BORO Program whips up a successful year

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

WESTBOROUGH - It’s been a sweet year for the BORO Program’s Sugar Shack, and the prospects are even sweeter.

During the School Committee meeting on Jan. 18, Program Director Erin LaPrad presented the program’s report for 2022.

“It was another prolific year,” she said. “All signs are positive.”

The Bridging Over to Right Opportunities Program (BORO) provides vocational experience for students within Westborough Public Schools ages 18-22 with special abili- ties.

BORO helps students develop skills in communication, socializing, self-advocacy and more. It also provides individual instruction so that these students can better access college coursework; integrate into work or volunteer opportunities; and learn to navigate the daily challenges of adult life.

The program also runs the Sugar Shack, a vocational “learning lab” where students develop their entrepreneurial skills.

This year, BORO includes 10 students and eight fulltime staff members. According to LaPrad, the biggest high -

Jason Palitsch reflects on School Committee career

Palitsch | from page 10

In June, he will become the Shrewsbury Rotary Club copresident alongside Shrewsbury Housing Authority Chairman Kathy McSweeney.

Regardless of what he decides to do in the future,

Palitsch has a lot of pride in his hometown.

“I’ve always been proud to call Shrewsbury home, and I’m proud that so many other people continually want to make Shrewsbury their home,” he said.

Meet Starsky

light from 2022 was the Sugar Shack’s production of fresh fudge.

“It’s been a definite draw,” she said.

The Sugar Shack also offers gourmet candy and gift assortments.

Since 2019, sales have grown from $45,369 to $111,069. However, profits went down from $20,490 in 2021 to $6,491.

LaPrad said the dip in profits was because of higher vendor costs as well as an upgrade to its point-of-sale system.

For 2023, LaPrad said the

The BORO Sugar Shack, located on East Main Street, has reported having another good year.

BORO Program, visit bit.ly/ BOROProgram, or Sugar Shack visit www.borosugarshack. com.

Buildings and Grounds study lower level of the building will undergo renovations to provide more flexible programming space for students, as well as more storage and production space for the Sugar Shack.

The School Committee voted to award a bid for a longrange capital improvement plan to Russo Barr Associates.

“We’ve created a business experience,” she said.

She added that several school systems have contacted the BORO program to see how it works.

Later in the meeting, the School Committee accepted $100 for the program.

For information on the

The plan will be to study the buildings and grounds of Westborough Public Schools, except Fales Elementary, which was just built.

Russo Bar was among three vendors who returned a request for bids. It was not only the lowest bid (at $155,540), but they seemed to fulfill much of what the schools would like to see in the study.

During the Jan. 4 meeting, David Gordon, director of finance and administration, said the schools have yet to identify a funding source to pay for the study. Superintendent Amber Bock proposed having the study done over two budget cycles.

The Community Advocate will post obituaries online (and in print, as space allows). Please send information (and a picture if desired) to tracy@communityadvocate.com. Here is a complete list of individual obituaries posted on the Community Advocate website (www. communityadvocate.com).

Deaths

Canderozzi, Christopher of Northborough

Connolly, John of Shrewsbury

Crossman, Doris of Northborough

Friars, Marion of Shrewsbury

Fulham, Martha of Marlborough

Funk, Geraldine of Northborough

Gerardi, Jane of Shrewsbury

Giglio, Maureen of Marlborough

Guyette, Kevin formerly of Marlborough

Hyland, Eugene of Westborough

Jasiewicz, Marie of Westborough

Kasperowicz, Henry of Marlborough

LaRosee, Alice of Westborough

Mackiewicz, Barbara of Marlborough

Merchant Jr., Donald formerly of South Grafton

Perkins, Dorothy of Shrewsbury

Phaneuf, Richard formerly of Hudson

Speranzella, Helen of Marlborough

Swanson, Joan formerly of Shrewsbury

Turner, Justin of Northborough Williams, Jeremy of Marlborough

Justin M. Turner, 28

NORTHBOROUGH - Justin Michael Turner, 28, of Northborough Massachusetts, passed away on January 21, 2023, at his home in Maine.

A Celebration of Justin’s life will be held on Saturday February 4 from 1-3 at the First Parish UU Church, 40 Church Street, Northborough, Massachusetts. The family invites all who knew Justin to come together and to celebrate the brief but meaningful life of this young man who was so dearly loved.

Justin was born in Boston to Michael and Tracey Turner on Sept 4, 1994. He lived in Northborough, Massachusetts for most of his life with his parents and the pets he loved dearly. He graduated from Algonquin Regional High School in 2013. At an early age he had a great sense of humor, a desire to connect with people, a mischievous personality, and an energy that would draw other kids to follow him. This ‘energy’ was not always appreciated by adults charged with his care. He participated in Unitarian Universalist Sunday school, Cub Scouts, little league, and joined chorus in middle school with several of his friends. For 2 summers he and his cousins attended a music camp where he played drums. Justin enjoyed traveling and made trips to the southeast, Caribbean, Bahamas, as well as to visit family in South Carolina, California, and Mexico where his grandfather had a home. In 2019 he joined a family trip to Japan and always thought of returning.

After graduation he worked in the restaurant field for many years, including at the Verve hotel and then a long-term role at Hillside Grill in Northborough, where the family took him under their wing and he learned all aspects of the restaurant business. His smile could be seen behind the counter on most days. In August of 2021, he moved to Bridgton Maine to pursue a new stage of his life. He enjoyed his work, and he was proud of the new skills he was learning. He was excelling in his career and made a positive impact on everyone he came to know. Justin valued the time with his friends, whether it be barbecuing in the back yard, dinners out for a Korean feast, or connecting in a video game chat room to meet up with fiends locally and across the world.

Justin is survived by his parents Mike and Tracey, his Grandmother Betty Forbis, as well as aunts and uncle, cousins, and so many others who loved him and considered him family. In the end, Justin succumbed to his struggle with substance abuse, but he will be remembered for the good times, his humor and especially for his hugs. He is watching over us waiting for the next opportunity to make us smile.

The family suggests that if a memorial donation is desired, a suggestion is that it be made to an animal rescue organization.

Donald F. Merchant Jr., 69 SOUTH GRAFTON/SUTTON

- Donald F. Merchant, Jr., a longtime resident of South Grafton, MA and more recently, of Sutton, MA, passed way after a recent decline of his health. He was 69 years old and the beloved husband of 34 years to Susan L. (Proctor) Merchant.

In addition to his wife Susan, Donnie is survived by his mother Marion Merchant; four children, Jaime Merchant of Westborough, Kristen Ferrante and her husband Dennis of Shrewsbury, Roger Godbout and his wife Michelle of Littleton, CO and Scott Godbout of Sutton; six grandchildren, Jacob and Rebecca Rogers, Ashlyn Gurtie, Gavin Godbout, Gianna and Daniel Ferrante and one great-granddaughter, Winter Fleming. Donnie is also survived by six siblings, Michelle Segur, Cheryl Mattison, Kevin Merchant, Peter Merchant, Mary Blanchard and Thomas Merchant; many nieces and nephews and a longtime friend and former wife, Cynthia Merchant. Donnie has now been reunited with his late father Donald Merchant Sr. and infant brother, Brian.

The Hays Funeral Home of Northborough assisted with arrangements.

Richard A. Phaneuf, 90

HOPKINTON - Richard Alan (Dick) Phaneuf, 90, of Hopkinton, MA, formerly of Hudson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Milford Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. He leaves behind his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 68 years, Patricia M. (Duley) Phaneuf.

Richard was born in Marlborough, MA, on June 2, 1932,