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Grafton faces $1.4 million budget gap By Evan Walsh Managing Editor GRAFTON – It’s early — really, really early — but there’s concern about the Grafton budget. At a Dec. 10 Finance Committee meeting, town leadership reviewed the fiscal 2027 budget for the first time, looking at preliminary numbers that indicated the town would once again be in a difficult position to avoid an override ask. “I do want to acknowledge that this is more preliminary than preliminary — earlier than when we usually meet. … We’re likely not at the dollarsand-cents part of the conversation just yet. But that’s OK — I think a directional projection … will allow us to start having this conversation in a
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Vol. 51 | No. 52 | December 26, 2025
‘Something Lucas loved the most’
Northborough Lions Club celebrates 75th anniversary
Ski Ward unveils memorial to Shrewsbury racer killed in tragic accident
northborough | 10 After 64 years, Ken’s Barbershop closes
shrewsbury | 12 WASA’s 90year journey to becoming ‘a true community organization’
Budget | 11
Northborough DPW grapples with 40 percent staff reduction heading into winter By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter NORTHBOROUGH – The Northborough Department of Public Works has been operating with a 40 percent staffing reduction for the past month, according to town officials. When fully staffed, the department has 14 field employees. Currently, the department has 11 full-time field staff members and one part-time field member. Two employees are out on longterm FMLA, which means they are out DPW | 11
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westborough | 13 PD vs. FD hockey fundraiser for colleague battling cancer
Ken and Sue Kronlund remember their son’s legacy at the new Start Shack. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – Lucas Kronlund was a man of speed and adventure. He was a successful pole vaulter at Shrewsbury High School, he climbed cliffs at Red Rocks, and toured Alaska and Mexico. There were Mediterranean cruises, where he encouraged friends and family to go “off the beaten path,” sometimes making it back to the vessel with mere minutes to spare. But, growing up, his real love was the slopes of Ski Ward. From his youth to adulthood, he was part of the Ski Ward Race Team. He was one of the senior-
most skiers on the team, and coaches remember him as one of the best. On Dec. 13, Kronlund was honored with a plaque at the renovated Start Shack, where every race at Ski Ward begins. In July 2024, Kronlund died in a tragic motorcycle accident. He was 32 years old, and left behind his parents, Kenneth and Susan; his siblings, older brother Eric and younger brother Jared; and many other friends. Kronlund’s life was spent on the slopes. With the plaque, he’ll be a part of every race. “Lucas was always incredibly involved in ski-racing. He was the best of our sons
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