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Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
Hudson gets $1 million to complete design of new rail trail portion By Paul Hopkins Reporter HUDSON – Hudson has earned approximately $930,000 to complete design work for two remaining sections of the Massachusetts Central Rail Trail. The bulk of the money will pay for designing the section running from Priest Street to Felton Street. Hudson will provide a partial match of up to $300,000, funds which have already been allocated by the Community Preservation Committee. Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development Pam Helinek said that while the state Department of Transportation will pay for actual construction, towns are expected to fund the design. The larger of the two grants – which amounts to $727,760 plus the town match – will bring Phase 1 (Priest Street to Felton Street) design work to the 100-percent level. The smaller grant of $203,000 is from MassTrails and will bring Phase 2, which runs from Felton Street to the town’s border with Berlin, to the 25-percent design level. Helinek is enthusiastic about the news: “These two grants present an exciting opportunity to make great progress on the design of the remaining MCRT in Hudson,” she told the Community Advocate. Helinek said the trail will provide safe access to Downtown Hudson in all directions and “connect us to multiple
‘Library of Things’ coming to Marlborough Public Library By Paul Hopkins Reporter MARLBOROUGH – Need a metal detector? Maybe a musical instrument? Thanks to grant funding from the Brigham Family Trust, the Marlborough Public Library will establish a “Library of Things.” Library Director Sara Belisle said the Brigham Family Trust awarded $7,000 to launch the new resource. In a letter to Mayor J. Christian Dumais, Belisle said she is “thrilled to be supported by the Brigham Family Trust in this initiative.” Belisle said a “Library of Things” is a collection of non-traditional library items that the community will be able to borrow. She added, “Having these items in the library collection will help build equity within our community, reduce waste, and allow folks to try items before they buy it for themselves.” Items may include a thermal leak detector, a drill set, metal detectors, a blood pressure Things | 5
Hudson receives $4.9 million in delayed local aid By Paul Hopkins Reporter HUDSON – The state’s Department of Revenue (DOR) released $4.9 million in local aid that it withheld from Hudson earlier this year. The DOR says it sees evidence the town is serious about clearing up financial matters. Finance Director Neil Vaidya told the Select
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Board that town officials met with the DOR on Dec. 5. In a follow-up letter to that meeting, Deborah Wagner of the state’s Division of Local Services said, “It was made clear that the Select Board is fully supportive of doing what is necessary to move the Town beyond this challenge.”
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2 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 3
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Dear Reader,
ET O F
As we enter 2026, I find myself humbled by the surge in support the Community Advocate has received over the past 12 months. These are uncertain times for every news organization in this country – regardless of size.
TITANIA
Small news organizations are fighting against several challenges: artificial intelligence; “news aggregation” tools that amount to content theft; corporate-owned publishing companies that rewrite our stories; and the spiralling cost of delivering local coverage.
FEMALE, 3 YEARS OLD
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However, I’m encouraged by the fact that residents are engaging with the Community Advocate – the only true local newspaper in the seven communities we serve – and helping us find stories that deserve a closer look.
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We hope you will continue supporting us as we provide high-value, dependable coverage of the local community. As a newspaper supported by our advertisers, we aren’t asking for financial support, but rather moral support that will further strengthen the Community Advocate’s mission. Here are six ways you can demonstrate your support of LOCAL journalism: 1. Read our content weekly and interact with us through letters, emails, and social media. 2. Send your story ideas to news@communityadvocate.com. 3. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed. 4. Share our content to help us connect with new readers. 5. If you’re a local business, work with the Advocate to market to a highly engaged audience. 6. And finally, do business with people who support local journalism. Our advertisers show their commitment to our community every week, and all of us owe them a debt of gratitude. Here’s to a 2026 filled with more in-depth coverage, impactful stories nobody else is telling, and content that strengthens neighborhoods and local communities. Always feel free to reach out,
BUDDY DOG HUMANE SOCIETY
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
David Bagdon, Publisher of the Community Advocate
The Community Advocate’s Policy on Letters to the Editor
Letters must be signed with a name, address and telephone number for verification (only name and town will be printed). Letters should be sent to news@communityadvocate.com or mailed to Managing Editor c/o Community Advocate, 32 South St. Westborough MA 01581. The editor reserves the right to reject letters on the basis of length, libelous content, suitability and space constraints. Multiple letters from the same person will not be accepted within a 30-day period. “Form letter” submissions, in which the content of one letter is essentially duplicated, will not be accepted. Letters should be 350 words or less. Deadline is 12 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Opinions expressed in the letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Community Advocate management or its advertisers.
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The Community Advocate is a weekly periodical, (U.S.P.S. # 014-423), published by Bagdon Advertising, Inc., with offices located at 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Periodicals postage is paid at Shrewsbury, MA 01546 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Community Advocate, 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Publication date is Friday. Deadline for R.O.P. advertising, local community news and classified advertising is Friday, noon, seven days prior to publication. Not liable for typographical errors, however, we will reprint that portion of the ad wherein error occurred if notified in writing within three working days of the publication date. All material included is the property of The Community Advocate and may include material produced under copyright or a syndicated ad service. Permission must be obtained in writing before reproducing any material from any issue of the Community Advocate.
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4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
Westboro Tennis & Swim proposing new fitness club on Oak Street By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor W E ST B O RO U G H — T h e Westboro Tennis & Swim Club, doing business as AK&C Holdings, is proposing a 26,000-square-foot fitness club on a vacant lot on Oak Street. With the property situated in the Highway Business Zoning District, the club will be seeking a special permit from the Planning Board; no date for the meeting has been set yet. The site is also partially located within an Aquifer Protection Zone. The new space would feature 133 parking spaces, two entrances from Oak Street, and a 5-foot concrete sidewalk that wraps around the building. The building is planned as a one-story structure with a small mezzanine level and a height of 36.5 feet. The property would maintain 73.5 percent open space. Situated on a
303,766-square-foot property, the building would be constructed as far east as possible, allowing the club to maintain its campus-like set-up, said General Manager Justin Lundberg. The club, which has been around since the 1970s and began featuring a fitness club in the ’90s, currently has locations at 35 Chauncy Street and 30 Oak Street. Both of these buildings include fitness areas that would be moved to the new location. Lundberg said, “Fitness has just grown and grown over the last 30 years, and I think we’ve gradually outgrown the space that we’re in. We look toward increasing our size and this is a pretty logical next step for us.” According to the developer’s impact statement, the new building will increase the fitness space by approximately 12,000 square feet. The existing fitness space at Chauncy Street would be repurposed to tennis and
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pickleball courts. It is anticipated that the proposed project site on Oak Street will attract between 300 and 400 customers between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. As part of the proposed project, the new building will be tied into the existing utility services located along Oak Street. Erosion control barriers are proposed to protect the adjacent areas and properties. A combination of trees and shrubs are proposed near the driveway, parking, and buildings. Though the project’s construction timeline is dependent on Planning Board approval and a number of other factors, Lundberg said the hope would be to have the new building constructed by early 2027. That may be a “super optimistic” projection, he acknowleged. “We have 200-something employees, so we’re a large
contributor to the workforce and the fabric of the town, so I think it’s great to be able to have an opportunity to make it nicer and a little bit bigger,” Lundberg said. “More
courts to make the tennis players happy, and a larger fitness space to make the fitness goers happy. I think it’s a win for everybody.”
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 5
COMMUNITY NEWS
‘Library of Things’ coming to Marlborough Public Library Things | from page 1
monitor, assistive technology, a projector and screen, VHS-to-digital converters, 35mm slide scanners, musical instruments, and much more, according to Belisle. Belisle told the Community Advocate, “This is something we have been wanting to do since I started as Director three years ago. Opening the new library took priority,
and now we’re settled and ready to move forward with this exciting project.” Belisle said she hopes to launch the new initiative in the late-winter or earlyspring: “Folks should sign up for a library card and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed as to when these items will be available to borrow,” she added. In an accompanying letter
Hudson receives $4.9 million in delayed local aid
Local Aid | from page 1
The five months of delayed payments total $4,864,965. Town Manager Thomas Gregory said, “The Town remains committed to resolving prior year cash reconciliation issues, as we continue to work closely with the Division of Local Services. We’re grateful local aid has been released and our focus is on obtaining Free Cash certification so that these funds can be appropriated in the spring.” Wagner also said the state is waiving an earlier requirement that asked for certain audited financial statements “prior to the certifications of the FY2026 tax rate certification and the 6/30/2025 free
cash submission.” Vaidya was excited by the news: “I think we’re heading in the right direction.” Select Board member Steven Sharek said to Vaidya: “You seem more optimistic than you have in the past.” The town engaged Mass MuniFin, a municipal finance consulting firm, in response to the recent financial difficulties. Additionally, the Select Board began considering a proposal to establish a formal Audit Committee. Under the initial proposal, the committee would be created by Town Meeting and report directly to the Select Board. It would be charged with flagging potential problems.
CORRECTION The average residential tax bill in Hudson will be up $483 after a tax classification hearing with the Board of Assessors and the Select Board in December. The Community Advocate reported differently in a recent issue. Town Manager
Thomas Gregory confirmed that the fiscal 2026 average residential tax bill is $8,624, which represents an increase of $483, or 5.9 percent, from the previous year’s average bill of $8,141. The Community Advocate regrets the error.
to the City Council, Mayor Dumais said the Brigham Family Trust was established with the intent that the Brigham Estate “be used for charitable purposes within the community that supported the family for generations, and to honor the Brigham family’s long history in the City of Marlborough.” The Brigham Family Trust awards organizations
that support religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational missions. The Brigham Family Trust said it received 31 applications in the recent round of funding, and while not all requests could be granted, trustees were “encouraged not only by the level of interest of our community organizations in this funding opportunity, but even more
so by the quality and diversity of the programs the grant applicants detailed.” While the “Library of Things” concept isn’t new, it continues to grow. American Libraries Magazine noted in a 2017 article that “framed paintings were available for checkout at the Newark (N.J.) Public Library back in 1904.” Visit the Community Advocate online for more.
PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES
Your Money, Your Independence
Already Bid Adieu to “New Year, New You”? Did you make New Year’s resolutions to improve your financial wellness in 2026? The start of a new year invites reflection on what went well, what didn’t, and what to change. Think back to 2025. Was it supposed to be the year you’d pay off all debts, max Glenn Brown, CFP out savings, run a marathon, learn a new language, and still book that dream vacation—all before February? Lasting financial change is difficult to achieve. Understanding why resolutions fail can help turn intentions into sustainable strategies. 1. Unrealistic Expectations The most common reason resolutions fail is that goals don’t match reality. For example, someone might plan to save half their income while paying off long-standing loans, only to realize monthly expenses and unexpected bills make this unrealistic. Progress feels slow, leading to frustration and eventual abandonment. Resolution: Break goals into smaller, achievable steps. For example, aim to reduce debt by 25% over six months. Celebrating incremental wins keeps motivation high, builds confidence, and reinforces the habit of financial discipline. 2. Lack of a Clear Plan Vague goals such as “save more” or “get out of debt” offer little guidance. Goals like these are the financial equivalent of saying “eat healthier” without changing what’s in your fridge. Rules and opportunities change yearly, so without a clear plan, it’s easy to miss important steps like evolving retirement contribution rules, tax planning opportunities, or other proactive financial strategies. Resolution: Create a clear plan. Review monthly expenses, budget upcoming projects and aspirations, set up automatic transfers, and monitor progress. 3. Failure to Track Progress Goals fade without structured review, even when apps are used to track spending. Many avoid holistic review until problems become too great to ignore. Even small oversights like pausing emergency savings transfers, frequent DoorDashing restaurants a mile away, or buying from social media ads can derail intentions. It’s also important to evaluate actual income, since “spenders” believe their pay will match their top year, overlooking factors like unique company performance or equity grants.
Resolution: Schedule quarterly check-ins that leverage technology and constructive feedback. Celebrating milestones helps maintain motivation and reinforces strong financial habits. 4. Emotional Spending and Instant Gratification Many struggle with impulse spending or seek instant gratification, especially after a stressful day. Afraid to look at your Amazon spending history? This behavior derails the best-laid plans. Resolution: Identify triggers and implement strategies to delay or review purchase decisions. Create a spending prioritization strategy by identifying where you want to spend your money; this helps shift focus from immediate desires to long-term financial goals and encourages thoughtful, deliberate financial choices. 5. Lack of Accountability Some thrive independently; others struggle without support. It’s easier to justify financial decisions when no one else is watching. Couples, friends, or professional advisors who provide accountability often help keep each other honest and motivated. Resolution: Accountability goes beyond “no.” Sharing progress and receiving guidance builds confidence, strengthens financial habits, and motivates continued long-term efforts. Quick Hits To Start 2026 • 401(k) Catch-Up Rules: Workers over 50 making over $150,000 must direct catch-up contributions to Roth accounts, reducing traditional tax benefits. • Roth Conversions: Converting pre-tax accounts to Roth can be strategic but may trigger higher taxes if not timed carefully, so model in Q1. • Cash Reserves: With slower job growth in late 2025, increasing emergency savings can help avoid reliance on credit or early retirement withdrawals. Final Thoughts Financial resolutions can be powerful tools for long-term security but require more than wishful thinking. Make 2026 the year to socialize your goals, set action steps, and partner with a Certified Financial Planner™ professional to turn intentions into lasting progress. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Glenn Brown lives in MetroWest and is owner of PlanDynamic, LLC, www.PlanDynamic.com. He is a fee-only Certified Financial Planner™ helping motivated people take control of their planning and investing, so they can balance kids, aging parents and financial independence.
6 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
Hudson gets $1 million to complete design of new rail trail portion Rail Trail | from page 1
Massachusetts communities as well as other rail trails.” Once the design is complete, Hudson can apply for construction funds from MassDOT. The first portion of the MCRT in Hudson was completed at no cost to the town by Eversource and the Department of Conservation and Recreation as part of the Sudbury-Hudson Transmission Line project. This easternmost section runs from the Sudbury town line and merges with the Assabet River Rail Trail at the Wilkins Street trailhead. The two rail trails will remain merged for about a mile and will separate again at Priest Street. Hudson’s remaining segment of the MCRT begins at the intersection of Priest Street and Main Street, following a westward route along Main Street. The path follows MCRT railroad lines that were abandoned by the railroad decades ago, run-
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ning parallel to Coolidge Street to the Berlin line. Design costs for the trail will amount to roughly $1 million per mile. Hudson Director of Plan-
Happy New Year from all of us at the Community Advocate
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More important than where we stand on the issues of life is what we are doing with the time on earth we’ve been given.
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He who climbs above the cares of the world and turns his face to his God, has found the sunny side of life. Sponsored by Chief Joseph Robert J. Terkanian, P.O. Box 808 • Northborough, MA 01532
ning and Community Development Kristina Johnson said in early 2025 that rail trails aren’t just community assets, but economic-drivers. “Generally, the Assabet River Rail Trail has been a boon to economic development, and I look at these [rail trails] as a development tool,” she said. “People from Concord and Sudbury will be able to visit Downtown Hudson using the MCRT trail connection. I think Hudson will embrace it as a recreational asset and economic development opportunity.” The trail extensions have been supported by the Select Board and the town’s state representative and senator. Vi s i t t h e C o m m u n i t y Advocate online for more information.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 7
COMMUNITY HISTORY
Grafton home once housed a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts GRAFTON THEN
NOW
By Kristen Remillard History Columnist GRAFTON – Doesn’t every town have that creepy house? Apparently, this was a thing as far back as the early 1900s in Grafton. The house at 14 Worcester Street was rumored to be haunted with “terrible” objects within the residence. But one day, a Grafton lawyer approached a man named Dr. Samuel Mercer, an Egyptologist who vacationed in Grafton during the summers, and told him of the rumored items in the mysterious house, one of the items being a small obelisk. Naturally, this piqued the interest of Mercer, so he made his way to the “creepy” home to investigate. When Mercer arrived, a woman named Emma Poore answered the door. She was thrilled to have a visitor finally come to her house, as she was aware people were afraid of her. Poore proudly led Mercer through the house, filled with an estimated $200,000-worth of Egyptian artifacts. For Mercer, this was like hitting the jackpot. But where did all of these Egyptian treasures come from, and how did this Grafton woman acquire them? Well, that’s a whole other story that starts close to 6,000 miles away. In 1879, a U.S. Navy officer named Henry Gorringe put in an application to move what is known as “Cleopatra’s Needle” from Alexandria, Egypt, to Central Park, New York. An Egyptian leader, Ismail Pasha, gifted the obelisk to America to thank the country for remaining neutral while Egypt found itself at odds with France and Britain. The obelisk that was gifted to America was created in about 1450 B.C. and honored Pharaoh Thutmose III. Gorringe was granted permission to move the ancient obelisk. He got straight to work, heading to Europe for supplies. Gorringe had to create his own lifting systems to move the massive obelisk. He also purchased a cargo ship, the SS Dessoug, from the Egyptian government. He
Cleopatra’s Needle now stands in Central Park. The historic object’s journey to America has something in common with how Egyptian artifacts ended up in Grafton.
The house at 14 Worcester Street in Grafton was once home to an extraordinary collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. (Photo/Kristen Remillard)
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cut a hole in the ship, inserted the obelisk into the hole, and sealed the hole tight for the trip across the ocean. O n Ja n u a r y 22 , 1 8 8 1 , Cleopatra’s Needle was finally erected in Central Park, where it still stands today. But wait, what about all those Egyptian artifacts back in Grafton? How did they get there? Well, Gorringe had a sister by the name of Laura Hiland who lived in Grafton. She inherited her brother’s unique collections. The collection, later to be known as the “Gorringe Collection,” would wind up being passed down several times before settling in its final home with Poore. Laura Hiland passed away shortly after her inheritance. The collection was then passed to her husband, Dr. Thomas Hiland, who also passed away. It was passed to their adopted son, Thomas Jr., who was underage at the time and joined the U.S. Army, and then finally to Dr.
Hiland’s housekeeper, Emma Poore – the crazy lady with the haunted artifacts. Back to where the story started, Mercer, who finally visited Poore and her artifacts at her Grafton home, offered her $60,000 for the collection. With Thomas Jr. at the time laying no claim to the artifacts for himself, Mercer was safe to purchase the artifacts from Poore. After he acquired them, he assisted the Worcester Art Museum in acquiring these items, where they have remained since 1915. Poore, who came to Grafton in 1900, passed away in 1915. Mercer lived until 1969, long enough to share this story about how Egyptian artifacts from about 6,000 miles away wound up in the small town of Grafton. Mercer also wrote a book about the findings in 1914, titled, “The Gorringe Collection of Egyptian Antiquities.” You may have the opportunity to see the artifacts at the Worcester Art Museum.
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8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
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You may not want to put your homebuying plans into hibernation mode this winter. While a lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to buy a house, new data shows January may actually be the best time of year for budget-conscious buyers. Kind of surprising, right? Here’s why January deserves a serious look. 1. Prices Tend To Be Lower This Time of Year Lending Tree says January is the least expensive month to buy a home. And there’s something to that. January has historically offered one of the lowest price-per-square-foot points of the entire year. But the spring? That’s when demand (and prices) usually peak. And that’s not speculation – it’s a well-known trend based on years of market data. So, how much less are we talking? Here’s a look at the numbers. According to the last full year of data, for the typical 1,500 square foot house, buyers who closed on their home in January paid around $23,000 less compared to those who bought in May. And that general trend typically holds true each year. Now, your number is going to depend on the price, size, and type of the home you’re buying. But the trend is clear. For today’s buyers, it’s meaningful savings, especially when affordability is still tight for so many households. 2. Fewer Buyers and More Motivated Sellers
Real Estate Q&A with Mary Wood “When is the best time to list my property?”
Q: data shows that the A: Market best time to list a property in
Mary Wood, REALTOR® Cell: 508.958.0225 Main: 781.786.8080 Lamacchia Realty, Inc. 382 West Main St, Ste 202 Northborough MA 01532
Massachusetts is during the late spring. Based on what I’m seeing on the ground here in Worcester County and across Central Mass, listing your home in late April or early May continues to be the most strategic move.
This timing puts you in the best position to catch the peak sale prices we typically see in June. In our local market, June closings historically fetch a premium of about $25,000 to $30,000 above the annual median. Beyond the extra profit, homes in our area sell roughly two to three weeks faster during the spring surge. This is the sweet spot where buyer demand—
especially from families wanting to settle in before the school year— perfectly aligns with when our local landscapes look their best. Looking Ahead to 2026 We expect the Central Massachusetts market to enter a year of “normalization.” After a few years of record-low inventory and shifting rates, we are finally seeing a move toward a more balanced environment. While the spring offers the biggest financial upside for sellers, the “perfect” time to list is always whenever it makes the most sense for your life and your unique timeline.
And why do buyers typically save in the winter? It’s simple. Winter is one of the slowest times in the housing market each year. Both buyers and sellers tend to pull back, thinking it’s better to wait until spring. And that means: You face less competition • You’re less likely to get into a multiple offer scenario • Sellers are more willing to negotiate (since there aren’t as many buyers) • With fewer buyers in the market, you can take your time browsing. But winter doesn’t just thin out the pool of buyers, it also reveals which sellers truly need to sell. Because fewer people are house hunting during the colder months, sellers who really need to move tend to be more open to negotiating. As Realtor.com explains: “Less competition means fewer bidding wars and more power to negotiate the extras that add up: closing cost credits, home warranties, even repair concessions. . . these concessions can end up knocking thousands of dollars off the price of a home.” This can include everything from price cuts to covering closing costs, adjusting timelines, and more. It doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get discounts on every home. But it does mean you’re more likely to be taken seriously and given room to negotiate. Should You Wait for Spring? Here’s the real takeaway. When you remove the pressure and frenzy that comes with the busy spring season, it becomes much easier to get the home you want at a price that fits your budget. But if you wait until spring, more buyers will be in the market. So, waiting could actually mean you spend more and you’d have to deal with more stress. Now, only you can decide the right timing for your life, but don’t assume you should wait for warmer weather before you move. Buying in January gives you: less competition, potentially lower prices, and more motivated sellers. And those are three perks you’re not going to see if you wait until spring. Bottom Line If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step, this season might give you more opportunity than you think. Curious what buying in January could look like for you? Let’s take a closer look at your numbers and the homes that are available in our area.
Mary Wood is an Award-Winning Agent with the local expertise you deserve. Have a real estate question about your specific town in Central Mass? Feel free to send an email or text!
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 9
Wishing Our Community A Wonderful Holiday Season.
Local Real Estate Sales
December 22–December 26 Note: This is a list of single-family home sales for the dates specified. Certain transfers may have been omitted due to space constraints. These listings have been sold by a wide variety of local realty firms and not exclusively by Mathieu Newton Sotheby’s International Realty.
HOME ADDRESS
SOLD
SELLER
BUYER
40 High Street
$1,325,000
Modish Nest LLC
Shital Parekh
9 Arnold Road
$500,000
Rebecca Amaral
Kosmas Magiannis, Sabrina Magiannis
1 Hamilton Road
$500,000
Timothy J. McCaffrey, Joseph A. McCaffrey
Bryant Nardizzi, Ella Nardizzi
6 Vanessa Drive
$955,000
Richard D. Montilla, Bernadette Montilla
Sinan Itraija
25 Clearview Street
$1,300,000
Whittemore Homes LLC
Vijaya Pathak, Vishal Ojha
8 Hudson Avenue
$970,000
8 Hudson Ave LLC
Kumail Zaidi
11 Paris Street
$415,000
Alan E. Montero
Frederick Stallbaum
54 Evelina Drive
$517,000
Edward P. Paul
Michael Parks, Alison Parks
130 Hudson Street
$530,000
David S. Uygun, Grace E. Uygun
Evelyn Y. Gramajo
81 Essex Street
$550,000
Teresa E. Anderson
David Petit, Anysabel Petit
95 Short Street
$479,000
Christopher R. Atwood, Lisa M. Atwood
Piyush Shah
$724,900
C&K Real Estate Ventures LLC
Grace Kernohan, Michael Pursley
$850,000
Robert C. Walter
Denarae Walter, Jacob Harry Walter
SHREWSBURY
NORTHBOROUGH
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10 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
Shrewsbury breaks ground on new PFAS Treatment Plant By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – Town Manager Kevin Mizikar will admit that some may call a PFAS Treatment Plant “boring.” But to him, that’s part of the charm – coordinating the boring, but incredibly important, work that improves residents’ lives. On Dec. 11, town leaders met for a groundbreaking ceremony for the town’s new PFAS Treatment Plant, a facility that will ensure Shrewsbury residents get cleaner water for years to come. “[We’re celebrating] an investment. When I think about a groundbreaking ceremony, it’s not just about the work that’s about to happen. For me, it’s celebrating a milestone of all the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring the project to this place. That work reminds me a lot of local government work – that work happens behind the scenes, where not a lot of people get
to see what we do on a day-today basis. It’s about stewardship,” said Mizikar. “It’s about bringing what some people may call boring into this community to provide for a higher quality of life and healthier life for our residents,” he added. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are manufactured chemicals that, because of their wide use in manufacturing over the years, can be found in water. Exposure to certain levels of PFAS can lead to an increased risk of cancer, immune effects, and developmental effects for children. PFAS guidelines have changed over the years, but Shrewsbury’s levels were always within the acceptable range. the plant was awarded to R.H. something meaningful – not Still, alongside water engiWhite. just construction, but progBranding Concepts neering firm Tata & Howard, The plant, expected to be ress and clean water for the Family Dental Group Shrewsbury started prelimicomplete in summer 2027, community of Shrewsbury. nary work on a PFAS Treatwill be located on the westR.H. White has a long history Concept 2 | Revised ernmost edge of Shrewsbury ment Plant in 2019. Further of partnering on projects that Main Logo:betesting was completed on Main Street. strengthen local infrastructween 2020 and 2021, and “A groundbreaking certure,” said Kevin McLaughlin, DENTAL the contract for constructing emony marks the start of representing his company.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 11
No More Winter Worries Enjoy the comfort and convenience of living at New Horizons
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12 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
Central One’s Devon Lyon named 2025 CEO of the Year By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – Central One CEO Devon Lyon gets the question often: “How hard is it to be CEO?” His answer is incredibly simple and consistent: “This is truly the best job I’ve ever had.” After just over three years at the helm of Central One Federal Credit Union, Lyon was named 2025 CEO of the Year by the Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA). It’s an honor Lyon is proud of, but insists does not belong to himself alone. He credits the recognition to the team of excellent people around him. “When you’re able to have an absolutely amazing team – and day in and day out, they surprise you, push beyond, and deliver – it’s just really rewarding. The award is a validation of how hard this team works. None of the success we would have is possible if the team is not out there tak-
ing care of our members,” Lyon told the Community Advocate. “It’s a team award.” The team was among the first things Lyon focused on when he arrived at Central One in August 2022. Lyon, just the third CEO of the credit union since 1952, took a fresh look at the organization and decided to make Devon Lyon accepts the award at a recent ceremony. some changes. ter employees feel, the better Through several initiatives service members get. meant to boost employee mo“The first pillar was people. rale, Central One was honored We did a ton of initiatives over by American Banker as one of the first three years. If you take the best credit unions to work care of your employees, if you for in the U.S. – one of many have career development op“best of” lists Central One has portunities, if you give them been featured on. the training, if you empower It wasn’t a surprise to Lyon, them to make decisions, if who understood that the bet-
you do philanthropic work that aligns with the mission – they become champions of the movement,” he said. Lyon has worked for the NAFCU and State Department Federal Credit Union, but his career in finance began much earlier than that. As an 11-year-old, he fit into an owl costume and served as the mascot for the credit union his mother worked at, waving to crowds of potential members. Though he’s stopped dressing up as raptors, Lyon hasn’t forgotten the community aspect to credit unions.
In fact, giving back to members – and even nonmembers – is at the heart of everything this CEO of the Year does. “I refer to us in discussions as a ‘for-impact organization.’ Whether you are a member of Central One or not, if we are in your community – either directly or indirectly – you will have a positive impact because we are out there. We hope you choose to use our services, but if you don’t, our commitment to the community remains the same,” said Lyon.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 13
COMMUNITY NEWS
Westborough publisher shows how the internet has disrupted science By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH — How has the internet disrupted science? This book delves into that question while sharing tales of crime syndicates, rogue scientists, Russian hackers, fake authors, and predatory journals. Westborough’s Kent Anderson, a veteran science and scholarly publisher, explores all this (and more) in his latest book set to be released this July. Anderson co-authored the book alongside Joy Moore. “It’s really the story of how we got from a trusted set of professional information exchange vehicles, like journals, to a place where unqualified people are heading up scientific organizations in the U.S. and creating A.I.-driven slop papers and using those to impose unscientific health and science policies on the rest of us,” Anderson said. Anderson and Moore first entered the field right on the cusp of when the internet began to explode in popularity. Though the internet allows people increased access to information, “a lot of publishers are so invested in this new ‘attention economy,’ [and] business goals are outweighing some of the risks that we’re seeing,” Moore said. More and more, Anderson and Moore have seen science papers driven by advertising, scale, attention, and extremism, Anderson said, as companies and individuals work to turn a profit.
Both said they had always believed that science journals are for businessto-business communication – not business-to-consumer. But as the era of “do your own research” and general skepticism toward science grew, the public began to seek the journals out themselves. And some companies have chosen to take advantage of that. Moore noted that a portion of the book examines what they have called “gaslight articles.” Whereas a typical science article would test a hypothesis through experimentation and research, now, more and more papers are being assembled to support claims made in pre-established policies: “Which is the opposite of how science works,” Moore said. The authors highlighted the original Andrew Wakefield paper, where the U.K. p h ys i c i a n a t te m p te d to
public – with Google playing a major role in that. Anderson said the physician stood to make millions as a result. “There have been people trying to profit off of scientific information for a
claim a connection between autism and vaccines. The study was not only improperly conducted, but Wakefield also pushed to make the study more accessible to the
“How the Internet Disrupted Science,” published with Globe Pequot, is available for pre-order now.
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14 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Northborough, Southborough to look into AI use in classrooms By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter NORTHBOROUGH – Northborough and Southborough school officials are looking at how to best regulate the use of artificial intelligence across the district. The Regional School Committee voted to establish a study group to develop an
AI policy for the district. The decision comes after a similar committee was established by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. “It was decided that it’s bigger than just the policy. We need more information and to talk about … the recommendations to all 10 of our schools in terms of AI,” said Superintendent Gregory
Martineau. The group will study the impacts of AI on student learning, look at policy, and ultimately recommend “guiding principles” for the district. Martineau said the group will look at how AI could help personalize learning for students and its potential impacts on student privacy. “AI is not going away. It’s
embedded. It’s ubiquitous,” Martineau said. “It’s embedded in all the tools and resources that we use, so we need to better understand how we’re using them, how we can impact student learning, and how we can improve efficiencies as a district.” The group will include members of the Northborough and Southborough com-
munities who have expertise in AI; it will also have student representatives. Martineau said that initial findings are expected to be discussed by the end of the academic year. “Our understanding is evolving and we’ll need to adjust and adapt as tools become more readily available to us,” Martineau said.
First look at Algonquin budget shows $3M increase: ‘We have a lot of work to do’ By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter NORTHBOROUGH — The Northborough and Southborough Regional School District budget is facing a
Helping You Navigate Your Financial Future Services
nearly 10 percent increase, partially due to increases in special education costs. In a preliminary report to the Regional School Committee, district leaders presented a level-service budget pro-
posal for fiscal year 2027. The proposed budget was $32.7 million — an over $3 million increase from last year’s approved budget. According to Assistant Superintendent of Finance
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Rebecca Pellgrino, the district saw increases in special education costs, healthcare costs, and salaries. The three categories account for over 50 percent of the FY27 budget increase. “We have a lot of work to do,” said Superintendent Gregory Martineau. “We need to meet with the Operational Budget Subcommittee. We need more meetings with the leadership team. We have some ideas, but we need to explore those a little bit further internally before we present those.” Town officials in Northborough have said that they seek to limit budget increases to 3 percent in an effort to
avoid the possibility of an override. While the district is still at the beginning of budget development, Martineau said reducing the current regional budget to a 3 percent increase would result in cutting 17 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. Algonquin Regional High School officials added that additional budget cuts will continue to impact class sizes. Last month, the Northborough School Committee got a first look at the K-8 preliminary budget for next year, which also saw a $3 million increase. Martineau will make a final budget recommendation in February.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 15
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
A new locker at Oak Middle is all about giving back By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – When Hallie Burak started as principal at Oak Middle School four years ago, eighth-grade special education teacher Sarah Powers came forward with one big want: an empty closet. Burak quickly approved: “She was like, ‘Heck yeah,’” Powers remembered. Powers wanted the closet for storage – but instead of stashing things away forever, this stockpile was designed to be constantly given away. Sherwood Middle School had Andy’s Attic, part of a nonprofit that organizes and donates clothes, and Oak students wanted their own space. With the closet secured, “The Locker at Oak Middle School” opened. “We get an unbelievable amount of donations. I put out a call last week because we were pretty empty — and the community showed up,” Powers told the Community Advo-
cate. “It’s just been amazing.” The initial closet quickly became too small, and Powers asked for more closet space. Soon, The Locker was moved to the biggest closet in the building. The Locker Club was set up at Oak, allowing students at the school to help, and Powers opened volunteering opportunities to the entire district. Now, people from every school are involved. It’s not just the recipients who are benefiting from The Locker. Through volunteering, it’s become a boon to students, too. “That was a huge part for me. I wanted to make sure that students were working on it. I think it helps kids to see where other people in the community come from — what they need, how they can give back,” said Powers. The Locker has plenty of clothes, but also items like toiletries, books, and other donated goods. In December, The Locker was giving away confetti cake kits donated by
the Girl Scouts. “What started as a small project has grown into a safe and welcoming space for students and families across Shrewsbury Public Schools. It has also evolved into an adult ‘club,’ with many staff members volunteering their time to support the effort. Although originally created for Oak students, The Locker has expanded in recent years to serve students throughout the entire district and has become a positive focal point of our school,” said Burak.
This locker is helping people within the Oak community and beyond.
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16 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
POLICE
FIRE
Scan QR code to read this week’s police and fire news on our website.
Man diagnosed with measles visited Westborough in Dec.
Grafton company to pay $250,000 in penalties for ‘emitting rancid odors’
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed Dec. 24 that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough in December was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations. On Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m., the visitor arrived at Boston Logan Airport on American Airlines Flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The visitor stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan Airport at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue Flight 117 to Las Vegas, Nevada. DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local partners to iden-
BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced Dec. 23 that the Suffolk County Superior Court has entered and approved a consent judgement against Graftonbased Feedback Earth, Inc. – a for-profit food-waste recycling company – resolving allegations that the company violated the Massachusetts Clean Air Act and the Massachusetts Solid Waste Disposal Act. The company was penalized for installing unauthorized machinery, processing unapproved feedstocks, and emitting rancid odors that affected Grafton residents as far as 4.4 miles away from the facility. Under the terms of the agreement, Feedback Earth will pay up to $250,000 in
tify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual. Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. Those who could have been exposed and begin to develop symptoms of measles should call their healthcare provider before visiting an office, clinic, or emergency department. Visiting a healthcare facility may put others at risk and should be avoided if possible. Anyone who has had measles in the past or has received two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is unlikely to develop measles even if exposed.
penalties to the Commonwealth. Of the settlement funds, $110,000 will be deposited into the Massachusetts Environmental Justice Fund to support on-theground projects that address environmental harms in disadvantaged communities across the Commonwealth. “Communities should not have to suffer the consequences of businesses prioritizing profits over compliance with our reasonable environmental laws and regulations,” said Campbell. “This settlement holds Feedback Earth accountable for harming our residents and puts other companies on notice that we will not tolerate business practices that threaten people’s right to breathe fresh air.” The Consent Judgement,
entered on Dec. 17, follows a lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) cl a i mi ng t ha t Fe e d b a ck Earth, which used its facility to process food waste into animal feed, had been emitting noxious odors from its facilities that impacted residents in several surrounding communities. Residents as far as 4.4 miles away described an odor emitting from the facility so severe that many were forced to stay indoors, unable to open windows. Residents also claimed that the company made it difficult to report odor violations by changing the number of the complaint reporting hotline. Feedback Earth has ceased operation permanently. The property was recently sold.
The Marlborough Commuter Shuttle is at your service!
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.
REGISTER ONLINE TO RESERVE A SPOT Monday through Friday Morning Trips: Afternoon/Evening Trips:
6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 3:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Any questions or concerns, please contact us at 508-229-2010 or info@marlboroughedc.com
For a complete schedule and link to registration, go to marlboroughedc.com/commuter-shuttle
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 17
POLICE LOG The information in the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court issued documentation. What’s below is a representation of this week’s police log. Some calls lacking severity have been omitted due to space constraints.
Marlborough Thursday, Dec. 18 1:36 a.m. Kane Elementary School/Farm Rd. Building check. 10:43 a.m. Italian/American (ITAM) Club Post 45/Neil St. Burglary/B&E past. 11:03 a.m. Cider Hill Condominiums/BPRE. Fraud/forgery. 12:55 p.m. AVRTHS/Fitchburg St. Assault. 1:47 p.m. Richer Elementary School/Foley Rd. Threats. 3:06 p.m. Office Building (Base Building)/Apex Dr. Animal complaint. 3:29 p.m. Union/Bolton Sts. MVA property damage only. Friday, Dec. 19 1:24 p.m. Auto Zone/East Main St. Trespassing. 1:58 p.m. Marlborough High School/Bolton St. Drug offense. 1:59 p.m. Kane Elementary School/Farm Rd. Threats. 2:50 p.m. Whitcomb School/ Union St. Assault. 4:37 p.m. Arrested, Jerome David Burton, 28, of 79 Framingham Rd., Marlborough, for A&B on police officer (2 cts), disorderly conduct, resist arrest, vandalize property, threat to commit crime. Sunday, Dec. 21 1:33 a.m. DCU Federal Credit Unit/East Main St. Suspicious MV. 3:00 a.m. Beach St. Garage. Motor vehicle stop. 3:51 a.m. East Main St. Disturbance. 1:19 p.m. Marlborough Youth Baseball (Fields/Buildings)/Williams St. Trespassing. 1:49 p.m. Arrested, Satyam Kumar Thakur, 38, of 116 Broadmeadow Rd., Apt. E, Marlborough, for OUI-liquor or .08%, negligent operation of motor vehicle, leave scene of property damage, possess open container of alcohol in MV. 2:39 p.m. Chestnut St. Threats.
Grafton Tuesday, Dec. 16 4:34 p.m. Providence Rd. Suspicious person. 5:01 p.m. Creeper Hill Rd. Assault. 8:05 p.m. Main St. Motor vehicle lockout.
11:00 p.m. North St. Disturbance – loud noise.
Northborough Thursday, Dec. 18 7:37 a.m. Woodland Rd. Found property. 10:13 a.m. Memorial Dr. Ambulance. 6:37 p.m. Bartlett St. Animal calls. Friday, Dec. 19 5:41 a.m. Arrested, Shaun Thomas O’Donoghue, 57, of 6 King St., Northborough, for possess Class B drug, possess Class E drug. 12:15 p.m. Easy St. Dog complaint. 2:06 p.m. Pleasant St. Stolen property. 3:13 p.m. Pleasant/Prospect Sts. Accident: P.D. 4:39 p.m. St. James Dr. Fraud. 6:48 p.m. Arrested, Vicenzo Caputo, 65, of 10 Village Dr., Northborough, for speeding in violation of special regulation, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08% 2nd offense, marked lanes violation.
Shrewsbury Thursday, Dec. 18 5:01 p.m. Williamsburg Crt. Larceny. 6:32 p.m. Pond Ave. Suspicious person/MV. 6:57 p.m. Arrested, Daniel W. Parent, 35, of 702 Franklin St., Apt. 3, Worcester, for speeding, operate MV with license suspended/revoked, unregistered vehicle, uninsured MV/trailer, attaching plate not assigned, receiving stolen property - $1200. 8:00 p.m. Hartford Tpke. Traffic complaint. 8:12 p.m. Hartford Tpke. Aid to public.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Will a rotary redesign improve access? Please fill out our survey to share your thoughts. By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – The rotary in Downtown Westborough has been a topic of discussion for generations. The town continues to consider the possibility of a redesign, with Kimley-Horn consultants recommending a peanut-shaped plan that could improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Although some support the redesign, there are those who question its effectiveness, possible construction-related disruptions, the cost, and the elimination of parking spaces. The Planning Board will choose the design. Town Meeting will decide on funding – unless the project is funded through other means, such as grants and/or a private developer. A Public Hearing on the project is tentatively scheduled for late January or early February. The Community Advocate is frequently getting feedback from residents both for and against the peanut-shaped redesign.
We would like to hear your input. Residents and business owners in Westborough are encouraged to fill out this brief survey that will close on Jan. 10.
Friday, Dec. 19 8:16 a.m. Main St./Main Cir. Road hazard – trees/wires/debris. 11:11 a.m. Vega/Saturn Drs. Suspicious person/MV. 12:28 p.m. School St. Harassment. 2:49 p.m. Hearthside Cir. Suspicious person/MV. 3:13 p.m. Grafton St. Road rage.
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Monday, Dec. 22 7:53 p.m. Hartford Tpke. Road hazard – trees/wires/debris. 9:26 p.m. Williamsburg Crt. Medical call. 10:18 p.m. Spring Terr. Medical call. 11:27 p.m. Boston Tpke. Disturbance.
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18 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
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NORTHBOROUGH PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NORTHBOROUGH ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS In accordance with the provisions of MGL Chapter 40A, Section 9, the Northborough Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 13, 2025, at 7pm, in Conference Room B, 1st floor of Town Hall, 63 Main Street, Northborough, to consider the petition submitted by David Sadowski for a variance, pursuant to Zoning Bylaw Section 7-05-030, Table 1, Part A, Footnote 6, for the construction of a 4th garage bay on a parcel of land consisting of 21,230 square feet located at 58 Rice Avenue, Map 46, Parcel 36, in the Residential C Zoning District. 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 de-
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vice, please click this URL to join: https://town-northborough-ma us.zoom.us/j/83403416003 Passcode: 787076 To join via audio: +1 646 876 9923 Webinar ID: 834 0341 6003 Passcode: 787076. Live Stream link YouTube: https://www. youtube.com/@northboroughmediaconnection This application is on file in the Planning Office and can viewed online at: https:// www.town.northborough.ma.us/ zoning-board-appeals/pages/ currently-under-review-zba Paul Tagliaferri, Chairman December 26, 2025 and January 2, 2026
WESTBOROUGH LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY WESTBOROUGH, MA In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Westborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Conservation Commission will conduct a Public Hearing to be held on January 13, 2026 after 6:30 PM at the Forbes Municipal Building, 3rd Fl meeting room, 45 West Main Street, West-
borough, MA, for a Request for Determination of Applicability for 20 Blake St. (Parcel ID: 20-40-0) submitted by Laura Estaphan for an after-the-fact approval for removal of 12 trees and construction of a graveled patio as well as the removal of Norway Maples as shown on the attached plan within jurisdictional resource areas. LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST TO AMEND WESTBOROUGH, MA In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Westborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Conservation Commission will conduct a Public Hearing held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 after 6:30 PM at the Forbes Municipal Building, 3rd Fl meeting room, 45 West Main Street, Westborough, MA, for a Request to Amend for DEP File #332899 for Andrews St. Well Field (Parcel ID: 14-26-0 & 14-27-0) submitted by Town of Westborough Water Dept. for installation of water connection utilities and associated sitework within jurisdictional resource areas. LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE OF INTENT WESTBOROUGH, MA
In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Westborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Conservation Commission will conduct a Public Hearing held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 after 6:30 PM at the Forbes Municipal Building, 3rd Fl meeting room, 45 West Main Street, Westborough, MA, for a Notice of Intent for 0 Oak St. (Parcel ID: 33-20, 36, 38, & 39-0) submitted by AK & C Holding, LLC for construction of a 26,000 sqft commercial building with associated parking areas, stormwater infrastructure, utilities, grading, and landscaping within jurisdictional resource areas. LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE OF INTENT WESTBOROUGH, MA In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Westborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Conservation Commission will conduct a Public Hearing held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 after 6:30 PM at the Forbes Municipal Building, 3rd Fl meeting room, 45 West Main Street, Westborough, MA, for
a Notice of Intent for 5 Technology Dr. (Parcel ID: 36-17-0) submitted by Provision Ministry for construction of a warehouse with associated parking areas, stormwater infrastructure, utilities, grading, and landscaping within jurisdictional resource areas. LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY WESTBOROUGH, MA In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Westborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw, the Conservation Commission will conduct a Public Hearing to be held on January 13, 2026 after 6:30 PM at the Forbes Municipal Building, 3rd Fl meeting room, 45 West Main Street, Westborough, MA, for a Request for Determination of Applicability for 54 Otis St. (Parcel ID: 25-1-0) submitted by Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics (FTR) for the installation of a generator and enclosure on a concrete pad as well as two short concrete walkways to access new egress doorways within jurisdictional resource areas.
20 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
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 Barter, Thomas of Shrewsbury Beaman, James of Grafton Beaudoin, Joan of Grafton Brown, Robert of Shrewsbury Callahan, Robert of Marlborough Darby, Walter of Hudson Dubowik, Debra of Northborough Elia, Wilbur of Shrewsbury LaBarre, John formerly of Hudson Madden, Ellen formerly of Hudson and Marlborough Malmquist, Charlotte of Grafton Nikoloulias, Patricia formerly of Marlborough Parlin, Deborah of Grafton Parrish, Diane of Marlborough Porcaro Sr., James of Shrewsbury Ramalho Jr., Joseph formerly of Hudson Schrager, Joseph of Hudson Steinman, Doris of Marlborough Thurber III, Edward of Marlborough Walker, Ann of Hudson Whitney, Kristen of Northborough
Now through March 1st
Joseph J. Ramalho Jr., 83 WHITEVILLE, NC - Joseph J. Ramalho, Jr. age 83, passed away after a brief illness on Fr id ay, December 19, 2025, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s Angel House Hospice Care Center in Whiteville, NC. He was born on April 20, 1942 in Hudson, MA to the late Joseph J. Ramalho, Sr and Mary (Renaud) Ramalho. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Pauline Elhilow (John), and his brother, Michael Ramalho. Left to cherish his memory, Joe is survived by his life partner of 34 years (wife of 17 years), Leslie O. Ramalho of Whiteville, NC; sister, Judith Yost (Robert) of Hudson, Ma; sister Sandra Yellick of Northborough, MA; brother, Robert Ramalho of Hudson, MA; daughter, Jolene Ramalho and his grandson Wiley Holmes of Worcester, MA; son, Jason Ramalho (Kristen) and his grandson Dominic, granddaughter Delaney, and grandson Kadin of Hollis, NH; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date around his birthday in April in his hometown of Hudson, MA. McKenzie Mortuary in Whiteville, NC is serving the family.
Charles A. Orth, 92 LEOMINSTER - Charles Alan Orth, 92, known as Alan, died peacefully surrounded by his
family on December 17, 2025 at the Rose Monahan Hospice House following a period of declining health. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on August 23, 1933 the son of the late Charles Raymond Orth, Jr. and Eunice (Schaefer) Orth. Alan was the beloved husband of the late Mrya (Mrgudich) Orth who died on July 18, 2022. He was the devoted father of David Orth and his wife Wendy of Leicester; Sharon Powell and her husband Bill of Marlborough and Connie Williams and her husband Larry of Leominster. Also survived by 16 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and two nieces. The John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland assisted the family.
Debra A. Dubowik, 69 NORTHBOROUGH - The Dubowik family share the sad news of the December 3, 2025, passing of Debra Ann Dubowik. Debra passed away after experiencing an acute medical episode; she was 69 years old. Debra was the beloved wife of Robert J. Dubowik, her husband of 37 years. Surviving Debra are her three children, Jeff Brown of Arizona; Megan Torres and her husband Juan of Marlborough; and Zach Dubowik and his wife Angela of Auburn. She was the loving grandmother to Michael
Sears and Aidan Dubowik, who brought her endless joy and smiles. Debra is also survived by her siblings Kevin Brown and his wife Jennifer of Stow; Patricia Coady and her husband Jim of Hudson; Pamela Brown of Hudson; Christopher Brown of Leominster; and Gloria Walker and her husband Keith of North Grosvenordale, Connecticut; along with her step-brother James Staal of Bronx, New York, her step-sisters Julia Myrick of Lakeland, Florida, and Verona Jo Nace of Spencer, Massachusetts, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Edwin J. and Natalie A. Brown, Jr.; her brothers Thomas, Daniel, Robert, and David Brown; and her step-brother Edward Staal. Hays Funeral Home of Northborough assisted the family.
Joseph D. Schrager, 85 HUDSON - Joseph D. Schrager, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and respected member of his community, p a s s e d away on December 20, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on March 9, 1940, in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, Canada, Joseph spent his formative years in this quaint setting before moving to Hudson, Massachusetts, where he resided for the past 67 years. Joseph is survived by his
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daughters, Michele Dusseault of Hudson, MA, wife of the late retired Hudson Fire Chief Fred Dussealt, and Karen Trainor and her husband Gary of Palm Coast, FL; his son, Donald Schrager and his wife Kim of Waynesboro, VI; his sister, Karen Rhodes and her husband Rick of Nova Scotia, Canada; his brother, William Schrager and his wife Carolyn of Ontario, Canada; and his cherished grandchildren, Jeremy Dusseault of Hudson, MA, and Olivia Schrager-Dorsey and her husband Jaxson of Palm Coast, FL. Additionally, he leaves behind many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends who will remember him fondly. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gloria in 2023, along with his parents, Gustav and Harriet (MacDonald) Schrager, and his siblings, Emma Chiasson, Gustav “Gussie” Schrager, and Douglas Schrager. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home in Hudson, MA. Following the visitation, a funeral service will commence at 12:00 PM, followed by a graveside service at Forestvale Cemetery, Broad Street, Hudson, MA.
Wilbur J. Elia, 83 SHREWSBURY - Wilbur J. Elia, 83, of Shrewsbury, a long-time educator, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Will was born in Worcester, son of the late, Wilfred and Jeanette (Belanger) Elia, and was predeceased by his sister, Jacqueline. Will is survived by his cousins, Roy and Cindy Courchaine; his Goddaughter and cousin, Paula Gentile; a close friend, Nick Miranda and Nick’s dog, Bruce Wayne. Funeral Services were held privately. Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel of Worcester assisted his family with arrangements.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 21
COMMUNITY NEWS
Northborough begins search for new fire chief By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter NORTHBOROUGH – With the retirement of Northborough’s longtime fire chief three months away, the town has taken the first step to find his replacement. The Northborough Select Board voted, 4-1, Dec. 15 to form a hiring committee in an effort to fill the position. The position was expected to be posted publicly in December. According to Town Administrator Stephanie Bacon, Northborough Deputy Chief Neal Aspesi wanted to “throw his hat into the ring,” and current Fire Chief David Parenti endorsed him. With an internal leadership application, the board could have opted to interview and hire Aspesi without a public search. However, board members said they wanted to see “who’s in the pool.”
Bacon will appoint the committee’s five members in January; a local fire chief will advise members through the process. The committee will conduct initial interviews confidentially, and only finalists will have public interviews. Pa re n t i ’s l a s t d a y o n the job is March 19, 2026,
“[Whether] we go with the deputy chief or another option, I think that we do everyone a favor by starting this process now,” said board member Jacob Jones. “I would say it’s better to see who’s in the pool. [It’s] free-market competition.
Keeping families comfortably cozyfamilies in their Keeping comfortably cozy their home year-round in for homes79 year-round over years! for over
Let’s see who the applicants are, see who’s the best applicant. I don’t see there’s any downside to that.” Aspesi, who has been with the department since 2023, told the Community Advocate that he’s still applying for the role.
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Bacon said, as he will be taking vacation time until his official last day on March 31. If the position is not filled by the end of March, the Select Board will appoint an interim chief. For more information, be sure to visit the Community Advocate website.
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22 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
COMMUNITY SPORTS Freshman Joceline Boulay leads Shrewsbury past Leominster By Evan Walsh Managing Editor FITCHBURG – Last winter, then-eighth-grader Joceline Boulay was a face in the crowd at NorthStar Ice Sports in Westborough, where she’d come to watch the Shrewsbury girls’ ice hockey team compete. She recalls watching excitedly as the starters’ names were announced to the crowd before the action. Not even a year later, Boulay — a Shrewsbury resident — is now a freshman starring on the team. At the Wallace Civic Center on Dec. 23, Boulay scored her first varsity hat trick, helping Shrewsbury defeat host Leominster, 4-0, to remain undefeated on the season. Now a key member of the Colonials, Boulay is hearing her own name called as part of the starting lineup. “I was there last year.
Joceline Boulay celebrates her three-goal effort.
Allie Martel fires a shot toward the net.
Paige O’Donnell has her eyes on the net.
arelli, now in his 18th year with the Colonials, has seen plenty of exciting freshmen prospects. As Panarelli viewed film from captains’ practices, Boulay stood out — she was tall, incredibly strong, and had a quick shot. A short while later, Boulay had secured a
Now, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, they’re calling my name.’ That’s so cool,” said Boulay. Shrewsbury Head Coach Frank Pan-
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spot on the team’s first line. “I didn’t think I was going to get that far,” Boulay joked. “She’s very physical forechecking, the way she forechecks. She’s a strong kid, and you can’t teach size. She’s got a quick release. We were very high on her, and putting her with two [juniors] with Allie Martel and Paige O’Donnell — it’s been great for us. She’s just going to get better and better,” said Panarelli. As an impact underclassman — and the only freshman from Shrewsbury on this year’s team — Boulay had to adjust to the role quickly. But with the support of her teammates, she got right to work. In her first career game, she scored two goals. In the next game, she registered an assist. Then, in the Leominster game, she registered the hat trick, scoring once per period. Not a bad way to start her career. “I’ve seen a lot of effort out of her. She’s definitely shown us that she wants it. Over the past couple of games, she’s been getting more and more comfortable, which is very helpful. It’s nice to have a freshman step up,” said Martel, a junior captain and Boulay’s linemate. Added Boulay: “Everybody is super nice. We’re a co-op, so I’m the only freshman from my town. The other girls are from Wachusett, so I was nervous at first because I didn’t have anybody, but everybody’s been super nice. All the freshmen got along quickly, and my linemates are great.” Sophie Gauthier scored the Colonials’ fourth goal late in the third period. Assists came from O’Donnell (3), Martel, and Lauren Albertson. Adrianna Boucher, the team’s standout goalie, made 10 saves to hold Leominster scoreless. “As a junior, an upperclassman, I’m able to see the ice so much better. I also have a lot of girls that are probably looking up to me as an upperclassman. Having that support from my team is something that really matters to me,” said Martel.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026 • 23
COMMUNITY SPORTS
Led by Lazeren and McGrath, Grafton basketball emerges victorious By Evan Walsh Managing Editor GRAFTON — It wasn’t so much for the scoreboard as it was for the culture. Ahead by 26 points with 27 seconds left in the game, Avery O’Brien dished the ball to Addy Lenz, who muscled forward and completed a difficult layup. At once, dozens in the crowd cognizant of internet lingo — including practically the entire Grafton bench — stood up and shouted. After Lenz’s basket, Grafton’s total had gone from 65 points to a meme-worthy 6-7. It was the second consecutive game the Gators had scored an internet-famous 67 points. Following a 67-25 victory over Notre Dame Academy (Worcester), Grafton continued its impressive start to the season with a 67-41 win against Holliston on Dec. 22. “6-7? The kids love it. It’s for the fans,” said Head Coach Tim Kewriga. “It just happens,” added junior captain Abbey Lazeren. “That’s how we get people to come to our games.” While 6-7 stole the show, Kewriga had his team focused on another number entering action: 40. If Grafton played good defense and kept Holliston to around 40 points, the team would emerge victorious, he reasoned. Anchored by Evie Le, the Gators were determined on defense all night. “They’re playing great. I think tonight the focus was defense. We knew we needed to play better defense to make things happen, and the defense led the offense
Evie Le rises up for a shot.
Addie McGrath looks at the basket. Abbey Lazeren guides the ball into the basket.
tonight, so that was huge,” said Kewriga. “Evie anchors our defense, and we tinkered and changed a few things in the offseason. They rose to the challenge.” Sophomore Addie McGrath (22 points) opened the scoring with a 3-pointer on her first shot, while Lazeren (21 points) was an important presence throughout the game. As the lone captain on a team without any seniors on the roster, Lazeren has become Grafton’s on-the-court and off-the-court leader. With Lazeren at the helm, the Gators have sprinted to a 3-1 start. “It’s great. This is probably the best year I’ve been here with team chemistry. The bench is loud, we’re lifting each other up, practice is always hard — we’re making each other better. It’s the best team I’ve been a part of,” Lazeren told the Community Advocate. “The team makes leading easy.” “She’s the voice when I
need to be quiet,” said Kewriga. Abbey Lazeren drives around a “She’s making sure defender. people are where they need to be. eren, players of all age groups Without her voice and leaderare getting meaningful minship, I don’t know if we take utes. That includes several that jump.” freshmen, plenty of impact And Grafton is getting consophomores, and a cadre of tributions from everywhere. dangerous juniors. Outside of McGrath and Laz-
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“Today, it was passing the ball around, playing defense, pushing the ball. We really focused on getting the ball up the floor, pushing it, finding the open player. I think that’s what we did well today,” said McGrath. “We all compete in practice, but we’re all such good friends off the court.”
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24 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, January 2, 2026
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