Northborough’s White Cliffs Committee to reconvene soon
Algonquin boys hockey beats Auburn in OT thriller
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Westborough fire chief pitches plan to hire four new firefighters
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Vol. 48 | No. 6 | February 11, 2022
Shrewsbury boys hockey nabs late-season win over Wachusett
Westborough weighs digital billboard bylaw
By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor
PHOTO/BEN DOMAINGUE
Numerous billboards currently exist along Route 9 in Westborough.
By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough Planning Board recently discussed a bylaw to change regulations around off-premises digital billboards in town. This could allow construction of new billboards along I-495 and I-90. Current bylaws do not allow billboards, including digital billboards. However, there are “numerous” billboards along Route 9 that pre-exist that restriction, Town Planner Jim Robbins told the Community Advocate. Converting any existing billboard in Westborough to an electronic billboard, further, requires a permit from the town’s building commissioner, he said. Billboards | 4
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SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury boys hockey team secured a major win over Wachusett last Saturday, defeating their area rivals on home ice at NorthStar Ice Sports in Westborough. Watching his team’s regular season schedule now wind down, a 4-1 win at this stage in the year represented good news for head coach Terry Virtue. “It was good,” he said in postgame comments. “I think it was a hard fought game. Both teams played well and played hard.” Shrewsbury opened the scoring less than two minutes into the game when Tyler Rondinelli punched in a goal for the Colonials. Carter Richardson and Alex Martin then tag-teamed for a pair of goals in the second period to give Shrewsbury a 3-0 lead heading into the game’s final frame. Though the Mountaineers picked off a goal around the 9:30 mark, Shrewsbury answered again, this time with a shorthanded, empty-net goal by Anthony Nuzzolilo to rebuild a three-goal Colonials lead. “I wish we had a little better third period,” Virtue said, acknowledging that Wachusett goal. “But they came Hockey | 11
Shrewsbury’s Drew Peris skates up-ice during his team’s game against Wachusett.
educational building blocks Eighth graders use Lego bricks to solve realworld issues
news | 6
PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN
2 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS Mixed-use development near Shrewsbury’s Lakeway Commons moves forward By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter
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vember meeting that the shift would help the development have a better street presence. Planning Board waives community facility requirement Over the past several months, the Planning Board has asked questions about snow storage and traffic flow within the site, which were since resolved. The Planning Board also waived the requirement of a community facility and a pho-
tometric plan, which shows lighting levels. Shrewsbury’s Director of Planning and Economic Development Bernie Cahill explained that waiver, noting that the overlay district specifying those requirements “[envisioned] these to be really large-scale projects, not 14 units.” “We’re talking like 40 or 50 units where something like a large playground or something for the community would make sense,” he said.
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Cahill noted that there is an outdoor seating area included in current plans.
That report will include information from the Shrewsbury Police Department regarding incidents and complaints along Harrington Avenue and the nearby Whitney Street and Muzzy Avenue and intersections. Planning Board Chair Steven Boulay said the report will determine if any additional traffic controls are needed along Harrington Avenue.
Approval includes conditions As one of the conditions of Planning Board approval, the developers will be required to submit a post-development traffic report a year after tenants occupy the retail building and at least 75% of the apartments units.
Planning Board approves plans that may lead to future senior housing By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury Planning Board approved plans last week that may ultimately lead to a new senior housing development in town. The unanimous vote came on Feb. 3 following consideration of a developer’s definitive subdivision plans for property near the intersection of Greenbriar Drive and Cypress Avenue. The plans show an entrance off a dead-end road at the intersection. That entrance would lead to a cul-de-sac and a curb cut within a 25.72-acre site. Developer considering senior housing, official says The plans do not show any proposed buildings on the site. Director of Planning and Economic Development Bernie Cahill told the Community Advocate back in October, though, that the developers had told the town that they would move forward with an application for senior housing once this subdivision plan was approved. That application, if filed, would come back before the Planning Board. Neighbors note concerns Chair Steven Boulay said a resident had expressed concerns about whether this entrance would be constructed before the developers go through the next stage of their project. “They’re concerned about just having a circle in the back of their yards over there,” Boulay said. Barry Yaceshyn of WDA De-
PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN
SHREWSBURY - A mixed-use development near Lakeway Commons in Shrewsbury is moving forward after it was approved by the Planning Board last month. Plans for the development, which would be located at 34-36 Harrington Avenue, first went before the planning board in October. Those original plans called for a 2,000-square-foot retail building and a three-floor apartment building with 16 units. Developers reduced the number of units to 14. Plans for the retail building were also changed to call for a 1,000-square-foot structure, which was shifted to be parallel to Harrington Avenue. John Grenier of J.M. Grenier Associates, the developer’s civil engineer, noted during a No-
A developer recently won Planning Board approval for a planned project off Harrington Avenue in Shrewsbury.
A developer is eyeing land at the intersection of Greenbriar Drive and Cypress Avenue in Shrewsbury for possible use for senior housing.
sign Group told the Planning Board that developers, indeed, do not plan to leave such a circle. Resident George Germanos, who lives in the neighborhood, raised similar concerns during an October Planning Board meeting. He said a cul-de-sac with no other nearby development could be “either a perfect dumping ground or an area where kids or anybody can congregate.” “I have serious safety concerns,” he continued. “I think there are some assumptions that are being made here based on really nothing. We don’t have anything to base it off of.” Final plans include new changes The new plans presented to the Planning Board for their approval do now show an island in the center of the proposed culde-sac containing a rain garden. The board’s decision on Feb. 3 also included a waiver on the thickness of the pavement on the sidewalk and road within this project. Planning Board | 4
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 3
Grateful senior citizens in Hudson
THE
OVER TOP
We want to publicly thank the Hudson Fire Department for the services provided to the senior residents living here at the Esplanade Condo Association on Main Street. 911 response times for emergency service at all hours of the day and night have been excellent over the 15 years we’ve been here. Since 2016, the Senior S.A.F.E. (Senior Awareness of Fire Education) Grant Awards have provided some funding for the HFD to come on site to change smoke detector batteries for seniors who are unable to safely climb ladders. In December 2021 alone, the HFD changed batteries in 60 units here at the Esplanade! A loud shout out to HFD Chief Bryan Johannes, Lt. Stephen Weaver, Lt. Brian Harrington, and the numerous pleasant FF’s that have come on site here to willingly help us be safe. We also would like to thank Rep. Kate Hogan for the vital role she plays in the Senior S.A.F.E. Grant legislation. Kate has always stood tall for seniors in her district! She has an ongoing positive relationship with the Council on Aging and the Hudson Senior Center led by Director Janice Long and her talented staff. I’m an 80-year-old senior, and am glad my younger wife (not by much) and I live in Hudson and at the Esplanade.
letters to the editor
PHOTO/BEN DOMAINGUE
On behalf of the Esplanade Board of Trustees, Ernie Kapopoulos, BOT member
SHREWSBURY - Drone photography shows the old Beal School near downtown Shrewsbury. A historic school building, Beal has sat vacant in recent months as town officials negotiate its future with developers who want to build a mixed-use residential/commercial facility in the area.
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4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS
Westborough weighs digital billboard bylaw Billboards | from page 1
This draft bylaw would change that, adding a subsection to allow new digital billboards along interstate highways that pass through Westborough. “This is the one we spent the most time on because it was definitely the most complex and most unfamiliar ground for us,” Robbins said during a Feb. 1 Planning Board discussion of this and other articles set to go before Town Meeting this year. Current bylaw draft would allow up to 11 signs Off-premises billboards are signs that display content unrelated to the premises on which they are located. Robbins said the new bylaw proposal is “looking out for the interest of residents.” “We’re trying to protect the residential character of the town,” he said. “However, we recognize that technology is changing [and] that digital billboards are here to stay. So,
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we’re going to regulate their size, shape, intensity and overall location.” Under this draft, installation of a billboard would require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals and an off-premises billboard development agreement with the Select Board. Owners of current billboards that want to convert their property into a digital billboard will not be allowed to increase their sign’s size. To get a special permit, the requester will have to demonstrate that there aren’t residentially-zoned properties or other properties used for residential purposes within a 500-foot radius of their proposed sign location. There would be an exception for hotels or motels. The requester will also have to demonstrate that sign locations wouldn’t adversely interfere with adjacent properties. Adverse impacts could include signs casting a shadow or increasing noise in an area.
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Plannting Board members suggest changes Silverberg asked, during that Feb. 1 meeting, what would happen if that 1,000-
foot limit was increased to 1,500 feet. Robbins said the number of allowed billboards would be cut by a third if that change was made. Other Planning Board members voiced their support for such a limitation. “That maximum build out seems like too many signs to me,” Silverberg said. “I don’t want, in 20 years, to drive down 495 and see eight billboards.” He also noted that increasing the required distance be-
Planning Board | from page 2
“There was just some confusion over the regulations,” Cahill said. The waiver was a compromise between the developers, Shrewsbury’s town engineer and the town’s consulting en-
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tween the billboards would “somewhat limit the opportunities, but still give some flexibility for competition.” Lonardo said Westborough could work with GIS staff on setting a spacing requirement that hits a desired number of billboards. There wase a virtual public hearing on this and other proposed Town Meeting articles at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 8. This proposed bylaw will need Town Meeting approval to take effect.
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Billboards would not be able to advertise “sexually oriented, sexually provocative or adult-oriented businesses” and marijuana-related products under this bylaw. Billboards would, additionally, not be permitted within 1,000 feet of other billboards. These restrictions would allow for approximately 11 signs in Westborough, including existing signs, according to Chair Mark Silverberg. Community Development Director/Building Commissioner/Zoning Enforcement Officer Fred Lonardo noted, however, that the 11-billboard estimate didn’t take into account physical restraints that prevent the placement of signs in areas like wetlands. The actual number of allowed billboards may be lower as a result.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Board extends Westborough mask mandate through Feb. 8 By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter WESTBOROUGH – Westborough’s Board of Health voted last week to extend the town’s mask mandate through Feb. 8. Chair Nathan Walsh and member Melissa Mahr voted in favor of the extension while member Alan Ehrlich voted against it. The mandate went into effect back on Jan. 5 as the region grappled with surging COVID-19 case rates as the virus’ omicron variant spread. The mandate was originally set to lapse on Jan. 31. The Board of Health was then due to review it once again on Feb. 8 to determine whether an additional extension was necessary. That meeting was rescheduled to Feb. 9, which was after this edition of the Community Advocate went to press. ‘It’s heading in the right direction’ Westborough saw 391 COVID-19 cases confirmed through PCR testing in the week preceding Jan. 13, according to Board of Health data. There were nine additional cases confirmed through at-home testing that week. That marked a dramatic increase over just a matter of weeks after the town had reported 41 cases in the week preceding Dec. 17. Numbers have since improved, though, with the board reporting 165 positive PCR tests and nine positive at-home tests in the week before Jan. 27. Public Health Director Jennifer Sullivan said on Feb. 2 there had been 32 cases since Jan. 27. “It does seem like, in many areas, we’ve peaked and they’ve started to drop,” Walsh said of current COVID-19 case numbers. “We’re still much higher than we have been in the past, although it’s heading in the right direction.” Board of Health members weigh in on mandate Though they noted positive signs, Walsh and Mahr expressed an interest in having the mandate in place for a couple more weeks. Ehrlich said he preferred returning to a mask advisory, which was in place in December. He said current hospitalization rates are similar to those
seen in December. “My concern about the mandate is that there seems to be, in my estimation, a lack of consistent support for this — not just within the feedback that we’ve gotten through the various emails and whatnot,” Ehrlich said. He said it wasn’t clear that mandating masks “is the best
public health approach.” “The problem with mandates is, as we know, people need to have confidence in the decisions that the Board of Health makes,” Ehrlich said. “To the extent that we don’t have the support of the public in the decision and the direction that we’re going, I feel like it undermines our ability to handle
future problems.” An advisory, he said, would communicate what the board considers to be good practice. He said it would not have the “tension” of a mandate, however. While the board hadn’t surveyed Westborough businesses, Mahr contended that, in general, there was strong support
for the mandate. Other neighboring towns have similar mandates in place, she added. The Board of Health held its vote, approving the extension to the mandate by a 2-1 margin. Sullivan has asked that the board review its mask mandate on a weekly basis going forward.
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6 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS
Eighth graders use Lego bricks to solve real-world issues By Ben Domaingue Community Reporter
Challenge requires innovation Open to students between the ages of 9 and 14, one such challenge recently tasked the team with solving a problem within the field of animal transport. The boys chose to create a more comfortable carrying tote for injured dogs. “When they’re injured, they don’t have good, reliable transport,” team member Aryan Shroff told the Community Advocate.
PHOTOS/BEN DOMAINGUE
REGION - For at least one group of area students, Lego products are more than toys. Indeed, they’re a tool to help solve real world problems. The Beastly Building Boys are a lego building team made up of eighth graders from Westborough and Southborough. They have participated in competitions together since 2019, completing challenges through the FIRST Lego League.
Eshaan Shah, Aryan Shroff, Soham Patil, Sushant Santhosh, Sahil Thadani pose for a photo.
Throughout the project, the boys interviewed local dog walkers, pet owners and animal control workers to find the most effective way to transport an injured animal. They used these conversations to then physically create a proof-of-concept tote. “Before the tote, there was a large design process,” Aryan said. “We sketched it out on a whiteboard and then created a prototype of it out of cardboard.
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From that, we saw a lot of flaws, so we thought through all of the problems that a dog would have while being transported while injured.” Group tackles teamwork Solving a real-world issue is only one of the three core tenets of the FIRST Lego League’s challenges. FIRST, known as For Inspiration and Recognition of Science
Robot designed and built by the Beastly Building Boys.
and Technology, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring young people to pursue science and technology. It aims to further inspire young people to become innovators within their community. Beyond just creating their product with their dog tote challenge, the Beastly Building Boys also had to work well as a cohesive unit during the judging round. “It’s not really showing your effort or your output because it doesn’t really matter,” said group member Sohan Patil. “[It’s important] to show how well you work together as a team, that’s what most people forget to do.”
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Aryan noted that, though the team has had its challenges with teamwork, it has been more effective when working together. “I feel like, [with] just one of us by ourselves, you really can’t do much,” said Aryan. “For all of us combined, we can accomplish so much more.” Mentors offer support The group has had help from mentors. Their robotics mentor, BatChen Zeliger, played a key role in their success, according to parent mentor and coach Shloka Shroff. The group’s other parent mentor, Anand Thadani, was also instrumental. This teamwork and problem solving culminated into the robot challenge, the third piece of the larger recent FIRST League challenge. The boys needed to build a robot out of Lego bricks and program it to work autonomously on a specified course provided. “Once you have the whole robot built, you have the programming to do different missions around the map,” said Aryan. “One of them might be pushing a truck over a line, or flipping the engine.” The course pieces, made entirely of Lego bricks, were designed to be moved upon contact with the robot. The boys were allowed to use separate attachments, or “arms” on the robot, but they were unable to control it while it was in motion on the course. “You have to create a universal program on that, but we don’t control it,” said Sohan. Each team was allotted two and a half minutes to complete as many challenges as possible on the board. Though the boys did not win the statewide championship, they did receive accolades for the highest score among every team in the robotics section. Group members eye leadership roles As eighth graders, this year was thet last year this group’s members could officially compete in the challenge. In the future, members plan to take on mentorship roles for younger students and siblings who also want to participate. “A lot of them have siblings, a lot of them saw them through that process,” said Shroff. “So, now they’re excited for these guys to mentor their younger brothers.”
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 7
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8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS
Organization seeking help for Afghan refugee family coming to Northborough By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter NORTHBOROUGH - A team of community members are getting ready to welcome a family of Afghan refugees to Northborough. In the meantime, they’re asking for additional help.
Group seeks help finding housing Neighborhood Support Team (or NST) Northborough is looking for assistance in finding a house or apartment that could be rented at an affordable price. Options also include an empty finished basement, in-law apartment
Outreach from Trinity Church in Northborough prompted the formation of NST Northborough last year.
Northborough Brownie Troop runs girl scout cookie sale NORTHBOROUGH - Whether you’re craving Girl Scout cookies for the big game or a special Valentine, Northborough’s own Brownie Troop 64393 has you covered. The troop is offering Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Lemonups, S’mores, and Toffee-tastic, and is offering orders through Feb. 12. “Our Scouts will make a special Valentine for your special Valentine,” the troop wrote in
a press release. The troop will be at the Northborough Shopping Center on Sunday, Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The troop notes that it can make alternative arrangements if an order cannot be picked up during that time. The money raised during this sale is used to offset the troop’s cost of uniforms, badges and other activity expenses. Those interested can email their orders to Troop64393@ gmail.com.
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need of many evacuees resettling in New England. According to Welcome NST’s website, their model is built around what is called a Neighborhood Support Team, which is made up of volunteers that welcome a family like this into their community. Group forms following outreach from church After the fall of the Afghan capital, Kabul, people in the United States and around the world watched as people tried to flee Afghanistan. Locally, residents looked for ways to help, including the outreach team at Northborough’s Trinity Church. They know they couldn’t do it alone. So, the parishioners reached out to members of other churches and organizations in Northborough. The response, NST Northborough Co-Chair John Posluszny said, was overwhelming. They ultimately formed NST Northboro, which is made up of 25 people. “As people of faith, Chris-
tians, the Islamic faith — so many people that are in communities of faith, they want to put it into practice,” Posluszny said. “They want to help their fellow man. They want to do something to make a difference. It’s something that we want to do.” Having seen images from the evacuation and being aware of the suffering and trauma, Posluszny said it’s been easy to get Northborough residents involved in the cause. “That’s what I love about it,” said Co-Chair Mary Robbins. “It doesn’t take anything away from anybody else. It just adds.” Anyone with information regarding housing can reach NST Northborough at johnposluszny@gmail.com. People can also provide financial donations to cover food, rent and monthly expenses at https://bit.ly/Northboro-NST. Checks can also be mailed to Trinity Church at 23 Main Street, Northborough MA 01532 with “Afghan Refugee support” noted.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 9
COMMUNITY NEWS
Northborough’s White Cliffs Committee to reconvene soon By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter
Town Meeting vote saved historic home from demolition Selectman Leslie Rutan prompted the conversation, asking for an update on White Cliffs during the meeting. “I don’t want there to be misinformation floating around out there about what’s happening and what’s going on in the building and [if] it’s secure,” Rutan said. White Cliffs was built in 1886 as a summer home for Daniel Wesson and his wife, Cynthia, who owned the home until 1906. The structure had several owners over the ensuing years until it was purchased by the LaCava family in 1985. In the past, White Cliffs had been a popular location for weddings and events like the Northborough Winter Ball. In 2014, though, the LaCavas announced that they wanted to sell the property. They then applied for a demolition permit after spending 10 months searching for a buyer. The town purchased White Cliffs in 2016 after Town Meeting approved spending $2.4 million in Community Preservation Act funds. That saved the building from demolition. Town conducts restoration work at White Cliffs Crews have since done restoration work at White Cliffs, focusing on areas damaged by fire. They’ve additionally made repairs to the home’s roof, skylight, and parts of its chimneys. Crews have also restored the east dormer, which is a roof structure. DBVW Architects, which had been contracted as a consultant for these discussions,
PHOTOS/LAURA HAYES
NORTHBOROUGH - Northborough is getting ready to reconvene its White Cliffs Committee. That’s according to Town Administrator John Coderre, who discussed the topic during a recent Board of Selectmen meeting on Jan. 24. He said the committee would be helping the town “decide on” a potential consultant to help the town potentially develop a request for proposals from private sector partners interested in the historic White Cliffs property.
Statues line the driveway to the White Cliffs mansion in Northborough.
Snow covers the grounds of the White Cliffs mansion in Northborough.
presented to the White Cliffs Committee on status of the property back in 2020. One of the options explored was called “preservation lite,” which would remove either some or all of the building’s later additions; restore the exterior as needed; install new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems; and make code upgrades.
Coderre said on Jan. 24 that the town has been doing work behind the scenes, including “buttoning up” the envelope and sealing the building to keep water out. “We knew when we bought the building it was going to be a long haul,” Coderre said. “If it was an easy solution, the previous owner would have found somebody who wanted to buy it and not tear it down.”
White Cliffs Committee member Norm Corbin, Coderre said, has been working to gather information on potential consultants to market the property. Coderre has had conversations with consultants over the past several weeks. In the meantime, the town’s facility manager walks the building on a weekly basis. Police drive through on every
shift. “We’re keeping tabs on the building,” Coderre said. In an email to the Community Advocate this week, Coderre said the next step in this process will be to schedule a meeting with the White Cliffs Committee to discuss how best to proceed. He said he anticipated such a meeting would be scheduled within the next couple of weeks.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Epidemiologist plans to help area communities make sense of changing COVID-19 guidelines By Ben Domaingue Community Reporter REGION - Southborough officially introduced epidemiologist Isabella Caruso at a Board of Health meeting last month , welcoming Caruso and spotlighting upcoming outreach efforts to help explain changes in COVID-19 guidelines. Caruso, who recently began work with the Greater Borough Partnership of Health, has a master’s degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She is currently studying to complete her doctorate from UMass Amherst’s School of Public Health and Health Sciences. In her work with the Partnership of Health, Caruso is supporting four area communities, including Northborough, Southborough, Westborough and Boylston. Epidemiologist to conduct outreach Speaking on Jan. 18, Caruso made note of new public health
guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Dec. 28, which shortened the recommended isolation period for those infected with COVID-19 from 10 days to five days. “[We’re] trying to make sense of the new guidance, which has been really confusing for residents,” said Caruso. “Making flyers [and] FAQ—that will be helpful. That’s coming this week or next [week].” Caruso outlined other planned projects, including the creation of a dashboard to track COVID-19 data in Northborough, Southborough, Westborough and Boylston. “We’ll be able to see percent positivity and different case counts, so, I think that will be very useful for the residents,” she said. The new isolation guidelines do not apply to child care programs at this time, which defer to local boards of health to adjust individual isolation and quarantine policies. The Massachusetts Depart-
ment of Early Education and Care recently released child-care specific COVID-19 information, which recommends strategies such as creating programs that create distinct cohorts of children. The department similarly recommends efforts to promote physical distancing and frequent hand hygiene. Caruso said she plans to contact area daycare centers to help staff in those facilities sort through questions they may have. “Their guidance is a little confusing, and they’re working with unvaccinated kids,” she noted.
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Water flows into Lake Quinsigamond behind the Lake Avenue Pumping Station in Worcester as crews respond to a failure at the site on Feb. 6.
PHOTOS/DAKOTA ANTELMAN
By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor REGION - Officials told community members to steer clear of part of Lake Quinsigamond on Feb. 6 after a pump failure released untreated wastewater into the lake. The city of Worcester issued this warning as a health Crews were on scene on Lake Avenue in Worcester after a pump station failure led advisory shortly be- to the release of wastewater into Lake fore 1 p.m. that day. Quinsigamond on Feb. 6. The city explained that pumps at a pumping station on Lake Avenue failed after flooding disrupted their cooling systems. “This has caused the station to release untreated wastewater into Lake Quinsigamond,” the city said. Crews were on scene as of 2:45 p.m. “Individuals should not use the lake for recreational activities such as ice fishing in the vicinity of the pumping station at 83 Lake Ave. and to the south of it until further notice,” the city said. This pumping station sits on the Worcester side of Lake Quinsigamond to the south of the Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge. It is directly across the lake from the White City Shopping Center in Shrewsbury.
COMMUNITY SPORTS
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 11
Shrewsbury boys hockey nabs late-season win over Wachusett Hockey | from page 1
out hungry.” Virtue specifically praised his goaltender James Millette, who stopped 21 of the 22 shots that Wachusett skaters sent his way. “It was a good game,” Virtue said. “Their goalie played well, our goalie played great for us.” “It was more like a 3-3 game if our goalie didn’t play as well as he did,” Virtue continued. Things heated up late in this contest, with officials at one point sending a pair of Shrewsbury and Wachusett skaters to the penalty box for matching roughing penalties after a scuffle near center-ice. After the game, Virtue noted a need for composure in situations like those. “It’s something we talk
Southborough reduces available tobacco licenses for businesses By Ben Domaingue Community Reporter SOUTHBOROUGH - The Southborough Board of Health voted last month to reduce the number of available tobacco licenses in town from eight to six. Currently, there are nine active licenses within the town. This change does not impact those current licensures, which are grandfathered into the change. Rather, if a business leaves or does not renew its license, it will no longer be able to reapply for it at a later date so long as all other licenses are distributed. “I would rather have no tobacco, so I’m fine with the six,” said Board of Health chair Chelsea Malinowski. Safdar Medina strongly supported the reduction in the number of licenses within the town, believing it will not impact business prospects. “I think the less tobacco we have in our town, the better,” said Medina. “I don’t think that would preclude any businesses from coming into Southborough.”
about on a daily basis about making sure we’re playing hard but smart, keeping our sticks on the ice and stuff like that,” he said. “That’s how it is.” With this win over Wachusett in the rear-view mirror, Shrewsbury is now in the midst
of a final push through its regular season schedule. The MIAA decides playoff seeding using a power ranking system. Teams can qualify for the postseason by either winning 50% or more of their games or earning a ranking among the top 32 teams in
their division. Shrewsbury sat just outside of the playoff picture when the state’s last round of rankings circulated last week. This victory over Wachusett was a step forward, though, giving Virtue reason for optimism.
“We’re right there,” he said. “Hopefully we can get a few more wins and get there.” Shrewsbury was due to play Westford Academy on Wednesday. It was additionally scheduled to face off against Mansfield on Saturday, Feb. 12, as of press time.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 13
COMMUNITY SPORTS GIRLS’ HOCKEY – FEB. 5 Algonquin – 5, Longmeadow – 1
HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD
GRAFTON
ALGONQUIN
GIRLS’ HOCKEY – FEB. 2 Algonquin – 10, Leominster – 2 Lauren O’Malley snagged a hat trick on a double-digit scoring day for her team’s offense. This dominant victory marked a rebound for Algonquin after it suffered its first loss of the season on Jan. 22. The team sat with a winloss record of 11-1-2 prior to a scheduled game against
PHOTO/DAKOTA ANTELMAN
BOYS’ HOCKEY – JAN. 31 Algonquin – 1, Westborough – 2, GIRLS’ BASKETBALL – JAN. 31 Algonquin – 47, Shrewsbury – 50, BOYS’ HOCKEY – FEB. 2 Algonquin – 2, Marlborough – 3 Algonquin brought its contest with Marlborough to overtime. The Panthers ultimately took the win though, handing Algonquin its second consecutive loss after a defeat at the hands of Westborough on Jan. 31.
The Shrewsbury High School girls hockey team shut out Lincoln Sudbury to cap off their week last week.
Shrewsbury on Feb. 7 WRESTLING – FEB. 2 Algonquin – 28, Monty Tech/ Fitchburg – 48 BOYS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 3 Algonquin – 46, Fitchburg – 48 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 3 Algonquin – 55, Fitchburg – 39 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 5 Algonquin – 48, Nashoba – 43 The Algonquin girls basketball team beat Fitchburg on the
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big stage last week, claiming a victory in their segment of the Andrew James Lawson Invitational, which was played at the TD Garden in Boston. BOYS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 5 Algonquin – 38, Nashoba – 52 GIRLS’ GYMNASTICS – FEB. 5 Algonquin – 133.350, Shrewsbury – 127 BOYS’ HOCKEY – FEB. 5 Algonquin – 3, Auburn – 2
BOYS’ BASKETBALL – JAN. 31 Grafton – 48, Millbury – 50 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 2 Grafton – 15, Worcester South – 66 BOYS’ HOCKEY – FEB. 2 Grafton – 2, Hopedale – 4 BOYS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 3 Grafton – 48, Northbridge – 57 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 5 Grafton – 32, Northbridge – 40 BOYS’ HOCKEY – FEB. 5 Grafton – 13, St. Paul – 2 The co-op Grafton/Blackstone Valley Technical High School boys hockey team ran up the score against St. Paul on senior night last week. This snapped a four-game losing streak that had stretched back to Jan. 19.
SHREWSBURY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL – JAN. 31 Shrewsbury – 50, Algonquin – 47 BOYS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 1 Shrewsbury – 42, Leominster – 51 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 1
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14 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
COMMUNITY SPORTS
Algonquin boys hockey beats Auburn in OT thriller By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH/SOUTHBOROUGH - Nick D’Angelo’s sudden-death overtime goal powered the Algonquin boys hockey team past Auburn on Feb. 5. After watching Rockets claw their way back into the game with a two-goal third period, the Algonquin squad and its fans were grateful to be on the right side of this 3-2 final score. “We faced a little bit of adversity, but I love those boys and we all battled back,” D’Angelo told reporters after the win.
Above: Algonquin’s Jack Gulachenski defends against an Auburn opponent.
Left: Algonquin boys hockey players celebrate with their fans after an overtime game winning goal against Auburn.
Auburn counters fast Algonquin start Things started strong for Algonquin, with Ben Cotter scoring to put the team up 1-0 in the first period. Tommy Hauck then doubled the lead in the second period. PHOTOS/DAKOTA ANTELMAN
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Down 2-0, Auburn rumbled in the third period, cutting into their deficit in just a matter of minutes on a goal by Shawn Bradway. Auburn ended up in a 5 on 3 shorthanded situation after being whistled for a pair of penalties in quick succession following their team’s goal. They kept the pressure on, though, tying the game when Bradway darted out of the penalty box to beat the Algonquin defense and score again, this time on a breakaway. “We know they’re a team
Algonquin’s Ryan Jennings falls to the ice while reaching for a puck during his team’s game against Auburn.
Algonquin | 15
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 15
COMMUNITY SPORTS
Algonquin boys hockey beats Auburn in OT thriller Algonquin | from page 14
that is going to come hard,” Algonquin coach Greg Cappello said of Auburn’s ability to bounce back. “They’re a great team with good senior leadership.” Algonquin nabs overtime win Algonquin and Auburn went to overtime with the score knotted 2-2. Algonquin carried a penalty of their own into the fiveminute overtime session but successfully killed that off. They then went on the attack. Ryan Ogar set up the eventual game winner with less than a minute left on the clock, launching a hard shot on goal. The rebound bounced onto the stick of D’Angelo, who buried the puck in the net. “The puck was just sitting for me in the crease,” D’Angelo said.
HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD Scoreboard | from page 13
BOYS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 1 St. John’s – 44, St. John’s Prep – 55 BOYS’ HOCKEY – FEB. 2 St. John’s – 0, St. John’s Prep – 1 BOYS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 3 St. John’s – 37, Wachusett – 36 BOYS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 5 St. John’s – 59, Xaverian – 65 BOYS’ HOCKEY – FEB. 5 St. John’s – 0, Xaverian – 7
Win marks milestone for Algonquin This victory secured a state tournament playoff spot for Algonquin. It also came on senior night, punctuating an evening that began with honors for this squad’s ten players in the Class of 2022. “We needed this one today, especially on senior night,” D’Angelo said. “It’s special for all of us.” A win on Feb. 5 was additionally monumental for Algonquin as it concluded a week that otherwise saw the team lose difficult games to Marlborough and Westborough. “It’s a relief to pull it out,” Cappello said. “It’s been a challenging week for us, a big week for us. And we really needed to win that game.” Algonquin was due to conclude regular season on Wednesday with a game against Groton Dunstable. From there, it will now move into its playoff schedule.
Westborough welcomes new softball coach By Ben Domaingue Community Reporter WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough Rangers varsity softball team will welcome new head coach Casey Sheehan for this year’s spring season. Athletic Director Johanna DiCarlo announced this news through Twitter on Jan. 27, celebrating Sheehan’s new role. “Westborough High School is thrilled to announce the hiring of Casey Sheehan as Varsity Softball Head Coach,” DiCarlo wrote. Sheehan has always had a passion for athletics, enjoying an early introduction to sports. “Growing up, I was throwing a ball around as soon as I could walk,” she told the Community Advocate last week. Her start in softball was somewhat delayed, however, as she first began learning the sport while playing baseball when she was 13 years old. Sheehan went on to play volleyball, basketball and soft-
Casey Sheehan is the new coach of the Westborough High School varsity softball team.
ball at Medway High School. After graduating, she began her studies in psychology and neuroscience at Emmanuel College, where she played both varsity volleyball and softball until her graduation in 2019. In 2021, Sheehan graduated with her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Suffolk University. She served there as a graduate assistant coach for the women’s volleyball team. Sheehan has also coached
volleyball at Saint Joseph Prep. “I got to the campus and I had a good feeling; I was so welcomed,” she said of her introduction to Westborough. Sheehan is looking forward to her first season with the Rangers in the spring. The local sports community, meanwhile, is happy to have her. “The Westborough Athletics community welcomes Coach Sheehan to the Ranger Family,” DiCarlo wrote.
WESTBOROUGH BOYS’ HOCKEY – JAN. 31 Westborough – 2, Algonquin – 1 Westborough beat rival Algonquin last week to claim the sixth annual Matt Bruce Cup title. The Rangers saw their win-loss record for this winter season improve to 6-5-1 with the win. BOYS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 1 Westborough – 46, Marlborough – 49 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL – FEB. 1 Westborough – 62, Marlborough – 34 BOYS’ HOCKEY – FEB. 5 Westborough – 1, Hopedale – 5
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COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Petition asks to replace Columbus Day on Shrewsbury school calendar By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter SHREWSBURY - Over 100 community members have signed a petition, asking the Shrewsbury School Committee to omit Columbus Day from the school calendar and add Indigenous Peoples’ Day in its place. The petition was received in October and discussed last week as part of the School Committee’s deliberations about the school calendar for next school year. The draft calendar currently lists Oct. 10 as Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples’ Day. That, petitioners say, is an “oxymoron.” Indigenous Peoples’ Day conversation continues Shrewsbury has discussed potentially changing the name of Columbus Day on its school calendar for at least three consecutive years now. Last year, community member Sanam Zaer asked that the district make the change, noting similar actions in other schools and saying that such a move would “signal a commitment” to teach history in a more inclusive and accurate way. Superintendent Joseph Sawyer recommended the combined Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day naming at the time. Controversy lingers, though Indigenous Peoples’ Day, this year’s petition notes, is about “celebrating people.” It would replace a holiday in Columbus Day that thinks about someone
who caused or tried to cause “the genocide of an entire population,” petitioners said. “By bringing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’re bringing awareness that we’re not going to allow someone like Columbus to be glorified into a hero because of the hurt that he caused to Indigenous people of America,” the petition said. Sawyer said during the School Committee’s Feb. 2 meeting that there are questions to consider. The name “Columbus Day” marks the official state holiday that requires schools to close on the second Monday in October. Additionally, he asked whether listing the official name of a state holiday on the calendar affected how the schools taught history. “There are different issues that swirl around this piece, but were raised by a number of constituents,” Sawyer said. “It’s important to recognize that they have these concerns.” School Committee member Lynsey Heffernan said she appreciated Sawyer’s “thoughtfulness” around the naming of the holiday. “I look forward to hearing if there are comments from the public at large for us to consider over the next couple weeks,” she said.
The draft calendar additionally pushes the start of the December vacation to Dec. 23. This year’s holiday break technically started on Dec. 24. But, Sawyer said, there was a “very significant percentage” of students absent.
Draft calendar changes December break schedule The draft calendar was presented to the School Committee during their Feb. 2 meeting. The first day of school would be Aug. 30, and the last day, if there aren’t any snow days, would be June 15.
SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury Public Schools is searching for a new principal of Oak Middle School. This process comes after Superintendent Joseph Sawyer announced last week that the school’s current principal, Ann Jones, plans to retire at the end of this current school year.
“Our principals recommend that we not have school on Dec. 23 this coming year given where it falls again in order to not have a day where we have that kind of challenging attendance,” Sawyer said. Other communities have also
scheduled their calendars with no school on Dec. 23, which Sawyer said would pose a childcare challenge for staff members with children in those districts. The committee may vote on the calendar during their Feb. 16 meeting, which is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Shrewsbury’s Oak Middle School principal to retire, prompting search
Ann Jones By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter
Principal’s career spans decades Jones joined the Shrewsbury Public Schools as a sixth grade social studies teacher in 1995 before she was tapped to become the middle school social studies curriculum coordinator in 2004, according to a biography of her published by Patch in 2012. Jones became the assistant principal of Sherwood Middle School in 2006. Five years after that, in 2011, she was made the interim principal of Oak — a move that was made permanent the following year. Jones has led the Shrewsbury Schools’ summer enrichment program and spearheaded an anti-bullying initiative at Sherwood. Three finalists named Jones announced her intention to retire to school colleagues a couple of months ago. That kicked off a process to
select her replacement. “We have had a successful process so far,” Sawyer said. “Although, as anyone who’s in any sector trying to do hiring right now [knows], it is a challenging environment to be hiring.” While the pool of candidates wasn’t as large as it would be in typical times, Sawyer said there are three finalists for the position. The finalists include Liz Garden, who is the principal of Mayo Elementary School in Holden; Assistant Principal Hallie Burak of O’Donnell Middle School in Stoughton and Elizabeth York, who is the principal of David Prouty High School in Spencer. Garden visited Oak on Feb. 2. The others planned to visit in the coming days. There was a public forum featuring each of these finalists on Feb. 8 at Oak Middle School at 6 p.m. Each of the finalists will make a presentation and answer questions.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 17
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Northborough elementary schools re-launch after-school programs By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter NORTHBOROUGH - From learning how to sew to exploring the world of cinema, a number of after school programs are heading back to Northborough schools in March. Peaslee Elementary School Principal Mary Coakley announced these programs during a Northborough School Committee meeting last month. “We’re really excited about the variety of these opportunities [that] students will be able to participate in over the course of the next several months,” Coakley said on Jan. 5. Recreation Director Allie Lane later told the Community Advocate that the town previously ran after school programs about six years ago. The town had to stop running
the programs because a staff member needed to go to each school to meet the students, though. That meant the recreation office would have to close at about 2:20 p.m. in order to let staff get to Northborough’s four elementary schools, Lane said. Now reviving these programs, the recreation department has worked with the school district to hire a school staff member. To Lane, who has two kids, there’s a benefit to offering these programs in the schools themselves. That saves parents the worry of picking their kids up, feeding them a snack and taking them to the program in another location like the recreation department. “This way, we’re able to offer a service where the kids can just stay after school and the parents just pick up at the end,” Lane said. The town will offer four programs in the elementary schools.
These include CinemaKidz, Chess Wizards, Sew Studio and STEAM Engine. CinemaKidz has already emerged as one of the most popular programs, Lane said. As part of it, students will learn how to use cameras, audio equipment and editing software to work together and create original projects. The students will be able to make costumes and experiment with green screens. The program has already filled up at Lincoln Street School, though there are still openings at Proctor, Zeh and Peaslee. “It’s just different,” Lane said. “And I think the kids think it’s neat that they get to do their own filmmaking.” Registration is currently open and can be found online at https:// northboroughma.myrec.com/info/ default.aspx.
Applications open for Westborough Garden Club scholarship WESTBOROUGH - Applications are open for a $1000 scholarship from the Westborough Garden Club. Applicants must be a graduating senior and a Westborough resident who is interested in pursuing a college major in horticulture, landscape architecture, botany, environmental science or a related field at a two or four year college. Applicants should write a brief letter to the Garden Club describing why they should be awarded a scholarship. Applicants should include evidence of past and continuing accomplishments and interests such as club memberships, community service, participation in special projects and activities, and their career goals. They should also note the area of study they wish to pursue and their reasons for this. Information can be mailed to the Westborough Garden Club Scholarship Committee at P.O. Box 74, Westborough, Mass. 01581. Applications can also be emailed to westboroughgardenclub@gmail.com All documents should include the applicant’s name, address, email address, telephone number and high school. The deadline for all applications to be received is April 25, 2022.
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18 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS
State Rep. Carolyn Dykema leaves legislature By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor WESTBOROUGH/SOUTHBOROUGH - State Rep. Carolyn Dykema, whose district includes parts of Westborough and all of Southborough, announced last month that she would resign her position effective Feb. 11. Dykema, who has spent 13 years in the state House of Representatives, is taking a job at Boston-based clean energy company Nexamp, according to State House News. “While this is an exciting opportunity and a promising new chapter, it is bittersweet leaving a role I’ve loved and the wonderful people I’ve been so grateful to serve,” Dykema wrote in a statement shared on social media.
Carolyn Dykema (right) speaks back in 2017 to local experts about legislation to control the use of pesticides that harm bees and other pollinator species.
PHOTO/DOUG PIZZI
Career spans decades A Holliston resident, Dykema got her start in politics over 20 years ago as a member of the Holliston Wastewater Committee between 2000 and 2003. She served on her town’s planning board before then winning her way into the leg-
islature in 2008. D y k e m a thanked her 8th Middlesex District constituents in her statement. “I’ve been incredibly proud to be your State Representative,” she said. “Your welfare and wellbeing have always been at the center of my work. You trusted me to represent you, and I hope I earned that trust every day.” Dykema will be serving as Nexamp’s Northeast Policy Director in her new position. Meanwhile, her district will temporarily be without House representation as voters wait
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News follows other announcements This marks the latest in a series of major shakeups in the local state legislative delegation. Sen. Harriette Chandler announced on Jan. 26 that she will be retiring once her current term ends next year. Chandler, who entered the legislature in 2001, served as senate president between 2017 and 2018. Her district has long included part of Northborough.
Redistricting following the 2020 census will reshape Chandler’s district ahead of the election to replace her this fall. It will also take Westborough and Southborough out of Dykema’s 8th Middlesex District to create the new 19th Worcester District. Voters in Southborough and Westborough, therefore, may vote to select Dykema’s successor if Mariano indeed calls a special election this year. If he opts to wait, though, redistricting will take effect, and local voters will simply be asked to weigh in as members of the 19th Worcester District. Local community activist Kate Donaghue has already announced her candidacy for that open seat.
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to choose her successor. House Speaker Ronald Mariano has the option to call a special election to fill open seats before this year’s planned November election. But he would not say whether he would take that step in comments made last month.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 19
COMMUNITY NEWS
Westborough fire chief pitches plan to hire four new firefighters By Dan Miller Contributing Writer
Westborough firefighters recently provided mutual aid at a major fire in Boylston.
WESTBOROUGH – The Westborough Fire Department says it is in a race to keep up with rapidly rising emergency response calls. And the department is losing. To combat the increased workload, the department wants to apply for a federal grant that would pay the first three years of the cost of adding four new firefighter/ paramedics. Following a presentation by Chief Patrick Purcell, the Westborough Select Board voted 5-0 on Jan. 11 to write a letter of support in favor of the department’s grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Purcell said. He predicted calls will exceed 5,000 a year once people start returning to these spaces as the pandemic eases. He also cited the impact of new residential developments like the Del Webb Chauncy Lake project, which will eventually total 700 units.
PHOTO/WESTBOROUGH FIRE DEPARTMENT
Residents to get final say on grant The final decision whether to go forward with the grant will be made by residents during Westborough’s fall town meeting. Purcell said the grant proposal will not be ready in time for the upcoming spring town meeting. The department previously used the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
grant to add eight firefighters back in 2018. Call volumes increase Emergency response calls have steadily risen year over year since 2010, when the department responded to about 2,600 calls. It responded to 4,693 calls in 2021, according to Purcell. Calls have kept increasing during the pandemic even as office parks throughout Westborough have been all but empty,
Select Board responds to presentation The new SAFER grant would have FEMA paying 100 percent of salaries and benefits for four new firefighters in each of the first three years. That sweetened the deal for Select Board member Ian Johnson, who said that paying just part of the cost for new firefighters would be a hard sell this year, with Westborough taxpayers facing an unusually large tax increase in the 2023 fiscal year.
No one disputed the need for more firefighters. But taxpayers need to know what they are getting into if they support the grant application this fall, said member Patrick Welch. “We’re not going to get rid of these positions after year three, four, five, 10, right? These will be ongoing on the books probably forever, and this is where our taxes go up,” Welch said. Not going after the grant won’t make the challenge go away, countered Purcell. “It’s public safety and I have a service to provide,” Purcell said, adding he must also take care of his staff to avoid burnout After the first three years of the grant, Purcell estimated the four new firefighters will add about $50 a year to the tax bill of the average Westborough resident, based on the town’s experience with its first SAFER grant.
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20 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS
Westborough Lions plan 2nd annual Rubber Duck Derby By Ben Domaingue Community Reporter WESTBOROUGH - A parade of rubber ducks will return to the Mill Pond Spillway in Westborough this spring as the Westborough Lions Club hosts its second annual Rubber Duck Derby. Set for April 9, the event will
fundraise for a scholarship for a Westborough student. “The scholarship really is to credit a student that was very active in the community service arena, as well as someone who overcame adversity,” Lions Club Publicity and Communications Officer Susan Ash said in an interview with the Community Advocate last
week. The scholarship is open to high school-age students who live in Westborough. The event was held virtually last year due to the pandemic. This year, the Lions Club hopes to host spectators, with a virtual option for those who cannot attend in-person. “It gives people the option
who can’t go to watch it,” Ash said of that virtual choice, which will involve a broadcast on Facebook Live and a rebroadcast on Westborough TV and YouTube. Attendees can adopt standard yellow ducks, or opt for a specialty duck, which is a new offering from the Lions Club. “We’re offering the abil-
ity to adopt a specialty duck, like a nurse or doctor duck, or basketball or football duck,” Ash said. The event is held in early spring due to the difficulty in securing a running body of water in Westborough. “There is little to no water if you do it in May or beyond,” Lions | 25
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 21
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22 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
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Legal TOWN OF HUDSON PLANNING BOARD 78 Main Street Hudson, Massachusetts 01749 TEL (978) 562-2989 FAX (978) 568-9641
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING HUDSON PLANNING BOARD Notice is hereby given of a Public Hearing to be held by the Hudson Planning Board on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. Pursuant to the Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, this meeting of the Hudson Planning Board will be conducted via remote participation. At this time, the Hudson Planning Board will consider the application of Dinis Silva for Site Plan Approval for the demolition of an existing shed and carport and the construction of four (4) commercial contractor bays, a commercial septic and stormwater management system, and the relocation of the existing residential parking spaces, with the pre-existing, non-conforming two-family residential structure to remain. The location and use of the existing residential structure will not change, only the existing parking is proposed to be relocated. The subject property is located at 114 Forest Avenue within the M-5 Industrial Zoning District, Assessors’ Map 42, Parcel 11. All petition materials are available for review in the Town Clerk’s Office during regular business hours, on the Town of Hudson website at https://www.townofhudson.org/planning-board, and can be requested by calling (978) 562-2989 or by sending an email to kjohnson@townofhudson.org. Hudson Planning Board Robert D’Amelio, Chairman
UMass Memorial Medical Center has information regarding James Blaisdell, date of birth 8/21/51 and is seeking to locate family members of this person. If you are a family member of James Blaisdell, please contact Sarah Croft at 774-737-3101 before 2/25/22.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 23
COMMUNITY BUSINESS
Podiatry office keeps patients on solid footing By Jeff Theodore Contributing Writer REGION - Did you know that by the time you reach 50 years old, you will have used your feet to walk more than 75,000 miles? That results in plenty of wear and tear on the feet that podiatrists Anthony Tickner and Steven Quan examine. Through their robust practice at Associated Foot Specialists offices in Holden and Hudson, Tickner and Quan treat hundreds of patients who arrive seeking relief from issues ranging from hammertoe and bunions to more extreme situations requiring advanced wound care and reconstructive surgery. “We see an array of people,” Tickner said in a recent interview. “Our philosophy is to always be empathetic, caring and kind, and to listen to the
Anthony Tickner is a podiatrist and founder of Associated Foot Specialists.
Steven Quan is a board-certified wound specialist physician serving patients at Associated Foot Specialist in Hudson.
person in front of us to get a sense of why they’re coming to the office. “It’s important to really listen,” he said.
as medical director at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Worcester, opened the Associated Foot Specialists practice in Hudson back in 2007. After a doctor in Holden had retired, Tickner took over his business and decided to convert it into Associated Foot Specialists’ main
Podiatrists take unique paths to position Tickner, who also serves
Main Street Bank launches video banking technology REGION - Main Street Bank recently announced its newest video banking service – Main Street Video Connect. This service, available on the bank’s website and on mobile devices, allows users to meet face-toface with a banker, separated only by their screens. Customers can use Video Connect for a large variety of banking tasks, such as opening accounts, checking balances, initiating wires, asking questions, and much more. Main Street Bank is among the first financial institutions in the local market area to offer live video banking to the public. It noted in a recent press release that the decision to offer this technology is fueled by a high demand for digital
convenience paired with the value of personal and secure interaction. “The platform allows customers to have a secure, face-to-face interaction with their banker, without the constraints of a physical location,” said Video Connect virtual branch manager Maria L. Nephew. “It is a banking channel whose time has come!” Main Street Bank is confident that this tool will cater to all kinds of consumers to best suit their banking styles. To use Main Street Bank’s Video Connect video banking service, visit BankMainStreet.com. See expanded coverage of this new program online at CommunityAdvocate.com…
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nosed with flat feet as a child and became fascinated by the work of his podiatrist. “That inspired me to enter the field,” he said. Quan has been board certified as a wound specialist physician by the American Board of Wound Management. Practices innovate in podiatry care Tickner said his practice has been incorporating new advancements such as skin grafting, digital x-rays and a procedure called lapiplasty, which treats the root cause of bunion deformity. Meanwhile, Quan says most of the patients he’s seen have had diabetic issues. He advises them not to seek medical advice online because it will only scare them. “I tell people to always inPodiatry | 25
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office. Quan, hired as an associate doctor for the practice six months ago, now serves as primary podiatrist in the Hudson office. Tickner and Quan both received their doctoral degrees from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine but found themselves pursuing careers in the field via different paths. Tickner was a chemist before entering the medical field. He then intended to go into sports medicine. “However, the people I shadowed in podiatry were some of the nicest people in the world, so that’s how I ended up where I am,” Tickner said. He completed advanced wound healing training at the prestigious Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. As for Quan, he was diag-
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24 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
COMMUNITY BUSINESS
Coffee shop aims to serve coffee with an international flair By Jeff Theodore Contributing Writer NORTHBOROUGH - Coffee is king back in Alexis and Osiris Vallejos’ native Nicaragua. Locally, Alexis and Osiris are working to continue that tradition on a daily basis with their shop, Brilla Coffee. “In our culture, coffee is everything,” Alexis said in a recent interview. “We start the day with it, enjoy lunch with it and sit down with family and friends throughout the day to drink it.” Coffee shop values supports farmers Alexis and his wife conceived the idea of Brilla Coffee at their kitchen table in 2019. They initially roasted and distributed their coffee to local coffee shops, stores and online customers. In 2021, though, they opened two brick-and-mortar locations in Holden and Northborough. The couple hails from Matagalpa, a mountainous area in northern Nicaragua with a warm, year-round, spring-like
Alexis and Osiris Vallejos conceived of the idea for Brilla coffee in 2019.
climate that is idyllic for coffee bean production. Running their own shops, Alexis and Osiris now use direct-trade agreements to buy coffee beans from places like Matagalpa. “We’re actually shaking the hands of the farmers and helping them to make a profit,” Alexis said of the direct trade model. “When you think about it, the farmers are the ones who tend to make the least profit,” he said. “Everyone should know that behind every cup of coffee, a lot of hard work went into getting coffee beans hand-picked and imported.”
Coffee shop seeks to educate, give back Alexis, Osiris and their team of eight employees make sure that they educate people about the coffee they’re drinking. “ The way we compete against larger and more established coffee shops is to differentiate ourselves by providing an experience,” he said. “The customers can find out how the coffee beans are grown, learn cupping notes and see pictures of the farms where the beans came from.” As it seeks to educate, Brilla also looks to give back.
Since opening their first coffee shop in Holden, first responders have received 15 percent off their purchases. This month, Brilla Coffee also started offering 10 percent discounts to teachers and students. “We want to give back to the community here and in Nicaragua,” Alexis said. Taking that to heart, he said, the team has supported school fundraisers in Rutland and Northborough, donated coffee, and gift cards to various charities and events. They’ve donated musical instruments, chairs and desks for the church and kids classrooms, and are planning on the next steps for computers, and supplies to have the Nicaraguan children connect to the world. Just some of their contributions back in Nicaragua. “We’ve been fortunate to grow and giving back is important to us,” Alexis said. ‘We hope to expand this business for them, and for the world’ Alexis credits Columbia Tech,
a Westborough-based firm where he works as senior vicepresident of program management, for much of the business acumen he’s used to open these coffee shops. “What I’ve learned there over the last 18 years at Columbia Tech, I have applied to Brilla as well,” he said. “They’ve mentored me to be better with business.” One day, he hopes to pass along Brilla Coffee to his two young sons. “They know what we do and are so happy when we have fundraisers for their school,” Alexis said. “We hope to expand this business for them, and for the world.” Work continues, in the meantime, with a simple mission to provide a great coffee experience from Farm to Cup while supporting communities near and far. Learn more about Brilla Coffee by visiting their website at www.brillacoffee.com. Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022 • 25
COMMUNITY BUSINESS
Avidia teams up with Patrice Bergeron to support youth hockey HUDSON - Avidia Bank recently announced that it has partnered w i t h p ro f e s s i o n a l hockey player Patrice Bergeron for its Assists for Kids program to support youth hockey. As part of the program, Avidia will donate $25 for each assist made by Bergeron and his teammates throughout the season and playoffs, up to $30,000, to support local youth hockey. Additionally, through generous donations from Patrice’s pals, another $7,000 will be provided to support MetroWest Youth Hockey. Now in its third year, Assists for Kids was custom developed in collaboration with Boston sports station 98.5 The Sports Hub to help meet Avidia’s goal to give back to local youth. “Avidia Bank always seems to have its finger on the pulse of the community and offers so many great programs to help people,” said John Taylor, Director of Sports Sponsorships & Engagement at 98.5 The Sports Hub. “Assists seemed like the
Podiatry office keeps patients on solid footing Podiatry | from page 23
perfect choice for Avidia, since they’re always quietly assisting the community without having to be front and center.” In addition to Assists for Kids, Avidia has also partnered with The Sports Hub and professional football player, J.C. Jackson, for its “Be A Champion For A Child,” which supports the Boys & Girls Club of MetroWest by donating up to $30,000 to the club every football season to provide youth development, education, prevention, social, athletic and recreation programs to at-risk youth. “Avidia is proud to support local youth and to partner with The Sports Hub and Patrice who are so instrumental in giving back to help people. It’s a win for all of us to support healthy activities for youth, and at the same time, plant the seeds for financial literacy and brighter futures,” said Avidia President and CEO Mark O’Connell.
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spect their feet,” Quan says. “Put a mirror on the floor and hover your feet over it to see if there are wounds or lesions. And if you see a wound that is scaly, don’t peel it because that is a sitting duck for infection if it isn’t taken care of.” If he wasn’t a podiatrist, Tickner said he would be a professional dad to his two young sons, ages 8 and 11. Quan would have sought out a career as a medical researcher. “But researching would have been really boring compared to what I’m doing now,” Quan continued. “With podiatry, you’re able to solve problems, use your knowledge and feel very appreciated after solving the problem.”
Podiatrist proud of community reputation Tickner said he’s proud of the reliable reputation his business has built through the years. “We’re always available to help the community,” he said. “We don’t believe in wait times and try to get patients in as soon as they call.” Learn more about Associated Foot Specialists at masspodiatrists.com. Those interested can also call the Hudson office at (978) 562-2155 or the Holden office at (508) 829-6645. Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.
Westborough Lions plan 2nd annual Rubber Duck Derby Lions | from page 20
Ash said. Beyond the scholarship, which will total $1000, there funds raised from the duck derby will support prizes for first-, second- and third-place winners. Additional funds will be used to support the Lions Club and its partners.
Those interested in applying for the scholarship can find additional details online at e-clubhouse.org/sites/westborough/projects.php. Learn more about the duck derby and get information on how to adopt a duck by visiting westborolionsrubberduckderby. weebly.com.
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26 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
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me put off shoveling… and it’s still snowing making subsequent shoveling even harder. It’s the same thing as selling your home, I should just go out and clear it. Time to pull off the Band-Aid.) The biggest reason NOT to move is not knowing where you are going. If you don’t have optics on your next home, we can make your sale “subject to closing on suitable housing.” It gives you protection. Of course, I might suggest also considering a rental so you can explore an area. You have options and to explore them give us a call. You may have noticed
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COMMUNITY OBITUARIES The Community Advocate will post obituaries online (and in print, as space allows) at no charge as a courtesy to our readers. 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).
Popsuj, Ann of Westborough Smith, Antoinette of Westborough Springfield, Jeffery of Marlborough Strickland, Melanie of Marlborough Wilkinson, Joan of Hudson
H. Conrad Johnson, 89
DEATHS Afshari, Kamal formerly of Westborough Alexander, Margaret of Shrewsbury Brown Jr., Paul of Westborough D’Angelo Sr, Ralph of Marlborough, formerly of Northborough Donahue, Dorothea of Marlborough Estabrook, David of Marlborough Fasulo, Helen of Marlborough Ide, Sheila of Grafton Ivy, Shirley of Marlborough Johnson, H. Conrad formerly of Northborough LaDuke, Richard of Grafton/Sutton Licht, Janet of Marlborough Mancini, Mary of Hudson McGovern, Susan of Marlborough Pasqualetti, Donna of Westborough
Scan QR code to read all of this week’s obituaries on our website.
KENNEBUNK, MAINE - Kennebunk, ME resident H. Conrad ( John) Johnson, 89, died peacefully on Jan. 26, 2022 after a period of declining health. John was born on Feb. 28th, 1932, in Framingham, MA, the eldest child of the late Swedish immigrants Hilding and Tekla Johnson. John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Edna (Thompson) Johnson; four children, Linda C. Corbett and husband Patrick of Northborough, MA, Karen L. Johnson and partner Nancy Kelly of York, ME, Steven W. Johnson and partner Jacqui Coons of N. Hampton, NH, and James P. Johnson and wife Suzanne of Worcester, MA; and
three step-daughters Terry A. Lynch of Williamsburg, VA, Patti L. Duprey and husband Dennis of Kennebunk, ME, JoAnn T. Gordon and husband David Hersh of Kennebunk, ME. John also had 7 grandchildren that he adored: Jack, Kevin, Chelsea, Madison, Andrew, Jena, Christopher and greatgrandson Tucker, as well as several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his parents, as well as his brother Phillip and sister Judy. Bibber Memorial Chapel of Maine assisted with arrangements.
Kamal Afshari, 63 WESTBOROUGh – Kamal Afshari, age 63, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, January 31, 2022. He was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, the son of Ahmad and Maryam (Orabashiha) Afshari. He is survived by his three daughters, Rachel, Julia and
Morgan Afshari; his granddaughter, Lyla Grace Sexton; his siblings, Reza, Moji, and Saeideh Afshari. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his brother, Morteza Afshari. Miles Funeral Home of Holden assisted with arrangements.
Sheila M. Ide, 80 GRAFTON - Sheila M. (Kelley) Ide, 80, passed away peacefully at home January 27, 2022 following complications from cancer that she had struggled with for several years. Sheila was born November 1, 1941 in Worcester, daughter of the late Edith (Salem) and William Kelley. She leaves her adoring husband of 60 years, Reggie Ide, her sons Stephen Ide and his wife Melissa, Michael Ide and his wife Kassandra, Joe Ide and his wife Stacy, her grandchildren Matthew, Harrison, Kaylee, Nicholas, Alana and her sisters Sally Belisarian and Karen Bros-
nihan along with several nieces and nephews. Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton assisted with arrangements.
Richard U. LaDuke, 80 GRAFTON/SUTTON - Richard U. “Dick” LaDuke, 80, passed away January 29, 2022 at UMass M e m o rial Medical Center in Wo rc e s t e r following complications from cancer. Dick was born July 1, 1941, in Worcester, son of the late Ruth (Allen) and Urban “Bobo” LaDuke. He leaves his wife of 57 years, Evelyn M. (Dauphinais) LaDuke, his children Anne LaDuke and her wife Judy Schluer, Peter LaDuke and Kevin LaDuke and his wife Lori, his grandchildren Jonathan and Katherine LaDuke, sister Rosemary Perrin and several nieces and nephews. The Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton assisted with arrangements.
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. Scan QR code to read this week’s police and fire news on our website.
Northborough
Monday, Jan. 24 12:49 p.m. Stratton Way. Fraud. Tuesday, Jan. 25 6:36 a.m. Main St. Accident: P.I. 3:50 p.m. Corey Way. Fraud. Thursday, Jan. 27 4:24 p.m. Main St. Accident: P.I. 8:33 p.m. Whitney St. Accident: P.I.
Friday, Jan. 28 9:08 a.m. Indian Meadow Dr. Vandalism. Saturday, Jan. 29 6:27 p.m. Arrested, Stephen E. Rist, 59, of 49 Boylston Cir., Shrewsbury, for negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08% 2nd offense, marked lanes violation.
Grafton
Monday, Jan. 17 1:36 p.m. Worcester St. Fraud/ identity theft. Wednesday, Jan. 19 8:04 a.m. Worcester St. Larceny/ theft. 9:14 a.m. Providence Rd. Threatening. 1:27 p.m. Providence Rd. Fraud/ identity theft. Thursday, Jan. 20 8:20 p.m. Providence Rd. Accident – personal injury. Friday, Jan. 21 11:36 a.m. Worcester St. Accident – personal injury. 5:09 p.m. Providence Rd. Fraud/ identity theft.
Saturday, Jan. 22 2:43 a.m. Mass Pike E. Accident – personal injury. 9:30 a.m. Arrested, Dheny W. Siqueira, 36, of 61 Vernon St., Apt. 1F, Worcester, for vandalize property, disorderly conduct.
Southborough
Tuesday, Jan. 25 11:29 a.m. Arrested, Stephen A. Ceruti, of Turnpike Rd., Southville, on warrant. 3:33 p.m. Charles Ct. Scam/ fraud. 5:25 p.m. River St. Assist Transit Police. 7:32 p.m. Pine Hill/Parmenter Rds. Assist Marlboro PD. Thursday, Jan. 27 5:26 p.m. Edgewood Rd. Harassment complaint. Friday, Jan. 28 1:37 a.m. Arrested, Wilventz Georges, of Seaver St., Boston, for negligent operation of motor vehicle, speeding, number plate violation. Saturday, Jan. 29 3:16 p.m. Turnpike/Crystal Pond
Rds. Disabled MV. 5:46 p.m. Waterview Ter. Trespassing notice. 6:49 p.m. Jericho Hill/Fisher Rds. Disabled MV. 10:21 p.m. Harrington Ct./Southville Rd. Abandoned MV. Sunday, Jan. 30 4:09 p.m. Framingham Rd./ Cross St. Disabled MV. 7:42 p.m. Cordaville Rd. Abandoned MV.
Westborough
Tuesday, Jan. 25 9:24 a.m. Friberg Pkwy. Accident - personal injury. 5:14 p.m. Turnpike Rd, Burglary/ breaking & entering. Wednesday, Jan. 26 4:34 p.m. W Main St. Larceny. Thursday, Jan. 27 12:55 a.m. Fisher St. Burglary/ breaking & entering. 7:01 a.m. Fisher St. Burglary/ breaking & entering. 8:57 a.m. Arch St. Burglary/ breaking & entering. Friday, Jan. 28 8:03 p.m. Hyder St. B&E in MV.
Shrewsbury
Friday, Jan. 28 8:42 a.m. Stonybrook Lan. Identity theft. 10:28 a.m. Woodway Dr. Identity theft. 11:16 a.m. Maury Ln. Identity theft. Sunday, Jan. 30 3:21 p.m. Hill St. Assaults. Tuesday, Feb. 1 3:57 p.m. Arrested, Anthony D. Reyes, 30, of 4 Harvard Dr., Apt. 12, Worcester, for shoplifting by asportation, trespass, warrant. 9:20 p.m. South St. Larceny. Wednesday, Feb. 2 11:52 a.m. Deerfield Rd. Hit and run accident. 4:52 p.m. Arrested, Jonathan Charles Aubin, 52, of 542 Grafton St., Apt. 1, Worcester, for op MV with license suspended, no inspection sticker, warrant. 7:56 p.m. Route 140/I290. Road rage.
28 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, February 11, 2022
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