Pickleball tournament raises funds for mental health
Saint John’s holds graduation ceremony
northborough | 11
Shrewsbury | 15
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Vol. 49 | No. 21 | May 26, 2023
Assessment gives glimpse of senior citizen needs
Longest-serving Select Board member ends tenure By Evan Walsh Reporter
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – The cost of housing. The need for better transportation options, and better support for caregivers. What kind of programs and services are offered by the Westborough Senior Center. These were some of the key points found within the town’s senior needs assessment released earlier this month. The town-commissioned report was compiled by a team at the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. The report, which is available on the town’s website, was presented to the Select Board during its May 9 meeting. Data was collected from focus groups and surveys mailed to residents. When asked about preferences for type of housing, 41% of respondents aged 55-59 and nearly a third of respondents in their 60s would prefer to live in an apartment, condo or townhome. Among respondents in their 70s, 43% would choose a senior independent living community; assisted living is the most preferred housing type for the future, reported by those ages 80+. Over half of the respondents 70 or older said they participated at the Senior Center. That number decreased to 24% for respondents in their 60s. Additionally, the report indicated that only 7% of respondents do not drive. However that Assessment | 6
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SHREWSBURY – Maurice “Moe” DePalo has been a steady force on the Shrewsbury Select Board for decades. Over his 10-term, 30-year tenure, DePalo has served with 17 different Select Board members and three town managers. However, the Select Board meeting on April 25 was DePalo’s last, as he announced in November that he would not be seeking reelection in May. DePalo finishes his career as the longest-tenured Select Board member in Shrewsbury’s history. From Spag’s to Select Board DePalo — a lifelong resident of Shrewsbury and graduate of Shrewsbury High School — first became interested in local government while working for Spag’s. The retailer was lookDePalo | 7
After a 30-year legacy on the Select Board, Moe DePalo is the longest-serving member in town history.
White Cliffs proposal will not move forward By Laura Hayes Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH – The Select Board declined to move forward on a developer’s proposal for the White Cliffs mansion property. As Chair Mitch Cohen described it, the decision before the board during its May 22 meeting was essentially to open negotiations on an
option to purchase. The board voted 4-0 with member Lisa Maselli recusing herself following advice from town counsel. What was proposed The town purchased the property in 2016. After issuing a request for proposals (RFP) White Cliffs | 6
PHOTO/EVAN WALSH