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COMMUNITY | News
MLK Community Celebration to be held virtually Jan. 18
WESTBOROUGH - Central MA Connections in Faith (CMACIF), in partnership with Westborough Interfaith Association, Westborough Connects and Westborough Public Schools, is pleased to announce the third annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration.
The event will be held virtually via Zoom and is free and open to anyone who registers in advance. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 18 and will be rebroadcast on Westborough TV.
This year’s theme is “Standing in My Shoes: Love, Inclusion, Trust” and will feature a keynote address by poet Jamele Adams, also known as Harlym 1Two5. Closed captioning in English and Live Spanish language interpretation will be available during the live event.
Harlym 1Two5 is well known nationally and in multitudes of poetry circles. He is a frequent and highly regarded figure in competitions, performance, concert and beyond. 125 has become a part of the Boston area poetry scene and joined teams of poets who have won numerous competitions regionally and nationally. 125 has also become well known in the Boston area for his work leading workshops dealing with issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Several times in the last few years, Harlym has been called to local high schools, colleges and communities to help bring a calm and constructive unity after incidents of racial injustice have occurred. Known for his work, Harlym 1Two5 is often asked to be a panelist or to give presentations on a broad range of topics regarding diversity and pluralism, and also is asked to prepare presentations in response to very specific incidents or conditions. Additionally, Harlym 1Two5 is the dean of students at Brandeis University.
As a National Day of Service, community members are invited to pick up a Black Lives Matter rock painting project kit at the Westborough Public Library’s front steps on Jan. 18 to take home and paint. The BLM rocks are a project of WeCARE - Westborough Committee for AntiRacism in Education. While you’re out picking up your rock painting kit, celebration registrants are also encouraged to make a donation to the Westborough Food Pantry at the Fire Station Lobby,
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Following the event all registrants will have access to a monthly racial justice toolkit that includes recommended reading, podcasts, videos, and activities you can partake in here in the Westborough Community. To register visit www.westboroughconnects.org.
Shrewsbury Parks & Recreation to offer fun family activities this winter
By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter
SHREWSBURY –The Parks & Recreation Department is planning an event for families to do as well as a host of other things for this winter.
“It’s a little different and we are trying to think outside the box with the issues at hand and the world and restrictions and what people can and cannot do,” explained Recreation Supervisor Gary Grindle.
Cardboard sledding anyone? Mark your calendars for Saturday, Jan. 30. Check in is 9 a.m. at Dean Park. This event is another way that families can exercise their creativity by designing, building and decorating a sled from all the delivery boxes left over from the holidays.
In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, all participants must pre-register. Registration and rules can be found by visiting www. shrewsburyma.gov/parkrec. Prizes will be awarded.
“We were looking for fun family events,” Grindle added. “We are outside in a safe environment following safety guidelines and families can work together.”
Other outdoor events include a scavenger hunt, winter craft workshops, a virtual ice fishing clinic and, hopefully, ice fishing at the Dean Park Pond.
If the great outdoors isn’t quite your cup of tea, then one of the following virtual courses might be of interest: adult yoga, adult core connection fitness six class pass, senior gold Zumba, youth chess, teen core fitness, dining and social etiquette workshops, sign language, and home safety for kids.
“Let’s stay safe, active and healthy this winter! Please visit our website for more information and registration - www.shrewsburyma.gov/parkrec,” Grindle said.
He noted that these and other Parks & Recreation programs are open to Shrewsbury residents only.
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United we stand
REGION - This has been one of the most tumultuous years in the history of our nation. Two of the largest challenges were an unprecedented pandemic and an ever-widening political divide.
Beginning on Inauguration Day, President-elect Joe Biden faces a monumental task as he tries to re-unite the country which is so divided. On top of that, he is also facing the harsh realities of COVID-19 which, so far, has killed over 300,000 Americans.
The truth is, however, it’s not up to Biden alone – we all must do our part to help bring peace and unity back to our country. If we are to stand tall again as a united nation, we must remember that there is more that unites us than divides us and we all play a role in our return to civility and acceptance of others.
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Changes needed for Westborough High School track’s lighting
To the Editor:
We are writing in response to the Community Advocate online article dated January 7th, 2021 regarding the Westborough School Committee’s defense of the lighting at the high-school fields (https://www.communityadvocate.com/2021/01/07/westboroughschool-committee-1-7). Neighborhood residents Letters have been asking the school to share their protocol for to the Editor management of the lights and sound, and the scheduling/ control of night games, for 3 years and still have received nothing. Those who live near the track see the lights on during snow, sleet and rain, with no one on the track, despite what the meeting members stated.
There are creative solutions which many of us have seen at other facilities and could be implemented in Westborough, including having a switch that users can activate, with a timer that turns them off at a set period of time. Another is to have a set of lower lights for walkers, that do not have as serious an impact on the neighbors as the banks of field lights that blare into people’s backyards and bedroom windows.
The school speaks of respecting the neighbors, but many of us have seen little evidence of this, and without a voted upon, management protocol, which the school seems not willing to provide, there is not even a launching point for discussion.
Sincerely, Luanne Crosby and R. Christopher Noonan 13 Cross St Westborough
Ryan Maloney, owner
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An old wine (10+ years) should not be aerated, but the sediment must be removed. If you’re serving an old wine at its peak, it won’t benefit from aeration, as it’s fully developed. The more an old wine is exposed to air the sooner it will start to fade. At JULIO’S LIQUORS our wine department carries over 3,000 labels from 16 different countries. For more information, please call 508-366-1942. Our store is located at 140 Turnpike Rd., Rt. 9 East.
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New Hudson budget avoids service cuts amid COVID-19 uncertainty
By Dakota Antelman Contributing Writer
HUDSON – Non-union employees won’t get traditional cost of living raises, this year. But Hudson will stave off deep budget cuts in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Executive Assistant Tom Moses told the Select Board, Jan. 5.
With uncertainty remaining over levels of state and federal aid to municipalities, Moses presented what he described as a flexible but lean proposal. The Select Board approved the budget.
“There haven’t been a whole lot of additions,” Moses said. “…[Department] budgets have barely increased.”
Preparing for FY2022
Hudson is gearing up for the 2022 fiscal year, which starts July 1. This process follows months of hand wringing for municipal administrators, last year, as the coronavirus tanked local economies, decreasing tax revenues and forcing towns to rely on state aid just
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“I’m not sure where they’re union employees. Board Member John Parent, tions which could see as many going to get [that money] The town is also pushing Lucy’s measure failed by a 3-2 as two new faces joining the from,” Select Board Chair Joe back some of its capital plan margin. Select Board. Durant said during budget projects, like the now complet- “I appreciate the effort but Hudson officials will evendiscussions. ed South St. or Wood Square I’m not sure who will be col- tually present their FY22 bud-
As dire as things could be, Rotary redesign efforts. lecting that and I don’t want get to Town Meeting. Moses reiterated that depart- to commit for somebody else at ment budgets now approved Pay raises and stipends for by the Select Board will allow officials Hudson to continue operating In personnel line items, Community Aggregate Program reports and serving constituents via its own rainy day fund. Moses declined his own annual pay raise. That, in turn, significant savings for Marlborough residents “We are positioned well to be able to fund whatever shortfall does arise,” Durant said, discussing the same topic. “But we have to be extremely careful with spending this year.” prompted a brief discussion among Select Board members to erase their annual $1,800 stipends. “That’s commendable,” Select Board Member Fred Lucy said of Moses’ move. “He leads MARLBOROUGH - The Colonial Power Group, Marlborough’s aggregate broker, reported third quarter savings of over $78,000 for residents who take part in the city’s Community Choice Power 12,800 customers in its Community Choice Power Supply Program and anticipates a greater savings in the fourth quarter as National Grid’s winter rate of $0.12.388 took effect on November 1, 2020. Supply Program, according National Grid’s basic rate to a press release from Mayor changes twice a year, in May Arthur Vigeant’s office. and November. The city contracted with “The City has an aggregaenergy supplier Inspire En- tion committee chaired by ergy in August for a $0.09390 Council President Michael “Who wants Thai tonight?” FUSION per kWh. for all rate classes; this rate will be in effect until January 2024. This program is a municipal aggregation that enables local government to combine the purchasing power on behalf of its residents and businesses to provide them Ossing that reviews rates and trends and goes out to bid to get the best possible rate for our residents. Although it’s pennies on the dollar, it adds up to a significant savings for both residential and commercial customers,” Vigeant said.
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As we go through life we find ourselves on track one day and off track the next. We gain consistency through prayer. Prayer is our connection to the Great Spirit. Prayer is our channel for knowledge and wisdom; prayer is how we keep our sanity. We should WALK IN PRAYER. -- Meditations with Native Americans, (Nov 2)
Boch automotive dealership expands operations into Shrewsbury
The Boch automotive dealership has purchased this property on Route 9.
PHOTO/MELANIE PETRUCCI
By Melanie Petrucci Senior Community Reporter
SHREWSBURY - News broke just before the New Year’s holiday that more than 25 acres along Route 9 westbound had been purchased by Boch Shrewsbury — Worcester, for $8.35 million.
Worcester commercial real estate firm NAI Glickman Kovago & Jacobs handled the sale between the Lilly Attell Realty Trust who sold the property to Boch Shrewsbury — Worcester, an entity run by Ernest A. Boch, Jr. and Robert C. Weiss of 111 Morse St., Norwood, Mass. according to Massachusetts Secretary of State records. Boch is famed for his automotive empire.
The site, just past the Route 9 and South Street intersection, at 701 and 713 Boston Turnpike, is largely wooded and undeveloped. According to town records, the property includes a 1,600-square-foot, singlefamily home with an assessed value of $714,800.
Another half-acre property abutting the property at 713 Boston Turnpike was also purchased by the entity. The sellers were Tim and Eileen Samara and it includes a 1,100 square foot single family home assessed at $280,600, according to town 2021 property values.
Reaction from officials and residents
Social media comments ranged from concerns over increased traffic along the Route 9 corridor to questions over whether another auto dealership was warranted because the site is very near other dealerships along the Route 9 corridor.
However, other social media comments were positive citing support for new economic growth and additional tax revenue.
Beth Casavant, chair of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen, agreed.
She stated in an email, “Growing our economic bases is always a priority for the town, so we were pleased to learn that the parcel on Route 9 had been purchased by Boch.”
“We look forward to working with Boch as plans for developing the site become more clear and know of their reputation as good neighbors in the communities where they have businesses,” she added.
Kristen Las, assistant town manager/economic development coordinator, and Bernard Cahill, town planner, were contacted for their comments.
They said that they had no further information on the purchase nor plans for the property.
“The Planning Department had not been approached by Boch prior to the purchase of the land,” Cahill remarked in an email. “I would anticipate hearing from Boch in the coming months to discuss the planning process [of future development], etc.”
Michael C. Jacobs, principal realtor with NAI Glickman Kovago & Jacobs was also contacted for comment but declined.
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