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Vol. 52 | No. 32 | August 7, 2026
Endless ‘Pasta-bilities’
Over 6 million gallons of sewage released into Quinsig since 2016
SHREWSBURY | 5 Hudson Eagle Scout honored for organizing fundraiser for migrants
HUDSON | 20
Woman launches pasta brand in memory of grandfather
Southborough family reshaping the mac-and-cheese market
Piccoline’s Table has become popular pasta purveyor
The ingredients had to be perfect – all three of them
By Evan Walsh Managing Editor
By Evan Walsh Managing Editor
MARLBOROUGH – An appreciation of food was instilled in Kirstin Carvalho from the beginning. Growing up in New Jersey, she’d eagerly follow her grandfather around as he perused local farmers markets. Inevitably, she’d end up holding the groceries – typically a loaf of bread, stick of pepperoni, or jar of something or other. Carvalho would make lunch from the market’s offerings. Her grandparents (on her mother’s side) were as Italian as one can imagine. Carvalho’s grandmother spent Sundays rolling fresh pasta, shaping meatballs, and bringing her perfect sauce to a boil. Her grandfather kept a vegetable garden and practically forced Carvalho to try what was fresh. Her grandparents’ homecooking was the embodiment of “food equals love.” “My grandfather loved food – as I’m sure a lot Italians do. When I was little, he always tried to get me to appreciate what I was eating and where it came from,” Carvalho told the Community Advocate. “I adapted the Italian tradition very young.” Though both of Carvalho’s grandparents have since passed,
SOUTHBOROUGH – When one of Jad and Juliana Chahine’s children was offered macaroni-and-cheese at daycare, it inadvertently launched a business. Like many children, the Chahines’ son developed an appetite for the cheesy entree, and before long, mac and cheese became a major part of weekly life. When a kid wants something, they want something. Nothing wrong with that. And yet, something bothered Jad Chahine as he opened boxes of the popular brands of mac and cheese: high amounts of sodium, artificial flavors, preservatives, and a series of what he calls “mystery ingredients” listed on the label. Some of the stuff just seemed like “junk.” Chahine was health-conscious, but not afraid of a treat. Still, there were too many question marks. “Truthfully, there was nothing on the market we felt good giving them on a regular basis,” he said. And so, alongside his family, Chahine launched Mac Goodness in 2025, a “super clean” mac-and-cheese option that contains “no junk, no additives, no corn starch, no gums, and no artificial anything.” In other words, as Chahine says, it has “more of the
Pasta | 14
Mac | 15
‘Peanut’ rotary redesign recommended by consultant
WESTBOROUGH | 29 Grafton cheers on Pan-Mass Challenge riders
GRAFTON | 31
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2 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 3
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, I was encouraged to read about Select Board member Anand Sharma's efforts to explore the creation of a wildlife corridor in Shrewsbury. According to your recent article, the proposal would examine options such as bridges or tunnels that allow animals to safely cross high-traffic roadways. As a longtime Shrewsbury resident, animal welfare advocate, volunteer, and community leader, I strongly support this initiative and hope the town gives it serious consideration. Throughout my personal and volunteer work, I have seen firsthand how human development can unintentionally disrupt wildlife habitats and migration patterns. As communities continue to grow, animals are increasingly forced into smaller and more fragmented spaces, often leaving them with no safe way to travel between feeding, nesting, and breeding areas. While Shrewsbury has experienced significant development in recent years, we also have a responsibility to consider the impact that growth has on the wildlife that shares
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
our community. A wildlife corridor is one practical way to balance development with environmental stewardship. It can help reduce vehicle-animal collisions, improve public safety, and provide animals with a safe passage through areas that have become increasingly difficult to navigate. I understand that some may point to concerns about deer populations as a reason not to move this concept forward. However, I believe the conversation should focus on creating safer and more sustainable connections for all wildlife species rather than using deer overpopulation as a justification to dismiss the idea altogether. Wildlife corridors have been successfully used in many communities to promote safer coexistence between people and animals. Shrewsbury has long been a community that values quality of life, open space, and thoughtful planning. Exploring a wildlife corridor aligns with those values. At a time when natural habitats continue to shrink, innovative solutions such as this deserve our attention and consideration.
I commend Mr. Sharma for bringing this issue forward, and encourage town officials, residents, and conservation organizations to work together to evaluate whether a wildlife corridor could become part of Shrewsbury's future. Sincerely, Melissa Scher, Shrewsbury
This will only get more common as the traffic continues to get worse. People are constantly reporting sightings of wildlife in their backyards, often because wild animals have nowhere else to go. Since there seems to
be no way to stem the spread of human development, the least we can do is give them safe passage over the highways. Select Boards please take notice! Wendy Reid, Grafton
Dear Editor, I was delighted to read that some forward-thinking Select Board member in Shrewsbury has advocated construction of one or more wildlife corridors in their town. This is long overdue, and all the towns in this area should be considering the idea. Development in local towns has been out of control. There are five apartment complexes under development within a mile and half of my home in Grafton! This development not only displaces wildlife, but creates dangerous additional traffic that threatens their lives when they try to move from one shrinking habitat to another. I see roadkill every day, as I’m sure most drivers do.
The Community Advocate’s Policy on Letters to the Editor
Letters must be signed with a name, address and telephone number for verification (only name and town will be printed). Letters should be sent to news@communityadvocate.com or mailed to Managing Editor c/o Community Advocate, 32 South St. Westborough MA 01581. The editor reserves the right to reject letters on the basis of length, libelous content, suitability and space constraints. Multiple letters from the same person will not be accepted within a 30-day period. “Form letter” submissions, in which the content of one letter is essentially duplicated, will not be accepted. Letters should be 350 words or less. Deadline is 12 p.m. Friday the week before publication. Opinions expressed in the letters to the editor do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Community Advocate management or its advertisers.
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4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
UMass Memorial Med. Center Marlborough gets $125K from St. Mary’s CU WORCESTER – UMass Memorial Medical Center – Marlborough Campus, part of UMass Memorial Health, announced it had received a $125,000 gift from St. Mary’s Credit Union (SMCU). This funding, spread evenly over the five years from 2026 to 2030, will directly support the expansion and renova-
tion of the campus emergency department. “St. Mary’s Credit Union is a valuable and longtime supporter of UMass Memorial Medical Center – Marlborough Campus,” said Justin Precourt, president of UMass Memorial Medical Center. “This $125,000 gift will help us continue
MID-SUMMER
to prioritize the health and well-being of our shared community.” The planned renovation and expansion will help the hospital meet increasing demand and reduce wait times by nearly doubling the number of patient rooms from 13 to 23. The project will also include new patient
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“Our mission extends far beyond banking. It’s about investing in the health, well-being, and future of our communities in Massachusetts, both physically and financially,” said Jim Petkewich, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Credit Union. “We appreciate the importance of community hospitals and are incredibly proud to support the renovations and expansion at UMass Memorial Medical Center – Marlborough Campus.” The $125,000 gift from SMCU continues a decadeslong philanthropic partnership between the local credit union and UMass Memorial Medical Center – Marlborough Campus. The two organizations share a long-standing commitment to improving lives across the MetroWest region and look forward to continuing their partnership for years to come. Construction on the emergency department began in October 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The Specialty Care Center will open in early 2027. Once completed, each project will enhance the ability of U M a s s M e m o r i a l M e d ical Center – Marlborough Campus to provide highquality healthcare to people throughout the region. UMass Memorial Health is the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Central Massachusetts with more than 20,000 caregivers and 2,400 physicians.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 5
COMMUNITY NEWS
Over 6 million gallons of sewage released into Quinsig since 2016 By Evan Walsh Managing Editor
SHREWSBURY – When the City of Worcester announced on July 24 that 15,000 gallons of untreated wastewater had been discharged from an underground pipe near 23 Southwest Cutoff – across Route 20 from Southwest Commons – it prompted frequent tests for E. coli, a bacteria often found in feces. But for residents along Lake Quinsigamond, dealing with unexpected sewage discharged into the 4-mile-long body of water – straddling Shrewsbury and Worcester, with areas in Grafton – has become somewhat of a reflex. It’s been a recurring problem and a source of frustration. Due to a number of incidents over the past 10 years, 6.08 million gallons of wastewater have been accidentally dumped into Lake Quinsigamond. Though some occurrences point to different infrastructure problems, and some events were larger than others, all have residents feeling “riled” as Lake Quinsigamond Commissioner Michael Paika said in 2024. “The [spills] happen, and happen too often,” he said at the same 2024 meeting. In 2017, a glitch at the Lake Avenue pump station caused 100,000 gallons of sewage to enter the water. Then, in 2022, a failure at the same pump released over 5.75 million gallons of sewage into Lake Quinsigamond overnight, the biggest such incident this decade. The Lake Avenue station continued its steady involvement in wastewater deposits into Quinsigamond over the next few years, including a 193,000-gallon incident in February 2024, and a 470-gallon episode in June 2025. Though Lake Quinsigam-
ond’s natural geography makes it among the best in the world for rowing, it also makes it prone to sewage mishaps. The water is surrounded by hills, particularly on the Worcester side, and the Lake Avenue station pumps sewage up Belmont Hill. Since everything is being pumped upward, when the system breaks, gravity pulls everything downward, typically into Quinsig. “Sh*t flows downhill, so if anything breaks, it goes right into the lake,” said Peter Collins, a longtime member of the Lake Quinsigamond Commission who stepped down earlier this year. “I don’t know what you could do that would make sense unless you tore up the entire area, but it’s densely developed.” The stormwater runoff and sewer infrastructure are closely connected near Lake Quinsigamond, and it’s often unknown what enters the water through the lake’s outfalls, which number nearly 100. The Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association (LQWA) performs rigorous testing, and in April 2026, the lake was officially listed for E. coli by MassDEP – a step that should allow more resources to clean up the water. Still, the outfalls can oftentimes be plain “gross.”
“When someone asks me what the most dangerous thing on Lake Quinsigamond is, I don’t say jet skis, wake boats, crew boats, or whatever – it’s the outfalls. Those things are going 24/7, 365 days a year. A lot of the time we don’t know what’s in the water or where it’s coming from,” said Collins. The Lake Avenue station has not had a major sewagerelated incident in quite some time. In 2022, Worcester was fined $13,000 by MassDEP for the 5.75-million-gallon leak. The city spent approximately $6 million in improvements on the station, which was first constructed in the 1930s. If sewage were to enter Lake Quinsigamond, Lake Avenue is one of the better spots, said Collins. The lake is about 70 feet deep in that particular area, and with more water volume, any sewage has an easier time dissipating. Oftentimes the impact of an incident at the Lake Avenue station might not make it farther than the Marine Corps League, located just down the street. But in other areas, the impact can be longer lasting. The last two incidents – the 15,000-gallon spill near Southwest Cutoff, and a 25,000-gallon event in February 2026 by Flint Pond,
for the waters, the group’s bylaws, last revised in 2017, aren’t equipped to deal with a largescale sewage leak. Anyone who “illegally discharge[s] sewage, thermal pollution, siltation” may be subject to a fine of “not less than $50 and not more than $500 for each offense,” the bylaws read. “The city’s comment was that it’s only 15,000 gallons. Imagine 15,000 gallons of sewage in your front yard. It’s a lot. Fifteen thousand gallons is a lot by any stretch of the imagination. In relation to 7 million, maybe not, but it’s a lot,” said Collins.
which was only informally announced at a Lake Quinsigamond Commission meeting – have been away from the Lake Avenue station, closer to shallower areas around Edgemere where pollution can remain prevalent longer. Both of the recent incidents stemmed from some sort of pipe leak, according to reports. Officials haven’t released detailed information about how old the infrastructure was or how the pipes failed, but it has led to concern from Lake Quinsigamond residents nonetheless. Though the Lake Quinsigamond Commission is responsible
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6 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
First responders to bike through Central Mass. to honor 9/11 By Evan Walsh Managing Editor MARLBOROUGH – Ahead of the 25th anniversary of September 11, cyclists will be traveling throughout Central Massachusetts as part of the Ride for Resilience, a five-day, 343-mile cycling journey from Boston to the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. The ride will honor the 343 firefighters lost on September 11, 2001. This landmark journey started with a simple phone call. Suzanne Stone, the president and CEO of Livestrong, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the daily lives of cancer survivors, got a call from the wife of a firefighter. The woman explained that she had participated in a bicycle ride to honor 9/11 through the countryside in Ireland. Wouldn’t it be nice to bring it here? Stone agreed: “We dream big at Livestrong. So we went really big.” The link between Livestrong’s mission and firefighters is – un-
fortunately – incredibly prevalent. According to research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, firefighters are 9 percent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14 percent more likely to die from it than the general public. The ride will bring together first responders, cancer survivors, and community members to raise funds benefiting Friends of Firefighters, the Boston Fire Cancer Foundation, and Livestrong, expanding access to cancer survivorship and mental health programs for first responders and their families. “We thought this would be an excellent opportunity to honor everybody who we’ve lost, to really lift up first responders, and ask the community – and really the country as a whole – if they knew about this cancer rate. We wanted to highlight this: We need to do better. It’s time for us to step up and provide more robust resources,” said Stone. She added: “Firefighters are
the toughest among us. They never want to come off the truck. They never want to stop showing up for us, and now, it’s time for us to show up for them.” The First Responder Ride for Resilience will be headed through Marlborough on the
afternoon of Sept. 6, then continue through Marlborough, Northborough, and Westborough on Sept. 7. Local residents and cyclists can join this fiveday journey by registering to ride alongside first responders, volunteering at a water stop
along the route, or donating to support first responders and their families. To register, volunteer, donate or view the local route through the Community Advocate coverage area, visit 911ride.org.
The life-line, the line of rescue, is the line from the soul to God.
ON 9/11, FIRST RESPONDERS SHOWED UP FOR US. 25 YEARS LATER, IT'S TIME TO SHOW UP FOR THEM. Help welcome hundreds of heroes cycling through our community on September 6-7 on their 5-day tribute route to the 9/11 Memorial.
On one end of the life-line is our faith and on the other end is God’s power. It can be a strong line and no soul can be overwhelmed who is linked to God by it. I will trust in this life-line and never be afraid. God will save me from doing wrong and from the cares and troubles of life. I will look to God for help and trust Him for aid when I am emotionally upset.
I pray that no lack of trust or fearfulness will make me disloyal to God. I pray that I may keep a strong hold on the life-line of faith.
Sponsored by Chief Joseph Robert J. Terkanian P.O. Box 808 • Northborough, MA 01532
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 7
COMMUNITY NEWS
PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES
Proposed Subaru dealership appears before Shrewsbury Planning Board
Your Money, Your Independence
When ‘I Think They’re All Set’ Becomes ‘It’s Complicated’
W
Glenn Brown, CFP
Patrick Subaru could be on the move. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – Subaru is ready to put this project in drive. On July 9, Brian Marchetti of McCarty Engineering detailed plans on behalf of Patrick Subaru to relocate its car dealership from 247 Boston Turnpike to 957 Boston Turnpike, the former site of Shrewsbury Nurseries and the current home of a landscaping depot. The 16.3-acre site is currently partially developed. Subaru’s plans call for a 50,000-square-foot dealership, about double the size of its current space. About 600 parking spaces are planned – some for vehicle storage, some for customers, and some for employees. Two curb cuts, including one off of Route 9, are proposed. “The proposed development is designed to modernize the property and better utilize this prominent commercial location while
providing a high‑quality, contemporary facility that meets current code, operational, and environmental standards,” a cover letter for the project reads. According to a traffic study, the project would generate approximately 1,392 daily trips, roughly 100 trips at a weekday peak morning hour. On Saturday, the project would generate approximately 2,612 daily trips. Ninety percent of traffic would utilize Route 9, and all studied intersections are expected to operate at the same level of service, according to the traffic engineer. What would this mean for test drives? According to Subaru officials, there would be pre- determined testdrive routes – a short one and a longer one – meant to avoid certain roads. “The customers have to be comfortable where they’re driving, not concerned about where they’re driving or how tight things are,” a representative said.
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hen meeting with new clients, we usually start with family. Conversations about kids bring great enthusiasm, but shifting to aging parents changes the mood instantly. The responses almost always match the client’s age:
• 30s: “I think they’re all set.” • 40s: “Well... it’s complicated.” • 50s: A heavy sigh and, “Yeah, it’s been a struggle.” Discussing money, health, and estate planning with your parents is daunting. But delaying leaves families unprepared during a crisis, resulting in quick, sometimes irreversible decisions under emotional stress. This isn’t about inheritance or taking away control. It’s about protecting their independence so hardearned assets serve their wishes, not a medical crisis, an unwanted lifestyle or excessive taxation (looking at you, Massachusetts estate tax *cough* money grab). Here is how to approach it in steps. Rally Your Siblings First Get on the same page with your siblings before talking to your parents. Aligning early avoids the too common, “Your sister knows our plan,” while telling your sister you do! Focus on hearing and supporting their wishes, not taking control. Finally, pick a quiet time outside of major holidays with just the adult kids and parents (no spouses) to keep the conversation open and relaxed. Open the Dialogue on Wellness Start the conversation from a place of curiosity and respect. Use “I” statements to share your own thoughts rather than pressing for immediate answers. Focus first on wellness and long-term care preferences. • Would they prefer to stay in their home with professional support? • Transition to a retirement community? • What about when one passes, what should occur? Outsource Sooner Than Later Waiting for a crisis to get outside help is a major mistake. This is true for home maintenance, caregiving, or financial management. Too often, older clients stubbornly insist, “I’m not paying $100 for a plow guy and
his shovel!” But shoveling snow, cleaning gutters and pushing a lawn mower in your 70s are widowmakers. Is saving a few dollars worth a life-altering event? This same mindset traps their savings. Without a distribution plan, retirees often freeze and refuse to spend on safety, convenience, or life goals out of fear. A CFP gives them permission to enjoy and spend their money with confidence, while keeping you in the role of a loving child rather than an exhausted caregiver. Secure Essential Legal Tools Once preferences are clear, make sure the right legal structures are updated and funded. A Healthcare Proxy names a trusted person to handle medical decisions if your parents can’t speak for themselves. Paired with a Financial Power of Attorney, daily bills and care choices are managed seamlessly without costly court intervention. While many assume a Will is enough, a Revocable Living Trust offers critical advantages that a Will simply cannot match: • Control During Life: A Will only takes effect after death. A Trust works while your parents are alive, letting a successor trustee step in immediately if they become incapacitated. • Control Over Distribution: Rather than handing heirs a risky, lump-sum inheritance, a Trust can structure payouts over time or at specific milestone ages. • Control Over Privacy & Contesting: Wills go through public, lengthy probate court and can be contested. Trusts remain completely private and transfer assets smoothly without court delays. (Did I mention a revocable trust is about control?) Protecting Their Independence Preparing for evolving health needs, or the loss of a parent, spares your family from navigating an emotional crisis in the dark. By leading with empathy, collaborating with siblings, and setting up the right legal tools, you protect your parents’ autonomy and preserve peace of mind for everyone The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Glenn Brown lives in MetroWest and is owner of PlanDynamic, LLC, www.PlanDynamic.com. He is a fee-only Certified Financial Planner™ helping motivated people take control of their planning and investing, so they can balance kids, aging parents and financial independence.
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8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
HOMES MORE This is a paid advertisement
Selling a Luxury House? Here’s Why Now Is a Good Time
Elaine Quigley, CBR, CRS, GRI Elaine.Quigley@commonmoves.com
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If you own a luxury house, you’re in a stronger spot than most sellers right now. While much of the market has cooled, the high-end tier hasn’t. Sale prices and buyer demand are both up. So if you’re considering selling, now could be a great time to make your move. Luxury Is Leading on Price Let’s start with prices. But before we get into it – what actually counts as a luxury home? Generally, these are homes in the top 5% price range for the area, so it varies depending on where you live. But what’s interesting is that according to the latest data from Redfin, sale prices for luxury houses have risen about three times faster than for non-luxury. Right now, the typical home’s sale price is up about 1.5% yearover-year. But high-end homes? Their sale prices have gone up nearly 5% since last year. That’s a bigger deal than it sounds like. Despite all the talk about slowing price growth lately, sale prices in this segment of the market may be rising faster than you’d expect based on the headlines. That’s going to be a good thing if you’re thinking about selling. And rising sale prices are only half the story. Buyers Are Showing Up, Too While so many headlines are talking about how buyers are
Real Estate Q&A with Mary Wood I’m not planning to Q: sell until next year. Is
there anything I should be doing now? Absolutely. One of the biggest misconceptions I hear A: is that preparing to sell begins a
Mary Wood, REALTOR® Cell: 508.958.0225 Main: 781.786.8080 Lamacchia Realty, Inc. 382 West Main St, Ste 202 Northborough MA 01532
few weeks before the “For Sale” sign goes up. In reality, some of the best results come from homeowners who start planning months in advance. Late summer and early fall are wonderful times to take a fresh look at your home. Small maintenance projects, decluttering, and organizing storage areas are often easier to tackle now than during the busy holiday season. It’s also a great opportunity to address those lingering to-do list items, whether it’s touching up paint, refreshing landscaping, or making minor repairs that can improve a buyer’s first impression.
Planning ahead also helps you make wise decisions about where to invest your time and money. Many homeowners assume they should tackle every renovation before selling, but that’s not always the best use of their budget. Meeting with a trusted real estate professional before you’re ready to list can help you prioritize the improvements buyers truly value while avoiding projects that may not provide a meaningful return. Perhaps the greatest benefit of planning ahead is that it removes the pressure. Instead of making rushed decisions, you’ll have time to prepare thoughtfully and create a plan that fits your timeline. I always tell my clients that selling a home doesn’t begin when it goes on the market. It begins with thoughtful preparation. Taking small steps now can make the entire process smoother and give you confidence that you’re making informed decisions every step of the way.
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pulling back, that’s not necessarily true when it comes to luxury homes. In fact, right now, it looks like the higher the price point, the more active the buyers. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains: “The luxury market has really performed better compared to the lower price point. . . . if we look at price points, any home priced under $250,000, virtually no change in unit sales from one year ago. Then you go into the upper price category, and home sales are up about 10% from one year ago. But the million dollar-plus homes, it is up by 18% from one year ago.” Basically, more homes are selling on the upper end of the market. A big reason is that high-end buyers tend to feel less of the affordability pressure weighing on many households today, so they keep buying even when the wider market slows. That demand also means that luxury houses don’t stay on the market as long as they used to. Luxury Houses Are Selling Relatively Quickly According to the most recent data from Redfin, for luxury homes the median number of days on market is under 50. That’s much faster than pre-pandemic norms going even as far back as 2014 (see graph below):
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That means you probably won’t spend a ton of time sitting in limbo wondering when you’ll get an offer. Bottom Line Selling a high-end house is a big decision, and you deserve to feel confident going in. With sale prices climbing and buyers active at the top, this is a strong window to make your move. Ready to cash in? Let’s talk strategy.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 9
COMMUNITY NEWS
Mike Hennessy helps Marlborough veterans however he can By Evan Walsh Managing Editor MARLBOROUGH – Michael Hennessy has public service in his blood. Since the 1880s, there’s been a Hennessy serving Massachusetts. Hennessy’s great-grandfather was part of a Milford hose company, and his grandfather was a deputy chief with the Milford Fire Department and one of the founding fathers of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. His grandmother was a tax collector in Milford, and his father was a firefighter. Hennessy’s wife is a child protective investigator. Hennessy gives back to the public in his own way. For the last seven years, he has served as the Veterans Services Officer for Marlborough, providing guidance, information, and resources to veterans of all ages – and with different needs – across the community. “This isn’t a job. This is a lifestyle. It’s rewarding because you can have a positive impact on somebody’s life,” Hennessy told the Community Advocate. “I try to make it as easy as possible for veterans.” Hennessy connects naturally with the veterans. He became a medic in the U.S. Army, and after serving, a job supporting veterans in Wrentham “literally fell into [his] lap.” He embraced the role, eventually coming to Marlborough in the same capacity. There is no normal dayto-day for Hennessy, but every day involves helping
someone. He helps veterans make pension claims, get healthcare, access records, and obtain benefits. He can also make referrals to housing or counseling services. Anything to improve their lives. In offering his constant support, he’s become a key part of the city’s veteran community. Veterans appreciate his help. World War II veteran and Marlborough resident Nunzio (Nunzy) Martino said Hennessy “just gets it.” “[The veteran community in Marlborough] is close. You have KJ Urato, Louis ‘Lou’ Papile, Rich Aldrich, Nunzy, and Dick Martino. There are nearly 5,000 veterans in the city. Not everybody is going to know everybody, but you’ve got some big names here in Marlborough. I’ve been proud to be affiliated with them,” Hennessy said. He added: “That’s what Marlborough is. That’s the type of culture we have.
This isn’t a job. This is a lifestyle. It’s rewarding because you can have a positive impact on somebody’s life. That’s the culture I want to continue.” Hennessy goes above and beyond to help veterans. Each Friday, he visits cemeteries to clean dirty headstones. In Bellingham, where he serves as the chair of the Select Board, he’s at the heart of an effort to construct an affordable senior housing development. In Marlborough, he also holds walk-in hours and pizza gettogethers. “I want to help any way I can,” he said.
Michael Hennessy (Photo/Evan Walsh)
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10 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
Aging Gracefully
Seniors
by MariAnn Paladino, Dir. of Admissions, Notre Dame Long Term Care
on the move
BRUISING IN OLDER ADULTS Bruising in older adults is a very common condition. As people get older, their skin becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion blood vessels from injury. A simple swipe against a countertop corner can result in a bruise that covers the entire hand. Medications can be another cause of bruising on the skin. Blood thinners, aspirin, and some antibiotics can contribute to bruising because of the anticoagulant properties they contain. Also, drugs prescribed to treat allergies, eczema, and asthma can make an older adult’s skin more susceptible to bruising. For anyone taking any medications that can cause bruising, it’s essential to speak with a doctor regarding effective skin care and possible medication changes.
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t C h r i s t o p h e r He i g h t s o f Marlborough, assisted living is more than just a place to live—it’s a vibrant lifestyle that brings peace of mind, meaningful connections, and d ai ly supp or t t ai l ore d to individual needs. Residents enjoy the independence of their own private apartment while gaining the reassurance of 24-hour staff and personalized care when needed. One of the greatest benefits of life at Christopher Heights is the sense of community. Friendships blossom over shared meals, morning coffee, and group activities ranging from fitness classes to book clubs. The community fosters social engagement, helping residents stay active and mentally stimulated while avoiding the isolation that often comes with aging at home. Assisted living here means less worr y—for both residents and families. Daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and medication reminders are handled with care, allowing seniors to focus on the things they enjoy. With support available but not intrusive, residents retain their dignity and autonomy.
Frequent bruising in elderly people should be evaluated to determine whether it is merely a change in the resilience of the skin or something more serious. If a loved one requires care, consider NOTRE DAME LONG TERM CARE CENTER (508-852-3011). You can also schedule a tour of our facilities at 559 Plantation Street. We emphasize assisted living, long term care and rehabilitation, and hospice care. P.S. An iron deficiency can cause the skin to bruise easily.
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Another key benefit is the structured yet flexible environment. Christopher Heights provides security and stability while offering plenty of opportunities for spontaneous fun—such as live music, outings, or simply enjoying the fireplace lounge with neighbors. The staff is trained not only in safety and care, but in building trusting, respectful relationships. For those seeking a lifestyle that balances freedom with support, and independence with community, Christopher Heights of Marlborough offers a warm and welcoming place to call home.
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12 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY BUSINESS
Custom Bath Remodeling can reinvent your space By Evan Walsh Managing Editor NASHUA, N.H. – John Gallagher had been building houses since the 1980s, but 12 years ago, he noticed a gap in the market: He wanted to provide a one-stop shop for those remodeling bathrooms. Custom Bath Remodeling, which he manages, started operations in Marlborough before quickly expanding to Nashua, New Hampshire. “So many people were calling,” said Gallagher. Today, Custom Bath continues to thrive. Its Nashua location has become a hotspot for those looking to remodel their home, and the company has successfully completed hundreds of projects. From design to installation, the business has you covered. “No matter what kind of remodel you’re looking for, it’s always important to choose a team that takes your
needs, style preferences, and budget ser i o u s l y,” said Gallagher. “At Custom Bath Remodeling, you’ll find a group of dedic a te d experts who prioritize your needs and desires This is a paid advertisement above all other factors.” quote. The company makes bathCustom Bath also uses room remodels easy. The some of the latest technolNashua showroom – open ogy to show customers what seven days a week, with no the remodeled space would appointment needed – dislook like before a single tile is plays a variety of shower, installed. The company offers shower door, tiling, sink, and free lifelike computer rendertoilet options. Custom Bath ings – produced by its three offers a free in-home design on-staff architects – that deconsultation, a process that pict completed renovations. culminates with a detailed “It’s been a gamechanger
for us,” said G a l l a g h e r. “ They look j u s t l i ke a photo.” Custom Bath has an impressive selection of products at all pricepoints, e n s u r ing there’s something for everyone. The prices are fair – Gallagher makes sure of it – and Custom Bath’s workers understand what a privilege it is to work inside someone’s home. The company makes every effort to complete work efficiently, neatly, and responsibly. Eight years ago, Custom Bath added kitchen remodeling to its repertoire. Eight kitchen set-ups are currently displayed at the Nashua
showroom, and the company offers the same expertise and craftsmanship that it does to every bathroom project. The business does both custom and semi-custom cabinets, Gallagher said. Custom Bath has 42 employees, including product managers who oversee every job. The company’s 22 field workers – including master plumbers, master electricians, carpenters, and installers – make sure everything is done right the first time. “We take every project seriously – like it was our own house,” said Gallagher. Custom Bath focuses on doing bath and kitchen remodels throughout the Eastern and Central Massachusetts, as well as Southern New Hampshire. The company will be opening another showroom in the Framingham area next year.For more information, visit https:// custombathremodeling.com/ or https://custombathof nashua.com/.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 13
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14 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
In memory of her grandfather, Marlborough resident produces fresh pasta Pasta | from page 1
their passion for food is alive and well. Just as she did as a young girl, Carvalho goes to farmers markets – except now she’s one of the vendors, selling homemade pasta her relatives would be proud of. Her enterprise is called “Piccoline’s Table,” a nod to the loving grandparents that made it all possible. “I think my grandfather is probably somewhere right now smiling, simply amazed that his name is on a business. I do all of this for him – absolutely all of it. I guarantee that probably he’s looking down right now and wishing he could eat this,” said Carvalho. Carvalho is a pasta-making machine. Seven days a week, she’s in her kitchen cranking out pounds of fresh pasta that she sells at markets, ships across America, and gives to local buyers that choose to pickup their prize. The pasta comes in different shapes and sizes, but it’s all made by Carvalho in her – as you
may expect – incredibly crazy kitchen. With lots of planning, and the help of her supportive husband, she somehow stays sane among all the semolina flour. Once an insurance specialist burnt out from time spent in front of a monitor, Carvalho is now pursuing her passion full-time, and Piccoline’s Table has proven to be a huge success. The leap of faith into the pasta biz was partially inspired by a cancer diagnosis that upended Carvalho’s life. “I think when you go through something like cancer, it gives you a different outlook on life where you don’t feel like you don’t have all the time in the world. You don’t want to waste time – you want to do what makes you happy,” said Carvalho. “That was pasta for me.” The decision was risky – but not particularly difficult, said Carvalho. Confident in what she produces when she gives something her all, she started the company after go-
ing to farmers markets and realizing that – although all the staples were present – there was no good option for pasta. When she was battling cancer, she searched for newer, healthier ways to cook classic favorites. Making fresh pasta – well worth the cost compared to the boxed stuff in stores, said Carvalho – was the start, and from there, she branched out into creating over 200 flavors. Pickle is among the most popular. “I never thought it would get to this point,” Carvalho said. Carvalho is loving every moment of making pasta, but she also has an eye to the future. A pasta shop? A food truck? A restaurant? A shop with other farmers market vendors (who have quickly become some of her best friends)? All pasta-bilities. But one thing is certain. “I am adamant that I want this in Marlborough – it’s my home.”
Kirstin Carvalho (Photo/Courtesy)
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 15
COMMUNITY NEWS
The Southborough family reshaping the mac-and-cheese market Mac | from page 1
good stuff.” “We thought there should be a better alternative for our kids, and for everyone,” he said. Chahine was entrepreneurial from a young age, but his experience had been in the technology space. Entering the food biz was “like a new career,” he said, but believing that the world needed his product, he ventured onward, learning the ropes of the industry quickly. What wasn’t quick was deciding which ingredients would make the perfect product. Mac Goodness’s original “White Wonder” recipe has just three organic ingredients: semolina pasta, whole milk, and white cheddar cheese. With nowhere to hide, each component had to be perfect – and fall in line
with the company’s “good for you” philosophy. No room for non-organic ingredients or ultra-processed preservatives. Chahine had one simple test to determine if it was ready. “No flavor gets on the shelf without my kids giving it
a thumbs up. It’s a wholefamily business,” he said. “Once my kids were gobbling it down and wouldn’t stop asking for it, I knew I had a winning product. Kids are pretty transparent – if they don’t like it, they’re not having it. When they were eating all of it, that’s when we knew
we were onto something.” Today, Mac Goodness has four other flavors, each with one extra organic ingredient: “Green Glory” (spinach), “Super Sight” (carrot), “Purple Power” (purple sweet potato), and “Red Boost” (red pepper).The superherothemed flavors were designed
to make vegetables more fun for kids. It took over a year to perfect the recipes, but now, Mac Goodness can be found on shelves throughout Massachusetts and New York City. It can also be shipped across America, and right to your door. “We think there are a lot of families out there – and people out there – that are looking for healthy foods with clean, recognizable ingredients. And we think there are a lot of people looking for an alternative to certain mac-and-cheese brands,” Chahine told the Community Advocate. And, as you can imagine, there’s plenty of Mac Goodness in the Chahine household. It’s an option for just about every meal, he joked. “We’re definitely a macand-cheese house,” he said.
16 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
Like father, like son
Father-son duo contributes to Shrewsbury Police Department By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – After decades with the Shrewsbury Police Department, detective Chad Chysna neither encouraged nor discouraged his three sons to enter policing. He never did ride-alongs, let them listen to the scanner, or filled them in on police activity. If they wanted to become police officers, that’d be excellent. But it had to be their decision. And so when one of Chysna’s sons, Evan, decided to go into the field, it was a special moment. Today, Evan works as a dispatcher for the Shrewsbury Police Department, serving practically side-by-side with his father. “Knowing that he’s following in my footsteps – it’s definitely tear-jerking,” said Chad. Chad has been involved with the Shrewsbury Police
Department since 2003. His career in law enforcement started as a 12-year-old “fire explorer” in his hometown of Northborough, and he later joined the Northborough Fire Department as an on-call firefighter. He joined the Northborough Police Department as a dispatcher at 20, later becoming an officer in Hopedale. On a normal day serving as an officer in Shrewsbury, he attended a “career day” for Evan’s third-grade classroom. It was the day that Evan – dressed up with fake handcuffs, a badge, and a Shrewsbury Police Department cap – got the itch to pursue that line of work. “I wanted to [go into policing] for as long as I can remember – yeah,” Evan told the Community Advocate. “Growing up watching him doing his thing – always helping people – it always stuck out to me. I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”
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Evan is enrolled in courses at Quinsigamond Community College to get his degree in Criminal Justice. He started as a dispatcher approximately five months ago and has a long-term goal of becoming an officer – perhaps even in the very community where his dad serves. Chad knows he’s the right person for the job. “He’s got a good heart, and he’s definitely on the right road,” he said. For now, at dispatch, Evan chats with his dad on occasion – “we talk over the air sometimes,” he said – and has been amazed at how positively he’s been received by co-workers and the community at-large. Shrewsbury has been “amazing,” he said. “Working with my dad – it’s not something everybody gets to do. I feel lucky,” he said. So too does Chad. “The community is just incredibly supportive. They understand our day-to-day operations and the pride each of us take in this operation. It’s a rewarding town to work in,” he said.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 17
COMMUNITY NEWS
Memorial labyrinth proposed for historic Northborough cemetery By Laney Halsey Reporter N O RT H B O R O U G H— T h e Brigham Street Old Burial Ground could soon feature a memorial labyrinth. Before the Historic District Commission on July 15, landscape designer Diane Smith presented ideas for a 60-footdiameter cobblestone labyrinth at the historic cemetery, which dates back to the 1720s. Five gravestones remain visible above the ground, though officials estimate about 110 people are buried at the site. The commission unanimously voted to move into the preliminary planning phase for the labyrinth. Smith proposed a threecobblestone-wide labyrinth
that would lay flush with the ground and create concentriccircle walking paths. The center of the labyrinth could feature a compass design. The design was inspired in part by the decorative circular carving on the headstone of Joseph Wheeler, one of the cemetery’s remaining standing markers. Smith suggested incorporating 43 black stones, which would represent
Wheeler’s descendants that are buried there. “The circles, the labyrinths, the simplicity of it is very much keeping with that,” Smith said. The plans would allow the Department of Public Works crews to mow the cemetery grass without additional effort. “That’s the nice thing about that — if they have time to do it, they can,” Historic District
Commission member Leslie Harrison said. “And if they don’t, they just mow it as if it weren’t there. So, that sounds great to me.” Smith has communicated with the Department of Public Works about the project, and it has agreed to help conceptualize potential designs using drone imaging to get a clearer idea of what the final product
would look like. Before the commission decides whether to submit a Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding request, Smith will prepare a detailed design, a rough cost estimate, drone pictures, and a project scope. Officials agreed to proceed with the information-gathering process and gather quotes from contractors.
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WESTBOROUGH — Drivers heading northbound on Interstate 495 may have noticed a “split” in the highway, where the leftmost lane was separated from the other two lanes – after the I-90 exit, but prior to the interchange with Route 9. That “split” is now gone. In an email to the Community Advocate, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) confirmed that the “highway split” was associated with the ongoing I-495/I-90 interchange project, which is reconstructing and redesigning the ramps between the two busy interstates. Approximately 75,000 vehicles utilize the interchange daily, and the project has already replaced several exit ramps, though work remains ongoing. The “split” was part of an effort to demolish and reconstruct the old bridge near Flanders Road. With the bridge completed, the configuration is now a typical 3-lane highway. In addition, MassDOT confirmed that the large gravel pits inside the I-495/Route 9 cloverleaf interchange are temporary stockpile locations. The area will return to its original state at the conclusion of the project.
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18 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
Grafton launches plan to prevent fatal auto accidents By Evan Walsh Managing Editor GRAFTON – Since 2016, Grafton has had five fatal automobile accidents. Four of those accidents have been since February 2025, including a June 2026 motorcycle accident that claimed the life of State Trooper Jacob Mick. On July 31, Town Administrator Evan Brassard released a 18-page memorandum describing potential efforts to promote safety on Grafton’s roads: “This is a list of the ideas … I’m just trying to put together a moreconcrete way to look at traffic safety in Grafton. We have a lot of players, a lot of ideas,” he told the Select Board. As part of the memo, Brassard identified several areas that may benefit from extra safety measures: Providence Road at Milford Road, Main Street at Pleasant Street, Providence Road at Millbury Street, Providence Road at Main Street, and
Worcester Street from Millbury to the Common. Brassard recommended the creation of a Local Road Safety Action Plan to analyze 10 years of crash data, identify locations with a concentration of crashes, and evaluate patterns of speeding. A multidisciplinary Fatal and Serious-Injury Crash Review Team – including police, fire, the Department of Public Works, town administration, and MassDOT (for state-owned roads) – would perform similar work. “The team should review each fatal crash and select serious-injury crashes to determine whether roadway design, signs, pavement markings, lighting, sight distance, speed, maintenance, enforcement, or emergency response contributed to the severity of the incident,” Brassard’s memo reads. “Road Safety Audits” would be conducted, and Brassard proposes a “Municipal SpeedManagement Policy” that would
Swim school opens at former Shrewsbury Party City site
study speed limits. Physical traffic-calming measures – road diets, narrowing streets, and raised crosswalks – are also in play. Other parts of the plan include redesigning high-risk intersections, improving lighting and nighttime visibility, and conducting high-visibility traffic enforcement. The town may also install cameras at high-risk intersections. Brassard brought the document forward to promote discussion, and no official action has been taken. But there’s already an unofficial slogan: “Slow Down Grafton: Safe Roads Require All of Us.”
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SHREWSBURY–Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest-growing swim school franchises, announced the opening of its fourth Massachusetts location in Shrewsbury. A formal ribbon-cutting on August 28 and a Big Blue Family Fun Day on August 29 are scheduled leading up to the first big splash as classes officially commence at 100 Boston Turnpike in the White City Shopping Plaza. The location’s owners are a Boston-area husband-and-wife team who feel passionate about swim safety and Big Blue’s mission to empower kids with the skills they need to feel confident in the water. “We are so honored to bring the fourth Big Blue Swim School in the state to the Shrewsbury and Greater Central Massachusetts community. We are teaching children an important life-saving skill and building confidence that can help them reach their full potential in other activities as they learn and grow,” they said in a release. Big Blue Swim School Shrewsbury will offer weekly, year-round, 30- to 45-minute swim lessons for children. Level-appropriate, engaging lessons are led by professional instructors. Big Blue sets itself
apart from other swim schools with 90-degree, ultra-clean water; a comfortable viewing area to keep an eye on swimmers; plenty of private changing rooms; fall-proof, anti-microbial flooring throughout the facility; free Wi-Fi; and ample parking. Additionally, Big Blue’s mobile app gives parents the ability to conveniently schedule and coordinate classes for multiple kids simultaneously and track their swimming progress. “We are so excited to welcome everyone to the fourth Massachusetts Big Blue Swim School in Shrewsbury,” says Chris DeJong, Big Blue Swim School founder. “With every new pool opening comes the opportunity to create big moments that lead to kids learning they can achieve anything in life.” For a limited time, families can take advantage of a special rate when they enroll in weekly swim lessons at Big Blue Shrewsbury: four weekly lessons for $79. For more information about the Big Blue Swim School Shrewsbury opening, class schedules, or to enroll, scan the QR code below.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 19
COMMUNITY NEWS
Grafton may permit on-site marijuana consumption By Evan Walsh Managing Editor GRAFTON – Like many towns across Massachusetts, Grafton is considering allowing on-site consumption of marijuana. On July 21, Annette Garcia – the public health director for Shrewsbury, Grafton, and West Boylston – led the Select Board in a discussion about potential options going forward. Three types of permits could be offered in Grafton. A “supplemental permit” would allow existing marijuana facilities to offer on-site consumption (a lounge next to the sales floor, for instance). A “hospitality license” would allow non-cannabis-related businesses to have a designated area for on-site consumption (a movie theater selling marijuana). A third type of license would allow marijuana at weddings or music festivals. There are a couple limits: alcohol and tobacco may not be sold where there is marijuana. And Grafton has a say in all of this: the town may elect to create permitting structures, agreements with dispensaries, or other procedures. While on-site consumption would make marijuana more accessible and could provide extra tax revenue, opponents highlight its downsides, like more frequent driving under the influence. And odors from marijuana businesses are often “really difficult to manage,” Garcia told the Select Board. “As communities consider whether or not they want to adopt these and allow these businesses, I think there are
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some good conversations that should take place with the Select Board, Board of Health – getting public safety’s input on how they would respond and regulate,” said Garcia. To weigh its options, Grafton is setting up “listening sessions” to hear from the public. Any action would require a Town Meeting vote.
“Can we have a [listening session] on this? I want to hear from business owners who might want to expand this into their business. … There’s opportunities here, and I’d like to get some feedback from business owners and residents,” said Select Board member Colleen Roy.
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20 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
Hudson Eagle Scout honored for organizing fundraiser for migrants By Paul Hopkins Reporter HUDSON – After supplying hundreds of pairs of shoes to migrants temporarily living in the area in 2023, Eagle Scout Peter Thompson was lauded by the town for his “outstanding service.” Health Department Administrator Donna Boule told the Select Board that Thompson officially received Scouting America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, on May 17. Thompson graduated from Hudson High School this year and will be attending Vermont State University. Boule said Thompson approached the Board of Health on the recommendation of Town Clerk Joan Wordell, “whose dedication to Scouting spans many years.” It was the summer of 2023, when the state sheltered approximately 120 migrants in Hudson, including many children. “At the time, there were
no state service providers assigned to support these families,” Boule said. “So the Hudson Health Department stepped in to help connect them with essential resources and necessities.” Thompson approached Boule asking if there were needs he could build his Eagle Scout service project around. “ The timing could not have been better,” she told the Select Board. “After we discussed the needs of the families, Peter came up with the idea of organizing a community-wide shoe drive.”
Peter Thompson was lauded by town officials. (Photos/Paul Hopkins)
While the idea may sound simple, it was an effort that required extensive planning, organization, and leadership. Thompson developed his proposal, secured the necessary ap provals, organized volunteers, coordinated donation sites throughout town, and led the project from start
to finish. The results were impressive. “The response from our community was incredible,” Boule told the board. “Hundreds of pairs of shoes were collected for men, women, and children. Many were brand new, thanks to the
generosity of Peter’s mother’s employer, while many others came from our local senior community. Those shoes helped meet real needs for work, school, church, and everyday life.” Boule said “it was truly an honor to mentor him throughout this project and to witness firsthand his kindness, humility, and commitment to serving others.” Thompson got a standing ovation from those at the Select Board meeting and handshakes all around. His mother, Ann Thompson, his grandmother, Ann Weston, and his Eagle Coach, Robert Luongo, were all in attendance. Only about 6 percent of Scouts earn the Eagle Scout rank, with about 27,000 making the cut in 2026. Notable Eagle Scouts include Neil Armstrong, President Gerald Ford, and filmmaker Steven Spielberg.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 21
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22 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
POLICE
FIRE
Scan QR code to read this week’s police and fire news on our website.
Man arrested after allegedly exposing himself at Northborough Kohl’s
Man allegedly toting brass knuckles arrested after Northborough traffic stop
NORTHBOROUGH — A man was arrested on several charges after allegedly exposing himself to a female shopper at the Northborough Kohl’s, located at 7102 Shops Way. The incident occurred at approximately 12:28 p.m. on July 21, according to court documents. The alleged exposure happened in the shoe department and caused “extreme alarm” to the victim, who stopped shopping and ran to find a Kohl’s employee, the documents state. The Northborough Police Department arrested Marcus Payne, and discovered he was a Level 3 sex offender from Oregon who had been staying in town. Police state Payne had not registered as a sex offender in Massachusetts. Payne is charged with Open and Gross Lewdness, Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, and Disturbing the Peace. Payne was arraigned on July 22, pleaded “not guilty” to all charges, and was released after posting bail.
NORTHBOROUGH —At approximately 8:23 a.m. on July 27, a Northborough Police Department officer was traveling east on West Main Street (Route 20) when he clocked a car going 60 mph in a 40-mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted, and a Tesla Model Y was pulled over. According to reports, officers immediately realized that the operator – identified as Caleb Kotei – has signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes. There was a strong odor of burnt marijuana, according to court documents, and there was marijuna paraphernalia on the passenger seat. Kotei gave officers consent to search his backpack, and a set of brass knuckles were allegedly found. Kotei was arrested and charged with Operating Under the Influence of Drugs, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Speeding, and Carrying a Dangerous Weapon. He pleaded not guilty during a July arraignment.
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POLICE LOG The information in the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court issued documentation. What’s below is a representation of this week’s police log. Some calls lacking severity have been omitted due to space constraints.
Marlborough Sunday, July 26 6:15 p.m. Arrested, Teddy Figueroa, 38, of Marlborough, for strangulation or suffocation. 7:41 p.m. Arrested, Edson Charley De Lima, 45, of Marlborough, for OUI-liquor or .08%, unlicensed operation of MV, negligent operation of motor vehicle.
Northborough Sunday, July 19 7:51 p.m. Arrested, Robert Michael Campbell, 49, of Acton, for operate MV with license suspended. Tuesday, July 21 12:58 p.m. Arrested, Marcus Payne, 64, of Andalusia, AL, for level 2 or 3 sex offender failing to register, open and gross lewdness, disturbing the peace. Saturday, July 25 10:36 p.m. Arrested, Kylie L. Vipraio, 30, of Shrewsbury, for fail to dim headlights, negligent operation of motor vehicle, OUI-liquor or .08% 2nd offense, possess open container of alcohol in MV, marked lanes violation.
Shrewsbury Monday, July 20 12:57 a.m. Arrested, Shane Willard Weeks, 43, of Boylston, for OUI liquor, negligent operation of MV (operate to endanger), marked lanes violation, drink alcohol from open container in MV. Sunday, July 26 6:38 p.m. Arrested, Ajen Lynette Rowe, 38, of Worcester, on warrant.
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Monday, July 27 10:24 a.m. Arrested, Robert E. Carey, 41, of Worcester, for operate MV with license suspended/revoked, operate MV with registration suspended/revoked.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 23
Call 508.366.5500 to advertise your legal notice
LEGAL NOTICES Scan QR code for rate information or to email your legal notice.
HUDSON LEGAL NOTICE The Hudson Select Board will hold a public hearing to consider an application for a Class II License received from Collin Murray of Quattrosport LLC to engage in the principal business of buying and/or selling second hand Motor Vehicles at 538 Main Street, Hudson, MA. The Hearing will be held at the Hudson Police Station located at 911 Municipal Drive, Hudson, MA 01749 on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 7:00PM. For more information call 978-562-9963.
SHREWSBURY TOWN OF SHREWSBURY ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARINGS RICHARD D. CARNEY MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING 100 MAPLE AVENUE SHREWSBURY, MA August 24, 2026 6:00 PM To hear the appeal of Robert Coates, 22 Ridge Road, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 for a Variance to the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section VII-Table IV to allow for a swimming pool four feet (4’) from the principle dwelling where ten feet (10’) is required on property located at 22 Ridge Road in the Rural B zoning district. The subject premise is described on the Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 08 Plot 058027. August 24, 2026 6:00 PM To hear the appeal of Mark Peris, 19 Ashwood Circle, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 for a Variance to the Shrewsbury Zoning Bylaw Section VII.B (10) to create a lot with a Lot Shape Factor of “.41” where a minimum of “.45” is required on property located at 13 John Street in the Residence B-2 zoning district. The subject premise is described on the Shrewsbury Assessor’s Tax Plate 45 Plot 019001. TOWN OF SHREWSBURY LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF HEARING - G.L. CHAPTER 131, S. 40 Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 131, s. 40, and the Town of Shrewsbury Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations that Shrewsbury Chestnut Holdco LLC, 6110 Parkland Boulevard, Mayfield Heights, Ohio, has filed a Request for Determination of Applicability for site modifications including grading and landscaping in the buffer zone at 333 South Street. A public hearing will be held for the above notice at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday Evening, August 18, 2026, in the Selectboard Room, Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury 01545. SHREWSBURY CONSERVATION COMMISSION Kenneth Polito, Chair TOWN OF SHREWSBURY LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF HEARING - G.L. CHAPTER 131, S. 40 Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 131, s. 40, and the Town of Shrewsbury Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations that Bosilka & Grigorios Herri-Antoni, 92 Cherry Street, Shrewsbury, MA have filed an after-the-fact Request for Determination of Applicability for the clearing and regrading of buffer zone area as well as stabilization of bare disturbed areas and removal of debris at 92 Cherry Street. A public hearing will be held for the above notice at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday Evening, August 18, 2026, in the Selectboard Room, Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury 01545. SHREWSBURY CONSERVATION COMMISSION Kenneth Polito, Chair
Legal notices are also available online at www.masspublishers.org
TOWN OF SHREWSBURY LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF HEARING - G.L. CHAPTER 131, S. 40 Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 131, s. 40, and the Town of Shrewsbury Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations that Cheryl Van Zuylen, 93 South Quinsigamond Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA has filed a Request for Determination of Applicability for the replacement of a deck with a sunroom at 93 South Quinsigamond Avenue. A public hearing will be held for the above notice at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday Evening, August 18, 2026, in the Selectboard Room, Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury 01545. SHREWSBURY CONSERVATION COMMISSION Kenneth Polito, Chair TOWN OF SHREWSBURY LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF HEARING - G.L. CHAPTER 131, S. 40 Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 131, s. 40, and the Town of Shrewsbury Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations that Mark Lambert, 41 Campground Road, West Boylston, MA has filed a Request for Determination of Applicability for the removal of 5 trees at 92 School Street. A public hearing will be held for the above notice at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday Evening, August 18, 2026, in the Selectboard Room, Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury 01545. SHREWSBURY CONSERVATION COMMISSION Kenneth Polito, Chair TOWN OF SHREWSBURY LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF HEARING - G.L. CHAPTER 131, S. 40 Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 131, s. 40, and the Town of Shrewsbury Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations that Modish Nest LLC, 38 Appaloosa Drive, Shrewsbury, MA has filed a Notice of Intent for the construction of a single family home and associated site work at 40 Westview Avenue. A public hearing will be held for the above notice at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday Evening, August 18, 2026, in the Selectboard Room, Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury 01545. SHREWSBURY CONSERVATION COMMISSION Kenneth Polito, Chair TOWN OF SHREWSBURY LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF HEARING - G.L. CHAPTER 131, S. 40 Notice is hereby given in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 131, s. 40, and the Town of Shrewsbury Wetlands Bylaw and Regulations that Sami Ventriglia, 119 Maebeth Street, Springfield, MA 01119 has filed a Notice of Intent for the construction of a single family home, driveway utility connections, drainage systems and associated site work and grading at 255 Gulf Street. A public hearing will be held for the above notice at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday Evening, August 18, 2026, in the Selectboard Room, Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury 01545. SHREWSBURY CONSERVATION COMMISSION Kenneth Polito, Chair
NORTHBOROUGH SECTION 00 11 13 ADVERTISEMENT TO BID MGL C.149 $50K TO $150K The NORTHBOROUGH HOUSING AUTHORITY, the Awarding Authority, invites sealed bids from Contractors for the SUST Bath Fans at State Aided Development: Heritage Village (667-2) in Northborough, Massachusetts, in accordance with the
documents prepared by ROGUE ENGINEERING & DESIGN INC.. The Project consists of but not limited to: Installation of new exhaust fans, wall caps, roof caps, soffits, electrical breaker, wiring and switching. The work is estimated to cost $110,000.00. All bidding Requests for Information (RFIs) shall be submitted online by 08/24/2026 at 2:00PM EDT for general bids. Bids are subject to M.G.L. c.149 §44A-J & to minimum wage rates as required by M.G.L. c.149 §§26 to 27H inclusive. THIS PROJECT IS BEING ELECTRONICALLY BID AND HARD COPY BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please review the instructions in the bid documents on how to register as an electronic bidder. All Bids shall be submitted online at biddocs.com and received no later than the date and time specified. General Bids will be received until 28 August 2026 at 2:00PM EDT and publicly opened online, forthwith. General bids and sub-bids shall be accompanied by a bid deposit that is not less than five (5%) of the greatest possible bid amount (including all alternates) and made payable to the NORTHBOROUGH HOUSING AUTHORITY. Note: A bid deposit is not required for Projects advertised under $50,000. Bid Forms and Contract Documents will be available for review at biddocs.com (may be viewed and downloaded electronically at no cost). The Contractor and all subcontractors (collectively referred to as “the Contractor”) agree to strive to achieve minority and women workforce participation. The Workforce Participation benchmark is set at 6.9% for women and 15.3% for minorities. The Workforce benchmark percentages are a statutory requirement under MGL c. 149 § 44A(2)(G). PRE-BID CONFERENCE / SITE VISIT: Scheduled Date and Time: 08/13/2026 at 11:00AM EDT Address: 5 Centre Street, Northborough, MA 01532 Instructions: Meet in front of the community lounge at building #5. Parking available at the very end of the road leading into the complex. The hard copy Contract Documents may be seen at: Nashoba Blue Inc. 433 Main Street Hudson, MA 01749 978-568-1167 MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE NOTICE OF TAX TAKING (G.L. C. 60, § 53) THIS NOTICE AFFECTS IMPORTANT LEGAL RIGHTS AND SHOULD BE TRANSLATED IMMEDIATELY 本通知对于重要法律权利产生影响， 请立即翻译 本通知對於重要法律權利 產生影響，請立即翻譯 ESTE AVISO AFECTA IMPORTANTES DERECHOS LEGALES Y DEBERÍA SER TRADUCIDO INMEDIATAMENTE CET AVIS AFFECTE DES DROITS JURIDIQUES IMPORTANTS ET DOIT ÊTRE TRADUIT IMMÉDIATEMENT AVI SA A AFEKTE DWA LEGAL KI ENPÒTAN EPI LI SIPOZE TRADWI IMEDYATMAN THÔNG BÁO NÀY CÓ ẢNH HƯỜNG ĐẾN CÁC QUYỀN PHÁP LÝ QUAN TRỌNG, DO ĐÓ CẦN ĐƯỢC DỊCH THUẬT NGAY ESTE AVISO DIZ RESPEITO A DIREITOS LEGAIS IMPORTANTES E DEVE SER TRADUZIDO IMEDIATAMENTE You are receiving this notice because: 1. You own property in Massachusetts. 2. You still owe some local taxes on your property. 3. You’ve received a letter asking you to pay these past due taxes (a demand), but you haven’t done so yet. 4. The city or town’s tax collector plans to take your property on the date, time, and place noted below. 5. They won’t take your property if you pay what you owe before that date. TO THE OWNERS OF THE DESCRIBED PROPERTY BELOW, AND TO ALL OTHERS CONCERNED, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ON __Wednesday(day), August (month) __26th(date), 2026_ (year) at 9:00 (time) o’clock AM (AM or PM), at NORTHBOROUGH TOWN HALL (place of taking), pursuant to General Laws Chapter 60, Section 53, and by virtue of the authority vested in me as Collector of Taxes, IT
IS MY INTENTION TO TAKE FOR THE TOWN (city or town) of NORTHBOROUGH(name of city or town) the following parcels of land for non-payment of the taxes due, with interest and all incidental expenses and costs to the date of taking, unless the same is paid before that date. STF 6053 https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-revenue Page 2 of 2 LIST OF PARCELS TO BE TAKEN THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION MUST BE GIVEN IN THE CASE OF EACH PARCEL: • Names of all owners known to the collector. In the taking of undivided real estate of deceased persons, the names of all the heirs or devisees interested as appearing in the probate records. • The year for which the tax was assessed. • Amount of tax assessed on each parcel to be taken. • The unpaid balance of the tax assessed. • Description of the several rights, lots, or divisions, sufficiently accurate to identify the premises. • In the case of registered land, Certificate of Title No. must be given. FY24 7TH GROUP LLC / 0 NEWTON ST / PARCEL ID 7-39/ GROSS TAX $3,457.19 / REMAINING: $3,457.19 PLUS INT & FEES. FY25 7th GROUP LLC / 0 NEWTON ST / PARCEL ID 7-39 / GROSS TAX $3,763.79 / REMAINING $3,763.79 PLUS INT & FEES. FY24 7th GROUP LLC / 0 NEWTON ST / PARCEL ID 7-40 / GROSS TAX $3,547.06 / REMAINING $3,547.06 PLUS INT & FEES. FY25 7th GROUP LLC / 0 NEWTON ST / PARCEL ID 7-40 / GROSS TAX $3,896.86 / REMAINING $3,896.86 PLUS INT & FEES. FY24 7th GROUP LLC / 0 NEWTON ST / PARCEL ID 7-41 / GROSS TAX $3,892.01 / REMAINING $3,892.01 PLUS INT & FEES. FY25 7th GROUP LLC / 0 NEWTON ST / PARCEL ID 7-41 / GROSS TAX $4,413.21 / REMAINING $4,413.21 PLUS INT & FEES. FY25 DAVIDIAN MICHAEL & JAYME / GREEN ST / PARCEL ID 10-11 / GROSS TAX $114.00 / REMAINING $114.00 PLUS INT & FEES. FY25 INNIS CONSTRUCTION / STONE DR / PARCEL ID 14-56 / GROSS TAX $3,899.75 / REMAINING $3,899.75 PLUS INT & FEES. FY25 DAVIDIAN REALTY LLC / 150 BALL ST / PARCEL ID 25-5 / GROSS TAX $19,684.78 / REMAINING $40.35 PLUS INT & FEES. FY25 DAVIDIAN REALTY LLC / 500 CHURCH ST / PARCEL ID 40-7 / GROSS TAX $20,195.68 / REMAINING $28.39 PLUS INT & FEES. FY25 VELDANDA NARSI R & MEKA SWETHA / 5 DARTMOUTH DR / PARCEL ID 48-36 / REG CERT 15913 / GROSS TAX $13,845.03 / REMAINING $10,603.71 PLUS INT & FEES. FY25 MOUNT ASSABET REALTY TRUST / SUSAN BENEDETTI TRUSTEE / ASSABET HILL CIR / PARCEL ID 63-193 / GROSS TAX $58.43 / REMAINING $58.43 PLUS INT & FEES.
captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner, KARA B. LEVINE of Westborough, MA. A will has been admitted to informal probate. KARA B. LEVINE of Westborough, MA. has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond. The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.
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FY25 BEALE JR HOWARD K / 38 BARTLETT ST / PARCEL ID 52-46-1 / GROSS TAX $4,925.24 / REMAINING $105.72 PLUS INT & FEES.
• SHREWSBURY • WESTBOROUGH • NORTHBOROUGH • MARLBOROUGH • HUDSON • SOUTHBOROUGH • GRAFTON
FY25 FRANCA ENTERPRISE SERVICE INC / 18 HUDSON ST / PARCEL ID 63-82-2 / GROSS TAX $7,961.55 / REMAINING $7,961.55 PLUS INT & FEES.
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LISA M TROAST Collector of Taxes AUGUST 7, 2026 TOWN OF NORTHBOROUGH THIS FORM APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE
FAMILY & PROBATE LAW INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE Docket No. WO26P2222EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Worcester Division Probate and Family Court Estate of: JUDITH MAE LEVINE Also Knows As: JUDITH LEVINE Date of Death: FEBRUARY 18, 2026 To all persons interested in the above
24 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
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A POWERFUL PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit you who solve all problems who light all roads so I can attain my goals, you who give me the divine gifts to forgive and forget all evil against me, in this short prayer to thank you for all things and confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you, even in spite of all material illusions. I wish you in eternal glory, thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. The person must say this prayer for three consecutive days. After three days the favor requested will be granted, even if it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published immediately after the favor is granted without mentioning the favor. Only your initials shall appear on the bottom. ~ F.R.
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26 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY OBITUARIES The Community Advocate will post obituaries online (and in print, as space allows). Please send information (and a picture if desired) to tracy@communityadvocate.com. Here is a complete list of individual obituaries posted on the Community Advocate website (www.communityadvocate.com).
DEATHS Anderson, Steven
formerly of Northborough
Azzarone Sr., Joseph of Shrewsbury
Barry, John
of Shrewsbury
Casello-Fields, Linda of Grafton
Catanzaro, Donna of Shrewsbury
Chapleau, Mark of Grafton
Decker, Jane
formerly of Marlborough
Ewald Jr., Curtis of Grafton
Heedles, Carmela of Shrewsbury
Hodgens, Ph.D, Timothy of Westborough
Kelly, Maureen
formerly of Hudson
Lussier, Walter of South Grafton
Maranda, Francine
formerly of North Grafton and Westborough
McAuliffe, Marjorie
formerly of Southborough
Mele, Marlene of Marlborough
Paquette, Maura of Westborough
Renauld, Claudia formerly of Grafton
Rubin, Marci of Shrewsbury
Stoney, H. Stanley of Shrewsbury
Strom, Bernardine
of Shrewsbury/South Yarmouth
Turner, Stephen of Marlborough
Wise, Steven
of Marlborough
Francine Maranda, 77 HOPKINTON - Francine Mildred Maranda, 77, of Hopkinton, MA, peacefully passed away on July 14, 2026 following a brief illness. She was a devoted mother, a loving sister and a dear friend and will be deeply missed. Francine was born in Jamaica Plain, MA to Clifford and Juanita Ansell, the second of 8 siblings. As one of the older children, Cine was often called on to care for and
help the ones who followed, and in those years developed a strong love of family and devotion to those in her care throughout her life. Francine is survived by her daughter, Juanita Maranda of Hudson, MA; her sister, Jennifer Bigelow of Taunton, MA; 3 brothers – Clifford Ansell of Bellingham, MA, James Ansell of American Falls, ID and Richard Ansell of Rossville, Georgia; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Walter Lussier, 75 SOUTH GRAFTON - Walter J. Lussier, 75, of Ferry St., passed away on Friday, July 10, 2026, after an illness. He is survived by his sister Donna Wilhelmi and her husband Paul of S. Grafton; his niece Nicole; many cousins, and several friends. He was brother of the late Raymond Lussier who died in 1975. He also leaves behind his cat Ziggy, whom he loved. Born in Whitinsville on Nov. 2, 1950, he was the son of the late Maurice and Josephine (Filor) Lussier and lived in S. Grafton all his life. Jackman Funeral Home assisted the family.
Maureen F. Kelly, 83 CLINTON - Maureen F. Kelly, 83, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 19, 2026. She is survived by her children, Tracey Montagnon and her husband, Marc; Kevin Trongone; and Joseph Kraft. She was the proud and devoted grandmother of Adrien, Laura, and Kelly Montagnon; Mikayla Notaro; and Matthew and Michael Trongone. She also leaves behind her sisters, Patricia Higgins and Karen Michienzi and her husband, Peter, along with generations of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth Ann Kelly; her former husband, Terrence Kraft; and her longtime companion, George Hemmingway. Philbin-Comeau Funeral Home of Clinton assisted the family.
H. Stanley Stoney Jr., 88 SHREWSBURY - It is with a heavy heart that the family announces the passing of H. Stanley Stoney, J r. , 8 8, o f Shrewsbury, on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Stanley was born in Burlington, Vermont, on August 23, 1937, to the late Howard Sr. and Muriel (Smith) Stoney. He is survived by his wife, Helen L. Stoney; his sons, Jeffery Stoney and his wife, Michelle, of Morrisville, Vermont, and Steve Stoney of Shrewsbury; daughter-inlaw Karen Fenwick; step-son Kevin Fenwick and his wife, Marie-Christine; his grandchildren, Tyler Stoney, Julia Fenwick, Gallagher Fenwick, and Batestie Fenwick; as well as great-grandchildren and many cousins and friends. In addition to his parents, Stanley was predeceased by his uncles, aunts, and stepson. Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel of Worcester assisted the family.
Joseph Azzarone Sr., 82 SHREWSBURY - Joseph Azzarone, Sr. died peacefully with family at his side on Friday, July 24, 2026. He was 82. Born on October 19, 1943, in Worcester, Joe was one of three children of the late Pantaleo and Angelina (Padavano) Azzarone. Joe was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Carol A. (Clayton) Azzarone on April 20, 2014. He leaves his children, Jodie A. Marks ( James) of Worcester, Joseph Azzarone Jr. (Elisia) of Shrewsbury, Sallee A. Stearns (Mark) of Holden; his grandchildren, Jillian Powers (Liam), Brian O’Connor (Katlyn) and Brandon O’Connor, Samantha, Cole and Julia Azzarone and Gabriella Stearns; great-
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grandchildren, Harper, Remi, Zeke and Callan; his siblings, Gerald ‘Jerry’ Azzarone and Susanna Festa (Michael), all of Worcester; his longtime companion, Drena Troiano of Shrewsbury; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Arrangements by James + John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home of Waltham.
Carmela Heedles, 94 SHREWSBURY - Carmela Virginia Heedles, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026 at the age of 94. Carmela was born in Brooklyn, NY to Salvatore and Frances (O’Brien) DeMeo on May 25th, 1932. Carmela is preceded in death by her parents, Salvatore and Frances; her husband, James A.; and her sisters, Catherine and Frances. She is survived by her son, James M.; her daughters, Mary Frances, Catherine, Sally, and Alison; her grandchildren, Andrew, Elyse, Matthew, Alexandra, Isabel, Adam, Rebecca, Jeremy, Rachel, Emily, Christopher, and Keith; and her greatgrandchildren, Olivia, Nicholas, Jaiden, Ember Lee, Piper Leigh, and Carolyn. Britton Funeral Homes of Shrewsbury assisted the family.
John Barry, 91 SHREWSBURY - John “Jack” Barry, 91, of Shrewsbury, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. He leaves behind his loving children, Elizabeth Healey and her husband Robert of Hingham, John Barry and his wife Sanda of Hubbardston, Tim Barry and his wife Jane of Heathsville, VA, and MaryFrances Barry of Hingham. His legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren,
Michaela Robbins and her husband Dave of Pittsburgh, PA, Jack Healey of Hingham, Meaghan Barry and her husband Fernando Bales of Pontiac, MI, Anna Barry of Somerville, Sarah Barry of Denver, CO, Caitlin Barry and her husband Jake Watts, and Chelsea Howard and her husband Mike, all of Stafford, VA and Jack Barry of Heathsville, VA, as well as his eight great-grandchildren. Jack’s extended family includes much-loved nieces and nephews from his and Maggie’s families. Besides his parents, who predeceased him, were his sister, Mary Reidy and his beloved grandson, Matthew Healey, who remains forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Britton Funeral Homes of Shrewsbury assisted the family.
Bernardine C. Strom, 86 S H R E W S B U R Y/ S O U T H YARMOUTH - Bernardine C. (Rourke) Strom, 86, of Shrewsbury and South Yarmouth, died Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at her home. She was the loving wife of the late George A. Strom, Jr. for 44 years prior to his passing in 2008. Bernardine leaves two daughters, Martha Strom of Shrewsbury and Jane Corriere and her husband retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Michael A. Corriere of Clarksville, MD., a son George F. Strom and his wife Natasha Strom of Arlington, MA, seven grandchildren, Ryan, Meghan, Sean, Brendan, and Mike Corriere, and Liam and Luke Strom; her brother Frank Rourke of Worcester, her sister Marie Haynes of Sutton, her sisters-in-law Doryl Rourke of Worcester and Donna (Strom) Robillard of Chelmsford; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. She was predeceased by her brothers William F. Rourke and Robert J. Rourke. Athy Memorial Home of Worcester assisted the family.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 27
COMMUNITY OBITUARIES
Jane Decker, 77 LANCASTER - Jane (Tedrow) Decker, 77, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Born on December 17, 1948, Jane was the daughter of the late Alva and Julia (Haddad) Tedrow and grew up in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Nearly 30 years ago, Jane’s life was forever changed by a tragic automobile accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Though her life took an unexpected path, Jane’s quiet strength and the enduring love of her family carried her through each chapter. In the years that followed, she found comfort in life’s simple pleasures, including playing bingo, completing word searches, and watching episodes of Friends. Jane is survived by her daughter, Melissa Colleton of Clinton and her husband, Ryan; her beloved grandchildren, Lucas, Jacoby, and Emily; her sisters, Delia Cardinal and Irene Zeh; and her niece, Chantal Sebastiao and her husband, Greg. Slattery Funeral Home, Inc. of Marlborough assisted the family.
Claudia C. Renauld, 90 MILLBURY - Claudia C. (Snow) Renauld, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, July 24 due to a brief illness after a lifelong battle with Sjogren’s Disease. She leaves behind her devoted husband of 68 years Robert Renauld; two children, Cathy Cody and her husband Bill, and her son Michael Renauld; two granddaughters, Patricia Buzanoski and her husband Marcus, and Lisa Cody and her partner Ricardo; as well as her two great grandsons, Desmond and Maxwell Buzanoski. She is survived by her sister Dolores Bolivar and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Arthur and Desange Blanche Snow, and her brother Robert.
Suellen Curtis. Steve was born in Montebello, California, the son of the late Jerry W. and Beverly A. (Boudreault) Wise. He is survived by his partner, Suellen Curtis of Marlborough, 2 stepdaughters: Renee Garceau of Framingham, Tara Slavin and her husband Chris of S.C. 7 grandchildren, Shawnna Marie, Christopher, Angela, Alexis, Cortney, Ashley and Madison. One great granddaughter Penelope, a brother Mark and Terry Wise of Florida, a sister Linda Wise of Martha’s Vineyard, 2 stepsisters Kelly and Sheryl as well as several nieces, nephews, Extended family and friends. Steve was predeceased by his stepson Troy Curtis in 2014, mother-in-law Lena Thorpe, stepmother Virginia K. Wise, his brother and sister Michael Wise and Lisa Tiller. Celebration of Life will be at the Marlborough Amvets, 17 Fitchburg St., Marlborough, MA on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 1pm. Burial will be at a later date. Short & Rowe Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted the family.
Mulhane Home for Funerals of Millbury assisted the family.
Marlene E. Mele, 76 MARLBOROUGH - Marlene E. Mele, 76, of Marlborough, MA peacefully passed away Friday, July 24th, 2026, at her home surrounded by loved ones. She was the daughter of the late Ralph and Louise (Humphrey) Goneau, and wife of the late Robert C. Mele Sr. She is predeceased by her brothers William, Paul, Phillip and Ralph, and her sisters Louise, Jane and Audrey. Marlene leaves behind her son, Robert C. Mele Jr. and his wife Rachel of Templeton, her daughter Lisa Mele and her husband Frank Lindsey of Marlborough, and her brother Peter Goneau and his wife Irene of Woburn. She also leaves behind her four grandchildren, Gabriel Mele, Joseph Mele, David Lindsey and Evelyn Lindsey. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 6th, 2026, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Slattery Funeral Home, 40 Pleasant Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 7th, 2026, at 10:00am at St. Matthias Church, 409 Hemenway Street, Marlborough, MA.
Donna M. Catanzaro, 63 SHREWSBURY - Donna Marie (Elliott) Catanzaro, 63, of Shrewsbury, passed away at UMass Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by
Steven W. Wise, 69 MARLBOROUGH - Steven Wayne Wise, 69, of Marlborough passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 26, 2026 in the arms of his lifetime partner of 31 years
found sadness that we announce the death of Mark Andrew Chapleau, 65, who p a s s e d away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, July 24, 2026, with his beloved wife of 43 years, Julie, by his side. After facing heart valve disease with remarkable strength and resilience for many years, Mark leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to his family. Above all else, Mark was a d evo te d h u sb a n d , f a ther, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Julie Chapleau (née Zucker); his son, David Chapleau, and daughter-in-law, Shannon Dempsey Chapleau, and their children, Ethan and Isabelle; his daughter, Ellen Chapleau, and her boyfriend, Louis Caputo. Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton assisted the family.
her loving family. Donna is survived by her husband, Mario Catanzaro; her daughter, Danielle Dainis and her husband, Jake, of Holden; two stepchildren, Daniel Catanzaro of New Bedford and Emily Monteiro and her husband, Anthony, of Munson; her stepmother, Elaine Elliott of Murrells Inlet, SC; her twin sister, Deborah DuVerger and her husband, Mark, of East Brookfield; her brother, Timothy Elliott and his wife, Lisa, of East Brookfield; her stepsister, Kara Ann Hansson and her husband, James, of Paxton; her stepbrother, Keith Demarski and his wife, Renee, of East Brookfield; eight grandchildren, Hailey, Ethan, Thomas, and Savvannah Ryan; Isaiah, and Penelope Monteiro, Lucca, and Michael Catanzaro; and many nieces and nephews. Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel of Worcester assisted the family.
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28 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
Kristen Las to return to Shrewsbury as first Deputy Town Manager By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – Kristen Las is coming back to Shrewsbury. At the July 28 Select Board meeting, Town Manager Kevin Mizikar announced that Las had accepted an offer to become the town’s first Deputy Town Manager. The role was created in June, and Las was selected from a competitive pool of over 40 applicants. “We’re looking forward to having her back in a leadership position with the town,” said Mizikar. Las joined the town in 2010 as the community’s first Town Planner, leading the zoning, planning, and regulatory review process for the Lakeway Commons project. In 2015, she became the town’s Assistant Town Manager. Over the next eight years, she supported the development of the town’s first strategic plan, led the town’s response to the pandemic,
coordinated the permitting of the Edgemere Crossing project, and secured over $5 million in grants. In 2023, she left for the Town Manager role in Westford. The Deputy Town Manager role represents a shift in how Town Hall operates. Prior to the creation of the position, Mizikar had six direct reports, including three assistant town managers: the Assistant Town Manager of Operations, Assistant Town Manager of Human Capital, and Assistant Town Manager of Administration and Finance. Under the new organizational structure, Mizikar has five direct reports. The assistant town manager roles have been retooled, and two spots remain: Assistant Town Manager of Public Works Keith Baldinger and Assistant Town Manager of Administration and Finance Kristina Ordung. The new position did not necessitate an increase in the town’s budget, Mizikar said.
Kristen Las (Community Advocate File Photos)
When hiring for the Deputy Town Manager position, Mizikar was looking for someone with “subject matter expertise” in land use planning, economic development, and human services. He was also targeting
someone who could provide organization-wide leadership ensuring legal, financial, and regulatory compliance; policy and governance integration; and leadership development. The Recreation Director, Library Director, Council on
Aging Director, Planning and Economic Development Director, Public Health Director, and Building Inspector will report to Las. Las does not have an expected start date as this article is being published.
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 29
COMMUNITY NEWS
‘Peanut’ rotary redesign recommended by consultant
With plan finalized, decision time nears for residents and officials By Evan Walsh Managing Editor WESTBOROUGH – After months of planning and community feedback, engineering consultant Kimley-Horn in June submitted its final report regarding a potential redesign of Westborough’s downtown rotary. The 91-page report includes the firm’s final recommendation. Kimley-Horn is officially recommending that the downtown rotary be reconfigured into a “peanut”-style “modern roundabout,” despite repeated community feedback that revealed a lack of public support for the proposal. KimleyHorn’s recommendation is just that – a recommendation. The town, namely the Planning Board and Select Board, is expected to discuss the matter at upcoming meetings. Constructed in 1931, the rotary has been eyed for improvement for decades, especially as traffic increased. It has its issues: Right-of-way is ambiguous in some areas of the rotary, cars often enter at high speeds, and there’s on-street parking within the intersection. From January 2018 to December 2025, there were 316 documented crashes that occurred near the rotary, according to the Kimley-Horn report. Yet there were no serious crashes until 2025, when there were two in a threemonth span. Though few argue the rotary is perfect, the majority of Westborough residents believe it is safe. In a poll that received great participation in early 2026, the Community Advocate asked residents to rate the rotary’s safety from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). Nearly 80 percent of respondents rated the rotary at “3” or above, with 47 percent rating it at “4” or above. Kimley-Horn’s report reveals similar feedback: “Most respondents rated conditions as ‘mostly safe,’” it reads. The new plan for the rotary, priced at $5.6 million and recommended by Kimley-Horn, would introduce the “peanut,” ensuring that only one lane of traffic can enter the intersection at any given time. Milk Street – which splits into two
one-way roads on either side of the Arcade Building – would have its northbound corridor transformed into a two-way road, with the southbound corridor becoming an outlet for a right-hand turn onto West Main Street. In the name of safety, roads like South Street and East Main Street would be narrowed to one lane. “Converting to a singlelane roundabout provides a more orderly traffic flow, and with one approach lane, drivers will experience clearer navigation and fewer merging conflicts,” Kimley-Horn wrote in the report. “Flow and movement in traffic under yieldcontrolled conditions [reduce] idling time as the need to stop is minimized.” The peanut-shaped design proved immediately unpopular, based on a Community Advocate poll. Nearly 90 percent of respondents said the redesign wasn’t worth $5 million, and over 90 percent of respondents said that they did not favor the peanut shape, with many preferring short-term improvements like re-striping, increased signage, and more. This sentiment was shared at an April 15 public meeting at the Forbes Municipal Building, where a preliminary design was presented. An “overwhelming” amount of people showed up, KimleyHorn wrote in the report. The crowd was almost unanimously unsatisfied with the design, and although the wave of negative feedback wasn’t clearly reflected in the consultants’ report, notes include that residents wanted to “preserve the historic charm” of downtown. Parking became a major lightning rod. Original plans called for the reduction of as many as 55 spaces, something residents said would be a catastrophic blow to downtown, and some businesses speculated they would close if the changes went into effect. In its report, Kimley-Horn argued that during weekday, midday, and afternoon peak hours, only 47 percent of downtown’s 211 parking spaces were utilized, further saying that some spaces – particularly those directly in the rotary – were more dangerous than they
were worth. But hearing residents’ negative reactions, Kimley-Horn brought back parking to plans – though the spaces directly within the rotary are still being removed. The recommended design would result in a net loss of one parking space, according to the plans, but op-
ponents argue that the new spaces are further away, and people may be unwilling to walk longer distances to reach their destinations. Other areas of confusion included the monument in the center of the rotary; KimleyHorn says it would have to be repositioned, but it would re-
Know More. Worry Less.
main on the island. Residents were concerned about keeping the mature trees downtown; while Kimley-Horn says an estimated 20 new saplings would be planted, it’s unclear what will happen with the older vegetation. The Community Advocate will have ongoing coverage.
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30 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026
COMMUNITY NEWS
‘Serving something greater’
Hudson native and U.S. Marine to participate in international training exercise PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — Pfc. Kaden Chaves, a native of Hudson, Massachusetts, serves with Combat Logistics Battalion 15 (CLB-15), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, a military support unit participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Marine Corps are similar to those found in Hudson, Chaves said. “I learned growing up that change is good, respect is everything, and that being uncomfortable is okay, and, a lot of the time, it can benefit you,” Chaves said. “In the Marine Corps, you never have a consistent schedule, so you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable and be ready to adapt for whatever comes your way.” Chaves joined the Marine
Corps one year ago. Today, Chaves serves as a transmission systems operator. “I joined the Marine Corps because there wasn’t much going back home and I wanted something I could be proud of,” Chaves said. “I’ve also always had thoughts about serving my country. It was always something in the back of my head.” As part of the world’s largest international maritime exercise, 31 nations, approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, 14 national land forces, over 140 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in RIMPAC 2026. This exercise provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships critical to ensuring safety at sea and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th exercise
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occurs as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. For 250 years, the United States has built relationships with international partners based on trust, cooperation, and shared values. RIMPAC is where that trust is put into practice, strengthening the people-to-people relationships that are the bedrock of all the nations’ collective security. Chaves plays an important role in the exercise. “Working and living alongside other countries during RIMPAC is really cool to experience,” Chaves said. “I’ve never done this before, and I’m learning a lot. Hawaii is beautiful.” Chaves serves a military that operates far forward, around the world, and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security. “Being in the Marine Corps means serving something greater than myself,” Chaves said. “It is important to be humble. Yes, you are serving the Marine Corps, but that doesn’t make you a better human being than anyone else.” Chaves is grateful to others for helping make a Marine Corps career possible. “I want to thank my parents, Kevin and Joanna, for the support they’ve given me and for keeping me in the right headspace,” Chaves added. “I also want to thank my grandparents, Beatrice and Antonio, and my sisters, Bella and Skyla, for being by my side through it all and for giving me unconditional love.”
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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, August 7, 2026 • 31
COMMUNITY SPORTS
Grafton cheers on Pan-Mass Challenge riders
Locals show support as fundraiser crosses through town for first time By Evan Walsh Managing Editor GRAFTON – Three years ago, Ann Marie Foley and a friend were looking to put a difficult 2022 behind them. That year, Foley had lost her husband, Robert, and her friend was mourning the loss of her brother. Training for the 2023 Pan-Mass Challenge proved to be their solace. “We needed a goal, something to look forward to, and something to work towards,” Foley said. “ The two of us rode it that year. We d i d n ’ t h a v e bikes – we went and bought them – and we didn’t have any idea what we were doing, other than some coaching from my son. It was great.” The Pan-Mass Challenge has become somewhat of a tradition for the Foley family. Foley’s son, Robert, has participated eight times, and on August 1, her daughter, Caileen, partook in the fundraiser for the first time. It was a first not only for Caileen, but for Grafton. After years of starting in Sturbridge, the Pan-Mass Challenge kicked off at the College of the Holy Cross
Mass Challenge raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. In total, bikers – who ride from Worcester to Provincetown over two days – have raised over $1.125 billion for organizations like the Da-
in 2026, taking a new route that went down Route 122A in Grafton. It’s where Foley lives and serves as one of the town’s Select Board members. A crowd of dozens gathered at Mill Villages Park to bring the energy – and welcome the participants to
Grafton. “After having ridden it, I understood that you go through random towns all day. You remember stuff like this [the energy], so what a great way to put Grafton on the map,” Foley told the Community Advocate. Started in 1980, the Pan-
na-Farber Cancer Institute. More than 6,500 people participate every year, with thousands more volunteers. As early as 6 a.m., cheerful Grafton residents rang cowbells, blasted music, and encouraged bikers as they headed east. Dawn Anderson, the town’s moderator, came to support Jim Malloy, who serves with her on the committee studying the town’s charter. It would’ve been impossible to spot Malloy among the crowd of bikes, so Anderson cheered for every last one of the thousands of participants. As a runner, Anderson knows a crowd can make all the difference. “Having people cheer you on – even if you don’t know who they are – it really motivates you,” she said.
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Marlborough PD spends $173K for two cruisers By Evan Walsh Managing Editor MARLBOROUGH – The Marlborough City Council on July 20 approved a cash transfer of $173,494 from the city’s Stabilization Fund to the Public Safety Capital Police Equipment account to fund the purchase of two police vehicles. “Due to market variables and availability of stock, these vehicles were com-
pleted ahead of schedule, with delivery expected next month. The transfer re quest is to cover the cost of these vehicles, which would have been funded under the Capital Improvement Plan after free cash is certified. However, with the early delivery, we are requesting a transfer from the Stabilization account in order to get these vehicles in service and to the Police Department as soon as they are available,”
Mayor Christian J. Dumais wrote in a letter to the City Council. O n e ve h i cl e w i l l cos t $75,768, while the other vehicle will cost $97,725. According to a cruiser inventory provided by the Marlborough Police Department, the department has 36 vehicles. Seven are in “poor” condition, 11 are in “fair” condition, 15 are in “good” condition, and three are listed as “new.”
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