and dear friends Joel L. Kubilis and Shana Schroth for their love and kindness that they brought into his life. Alfred was predeceased by his parents, John P. Rio and Elvira (Coute) Rio. His siblings: Louis Rio, Henry Rio, Charles Rio, Carmelyn (Nina) Borroz and John P. Rio. Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home of Hudson assisted the family.
David K. Ribbe, 89 WESTBOROUGH - David K. Ribbe, 89, of Westborough, MA, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Decem-
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 31
Scan QR code to read all of this week’s obituaries on our website.
ber 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Survived by son Christopher and wife Cheri Ribbe, a n d grandchildren Grant, Nina and Talia Ribbe; son Geoffrey and wife Jessica Ribbe and grandchildren Brandon Lee and his wife Jasmine, and Amanda Ribbe; daughter Jill Metzmaker and grandson Charles Metzmaker. Funeral arrangements were under the care and direction of the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home.
James Ouellette, 68 GRAFTON - James Andrew Ouellette, age 68, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, while at AdviniaCare Skilled Nursing Facility in Northbridge, Massachusetts. James was predeceased by his mothe r, L o i s Morgan Ouellette, father, John Norman Ouellette and brother John Norman Jr. Ouellette. He leaves behind his brothers Mark, Paul, Neal and his wife Marie, Richard and his wife AnnMarie and sister Marie Ouellette as well his nieces and nephews, Elisa, Sarah, Johnny, Julia, Becky, Rachael and Shannon who all enjoyed playing board games and carving pumpkins with him. Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton assisted the family.
Beverly Kasperowicz, 67 MARLBOROUGH - Beverly Ann (McManmon) Kasperowicz, 67, of Marlborough, MA, passed a w a y peacefully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by
her loving family. Beverly is survived by her beloved son, Cory Kasperowicz of Marlborough, who was the greatest joy of her life; her brothers John “Walter” W. McManmon and Richard “Richie” T. McManmon; and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister Claire T. Warren. The Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted the family.
Marjorie R. Connolly, 89 MARLBOROUGH - Marjorie Ruth (Squires) Connolly, 89, of Marlborough passed away peacefully, in her home and surrounded by her loving family on November 25, 2025. Ruth’s memor y and legacy will live on through her husband of 65 years Joseph Connolly Sr of Marlborough, daughter Cynthia (Connolly) Anderson and husband David of Marlborough, son Joseph Connolly Jr and partner Laura Mooers of Winchendon, son Mark Connolly Sr and wife Cynthia (Mejias) and cherished grandchildren Shannon and Joseph Connolly also of Winchendon, as well as her step grandchildren Amanda (Anderson) Rube (Ryan) of Louisville, KY and Jeremy Anderson (Kara) of Pace, FL. Ruth is also survived by six siblings. Three brothers, Stan (Cynthia) Squires, Clayton (Ethel) Squires and Ron (Linda) Squires and three sisters, Dorothy Squires, Cynthia Murphy (Squires) and Winnie Farrell (Squires) all of whom still live in Newfoundland. Aunt Ruth also leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews. Ruth was predeceased by her parents, brothers Jimmy Squires and Curt Squires, sister Elizabeth King (Squires), brothers-in-law who were like brothers, a niece, a nephew and her beloved grandson Mark Connolly Jr. The Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted the family.
32 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
COMMUNITY NEWS
Mill Pond School students get crash course in local government By Evan Walsh Managing Editor
the way. “Our fifth-grade government standards — we’ve added a lot, and we do a lot with the federal government. But local government can be tough to understand, and there aren’t a lot of resources out there. I was trying to figure out a way to make it engaging, real, and relevant,” said Tara Gestrich, who coordinates the elementary social studies curriculum for the district. There were two articles. Article 1, a motion to listen to Arnold’s brief presentation on Town Meeting decorum, passed quite easily. Article 2 – an effort to ban single-use plastic bottles in Westborough – was far more contentious. The floor was opened for debate. Students received articles from teachers, read about the differing perspectives, and formed evidence-based arguments. “It felt like this
was a good combination of something they would get passionate about and feeling WESTBOROUGH – Westborwhat a Town Meeting was ough residents filed into the like,” said Gestrich. auditorium, the warrant was During the debate, studistributed, and, with his dents went back and forth. gavel in hand, moderator John Inspired by her time picking Arnold took the stage. Soon, up plastic at the beach, fifththe meeting was called to orgrader Maisie Caldwell stood der and impassioned debate in front of her classmates and quickly began. delivered an address critiquIt had all the makings of ing single-use bottles. another Town Meeting, but “I just wanted to get it out there was something disthere and make sure the pubtinctly different. This wasn’t lic is aware about just how the Westborough High School much plastic has an effect on auditorium – it was Mill Pond our environment. It took a lot School. And these weren’t of confidence, but my teacher registered voters – these were always says, ‘Loud and proud.’ fifth-graders eager to learn That tells you to be yourself about local government. and be confident in who you On Dec. 5, Mill Pond School are,” she said afterward. held a mock Town Meeting Some of her peers disdesigned to help students agreed, rallying for plastic. learn about local government. “Companies would go at a Over 200 fifth-grade students loss because many companies modeled how townspeople rely on plastic,” one said. pass articles every spring But even though there – and learned a lot along was disagreement, it was a l w a y s re spectful. Article 2 passed, 149-89, but afterwards, there was no resentment By Maisie Caldwell – students Mill Pond School fifth-grader debating Westborof town the from eliminated be Plastic water bottles should ough and replaced with cardboard boxed or canned water packaging to better help the environment .
A letter in support of a plastic bottle ban
First, plastic has a very significant impact on the environment. A single plastic water bottle can have a very significant effect on ecosystems across the whole planet. For example, if it reaches the pacific garbage patch, the plastic will break down into microplastics. Sea life, like fish, can end up eating the plastic and will eventually die. One plastic bottle can affect hundreds of fish in the ocean. Also, it can affect a cycle of the food chain. If we catch fish that have ingested plastic, we have an extremely high chance of ingesting it ourselves. Second, plastic water bottles are having an effect on plants and water sources. Plastic water bottles are cheaper to make, but have a negative effect on water sources. To make a plastic water bottle, it takes at least three times the water to make one than it actually holds in the bottle. It can end up being littered, and can affect plants and trees. It can end up virtually everywhere, and end up in all kinds of living wildlife and plants. One plastic water bottle will end up having a very serious effect on vital ecosystems in our town. Third, cardboard is more eco-friendly. It is more expensive to make, but it breaks down faster and, in some cases, ends up being composted. It can be recycled as well. If there is no compost bin anywhere near you, it can be repurposed and reused. Another alternative to plastic water bottles is aluminum cans. Aluminum canned water would also be a great alternative as well because it can take less than three weeks to be recycled. Overall, plastic single use bottles should be replaced with cardboard boxed or canned water here in Westborough to have a cleaner town environment.
John Arnold moderated a different type of Town Meeting.
minutes earlier picked up their friendship where it left off. It was a true model – even for some adults. “The teachers do a lot of work to set kids up to have respectful debates — especially with heated issues. I’m not surprised at how kind they were, but I’m proud. They’re a great group of kids,”
said Gestrich. “Town Meeting doesn’t look a whole lot different than if someone took a picture of you right now,” Arnold told the crowd. “To me, a successful Town Meeting — whether we agree or are opposed — means we can leave here and still be friends and respect the process.
A letter against a plastic bottle ban By Aaradhya Verdia Mill Pond School fifth-grader Westborough – our beautiful town. Plastic is a convenient and useful resource. Many companies rely on plastic. If we remove or ban these single-use plastic water bottles, many companies and employees will be affected and companies would go into a loss because they need to manufacture eco-friendly packaging materials which could cost more. “How would employees and companies be affected?” you may ask. If we ban the use of plastic for single-use water bottles, we don’t need employees to seal, package and label the product which could increase homelessness or poverty in our community. Many people say we should use glass or paper based packaging but the problem is that to get the cardboard we need to cut down trees, which limits our oxygen and glass comes with its own handling risk. In my opinion, our government should support all the companies who use plastic for the single-use water bottle and support them in manufacturing an eco-friendly alternative for plastic in the United States, but until then we should not remove a useful resource which provides employment to our families. I also think that what if the problem isn’t the plastic but it’s about the reusability. The classic recent madness of Stanleys and Owalas encouraged all age groups of our community to proudly use these reusable water bottles which helped in discouraging or limiting single-use plastics.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 33
COMMUNITY NEWS
Chef du Jour’s John Ayotte reflects on 32 years in catering By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH — Westborough’s John Ayotte grew up with a love for cooking. He recalls the days as a kid when he would sit on the counter and wait for his mother to hand him a utensil with excess batter. He studied culinary arts at Assabet Valley in 1980 and proceeded to attend Johnson and Wales, completing an apprenticeship in Austria. Thirty-two years after the start of his career, Ayotte is looking back on a life full of cooking, catering, and meaningful relationships. Since opening Chef du Jour in 1993, Ayotte has catered just about everything: spring graduation parties, election nights at Town Hall, weekly meetings, and holiday events. His very first job was at a neighbor’s wedding, serving hor d’oeuvres to guests after the reception. There were the memorable jobs – like catering a wedding
that ended with a midnight curling competition followed by a 1 a.m. breakfast. “The more of a challenge, the better,” Ayotte said. “You get tired of doing the same thing all the time, so you welcome something different.” Ayotte said his business prided itself on its service and affordability: “It’s not always how much money you’re going to make. You just want people to be happy.” Since retiring, a number of people have told him just how much they missed the Chef du Jour experience. But after two knee replacements and having both feet “rebuilt,” Ayotte felt it was time to enjoy his “new parts” and experience a wellearned retirement. Chef du Jour is officially saying “au revoir” – and we wish him the best.
Why was this Westborough home placed on stilts? By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH — At the start of Upton Road sits a decent-sized yellow house that a Westborough homeowner was just on the cusp of selling. But a “keen” home inspector noticed something that threw them for a loop. Small map-like cracks, just barely visible, were spotted along the home’s foundation – the only sign of the presence of pyrrhotite. Now, the home has been raised several feet and placed on stilts until a new foundation can be built. Pyrrhotite is a naturally occurring mineral or stone that begins to rust and swell after years of exposure to air and moisture, explained Sue Stebbins, manager of Foundation Solutions. With concreteready mix made of 75 percent stone, pyrrhotite can stir up a recipe of disaster for any homeowner. Once cracks start appearing, more moisture gets in and it only gets worse. It takes 15 to
30 years for cracks to surface. “They haven’t come up with any other way to stop that process,” Stebbins said. The Upton Road home’s largest crack formation occurred below ground level, “so nobody would have noticed.” Stebbins herself dealt with the issue at her home in Connecticut. The quarries that brought about this issue have been closed down in Connecticut since 2015, but in Massachusetts, testing began only recently. Westborough is the 49th town to discover the issue in the state. It’s an intensive – and expensive – process to get the is-
sue fixed. After digging to the bottom, stacked pallets were placed and large metal beams were slipped in to begin the process using a hydraulic lift. “It’s expensive – there’s no doubt about it,” she said, noting all the rising costs associated with construction. The average cost for this repair is about $200,000. Her advice? “Buyer beware,” she said. Beyond the visible cues, homeowners have the option to have their foundations core tested. “Anything after, say, ’83, ’84, up until yesterday, I would test. … Nobody wants to touch a house like this.”
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34 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
COMMUNITY SPORTS With win over Westborough, Algonquin boys’ basketball makes statement By Evan Walsh Managing Editor
defense helped the Titans pull away. “The way we came out the second half. We knew the defense would wear them down at some point, and it just took a little longer than we hoped. We’re deep — we have a lot of guys that can get in,” said Head Coach Andrew Kinney. Poirier led the way with 21 points, while Ben Bertonazzi tallied 17 points. Eleven players registered points for the Titans, who kept the fastpaced offense going regardless of who was on the court. “It’s a really special group. This is my fourth year of coaching them directly. It’s fun to see them grow, and to see where they’re at now,” said Kinney. Added Poirier: “We’ve been playing together all summer. We really think of each other as brothers — we hang out off the court all the time. I think we have really
WESTBOROUGH — “Play fast, keep our foot on the gas.” That’s how senior captain Dylan Poirier described Algonquin basketball’s play style. In their first game of the season, the Titans pulled ahead and never looked back, speeding past rival Westborough, 81-61, on Dec. 12 to start the year strong. “In practice we really work hard. We’re always running, so we play fast,” Poirier told the Community Advocate. “It’s really big. We think we’re a really good team this year. We want to play fast. We made a statement.” Leading Westborough, 15-14, after one quarter, Algonquin started to separate itself, taking a 36-28 advantage into halftime. As the game progressed, a 28-point third quarter and stellar
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good team chemistry.” For Westborough, Storm Ellison hit four 3-pointers as part of his 19-point performance. Alex Peterson grabbed 14 points, and Zavonte Walker added 9 points for the Rangers. But it wasn’t enough to walk away with the rivalry win. “[The rivalry] is fun. Westborough is close by, and the kids know each other. It’s easy for our student section to get to, so it’s a nice way to start off the season. Lots of energy in the gym, it’s a fun way to start,” said Kinney.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025 • 35
COMMUNITY SPORTS
In her first varsity game, freshman Anna Preciado scores three goals By Evan Walsh Managing Editor MARLBOROUGH — Anna Preciado was a little nervous heading into her first varsity game with the Algonquin Titans. The Advanced Math and Science Academy (AMSA) freshman admitted to being “a little uptight” throughout the first period. But midway through the second period, she “locked in” and had a debut to remember. In her first action for the Titans, Preciado grabbed a hat trick, scoring three important goals — including a tip-in and a shorthanded score — to help Algonquin defeat Longmeadow, 6-1, and open the season strong on Dec. 13. Three periods into her Algonquin career, Preciado emerged with three goals. “I think it’s pretty sick. I was super pumped. My mom was super proud of me, so I’m super happy — it’ll be a nice car ride home. We’ll get some nice dinner or something like that. The team today had some great passing,” she told the Community Advocate. Preciado isn’t the only new face on the Titans. Of 20 players listed on Algonquin’s roster, 10 are freshmen or younger. Alexandra Joslyn, another AMSA newcomer, also scored her first varsity goal against Longmeadow. “We have a team that’s half freshmen. We knew it was a transition period,” said Sara Albanese, an assistant captain from Nashoba. “We had to adapt, but so does everyone. Everyone has to adapt.” But perhaps the biggest change this season for Algonquin is Will Downs, who replaces women’s hockey icon Tina Beauchemin as head coach. A longtime Algonquin assistant — and member of the Titans’ 2022 championship — Downs is a familiar face around the rink, and the transition into the lead role has been smooth, he said. “Tina’s awesome. She’s a very valuable mentor to me,” said Downs. “To get the win, it’s awesome. It was nice to get this one in the books. We’re a young team, there’s a lot of new faces. The strategies we asked them to follow were followed. There
Addison Cagan held Longmeadow scoreless after the first period. “We were getting some chances, the other team was doing an excellent job of getwere some bumps, but that’s to be expected in our first game. The players seem to be responding.” Downs led the team to the victory, but Beauchemin was still rink-side (nervously) cheering on the Titans. After Algonquin fell behind, 1-0, early in the second period, Beauchemin had a word with senior captain Madelyn Glynn. Minutes later, Glynn fired a slapshot toward the net — blocked. But the puck found her again, and Glynn leaned into another one, hitting an absolute missile that was tipped past the goaltender by Preciado. “[Beauchemin] told me to take a slapshot. I did and it worked,” said Glynn. She added: “Before we came back on the ice, we talked about keeping the shots low, keeping the puck on the net, because we had our teammates supporting us by the net. I knew one of my teammates was going to be there, I knew I needed to get a shot on the net, so I kept trying and trying.” A five-goal third period — featuring goals from Brooke Cutler, Albanese, Joslyn, and Preciado — sealed the deal for Algonquin. Star goalie
ting those shots blocked. We told them to keep at it, that pucks will end up popping in. And they did. It was a sigh of relief after that first one went in,” said Downs.
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36 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, December 19, 2025
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