CA 250912 REG_WEB

As override fears loom, here’s what could be cut in Northborough

By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter

NORTHBOROUGH – At the town’s annual Financial Summit, the Northborough Select Board, Financial Planning Committee, Appropriations Committee, and School Committee heard budget presentations for fiscal year 2027 from all municipal departments.

This year, department heads were asked to prepare a “level-service” budget — an operating budget for fiscal year 2027 that reflects the same level of services offered this year — and a “level-funded” budget, which would maintain the same dollar amount of funding going forward. Northborough Summit | 6

After tragic shooting, Shrewsbury remembers victim

By Evan Walsh Managing Editor

SHREWSBURY – After tragedy, the Shrewsbury community is rallying to support a local family.

On Aug. 28, Kevin Doherty, 56, was shot and killed near Jordan Pond while returning from dropping off his 6-yearold son at Coolidge Elementary School. The shooting occurred after Doherty took a photo of an individual vandalizing a bridge along the path, prompting an altercation.

The shooting suspect, Snehal A. Srivastava, 26, surrendered to police. Srivastava was “known” to the Shrewsbury Police Department, having been arrested on several other occasions, including once after brandishing a machete and

‘We’re going to end this problem’

Grafton residents gather for town’s first-ever Overdose Awareness Vigil

By Adri Pray Reporter

GRAFTON – Fifteen people stood among purple balloons, streamers, candles, and flags lined along Grafton Common on Aug. 31 for what was the town’s firstever International Overdose Awareness Vigil, an annual day of remembrance that honors the lives lost each year to substance use disorder.

Organized by John Marhefka and Matt Gear, two town locals in active recovery who co-founded a peer-support group called Guided Addiction Access

Points (GAAP), the event honored the 1,314 lives lost to overdose in Massachusetts in 2024. Participants, many of whom were in recovery themselves, were invited to partake in a moment of silence and write the names of those lost on purple flags to honor their loved ones’ memories.

“This was the first year that Grafton had partnered with anybody to put some of these abatement dollars to work,” said Marhefka, who is also the program director at The Recovery Connection in Marlborough. “The event is really significant because it shows

man arrested after alleged sexual abuse of children Indoor golf simulator center to come to Rte. 9

player shares moment with grandparents

The Grafton community gathered for the town’s first-ever Overdose Awareness Vigil. (Photo/Adri Pray)

Dear Editor,

A new Starbucks may be coming to Westborough. Great! It would be located right off Route 9 eastbound. Fantastic! And it’s even going to have a drive-through. What could be better?

To get there from Route 9, though, you’ll have to reduce your speed from as fast as 55 miles per hour to about 15 mph or slower in a matter of seconds in order to take a sharp right turn onto Park Street, a narrow side road. There, you could be met by a long line of cars waiting to enter the parking lot and the drive-through window. When you finally make your purchase, you might not be able to return directly onto Route 9. Instead, you may have to travel down Park in the opposite direction toward Milk Street (Route 135), where you’re likely to be stuck in another long line just to make your way out in either direction. Wait, what?

If navigating this area sounds like a real grind, just think if you lived on Park Street and in the three condo communities located directly off of it.

In March, the Planning Board approved a proposal for the coffee shop, but rejected a special permit needed to include a drive-through. This followed months of public concern about traffic congestion,

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

safety, and the impact a drivethrough would have on the neighborhood and Route 9 eastbound in that area.

The developer appealed this decision to the Massachusetts Land Court. But attorneys for the town did not choose to defend the Board’s decision. As a result, the court returned the matter to the Planning Board for further review.

Just because something looks good on paper and conforms to regulations, does it mean that it also makes sense?

Now, it is possible that if the Starbucks drive-through is approved by the Board, people won’t mind the logistical inconveniences it poses. But for others, the traffic congestion every morning could be a little tough to swallow.

In that case, it just may be that this coffee shop won’t be worth a hill of beans.

Scott Davis, Westborough

Dear Editor,

The recent Aug. 28 article on BWALT rerouting presents a misleading and incomplete view of the project’s scope, cost, and regulatory hurdles. As engaged residents, we feel compelled to clarify several critical omissions.

First, this is a shared multi-use

The Community Advocate’s Policy on Letters to the Editor

path—not just a pedestrian trail. The original route through the Sewage Treatment Plant property conflicts with future expansion, prompting a reroute around the solar field that cuts through wetlands. This isn’t a minor adjustment: wetlands must be flagged to avoid encroachment, and under Massachusetts law, any fill over 5,000 square feet is prohibited with no waivers.

Residents have raised serious safety concerns about the on-road section along Meadow Road/Milk Street. The proposed alignment is ill-suited to the area and carries a staggering cost—over $7 million for just 1.67 miles for Section 2.

The Otis Street / Route 9 intersection remains unfunded and unresolved, with a projected funding gap of around $4 million.

Finally, the article omits the true financial impact. The 2021 Feasibility Study estimated BWALT’s total cost at $23.8M; adjusted for inflation, it now exceeds $28.4M. The Town’s share, once projected at $2.67M, has risen to $3.18M—and will continue climbing as segments are built over the next 20–30 years.

Residents deserve transparency—not vague assurances and partial truths. Before committing to a multi-million-dollar project with lasting financial and envi-

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.

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ronmental consequences, we must demand full disclosure and rigorous analysis.

Jo Anne Aramini, Kevin Barry, Westborough

Dear Editor,

I am writing to share my reflections on our Labor Day Parade in Marlborough, an event that has held a special place in my heart for over sixty years. Throughout these decades, I have cherished the vibrant memories of fire trucks, marching bands, colorful floats, and the clowns. It is a tradition that has not only brought our community together but also served as a celebration of our shared history and spirit.

This year, as I had the honor of walking the parade route as the Ward 1 Councilor, I was struck by the many familiar sights that continue to define this beloved event. Most notably, the crowd was wonderfully diverse, and it was heartening to see that the floats and marching bands echoed this inclusivity, showcasing a variety of cultures and backgrounds.

However, amidst the festive atmosphere, a concern weighed heavily on my mind. I noticed a troubling decline in the presence of American flag waivers, especially

WINE REGIONS

among children along the route. From Lincoln to Maple Street, I counted only three children waving the flag.

This decline in patriotic displays among our youth is troubling and warrants our collective attention. Teaching our children to take pride in their country is a fundamental responsibility that rests with families, schools, and the greater Marlborough community. Demonstrating patriotism, including waving the American flag, is an important tradition that helps foster a sense of identity and respect for the sacrifices made by our veterans.

In conclusion, as a veteran myself, and from a family of veterans, I hope we can work together to rekindle the patriotic spirit among our young people and ensure that future generations continue to celebrate and embrace the values that make our nation strong. As we prepare for Marlborough’s Revolution 250, let us remember that pride in our country is a shared responsibility, and it begins with us—families, educators, community leaders, and all residents of Marlborough.

Thank you for taking the time to consider these thoughts.

Mark A. Vital, Marlborough (Ward 1 Councilor)

Wine regions around the world each bring unique flavors and pair beautifully with food. In France, Bordeaux red blends complement roast lamb, Burgundy Pinot Noir suits chicken or mushrooms, and Champagne pairs wonderfully with fried chicken, oysters, or creamy cheese. Tuscany Chianti matches tomato pasta or pizza in Italy, and Piedmont Barolo goes with rich risotto or duck. Spain’s Rioja enhances roasted lamb or tapas. Australia’s Barossa Shiraz is ideal for barbecued ribs. Chile Cabernet pairs nicely with beef or spicy sausages. New Zealand Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc cuts through seafood or goat cheese. Washington, Oregon, and South Africa each offer reds or whites that match local dishes. Every region’s weather, land, and grapes shape wines that pair best with matching foods.

JULIO’S LIQUORS caters to all levels of experience and take pleasure in encouraging all Julio’s customers to learn more about wine and feel excited about their purchases. We host multiple seminars, formal tastings and wine festivals throughout the month which cater to every level of wine consumer. We feature an extensive selection of wines from all over the globe. For more information, please 508-366-1942 or visit us at 140 Turnpike Rd., Rt. 9 East.

P.S. Napa Valley Cabernet pairs well with grilled steak or burgers. If you like our Un-cork’d article every week, check out our radio show & podcast

Ryan Maloney, owner

After tragic shooting, Shrewsbury remembers victim

attacking someone at Regal Cinemas in Westborough. Srivastava was arraigned Aug. 29 and faces several charges, including armed assault with intent to murder, carrying a firearm without a license, and murder.

In the days following the tragedy, Andrea Castinetti, who owns a local realty group

and often holds fundraisers in the community, organized a community vigil in honor of Doherty, scheduled for Oct. 11 from 2 to 8 p.m. at SAC Park. Castinetti also set up a Meal Train for Doherty’s family, which had raised over $60,000 at the time of publication. Community members have signed up to make dinners through October for

Doherty’s family.

After the tragedy, Shrewsbury Police Chief Kevin Anderson issued a statement.

“On behalf of the Shrewsbury Police Department, I extend our deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy. No words can ease the pain of such a sudden and devastating loss, but please know that our entire department

stands with the family and the community in mourning,” said Anderson.

Doherty and his fiancée, Sarah Schofield, had planned to get married on Sept. 20. Doherty grew up in Framingham and was an “avid music lover, passionate golfer, and enthusiastic hockey fan,” according to his obituary. He is survived by his children

Grace (17), Rose (14), and Jack (6); his father, Michael “Joe” Doherty of Framingham; his brother Brian; his sister-inlaw Lauren; and his nieces Emma, Abigail, and Charlotte of Waltham.

Schofield released a statement through the Worcester County District Attorney’s office on Sept. 4.

“The saying is true, there are no words that can fully capture the overwhelming pain and grief that we are experiencing. … No one should ever endure the trauma of canceling wedding arrangements only to make funeral ones. This loss, and the fractures it created are so severe it makes healing seem impossible,” the statement reads.

The statement continues: “What will never be difficult is remembering Kevin. He was the love of my life. He was the most amazing father to our son and his two daughters. He was a brother and son and an uncle. He loved sports and especially loved to play golf. He worked hard to provide for his family. Kevin had so many friends and he loved to talk to people. He was funny and he was kind. He truly woke up each morning with a smile on his face.”

“To all of you, thank you for everything you are doing for me and my family. And ‘Thank you’ seems so insufficient for the amount of gratitude I feel. As we move forward, the path ahead will be daunting but my heart feels a bit lighter when I reflect on my community.”

public acceptance that there is such a huge problem in America.”

The Grafton vigil mirrored an annual event in Marlborough that brings together community members and organizations to raise awareness about addiction. The Grafton event was made possible because of abatement dollars awarded to the town through opioid settlements.

After a few brief remarks, those gathered sat among percussion instruments laid out in a semi-circle on the green. The group was encouraged to bang on drums, play the chimes, and shake rainsticks. A variety of sounds echoed around the circle as each person found an individual rhythm.

Marhefka and Gear founded GAAP last year as a way to provide recovery coaching, peer support, and Narcan training to the public. The pair “saw a lot of holes” in

1,314 Massachusetts residents overdosed in 2024

treatment and recovery, according to Marhefka, and worked closely to close them.

“People who don’t understand it are very judgmental about the things we are capable of doing when we’re under the influence of a sub -

stance,” Marhefka said. “And while I think it is getting more recognition, publicizing [substance use disorder], that’s how we’re going to end this problem — identifying and talking about it as the public health crisis that it is.”

By Adri Pray Reporter

SOUTHBOROUGH — A 24hour indoor golf simulator center will be coming to Southborough this fall, with plans slated for 118 Turnpike Road (Route 9).

At its Aug. 16 meeting, the Southborough Planning Board unanimously approved plans for The Back Nine, an indoor golfing experience that allows members access to its facilities 24/7. The facility would be the town’s first-ever 24-hour activity space.

Planning Board Chair Meme Luttrell, along with several other board members, expressed concerns about the location’s 24/7 policy. She specifically questioned The

Back Nine’s need to be open throughout the night and had reservations about the safety of its customers. The applicant assured Luttrell that the facility offers members-only access after certain hours.

Late-night visitation of the site is “minimal and predictable,” The Back Nine said, citing instances like when doctors get off late shifts and are looking to work out. The facility would also have 24/7 surveillance.

Debate also centered around the business owner’s desire to have an illuminated sign along Route 9. Initially, the board was not inclined to grant the exception, citing a violation of the town’s dark skies initiative meant to cut back on light pollution, but eventually agreed.

The Back Nine is an appointment-based golf facility that offers memberships for $250 to $300 on average. The business plans to engage with the community through organized golf tournaments, partnerships with local groups and schools, and family-friendly recreational opportunities. The Southborough site is expected to open before the end of the year.

As override fears loom, here’s what could be cut in Northborough

could face an override before 2030, according to town finance officials. Budget season is just starting, but some departments said that cutting back on costs –potentially in an effort to avoid an override – could mean a detrimental loss in services for residents.

Here’s what might be on the chopping block.

Police & Fire

The Northborough Police Department presented a $3.79 million level-service budget. Its level-funded budget was $3.5 million.

According to Police Chief Brian Griffin, if a level-funded budget is passed, cuts would include eliminating special officers for detail duties, reducing officer and dispatch overtime, cutting back on in-person training, limiting vehicle and equipment maintenance, and more.

“It’s pretty scary – I hope it never comes to this,” Griffin said. Officers would still go through the mandated 40

hours of annual training required by the state, he said, though Northborough officers have historically exceeded that amount.

While the cuts would include eliminating two part-time special duty officers, Griffin said the department isn’t able to reduce its staffing. “I can’t afford to touch people, people are what keep us safe,” he said.

The Northborough Fire Department presented a total level-service budget of about $3.4 million and proposed almost $70,000 in cuts. Fire Chief David Parenti said the department would cut $27,150 in overtime costs, reducing the number of on-duty firefighters and potentially increasing response times.

Similar to the police, the fire department would limit training and vehicle and equipment maintenance. It would also delay replacing its personal protective equipment (PPE), saving about $15,000.

Department of Public Works

The Northborough Department of Public Works pro -

Art in Prospect Park

Join the Friends of Prospect Park for the second annual Art in Prospect Park event. Head to one of Shrewsbury’s most under-the-radar parks and visit local artists and artisans. Enjoy the beautiful Garden of Sweet Remembrance. All proceeds from the event will help Friends of Prospect Park rebuild the garden and maintain Prospect Park. It’s a rare chance to drive to the top of the hill and experience this hidden gem in Shrewsbury Center.

Prospect Park is located at 65 Prospect Street. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 14. More information available online.

posed a level-service budget of $11.6 million, which is about $211,000 more than this year’s budget.

“Public Works is all over the place, even if you don’t necessarily see us,” DPW Director Scott Charpentier said.

Charpentier said the town had options when it came to reducing the department’s budget, but warned that cuts would likely mean less work, and upkeep would be difficult in town. About 45 percent of the budget is labor costs.

Northborough Free Library

The Northborough Free Library presented a level-service budget of $1.13 million. To reach a level-funded budget, the library would have to cut $54,210 from the budget.

The reductions would eliminate public access to computers and printers; reduce or eliminate reading programs and electronic passes; and return the library to relying on paper products rather than digital services.

According to Library Director Jen Bruneau, about $23,000 of the cuts would come from the library’s materials budget, which would put the library at a minimum compliance level with the state to remain certified. The reductions could result in a further loss of about $5,000 in state aid.

Bruneau warned that any further reductions could result in the library losing its certification entirely, eliminating Northborough’s access to state aid awards and barring residents from borrowing materials from other libraries in Massachusetts.

Northborough Public Schools

Superintendent Gregory Martineau said the schools are still in the early stages of preparing a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, but said the average yearly increase over the past five years has been 3.56 percent.

The fiscal year 2026 budget was just under $30 million for

Northborough schools and cut four teachers. The town’s share of the fiscal year 2026 regional school budget was $15.9 million, a $1.7 million increase from the previous year.

According to Martineau, labor negotiations, transportation, software expenses, and a decrease in federal grants were contributing factors to the budget increase. The district’s transportation costs for fiscal year 2026 increased by 35.17 percent.

To reach a level-funded budget, Northborough schools could see cuts to 10 educators or staff, which would impact class sizes and programs. At the regional level, there would be about 11 cuts to educators or staff.

Martineau thanked the Northborough community for being “invested in education.”

“We think that having consistent increases over time is really important when it comes to funding education,” Martineau said. “I think the health of a community is the health of an educational system.”

“Anything is possible if you have faith.”

Mark 9:23

When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When cares are pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don’t you quit!

Life is strange with its twists and turns, As everyone of us sometimes learns. And many a failure turns about, When he might have one if he stuck it out. Don’t give up though the pace seems slow, You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out, The silver tint of the clouds of doubt. And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far. So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, It’s when things get worse that you must not quit! DON’T

Livestock regulations could be coming to Northborough

By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter

NORTHBOROUGH – Northborough doesn’t have any regulations when it comes to livestock and animalkeeping.

That might change.

Joan Clementi, along with other residents of Thaddeus Mason Road, first came

before the Northborough Board of Health in July with a complaint about a neighbor’s chicken coop.

According to officials, the chicken coop at 30 Thaddeus Mason Road is about 300 square feet and sits at the back of the property along the tree line. When inspected, the homeowner was following all best practices

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and has no roosters on the property.

Residents raised concerns over the smell, as well as the possibility of disease.

“Everybody in this neighborhood, they really watch out for their property, they try to make everything look nice,” Clementi said at the July 8 meeting. “This [the chicken coop] is probably up -

setting to quite a few people, us the most.”

The board has discussed creating regulations specifically for fowl, rather than rules that would affect all livestock. Northborough Health and Human Services Director Isabella Caruso told the Community Advocate the board is expected to hear recommendations from the

town’s animal inspector in early September. Standards around “grandfather” rules for residents who already have chickens will be decided as discussions continue.

“The goal is really to balance protecting public health but also being fair to the community and what they’re used to and comfortable with,” Caruso said.

Harness the Power of Walking

(Family Features) A walk isn’t just good for your body; it’s a simple, powerful way to care for your mind and soul. Physical activity, like walking, reduces stress, boosts mood and promotes overall well-being. Yet physical activity levels in the United States continue to decline, a trend threatening both mental and physical health.

Less than half of adults and fewer than 1 in 5 children in the U.S. get the recommended amount of physical activity needed for heart health, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart & Stroke Statistical Update.

National recommendations call for children to get at least one hour of physical activity each day, but the latest statistics show less than 19% of children in the U.S. achieve that target. Meanwhile, less than half of adults get the recommended 150 minutes or more of weekly physical activity.

What’s more, according to data from a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1 in 4 U.S. adults sits for longer than eight hours each day, which can have negative consequences on physical and mental health. For decades, the American Heart Association has championed the importance of physical

activity in communities across the country. These tips and information can help you understand how a brisk walk can make a world of difference for heart health and mental clarity.

Benefits of Physical Activity

Staying active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy.

The physical health benefits may be obvious, but research suggests physical activity can also help bring more joy to your life. According to the 2019 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, people who get the recommended amount of physical activity are less likely to experience depression.

Regular physical activity enhances your mood, sharpens your mind, improves sleep and boosts overall well-being, all while reducing the risk of disease and depression and increasing both the quality and longevity of life.

How to Be More Physically Active

Exercise as simple as a brisk walk can put a major spring in your step. It can even energize you to finish other tasks at hand, whether it’s cooking or running errands. Give your daily physical activity level a boost with these tips:

• Exercising outdoors is a great way to get moving. Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce stress, promote a sense of belonging and improve mood. It’s even better if you can enjoy the sunshine outside, which can improve mood, boost your immunity and help you get some vitamin D.

• Invite a family member or friend along with you. It’s good for them, it’s good for you and it’s good company all around.

• Instead of wondering if you’ll move today, explore how you’ll move. A walk, a dance or a stretch all count.

Getting Pets Involved

Pets are part of your family, and they can help you get healthy together. Pets provide a fun reason to spend more time outside and get the exercise needed to reduce the risk of disease later in life.

Getting moving along with your pet adds more exercise to your routine, which means living longer, reducing risk of dying from heart attack or stroke, reducing risk of diabetes, reducing stress and even boosting your overall happiness and well-being.

Exercising with your pet can also mean enjoying more socializing. You may find yourself meeting other dog owners in your area on a walk or at the dog park.

Learn more about how simple habits like walking can support your overall health at heart.org/MoveMore.

Source: American Heart Association

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The House That Got Away (And Why That’s

By Sue Gordon

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Every miss teaches you something. Each loss sharpens your focus. That stunning Victorian with no closets? Beautiful, but not livable. That fixer-upper with “great bones” but a to-do list longer than your weekends? Maybe not your dream. Each heartbreak fine-tunes your priorities. You start to see what really matters—

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natural light over square footage, or a mudroom over a formal dining room. Your next offer will be stronger, smarter, and more aligned with your life.

The market is abundant—even if it doesn’t feel like it. In the moment, it seems like there will never be another house like that one. But another always comes—often better. One with morning light, with neighbors who don’t practice the gong at sunrise, with a layout that works for your life. That resilience you’re building— what I call buyer muscle—makes you quicker, calmer, and more prepared for the next opportunity.

Trust your agent, trust the process. I’ve seen it time and again: buyers in tears over a loss, convinced they’ll never find another. And then, weeks later, I’ve watched those same buyers light up in a home that fits them even better. That’s the beauty of this journey. While you carry the emotions, let me shoulder the worry. My job is to guide, strategize, and advocate—with your best interest at heart.

Heartbreak is just a chapter, not the ending. So yes, pour a little wine (or ice cream, or both) for the one that slipped away. But know this: in real estate, heartbreak almost always leads to a better love story. The right house has a way of finding you when the timing is right. One day you’ll be standing in a sunlit living room, keys in hand, thinking: This is it. This is what I was waiting for all along.

68+ acres of prime Shrewsbury real estate eyed for redevelopment

By Evan Walsh Managing Editor

SHREWSBURY – Nothing is official yet, but an important (and large) parcel in Shrewsbury might be on the move.

The 68.9-acre UMass Chan Medical School property, located at 333 South Street, may be sold in the near future, according to Town Manager Kevin Mizikar. The parcel is currently home to about 682,000 square feet of office space, which includes the school’s Office of De-

velopment, Human Resources, Information Services, Health Consulting, and the President’s Office, according to UMass’s website.

UMass first purchased the campus site in 2007, but slowly started shifting employees to other locations, according to reporting by the Worcester Business Journal. In 2021, 500 employees were shifted away from South Street. In May 2023, it was reported that UMass was moving many Shrewsbury operations to 50 Washington

Street, Westborough.

With the space now underutilized, Mizikar said UMass is working “with a company that does redevelopment of largescale buildings like that, with the hopes of finding light industrial tenants.” Renovations would likely be limited to the current building: “They would use the building that’s there,” said Mizikar.

A commercial redevelopment company that would purchase the parcel, renovate it, and find tenants has not yet

been identified, according to Mizikar. “There’s no guarantee, but someone is interested,” he said. Should the property adapt to a light industrial use, it may look similar to Centech North, which is right down the street.

The development of the property is of great interest to Shrewsbury. Though 333 South Street is one of the town’s biggest parcels along Route 9 (and Route 20, for that matter), Shrewsbury has earned $0 in tax revenue due to UMass’s status as a nonprofit. If a private

entity redevelops the property, it would come onto the tax rolls. And the property’s location makes it an attractive choice for developers. Located on South Street and splitting the gap between Route 9 and Route 20, it’s easy to get to. The abundance of parking and sidewalks have also made it an attractive destination for walkers. Should the 40B development at 409 South Street come to fruition, a trail network may be established between 333 South, 409 South, and Shrewsbury Commons.

‘A happy place’: btone FITNESS Southborough opens to community

By Adri Pray Reporter

SOUTHBOROUGH – Workout class fanatics now have a new Pilates-inspired option.

With dozens in attendance on Sept. 5, btone FITNESS Southborough officially cut the ribbon and opened its doors to the town. Owned and operated by Arlington couple Laura and Ryan Aiken, the facility, located at 118

Turnpike Road, offers accessible workouts for individuals of all ability levels using Pilates-style reformers.

“I think there’s curiosity, especially for different types of boutique fitness that’s out there,” said Laura Aiken. “btone FITNESS Southborough is an opportunity to have that hands-on experience in a really comfortable environment.”

The btone FITNESS brand is a

unique take on traditional Pilates classes, focusing on full-body training using customized Pilates-style reformer equipment. The workouts target the entire body and focus on strength training, functional movement, balance, and flexibility. Instructors move participants through the motions slowly to activate muscles and build endurance.

The Southborough facility is the Massachusetts company’s 25th studio nationwide.

“Our classes are very welcoming. They are very beginnerfriendly,” said Ryan Aiken. “The benefit of being a newer btone FITNESS studio is that a lot of our clients are newer to btone FITNESS as well.”

“We like to say a shaking muscle is a changing muscle,” said Laura Aiken. “At the end, people are feeling that much stronger and ready to go.”

To celebrate the grand opening weekend, btone FITNESS Southborough partnered with Shannon’s Path, a nonprofit that funds cancer research and increases the availability of holistic care, and pledged to donate it s grand opening weekend

proceeds to the organization.

Shannon’s Path was founded in memory of Shannon H. McDonald, who battled appendiceal cancer.

Collaborating with charitable organizations and giving back to the community is important to the Aikens, who said they are always looking for ways to bring more diversity into the btone FITNESS Southborough studio. The couple plans to offer discounts to veterans, first responders, health care profes-

MERCURY RECOVERY PROGRAM

Mercury is an element that can be harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly.

Mercury is found in products such as:

sionals, and others.

“I’m a U.S. Army veteran, so looking at charities around Veterans Day is super important to me, personally,” said Ryan Aiken. “We want this to be a happy place.”

btone FITNESS Southborough is open seven days a week from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. each weekday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Visit https:// www.btonefitness.com/locations/southborough for more information.

Please contact your local Board of Health or Depar tment of Public Works for information on where to safely dispose of these items.

btone FITNESS opened its doors on Sept. 5. (Photo/Adri Pray)

By Sara Bedigian Contributing Writer

NORTHBOROUGH – Apple and pumpkin picking, plenty of cider, sweet fall treats, a playground for the little ones, barnyard animals, and wagon rides to the fields. It’s all at Tougas Family Farm – the ultimate fall destination.

Located at 234 Ball Street, Tougas offered pick-yourown fruit throughout the summer – with strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and peaches aplenty. Now, as the fall breeze settles in, it’s time for the most popular time of year: pumpkin and apple season.

Tougas has over 40,000 apple trees, with over 30 varieties of apples to pick. There are the classics – Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Empire – but also plenty of other varieties to explore. Tougas tests different types of apples, and has homegrown Honeycrisp hybrid “cousins” like Rosalie, Ludacrisp, and Evercrisp apples.

Whatever your preference, there’s an apple for everyone at Tougas.

“We don’t just have the favorites, so there’s always something new to taste. It’s exciting, and each variety has its own characteristics,” General Manager Jeannine Moore said, adding that farm-goers can always consult the harvest guides to help them find the perfect fruit.

In addition to apples, Tougas has a pumpkin patch with different varieties. Some are perfect for cooking and baking, some are grown for carving, and some are ornamental. Explore the farm’s collection of colorful gourds.

At the Farm Store, all the fall-favorite specials are back on the menu: apple cider donuts, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin ice cream, apple cider slushies, apple pie, and apple crisp. It’s a farm, after all, so all baked goods are made with farm-fresh produce, and desserts are available à la mode.

New this year: a sticky toffee pudding apple sundae, complete with cinnamonbun ice cream. And for the adults, Tougas offers beer and hard cider daily, part of an effort to broaden the farm’s selection and offer something

interesting to every guest.

Tougas will also host two fall-themed events for guests this season. On Oct. 18 and 19, join Tougas at Oktoberfest; there will be apples, a beer garden, pretzels, sausages, pumpkins, and plenty of food. The following weekend, Oct. 25 and 26, the farm will host Pick-or-Treat, where children and families can pick apples and get candy while dressed in their Halloween costumes.

Weekends can get busy, but there’s no shortage of fun.

“Even in the fall, the weekdays are quieter, so we always

try to let people know, if you don’t like the crowds, come during the week, it’s much quieter,” said Moore.

Tougas is open at 9 a.m., Tuesday through Sunday. The farm closes at 5 p.m., with a 6 p.m. close on Fridays. The farm is open until the day before Thanksgiving and is typically picking Evercrisp apples until about Veterans Day, but that can depend on each season.

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

Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

Brought to you as a community service by Robert J. Terkanian ~ ad design by Lynne Fountain, Community Advocate art dept.

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 Castinetti Realty Group.

WESTBOROUGH

5 Copperbeech Circle, Westborough

11 Shepherd Road, Westborough

142 Milk Street, Westborough

NORTHBOROUGH

19 Chestnut Hill Road, Northborough

SOUTHBOROUGH

9 Buffalo Run, Southborough

GRAFTON

10 Bicknell Road, Grafton

33 South Street, Grafton

MARLBOROUGH

31 Ames Place, Marlborough

24 O'Leary Road, Marlborough

HUDSON

4 Richard Road, Hudson

42 Pine Street, Hudson

26 John Robinson Road, Hudson

$1,760,000Heather K. Schmidt, Patrick A.

$510,000Jeffrey Driban, Morgan Scagliotti

Sabrina Capaldo, Matthew Capaldo

$750,000Eric D. Woodman, Stacy L. Coleman Jie Zhou, Bingxia Wang

$695,000Susan M. Cullen Davis G. Brush Jr., Carol M. Huff

$1,150,000Verinder K. Bawa, Urmila Bawa

$749,900James O'Brien, Melanie O'Brien

$747,000Samson Schoerning, Laura J. Schoerning

$657,500James J. Caissie

$875,000Joint Brusco Revocable Trust

$315,000Loreen Balthazar, Arthur F. Balthazar

$525,000Lucia L. Caetano

$695,000Aristides F. Santos, Lisa J. Santos

Paul Rufo, Karen Rufo

Lesley Darling

Amanda Caruso, Colin Caruso

John Purcifull, Renate Purcifull

Andrew Bibas, Tia Bibas

Ridgeback Homes LLC

Douglas P. Cote Jr.

Stephen Caruso, Erika Caruso

Available Services & Amenities

TAKE IT EASY

• Private air-conditioned shuttle bus

• Snow removal (and ample free parking)

• Weekly light housekeeping & flat linen service

• Three delicious home-cooked meals daily

STAY ACTIVE

• Fitness & wellness programs

• Indoor 1/5-mile walking path

• Exercise classes 7 days a week

• Heated indoor lap swimming pool

PURSUE YOUR INTERESTS

• A variety of clubs

• Country kitchen for resident use

• Indoor greenhouse & outdoor gardens

• Regular Catholic, Jewish, & Protestant services

HAVE FUN

• Weekly entertainment

• Outings to restaurants and museums

• A full calendar of events and activities

• Games, crafts, lectures, movie nights, & more!

EXPERIENCE TOP-NOTCH SERVICE

• On-site maintenance team

• 24 -hour front desk receptionist

• Director on duty seven days a week

• Licensed nurse scheduled 24 hours a day

ENJOY ON-SITE CONVENIENCE

• Six complimentary laundry rooms

• Primary care, podiatry, & dental care

• Banking, a pharmacy/sundry shop, & a hair/beauty salon

• Lounges, billiards room, library, theater, art studio, and game room

MAKE IT YOUR HOME

• Wide variety of floor plans

• Individually controlled heat/air conditioning

• Win dow treatments & wall-to-wall carpeting

• Oversized bathrooms with easy step-in shower

Hudson’s Boston Post Cane tradition lives on over a century later

HUDSON

THEN NOW

By David Bonazzoli History Columnist

HUDSON – Old-timers might remember The Boston Post. The newspaper began publication in 1831, and by the 1930s, it was the most widely read newspaper in New England and one of the largest in the country, with a circulation of over 1 million.

The cane, as sturdy a walking stick as one will find, was started as a promotional stunt that began in 1919, the brain-

child of Post publisher Edwin Grozier. Over 700 canes were distributed to towns in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The canes were made by J. F. Fradley & Co. of New York, a leading manufacturer of fine canes in this country.

Made of Gaboon Ebony, the cane was shipped in sevenfoot lengths from the African Congo. The canes are three feet long and capped by a head of the finest 14-carat gold.

The canes were presented to the towns’ oldest citizens.

At first only men were honored with the cane, but after outcry, women were added in the 1930s. Receiving the cane

made for a good story, and The Post encouraged the towns to put the story in their local newspaper. Sometimes the stories were also published in The Boston Post itself.

By the 1940s, circulation of The Boston Post began declining, a victim of Hearstrun newspapers, radio news, and television newscasts. By 1956, circulation was down to 230,000. The last edition was published that October.

But this wasn’t the end of the Boston Post Canes. Though many are now unaccounted for, an unofficial count in the 1980s found over 400 still around.

Many towns continue the

tradition – though now the receiver is likely to receive a pin or a certificate to keep, and the cane is returned to the town for safekeeping. In Hudson, the cane is stored at the Historical Society Museum, and the lucky person receives a brooch pin.

The cane was last awarded in 2019 to Anna Guarino, who was 101 at the time.

Who will be Hudson’s next honoree?

Yatco gas station near Market Basket wins Planning Board approval

By Evan Walsh Managing Editor

SHREWSBURY – After a year of hearings and debate, this gas station got the go-ahead.

On Sept. 4, the Shrewsbury Planning Board approved plans for a gas station at 193 Hartford Turnpike, a 3.9-acre industrial lot on the corner of Lake Street and Route 20, directly across the roadway from Edgemere Crossing and Market Basket.

Since August 2024, the Planning Board had listened to public feedback about the project, brought before the board by Marlborough-based Yatco Energy. Plans call for a 7,000-square-foot building that would include a convenience store, a drive-through window, a quick-serve restaurant, and several gas pumps. A 4,800-square-foot car wash would be built adjacent to the

gas station.

Concerned about traffic, Market Basket – through Prince Lobel Tye LLP, a law firm representing the grocer – spoke frequently to object to the project’s layout. The site would have three entrances for vehicles: two on Route 20, one being entrance-only; and one off of Lake Street.

The structures are estimated to generate roughly 900 new trips per weekday, according to MDM Transportation Consultants Inc., the project’s traffic engineer.

The Route 20 entrances were debated first, particularly the two-way entrance-exit.

After discussion, the applicant agreed to several trafficguiding measures, including built-in pylons and textured pavement designed to discourage left-hand turns on (or off) Route 20.

Then, both parties emptied

the tank discussing traffic at the Lake Street driveway, which, due to its proximity to the signalized intersection with Route 20, may cause significant bottlenecking and traffic, Market Basket argued through its attorneys.

“The concerns over the traffic in this particular location have been carefully looked at in great detail. A lot of information has been provided to you. … The board’s been told repeatedly traffic won’t be a problem.

… That’s simply wishful thinking,” said Louis M. Ciavarra, a Prince Lobel Tye LLP partner representing Market Basket.

The applicant has repeatedly argued that the Lake Street driveway will be low-usage.

When approving the project, the Planning Board included a variety of conditions related to traffic monitoring.

Some – like a “delivery truck plan” and an “internal op -

erational audit” after full occupancy – focus on internal traffic, while others focus on roads surrounding the property.

“Candidly, this has not been my favorite project. I do still have some hesitation about the amount of activity that is going to happen on the site. That being said, I believe the decision we put together helps us keep an eye on that traffic the best we can. I wish you the best of luck,” said Julie Holstrom, the chair of Shrewsbury’s Planning Board.

For over one hundred years, the Boston Post Cane has been presented to Hudson’s oldest citizens. (Photo/Courtesy)

Trinity Church boutique celebrates 10 years of giving back

By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter

NORTHBOROUGH – Inside the Blessings Boutique at Trinity Church, people can find colorful additions to their closet, refinished furniture, and community.

For 10 years, the boutique has been a staple in the Northborough community. And its volunteers are hoping this is just the beginning.

The boutique was started by Linda Corbett in 2015. Corbett said she and others at the church saw a need for the shop in the community, and with her background in fashion merchandising, the boutique was the perfect fit.

“This just gives me the opportunity to give back with something that I’m passionate about,” Corbett said.

The boutique sells gently used clothing for adults and children, and has expanded

over the years to sell household items. It’s become a “one stop shop” for everything someone might need, even if they’re on a budget, she added.

The church also puts an emphasis on sustainability in the boutique. While some clothes go to a new owner, the donations that the shop isn’t able to use are recycled and given to organizations like Fresh Start Furniture Bank in Hudson, which shreds the material.

This summer, the church opened a vintage garage as part of the boutique, selling furniture and art. Corbett and other volunteers help refinish the furniture, giving it new life before it’s purchased.

The proceeds from the boutique go right back to the church, Corbett said, and help support outreach initiatives like its weekly community meals.

For Corbett, the boutique does more than just provide affordable clothing and home necessities. As a Northborough resident all her life — and a member of Trinity Church since she was a 6-year-old — she’s seen firsthand how the shop brings people together.

“Not only do our customers come in to find items to purchase, but we’ve also become friends with many of them over the years,” she said.

To celebrate the boutique’s 10-year anniversary, the shop is offering sales in September to coincide with Applefest. Corbett said everyone in the community is welcome to come into the shop and find the perfect outfit, and maybe even make a new friend.

“We give them some friendship, we offer some camaraderie. We chitchat with them while they’re shopping, and it’s just a nice place,” Corbett said.

Happy ‘bark-day’ Marshall:

Northborough celebrates police comfort dog

“

now-1-year-old

comfort dog has become a beloved member of the community.

On Memorial Field on Sept. 4, the community celebrated Marshall’s birthday with cake, crafts, and visits from other local comfort dogs. Students from the Algonquin National Honor Society ran stations selling Marshall plush toys and helped distribute food from Vina’s Pizzeria. Woof! — Marshall

Trinity Church in Northborough

NORTHBOROUGH — The Northborough Police Department held a paw-ty to celebrate Marshall’s first birthday. The

police

Meet the sheep keeping SELCO’s solar operation going

By Evan Walsh Managing Editor

SHREWSBURY – Oh, to be a sheep under a solar panel!

Just south of Route 20 in Shrewsbury, on the top of a capped landfill, there’s a 12-acre patch of solar panels operated by SELCO, the town-owned utility provider. Underneath those panels, there’s plenty of grass that needs to be cut frequently to ensure peak efficiency.

That’s where the sheep come in.

Daniel Finnegan, the owner of Solar Shepherd LLC, has 27 sheep that roam the property, grazing the grass

and clover. It’s like a salad bar to the sheep, who spend most of their days mowing the grass and their downtime under the shade provided by the solar panels.

“I had sheep, and I was looking for more land to graze,” said Finnegan, who founded the company in 2018. “I was driving around and I realized these solar sites have beautiful grazing grasses underneath them and fences all the way around them. I said, ‘Well, this is the answer.’”

The solar array generates enough electricity to power 300 houses per year, said Finnegan, and his sheep eat

the equivalent of 10 to 12 bales of hay per day. During the warm months, the sheep stay overnight and are selfsufficient, though Finnegan checks them every day and sometimes monitors them via several cameras set up around the property.

“Sometimes you’re lying in bed at night wondering how your sheep are doing,” he joked.

It’s probably the best life a flock of sheep could ask for, Finnegan said.

“It allows us a way to graze our animals, expand our flock, and give our sheep a really high quality of life. They’re out, living the life sheep are supposed to live. Here we are in New England, but my sheep have hundreds of acres of wide-open pasture to graze. They’re living like they’re in

New Zealand,” said Finnegan. There’s no danger to the electrical equipment – sheep are naturally allergic to copper and won’t touch the technology. The sheep are also kept in line by Reggie, Finnegan’s border collie who has been expertly trained to gather the sheep when appropriate.

“She puts them where they need to be,” said Finnegan.

By Adri Pray Reporter

WESTBOROUGH — The VFW building at 9A Milk Street in Downtown Westborough will become Nabina’s Salon & Spa. The property sold for $375,000 on Sept. 5, VFW leadership told the Community Advocate.

The transaction will give VFW members more time to connect with veterans in town and bring veteran-oriented resources to the community, the organization’s leaders said.

“We’re not going away. The VFW in Westborough is not leaving,” said Post Commander Mike Van Nest. “The selling of the [building] is actually going to free up our VFW post here both financially and to now really start focusing on veterans in the community. We’re not looking to buy another post right away.”

Nabina’s Salon & Spa specializes in eyebrow-threading, according to the business owners, Prakash and Nabina Adhikari. It will be the company’s third location; the Shrewsbury

couple opened the flagship location in Framingham in 2012 and started another location in Wellesley shortly thereafter.

The Adhikaris hope to open the salon by early next year, and plan to split the building into two units — one for Nabina’s Salon, and the other for a business yet to be decided upon. The exact timeline has yet to be determined, but the Adhikaris said they are determined to “make the building better looking” for Westborough.

The building at 9A Milk Street was originally listed for $420,000 in March. The property received four formal offers, with ideas ranging from autoindustry uses to bagel shops. In recent months, people came by the building just to see the memorabilia, according to Deputy Commander Tony Pittman.

A former Department of Public Works building, the post was given to the VFW in 1947. The building experienced a fire in 2021 that left a hole in the

siding and charred the roof. After attempting to renovate and reopen, the building was listed for sale earlier this year.

“We’re right at the finish line with this thing and then we’re going to start very actively supporting the community in different ways,” said Pittman.

Both Van Nest and Pittman confirmed that the profit from the sale would return to the town’s veteran community. While no plans are finalized, they expect to have more in-

formation about what that support looks like in the coming months.

“Now that we’re coming out of this phase, we can concentrate on the volunteer side and rebuild our post numberswise, and we’re in a great position to work with the American Legion and the Veterans’ Advisory Board to support all our veterans in our area,” Van Nest said. “Now it’s about being able to get in touch with [the veterans] and creating that environment and community.”

Smarter Banking for Students Starts Here.

The Westborough VFW building. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)

Post Commander Michael Van Nest, Deputy Commander Anthony Pittman, and Quartermaster John Gallinagh (Photo/Evan Walsh)

11th annual Hannah Kane Charity Classic raises $60,000

REGION – State Rep. Hannah Kane hosted her 11th annual charity golf tournament on Aug. 18 at The Haven Country Club in Boylston. Kane was pleased to have been able to raise $60,000 in proceeds for the seventh consecutive year. The funds will go to three local charities: St. Anne’s Human Services, Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services (SYFS), and the Westborough Food Pantry, with each receiving $20,000.

“It was an absolutely gorgeous summer day, and our full field of golfers enjoyed a fabulous day on the beautiful course,” Rep. Kane said. “With the incredible generosity of our sponsors, golfers, and our hard-working Host Committee and volunteers, we once again donated $60,000 to our three critical human services agencies in Shrewsbury and Westborough. I am so grateful to all who donated and helped make the tournament a success.”

Tournament Director Beth Casavant added, “As the demand for social services con-

tinues to increase, the funds raised from this tournament become even more critical for the three charities we support. Even while we are all enjoying the day, the reason why Rep. Kane has brought us all together remains the focus. The many tournament sponsors and golfers that return every year make it possible to provide a significant amount of funding to each organization to directly impact the lives of the individuals and families that depend on them.”

The full list of tournament sponsors is viewable on the Community Advocate’s website.

Rep. Kane and Casavant are grateful to Host Committee members for their efforts in making the golf tournament a success financially and a fun event for golfers to enjoy. Committee members include Kelly Barner, George Barrette, Brian Beaton, Matt Beaton, Ron Bertelli, Bonnie Bryce, Jim Buonomo, Paula Buonomo, Paul Campaniello, Beth Casa-

The Marlborough Commuter Shuttle

vant, Scott Casavant, Natalie Corridan-Gregg, Melissa Fahs, Tom Fahs, David Faucher, Tom Gorsuch, Dot Green,

The 14 – passenger handicap-accessible shuttle connects local commuters and employees between the City of Marlborough and the Southborough MBTA Commuter Rail. The commuter route includes three round trips in the morning and in the evening to and from the business park at 200 Forest Street/ Campus Drive, Apex Center of New England, and downtown Marlborough. This option provides free public transportation for those who take the train to and/or from Boston & Worcester.

Morning Trips: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Afternoon/Evening Trips: 3:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Any questions or concerns, please contact us at 508-229-2010 or info@marlboroughedc.com

Melissa Fahs, host committee member; Melinda Nies, manager of St. Anne’s Food Pantry; State Rep. Hannah Kane; Dot Green from the Westborough Food Pantry; Beth Casavant, tournament director; and Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services Executive Director Fred Kaelin (Photo / Hannah Kane Charity Classic)

Michael Hale, John Heald, Robert Jacques, Ian Johnson, Maureen Johnson, Jim Kane, Elaine Leblanc, Kim Lipka,

Kelly Olvert, Jason Palitsch, Melanie Petrucci, Richard Ricker, Gayle Vigeant, and Steve Vigeant.

Northborough Media Connection brings

By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter

NORTHBOROUGH — When Dana Volke took over as director of Northborough Cable Access Television in 2022, he saw opportunities and challenges.

As someone who has worked in community media for over 20 years, he knew firsthand the importance of a robust flow of information from local governments and organizations to residents.

But he also saw the decline of cable itself, and with it, funding for cable access programs, which are often funded solely through cable subscriptions.

The idea of evolving Northborough Cable Access started before he became director, Volke said, but stepping into leadership allowed him to kick the rebrand into full gear. As of August, Northborough Cable Access officially became Northborough Media Connection (NMC).

“When people see the words ‘public access,’ they kind of think old-school. So a big part of this rebrand was to really just show that we’re modern, we’re looking forward, we’re changing what we do,” Volke said.

Volke said NMC will continue to provide coverage of municipal government and committee meetings, and will work with department heads to produce informational videos ahead of events like Town Meeting.

As NMC shifts its gaze to the future, the department will be focusing more on short-form video content as well. Kaylee Olson, NMC’s media coordinator, has put together segments on the groundbreaking of Northborough’s new fire station on Main Street, the Art of WellBeing event, and more.

While traditional coverage of town events tends to be longer, Olson said NMC is switching things to keep up with modern technology and media consumption.

“I find that nobody really has the attention to have that anymore,” Olson said. “So to be able to package everything together in a smaller, shorter video that’s more engaging has been well received, and a lot more interesting to grab new viewers that may not have been watching us before.”

NMC will remain on cable until its contracts expire in 2027 (Verizon) and 2032 (Charter).

Historically, NMC was fully

funded through cable subscriptions. However, in 2025, les s than half of households in Northborough subscribe to cable television, leaving the department looking for different sources of funding.

Since it’s a municipal department, NMC cannot accept donations or sell advertising space.

According to Volke, as cable subscriptions continue to dwindle, the department will slowly become subsidized by the town. This year, employee benefits like health insurance and retirement are funded through the municipal budget.

“We are at a point now where the cable subscriptions cannot sustain our current level of ser-

vices in our budget,” Volke said. “ We really wanted to change what we are to make this more palatable to the taxpayer and to show that we’re really committed to modernizing this department and making it something that’s a solid asset to the town.”

While the name may have changed, NMC still has the same mission at its core, Volke said.

“We want people to live here. We want businesses to move here, and we want people to put their kids into schools here,” he said. “Whatever we can do to create content, to show people what a phenomenal community that this town is, that’s what we’re trying to do.”

NMC Director Dana Volke (left) and NMC Media Coordinator Kaylee Olson (right) are trying to bring cable access media into a new era. (Photo/ Shealagh Sullivan)

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Student wins spot on AAU U.S. Junior National Taekwondo team

By Derek Speed Contributing Writer

WESTBOROUGH – On a typical day after school gets out, you won’t find Yuvaan Desai hanging out with friends playing video games or riding his bike. Instead, you’ll find him perfecting kicks, punches, and blocks under the direction of Headmaster Jong-Hyun Yi, a seventh dan (degree) taekwondo expert.

A 15-year-old sophomore at Algonquin High School, Desai spends five to six hours a day honing his skills at Yi’s Evolution Martial Arts studio. It’s this training that enabled Desai to secure a spot on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) U.S. Junior National Team this past July.

“I have been training in taekwondo for the past nine years, starting as a six-yearold,” said Desai. “I used to play soccer also — that was my main sport until I was like

eight or nine — and then I joined the [taekwondo] competition team at that age. I dropped everything else and switched my main focus to this, so I have been working toward this goal for the past six years.”

Desai has been training at Yi’s dojang – the Korean term for a martial arts training facility – since his family relocated to the area. Since then, he has progressed through the ranks at Evolution Martial Arts, ultimately earning a black belt during his time there.

To secure a spot at the team trials, Desai needed to be one of the top four finishers at the AAU National Championships held earlier in the year. As a first-place finisher at the team trials, he received an invitation to join the AAU U.S. Junior National Team. As a member of this team, Desai will travel to international events where he and his teammates will compete against athletes from

other countries.

“The training regimen that led up to all these events was a big mental test for him. We’ve not seen him go through such mental and emotional highs and lows,” said Desai’s parents, Vik Desai and Aarti Kriplani. “He had to be on a strict regimen with both food and training. In June and July, while his friends were enjoying their summer break by doing things like biking or having sleepovers, he refused to do any of those things. Even when we told him, ‘Go take a break, play your video games for a while,’ there wasn’t anything we could do to convince him to deviate from his training plan. He didn’t flinch even once.”

When asked about the significance of Desai’s accomplishment of making the AAU’s U.S. Junior National Team, Yi described it as a “once-in-ageneration achievement.” He said the last time someone

from Massachusetts made it to that level was roughly 25 years ago when Yi competed in the sport.

While taekwondo is an important part of Desai’s life, he is also committed to maintaining high academic standards. During his freshman year at Algonquin — while training for the U.S. Junior National Championships – he managed to maintain an “A” average in all his classes. His goal is to do the same as a sophomore, despite the frequent traveling.

Yi added: “I know that Yuvi and all the other student athletes I train will be in a great position when they grow up. They know what they want and are willing to work hard for it. Taekwondo helps with everything in their life. It gives them a faith system in themselves that they can do anything.”

“The lessons they learn from the sport will carry them well as adults.”

Yuvaan Desai with Headmaster Jong-Hyun Yi. (Photo/Courtesy)

COMMUNITY CLASSIFIED

Manager, IT – Commercial

Marlborough, MA

Work closely in partnership with business and functional teams to understand business processes, document, and manage business and technical requirements. Maintain and enhance logical and physical data models. $223,600-$224,000/year. Benefits Summary: www.us.sumitomo-pharma. com/join-us. Resumes to: Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. at humanresources@us.sumitomopharma.com, using Reference #: 596899.

Marlborough, MA

May require to travel/telecommute. Develop strategies to drive continuous improvement on business processes. Execute projects to accomplish value improvement objectives. From $97,843/yr. Contact: Susan Cardinal Boston Scientific Corporation, GlobalTalentAcq@bsci.com. Please include reference H4872-00669. (EOE).

CASE WORKER II

Boston MA (all levels/types)

May be assigned to various The Home for Little Wanderers locations throughout MA and NH. Provide individual & family based therapeutic services, crisis intervention & case management for defined program. $38,646 - $48,006/yr; $51,979 to $55,765/yr. Submit resume to Lin Fong, lfong@thehome.org. Must include reference H5684-00015. EOE.

Town of Westborough seeks applications from energetic, team-oriented individuals for the full-time position of Assistant Town Engineer.

Essential functions of the position include formal review of project plans and specifications, preparation of documents for competitive bidding, and development of engineering estimates associated with roadway improvements, water and sewer system design and maintenance, and stormwater management. The desired candidate will be a problem solver who offers innovative ideas and is an effective communicator. Applicants shall possess a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least five (5) years of work experience in the design of and/or construction of public works projects. Registration as a Massachusetts Professional Engineer or Massachusetts Professional Land Surveyor required. Must have a valid driver’s license. The salary range for the position is $86,292 - $112,375 per year DOQ. To apply, send resume and cover letter in a single PDF via email, with subject line: Assistant Town Engineer Applicant to: jobs@westboroughma.gov. The position will remain open until filled. This posting is not meant to be inclusive of all job duties or qualification requirements; please visit our Human Resources website for a complete job description. Position remains open until filled. The Town of Westborough is an equal opportunity employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. The Town of Westborough seeks a workforce that reflects the diversity of its community, and all are encouraged to apply.

TOWN OF WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER TOWN HALL - 34 WEST MAIN STREET Kimberly Foster WESTBOROUGH, MA 01581-1998 TEL: (508) 366-3030 FAX: (508) 366-3099 ASSISTANT TOWN ENGINEER Westborough Department of Public Works Engineering Division

Responsible for supporting data insights and reporting solutions within Market Access systems and related IT platforms to ensure seamless delivery of IT solutions that drive business value. Telecommuting permissible from home office anywhere in the U.S. $172,744 to $229,800/year. Benefits Summary: www.us.sumitomo-pharma. com/join-us. Resumes to: Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. at humanresources@us.sumitomopharma.com, using Reference #: 576258.

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

Belanger, Sr. Marie Clarisse a Sister of St. Anne Cleland, Kathy of Northborough Correia, Jose of Hudson Davis, Ann of Shrewsbury Davis, Marjorie of Marlborough DeCollibus, Patricia of Northborough Doherty, Kevin of Shrewsbury Dyer, Dana of Hudson Fontaine, Jennifer formerly of Southborough Kelly, Shaun of Grafton McAdams, Kenneth of Grafton Richesson, Judith formerly of Northborough Rinaldi, Thomas of Shrewsbury Safran, Louise raised in Hudson Scott, Hannah of Hudson Tomkinson, James of Northborough Twine, Ronald formerly of Marlborough Upjohn, Sabra formerly of Southborough Van Gerven, Wendy of Northborough Woundy, Bruce of Hudson

Kevin J. Doherty, 56

SHREWSBURY – Kevin J. Doherty, 56, had his life taken from us suddenly on August 28, 2025, in Shrewsbury. Born in Brighton on September 2 8, 1968 , he was the cherished son of Michael “Joe” Doherty of Framingham and the late Maureen (Carney) Doherty.

A man of many joys, Kevin was an avid music lover, passionate golfer, and enthusiastic hockey fan. Known for his giving spirit, he was a friend to all and truly the life of every gathering—bringing laughter and chatter wherever he went. He is survived by his devoted fiancé, Sarah Schofield; his beloved children, Grace (17) and Rose (14) of Acton, and

Jack (6) of Shrewsbury; his father, Michael “Joe” Doherty of Framingham; his brother Brian, sister-in-law Lauren, and their children Emma, Abigail, and Charlotte of Waltham.

The McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home of Framingham assisted the family.

Louise A. Safran, 92 NEW YORK CITY/NORTH WEYMOUTH – Louise Ann (Alzapiedi) Safran of New York and North Weymouth, passed peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Louise was born in Clinton, Massachusetts on July 22, 1932, and was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Kerrigan) Alzapiedi. She was raised in Hudson and attended local schools.

Louise was the beloved wife of the late Charles Safran, with whom she shared many loving years. She was the devoted mother of Kerrie A. Safran of Weymouth and Judy SafranAasen and her spouse Jerry of Bothell, Washington. Louise was the loving grandmother of Olivia Aasen, Jerome Aasen and his spouse Taryn, and Jacie Aasen Lupino and her spouse Travis. She was the sister of John Sanderson and his spouse Jennifer of Medfield and Bob Seward of B oston. Linda Brown, her dear cousin, formerly of Hudson, MA. Louise is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and lifelong friends.

McDonald Keohane Funeral Home North Weymouth assisted the family.

Patricia E. DeCollibus, 78

NORTHBOROUGH – In the early morning hours of Monday, September 1, 2025, Patricia E. DeCollibus passed away peacefully following an acute medical episode. She was 78 years old.

In addition to her husband of 57 years, John J. DeCollibus Jr., Penny is survived by three daughters: Lauren Lin and her husband Roger of Northbor-

ough; Nicole Moses and her hus band Chris of Southborough; and Alison Nimer and her husband Chris of Westborough. She also leaves ten beloved grandchildren: Andrew, Erica, and Eden Lin; Jonathan, Joshua, Jacob, and James Moses; and Sydney, Sienna, and Madison Nimer.

Penny is also survived by her four siblings: James Duca and his wife Maria of Cocoa Beach, FL; Annette Freedman of Long Island, NY; Joseph Duca and his wife Nancy of Ashland; and Robert Duca and his wife Patricia of Franklin. She leaves her sister-in-law, Elena Ghilani and her husband Frank of Ashland; her brother-in-law, Michael DeCollibus and his late wife Cheri of Clearwater, FL; and her sisterin-law, Mary Lou DeCollibus, wife of the late Paul DeCollibus. Hays Funeral Home of Northborough assisted the family.

Judith

A. Richesson, 90

ANN ARBOR MI – Judith Ann “Judy” (Herbert) Richesson, passed away on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Judy was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1935.

She was married to the late Maurice Allen Richesson for 47 years, most of which were spent in Northborough, MA.

She leaves her three children, Sam (wife Renata) Richesson of Worcester, MA, Carrie Richesson of Portsmouth, NH, and Rachel Richesson (husband Jerry Miller and son Todd) of Ann Arbor, MI, and her three grandchildren: Jacob, Caleb, and Abigail Miller. She is also survived by her sister, Jane Moore, in Washington State, her brother Bruce Herbert, Charlevoix, MI, and seven nieces and nephews.

Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Saline, MI assisted the family.

Kathy J. Cleland, 63

NORTHBOROUGH – Kathy Jean Cleland, 63, of Northborough, passed away unexpectedly

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in the early morning hours of Monday, September 1, 2025.

Kathy is survived by her three children: Eric Luzzetti and his wife, Heather, of Leominster; Nathan Hatzidakis and his wife, Lienne, of Seattle, WA; and Jessica Dower of NY. She also leaves behind 5 beloved grandchildren, one great-grandson and her mother, Carol A. Sinclair of Northborough. Kathy is also survived by her brother, Samuel Sinclair, Jr., of Northborough; her sister, LynnMarie Lange and her husband, Jeff, of Rutland; as well as many nieces and nephews. She will be deeply missed by her three feline companions, Nike, Chloe, and Kiki Sue. Kathy was predeceased by her father, Samuel G. Sinclair, Sr., who passed away earlier this year.

Hays Funeral Home of Northborough assisted the family.

Marjorie Davis, 86

MARLBOROUGH - Marjorie (Shapiro) Davis of Marlborough, MA, age 86 passed away on August 29, 2025. Adored daughter of the late Louis and Frances Shapiro; beloved mother to Kenneth Davis (Susan Charleston), and Charles Davis; and cherished by many cousins.

Marj loved being around people and found joy working in retail.

Arrangements are in care of Levine Chapels.

Wendy J. van Gerven, 71

NORTHBOROUGH – Wendy Jean (Adamonis) van Gerven, 71, of Northborough, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

She is survived by her three children, Ashleigh Santa Maria and her husband Patsy of Worcester, Valerie Milley and her husband James of

Hanover, and Kyle van Gerven of Oceanside, CA, and five grandchildren, Ava and Santino Santa Maria, James, Grant, and Welles Milley. She also leaves her brother Robert Adamonis of Northborough, her niece Jennifer Adamonis of Northborough, and the father of her children, Diony van Gerven of Warren. She was predeceased by her brother John “Jack” Adamonis and infant sister Nancy Rebecca Adamonis.

The Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel 0f Worcester assisted the family.

Jose D. Correia, 91

HUDSON – Jose D. Correia, a man beloved by all who knew him and a deeply respected member of the community, passed away peacefully at his home in Hudson, MA on August 28, 2025, with his loving family by his side.

He was a devoted husband to Lisette M. (Goncalo) Correia for 64 beautiful years, a nurturing father to his daughters Manuela Gouveia and her husband Serry of Billerica, MA, and Christina Willwerth and her partner Carlos Perez of Boylston, MA. He was a loving grandfather whose smile beamed when talking about his four grandchildren: Madison Gouveia of Brooklyn, NY, Serry Gouveia Jr. of Billerica, MA, and Gwyn Willwerth and Max Willwerth both of Boylston, MA, who fondly referred to him as Vo Joe.

Jose’s departure leaves a profound void in the lives of those who knew him, his beloved wife, daughters, grandchildren, and sisters Luisa Braga of Hudson, MA, Teresa and her husband Jose Mauricio of Hudson, MA, Francelina Medeiros of Sao Miguel, Azores, sister-in-law Maria Manuela and her husband Antonio Frias of Hudson, MA, and many nieces, nephews, and numerous other relatives and friends. He joins his beloved parents, Arsenio and Eremelinda (de Melo) Correia, and sisters Maria Lourdes Martines, Violante Silva, and Guilhermina Ponte in eternal rest.

Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home of Hudson assisted the family.

Kenneth T. McAdams, 76

GRAFTON – Kenneth T. “Tom” McAdams , 76, passed away August 25, 2025 at St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Worcester.

He leaves his sons Jordan McAdams and his wife Kelley and Matthew McAdams and his wife Eli, his grandchildren Kayla, Palmer, and Thomasin Lou, his brothers Bill and John McAdams and sister Barbara McAdams along with several nieces and nephews.

Tom was born in Quantico, VA, son of Dorothy (Deveau) and William McAdams.

Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton assisted the family.

James P. Tomkinson, 89

LEGAL NOTICES

before the meeting.

This meeting will be hosted, or a cancellation announcement posted, on the internet at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/ highway-division/events.

JONATHAN GULLIVER

HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR

CARRIE E. LAVALLEE, P.E.

NORTHBOROUGH

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NORTHBOROUGH PLANNING BOARD

In accordance with the provisions of MGL Chapter 40A, Section 9, the Northborough Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 7pm, in Conference Room B, 1st floor of Town Hall, 63 Main Street, Northborough, to consider the petition submitted by Paul E. Ruggieri for a variance, pursuant to Zoning Bylaw Section 7-08-030, for the construction of an addition within the front yard setback of an existing single-family home on the property located at 29 Rice Avenue, Map 45, Parcel 124 in the Residential C Zoning District and Groundwater Protection Overlay District Area 3. This meeting will also be conducted via Zoom. To participate in the public comment portion of this meeting from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device, please click this URL to join: https://town-northboroughma-us.zoom.us/j/81597957513 Passcode: 035152 To join via audio: +1 646 876 9923 Webinar ID: 815 9795 7513 Passcode: 035152

Live Stream link YouTube: https://www. youtube.com/channel/UCRdBrw3HeEAMB_KFKasrgXA

This application is on file in the Planning Office and can viewed online at: https:// www.town.northborough.ma.us/zoningboard-appeals/pages/currently-underreview-zba

Paul Tagliaferri, Chairman

CHIEF ENGINEER

TOWN OF SHREWSBURY

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARINGS

RICHARD D. CARNEY MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING 100 MAPLE AVENUE

SHREWSBURY, MA

September 29, 2025 6:00 PM

To hear the appeal of Deborah Grady, 32 Bay View Drive, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 for two Variances to the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw (Section VII - Table II and Section VII Table III) to construct a two car garage on a pre-existing non-conforming lot eleven and three tenths (11.3) feet from the front yard property line where thirty (30) feet is required upon property located at 32 Bay View Drive in the Residence B-2 zoning district. The subject premise is described on the Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 51 Plot 085000.

September 29, 2025 6:00 PM

To hear the appeal of Oscar Florez, 205 Endicott Avenue, Revere MA, 02151 for a Variance to the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section VII-Table II to construct an addition twenty-three and a half feet (23.5) from the rear yard property line where thirty feet (30’) is required upon property located at 18 Swan Circle in the Rural B zoning district. The subject premise is described on the Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 26 Plot 226000.

September 29, 2025 6:00 PM

ment Bond, each in the amount of 100% of the total estimated contract price and issued by a company authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. No bidder may withdraw his bid for a period of ninety (90) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after the date of opening bids.

Wage rates for this project are subject to minimum wage rates per M.G.L., Chapter 149, Sections 26 to 27G, inclusive as determined by the Director of Labor and Workforce Development, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and also to issuing Statements of Compliance, true and accurate payroll records and sundry reports in connection with Prevailing Wage Laws.

A pre-bid conference and site visit will be held as follows.

Date: Sept 19, 2025

Time: 9 AM

Place: 30 Municipal Drive Shrewsbury, MA

At the conclusion of the pre-bid conference, the site visit will commence for purposes of viewing the site, access routes, laydown areas, and general site conditions. Attendance is strongly encouraged. Failure to attend shall not relieve bidders and contractors from responsibility for properly assessing both difficulty and costs of successfully performing the work.

Attendees must bring their own personal protection equipment, including hardhat and eye protection for use during the site visit.

Bidding and award of a contract shall be in full compliance with Chapter 30, Section 39M, of the Massachusetts General Laws, inclusive as last revised, with such award made to the lowest responsible and eligible bidder on the basis of competitive bids.

MARLBOROUGH

CITY OF MARLBOROUGH CONSERVATION COMMISSION

REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Marlborough Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on September 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Marlborough City Hall, 140 Main St. on the 3rd Floor Memorial Hall.

Marlborough’s Department of Public Works proposes the removal of an existing small pump station, and the installation of a new low pressure sewer force main in the roadway, and the installation of sewer pumps in existing residential properties at 17A, 21 and 25 Lakeshore Dr. and within the private ways and Reservoir St. The work is near Ft. Meadow Reservoir.

Plans and other information will be available in the Conservation Commission office at City Hall Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. All interested persons are invited to the public hearing.

Edward Clancy Conservation Commission Chairman

CITY OF MARLBOROUGH CONSERVATION COMMISSION

REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Marlborough Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on September 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM at Marlborough City Hall, 140 Main St. on the 3rd Floor Memorial Hall.

NORTHBOROUGH - James P. Tomkinson, aka “Jigger,” of Northborough, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2025, at the age of 89.

Born on December 11, 1935, in Wareham, Massachusetts, he was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Velma Tomkinson; his brothers, Donald and Lester; and his nephew Christopher.

He is survived by his beloved sister Betty (Dan), and nieces and nephews: Donald (Pam), Blake, Matthew (Christina), Kelly (Mark), Kimberly, and Leeanne — along with their families.

For over 60 years, Jim resided with Stu and Janice Johnson (both of whom predeceased him) and family. He was an ever-present part of the lives of their children, Tobey (Celeste, and daughters Brittany and Courtney) and Kevin (Sandra, and children Matthew and Alyssa).

Chiampa Funeral Home of Shrewsbury assisted the family.

SHREWSBURY

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION – HIGHWAY DIVISION NOTICE OF A VIRTUAL PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Project Description: Shrewsbury –Bridge Replacement, Br# S-14-009 (B74), Centech Boulevard over Pratts Pond Inlet

Project File No. 613299

A Virtual Public Informational Meeting will be hosted on the MassDOT website below to present the design for the proposed project in Shrewsbury, MA.

WHEN: 6:00pm, Tuesday, September 16, 2025

PURPOSE: The purpose of this meeting is to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the proposed project. All views and comments submitted in response to the meeting will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.

PROPOSAL: This project will consist of a full bridge replacement at the Centech Boulevard bridge over the Pratts Pond Inlet in the Town of Shrewsbury. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable design guides.

This meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (e.g interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, live captioning, videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats), as available. For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone (857-368-8580), TTD/TTY at (857) 266-0603, fax (857) 368-0602 or by email (MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state. ma.us). Requests should be made as soon as possible and prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten business days

To hear the application of CPC Land Acquisition Company, LLC, 70 Wells Ave., Suite 201, Newton, MA 02459 for a Comprehensive Permit pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 40B, Sections 20 to 23, of the Massachusetts General Laws, and the Shrewsbury Zoning Board of Appeals Rules Relative to Submission and Review of a Comprehensive Permit Application to permit the construction of a 196 unit multifamily residential development upon property located at 409 South Street, Shrewsbury MA. The subject premises are described on the Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 42 and Plot 012000.

INVITATION TO BID

Pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30, § 39M and in accordance with Contract Documents prepared for IFB 2025-02, dated September 2, 2025, Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations (“SELCO”) will receive sealed bids for SELCO Service Area Warehouse Roof Replacement at 30 Municipal Drive, , Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, as more fully described in the specifications.

Bids shall be submitted with 1 original copy and 1 flash drive to the Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations 100 Maple Ave, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, ATTN: _aryn Maddocks no later than 9 A.M., September 30th, 2025, at which time they will be publicly opened and read. The bid documents, which include the contract and Scope of Work, may be obtained by prospective bidders by emailing tmaddocks@shrewsburyma.gov on/after September 12th, 2025. Bid documents will not be mailed. The work includes the furnishing all equipment, supplies, materials, supervision and labor, including all other incidental services necessary to perform the work as set forth in the Scope of work.

Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid deposit in the form of a bid bond, certified bank or treasurers check made payable to the Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations (SELCO), acting for the Awarding Authority, or cash in the amount of five (5) percent of the estimated value of the bid. Financial security will be returned to the unsuccessful bidders after the bid award. The successful bidder also will be required to furnish a Performance Bond and Pay-

The Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations Commission, as the Awarding Authority, reserves the right to reject any or all bids as well as the right to waive minor irregularities and informalities in any or all bids, if deemed in the best interest of the Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations to do so.

SELCO is an affirmative action/equal opportunity owner/purchaser.

SELCO MUNICIPAL LIGHT COMMISSION

Robert Holland, Chairman Anthony Trippi, Secretary Michael Refolo, Commissioner Maria Lemieux, Commissioner Kelly Marshall, Commissioner Christopher Roy, General Manager

SHREWSBURY PLANNING BOARD LEGAL NOTICE

The Shrewsbury Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday evening, October 2, 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 Bobby Malhotra and Sumit Kaur, 46 Deerfield Road, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, as required by the Town of Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section L. for a Special Permit by the Planning Board to allow for the creation of a common driveway to serve two (2) house lots. The proposed layout plan is shown on a plan accompanied by the application that is named “33-35 Redland Street” prepared by Land Design Collaborative, 45 Lyman Street, Suite 1, Westborough, MA 01581 dated July 29, 2025 and stamped by Michael J. Scott, PE. The subject project is located at 33 Redland Street, westerly of Oak Street and east of Old Barn Road and consists in whole or in part of Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 39 Plot 241000. 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

Marlborough’s Department of Public Works proposes at 137 Matheson Dr. the rehabilitation of an existing sewer pump station and the replacement of an existing sewer force main in the roadway. The pump station rehabilitation will not involve extensive excavation work, as the existing wet well and valve chamber are being reconditioned (not replaced). The force main replacement work is entirely within the roadway. Erosion controls will be used to prevent construction-related impacts. The work is near wetlands. Plans and other information will be available in the Conservation Commission office at City Hall Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. All interested persons are invited to the public hearing.

Edward Clancy Conservation Commission Chairman

HUDSON

The Hudson Conservation Commission will hold a Public Hearing relative to the following filing under the Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40) as requested by Edward Roach. The owner of the property is Edward Roach. The work is located at 29 St. James Circle (Map-Parcel 17-58). The proposed project is demolition of a mobile home and removal of a shed in Buffer Zone and Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The Public Hearing will be held via remote video conference on September 25, 2025 at 7:00 pm. Please contact the Conservation Commission Office for information on joining the meeting: phelinek@townofhudson.org or 978-562-2948.

All interested parties are urged to attend. The application can be obtained through email by contacting the Conservation Commission Office.

POLICE FIRE&

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Shrewsbury man arrested after years of alleged sexual abuse involving minors

By Evan Walsh Managing Editor

WARNING: The following article contains mentions of sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised. Please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-6564673) if you need help.

SHREWSBURY — A Shrewsbury man is accused of sexually assaulting five minors over the course of several years. According to police, the abuse took place at the man’s residence, and victims were as young as nine-years-old at the time of the suspect’s actions.

On Sept. 8, the Shrewsbury Police Department arrested Eric Thomas Sladen, 46, who had been the target of a criminal investigation. Police allege that on several occasions since 2022 — with the most recent incident being in May 2025 — Sladen sexually abused minors at his Holman Heights Circle residence. Sladen had skin-to-skin contact with victims’ genitalia, court documents read. In one instance,

Sladen approached a victim and praised him for helping keep the abuse secret with a “fist-bump,” according to court documents.

Sladen was arraigned Sept. 8 at Westborough District Court, where he faces several charges: two counts of assault and battery, 10 counts of indecent assault of a child under 14, and one count of intimidation of a witness, juror, or court official.

Sladen pleaded “not guilty” to all charges. Bail was set at $25,000 cash.

“Due to the nature of this investigation, Eric Thomas Sladen poses a substantial and ongoing risk to the safety of children. Despite being made aware of certain allegations during the course of this investigation, Sladen continued to permit young boys to frequent his residence after these concerns had been disclosed to his family,” a police report reads.

A two-page Statement of Facts obtained by the Community Advocate details the allegations.

According to court documents, four of Sladen’s alleged victims were 11-year-old males,

with one 9-year-old victim. Based on police interviews included in court documents, the abuse included direct, skinto-skin contact and indirect (through clothing) contact with the victims’ genitalia.

Documents allege that, in one instance, Sladen pulled down a victim’s pants to touch his bare buttocks and genitalia.

The victim told police Sladen would “touch, grab, slap, and play with his buttocks and

penis.” Court documents allege the victim was scared to tell his parents because Sladen was an adult, and the victim was encouraged to keep the abuse secret.

In another instance detailed in court documents, Sladen assaulted a child who was having a sleepover at Sladen’s residence between 2022 to 2023. Sladen was allegedly lying in the same bed as the victim while the abuse happened,

according to court documents. Some abuse reportedly occurred while the victims were playing PlayStation in Sladen’s living room, according to court documents. Police reports detail that alleged abuse would sometimes occur weekly, nearly every time the victim would enter the Sladen residence.

“I didn’t like it, but I was scared because he was an adult,” an alleged victim stated to police.

Police reports allege that Sladen would walk the victims into his garage, offer them a high-five, then make attempts to squeeze their genitalia. Sladen would playwrestle and play “The Floor is Lava” with the victims, court documents say, before engaging in alleged physical abuse.

“I can’t stop remembering what happened,” the 9-yearold victim said, according to police reports.

The Community Advocate reached out to the office of Michael Howard Erlich, Sladen’s attorney as listed on MassCourts, on Sept. 8 for comment. As of publication, the Advocate has not heard back from Erlich.

Man nearly tases officer in scuffle after car crashes off side of I-290

By Evan Walsh Managing Editor

MARLBOROUGH

– A man who allegedly crashed off an interstate nearly tased several law enforcement officials.

At about 1:10 a.m. on Aug. 30, a Mass. State Police trooper was dispatched to Interstate 290 East in Marlborough after a report of a single-vehicle crash.

In a phone call to police, a witness said the operator was “hammered” and his vehicle was swerving across all lanes of traffic, ultimately driving off the road, down an embankment, and into the woods. The witness then stated they saw a male exit the vehicle, along with a dog. Both ran into the woods, according to the witness.

By the time police arrived, the driver, identified as Alfred Gawlik, 35, was standing outside the car, according to reports. Officers allegedly detected a “strong odor of alcoholic beverage,” and police said he had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.

As officers asked questions, Gawlik allegedly became “increasingly agitated, stating he wouldn’t be answering any more questions.”

According to court documents, the officers told Gawlik they’d place his dog in a cruiser to secure it for the time being. Gawlik reportedly became “irate,” screaming, raising his arms, and lunging toward officers in an “aggressive manner.”

Gawlik allegedly grabbed

a trooper by his throat, and the officer took him down to the ground. Officers reportedly gave multiple verbal commands to stop resisting, but Gawlik didn’t listen. An officer allegedly tased Gawlik twice, but he managed to pry the taser away from an officer, firing one cartridge that narrowly missed hitting the officer.

Gawlik was arrested but remained combative, according to court documents, and kicked another officer. Officers reportedly used pepper spray to secure the arrest.

Gawlik faces several charges, including OUI liquor (second offense), a marked lanes violation, three counts of assault and battery of a police officer, attempting to disarm

a police officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

Gawlik was arraigned on Sept. 2 and pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

Eric Sladen heads into court for his arraignment. (Photo/Evan Walsh)

By Adri Pray Reporter

WESTBOROUGH – An average day for Janelle Emmanuel always involves multiple moving parts.

Based out of the Westborough Police Department, the town’s Co-Response Jail Diversion Clinician works with officers to provide an additional layer of specialized mental health and crisis intervention. Day-to-day, Emmanuel works with patrol to help with rapid mental health response and on-scene de-escalation.

Between calls, she’s doing follow-up and case management, providing resources where she can.

It’s a fast-paced job, she said, but that only motivates her to do the type of advocacy work that she loves.

“Westborough is very quiet,” she said in an interview. “They’re very welcoming, not just the department, but the community in general, and it’s been really great so far, I feel very welcome.”

Emmanuel came to Westborough by way of Advocates, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and services for individuals who face developmental or mental health barriers. She chose to work in the field after obtaining an extensive education in crisis intervention: “I really like to advocate for people and advocate for more easily accessible mental health support and better accessibility to resources,”

court system that has a mental health crisis was the best thing to do, but sometimes it was the only option we had,” he said in an interview. “Having those other options allows us to provide a better service to the community.”

Having been in the role

she said.

For her, the best part of the job is being able to walk away from a scene knowing she made an impact on an individual. What gets tricky, she said, is the lingering stigma around mental health — specifically the word “clinician” — as people going through these kinds of crises don’t always view Emmanuel as a resource.

“There’s just so much stigma around that word that it can make someone very defensive like, ‘Oh, there’s nothing wrong with me.’ And that’s what I hear a lot,” she said. “I think the stigma can make people a little bit more resistant to getting the help that they need.”

Emmanuel isn’t the first co-response clinician to serve in the role. Westborough has been a member of the state’s Jail Diversion Program since 2019, when Chief Todd Minardi wrote a grant for a position covering Westborough, Northborough, and Southborough. After that first year, and after seeing a need in the community, Minardi lobbied the state for a clinician dedicated to Westborough, which was granted.

The officers who work in the department have been very accepting of Emmanuel’s role within the community, Minardi said. He praised the outreach work as a necessary component of public safety, especially as he’s watched substance use and other non-violent crimes increase during his career.

“None of us ever thought that putting someone into the

since July, Emmanuel hopes to become another visible component of the Westborough Police Department that people can build trust with and rely on.

“I feel like the officers here do a really great job, even from what I could see when I

first came in and some of the cases that they were telling me about, they really do genuinely care,” she said. “It makes my job a lot more enjoyable and a lot easier knowing that I can work together with them in such a genuine way to support people.”

Janelle Emmanuel recently joined the Westborough Police Department as the town’s Co-Response Jail Diversion Clinician. (Photo/Courtesy)

COMMUNITY SPORTS

Congdon-Hohman’s goal sends Algonquin past Auburn

By Evan Walsh Managing Editor

NORTHBOROUGH – Ask players on the Algonquin field hockey team about the score, and you’ll usually get the same answer: 0-0. That’s the way they practice, the way they play, and the way they keep themselves from getting too comfortable.

On Sept. 5, that mentality is what helped Algonquin get past Auburn. Holding a narrow, one-goal lead for nearly three-fourths of the game, the Titans stayed aggressive, hunkered down on defense, and never let their guards down. The narrow, 1-0 victory marked Algonquin’s first win of the season.

“We always say the score is 0-0. You have to play like it’s 0-0. One fluke goal, one breakaway from the other team and it’s 1-1. So you have to have that mindset that it’s 0-0,” said Head Coach Dan Welty. “And

we definitely did that today.”

“We take things quarterby-quarter. Every quarter is 0-0. It’s motivating us because we have that 0-0 mindset. We want to keep scoring goals, and we want to win each quarter individually,” said Taylor Mieth, an Algonquin senior.

The game’s lone goal came off the stick of senior Laurel Congdon-Hohman, who played her first game at left wing this season. Mieth navigated traffic in front of the goal, ultimately tapping the ball to Congdon-Hohman.

“I was just kind of on-post, because that’s what I’m supposed to do, and I saw Taylor tip me the ball. I just hit it in,” said Congdon-Hohman. “This girl [Taylor Mieth] is amazing: She can play all these amazing tips, and I love her.”

Said Welty: “Our word for the season is balance: Playing together as a team, supporting each other, having great balance across the field. On-field

and off-field balance. That’s really something they’re embracing right now. We’re using everybody on the field. We’re keeping everybody involved.”

After going 16-3-2 and qualifying for the MIAA Division 1 quarterfinals last season, the Titans will look to have similar success this time around.

Though several impact seniors graduated last year — including Lindsey Brown (playing at Northwestern) and Meredith Wu (playing at MIT) — a new group of leaders has emerged.

The team’s group of seven seniors, led by captains Wyley Horner and Gabriella Moore, helped the team rebound after a season-opening loss to Concord-Carlisle. Just two games into the young season, the Titans are starting to develop an identity, said Welty.

“The first game against Concord-Carlisle, we were figuring things out as a team. I told them the intent of what they wanted to do was there,

but we needed to work on execution. We had a great last few minutes of that game, and we picked up where we left off today,” he told the Community Advocate.

And though repeating last year’s quarterfinal berth is an ambitious task, everyone on the team — from goal-scorers to players supporting teammates from the bench — has

“We had some really great seniors who left, but we have an amazing team. We have a great coach, great captains, and we work really well together. Coach Welty really encourages us to be a leader, no matter what your role is,” said Congdon-Hohman.

“Whether you’re on the bench or on the field, everyone can be a leader.”

Podiatrist vs. Urgent Care: where to go?

By Dr. Donald Pelto Podiatrist

WESTBOROUGH – When foot pain strikes—whether from an ingrown toenail, a sprain, or even a possible fracture—your �irst instinct might be to head to urgent care. While this can be a good option for minor injuries, cuts, or basic X-rays, urgent care providers are generalists. They can ease pain, prescribe medication, and apply temporary support, but often refer patients to a podiatrist for specialized

follow-up.

A podiatrist focuses exclusively on foot and ankle conditions. From in-of�ice procedures for ingrown toenails to advanced diagnostics, custom orthotics, and even surgery, they provide targeted solutions designed for long-term relief. Choosing a podiatrist �irst can save you time, money, and unnecessary discomfort.

Specialized Urgent Care

At Central Massachusetts Podiatry, patients get the best of

podiatric care with the convenience of urgent walk-in visits, Monday through Friday, 8 am–4 pm. In case of an emergency, or if you need a follow-up visit after one, call 508-757-4003 or visit www.centralmasspodiatry.com to schedule your appointment today!

SALON Richard Anthony

COLOR

Service with Tanya, Theresa and Karly only. Expires

Abi Southey (top), Isabella Wu (center), and Ali Feingold (bottom) were key contributors for Algonquin field hockey against Auburn. (Photos/Evan Walsh)

After match-tying goal, Westborough soccer player shares special moment with grandparents

By Evan Walsh Managing Editor

WESTBOROUGH – Ben Bailey’s goal was great. His celebration was even better.

Midway through the first half of Westborough’s seasonopener, Bailey stopped a punt from the opposing goalkeeper with his chest. On his third touch, he deftly struck the ball over the keeper’s head, finding the back of the net. The goal, the Rangers’ first of the season, helped Westborough earn a 1-1 draw against Nipmuc on Sept. 3.

Teammates swarmed Bailey after his goal. But Bailey ran off the pitch, across the track, and to the fence along the sideline. There, he found two of his biggest supporters: his maternal grandparents, Barry and Laurie Gordon.

“I knew exactly where I

wanted to go,” Bailey told the Community Advocate after the match. “Everyone wanted to grab me and hug me. No — I was going right over there.”

His grandparents, who live in Framingham, don’t make it to every Westborough contest. Laurie uses a wheelchair, and it can sometimes be difficult for her to travel, Bailey explained. So, when Bailey saw that his grandparents made the trip for the first game of the year, he decided to make a promise.

“I came up to her during warmups and I said, ‘Hey Nana, I’m glad you came.’ She doesn’t come often because some fields don’t have handicap-accessible stuff. I told her, ‘You’re finally here, I might as well score one for you today,’” Bailey said. “And so I did.”

As the crowd watched, Bailey shared a hug with each of

After overcoming two different one-goal deficits, Shrewsbury girls’ soccer earned a 2-2 draw against Tahanto to open the season on Sept. 2. Sophomore Emily Corey moves the ball up the field, playing keep-away from the looming Tahanto defenders.

(Photo/Evan Walsh)

Shrewsbury field hockey showed plenty of promise in its 3-1 loss against Quabbin on Sept. 3, the Colonials’ first game of the season. Mila Vlahos strikes the ball in an attempt to pass it to a nearby teammate.

(Photo/Evan Walsh)

his grandparents. There was plenty of time to celebrate with teammates afterward.

“They mean a lot to me. They’re my grandparents. My grandmother has been really

sick for a while, and she’s in a wheelchair. It was a great moment. It was nice,” added Bailey.

Said Barry Gordon: “It was once-in-a-lifetime.”

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