Assabet students work on senior center project
Library asks for ARPA funds for health, wellness projects northborough | 6
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Vol. 49 | No. 40 | October 6, 2023
Arts in Common brings the community together
Final costs associated with community center remain unclear
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – Although most of the numbers for the proposed Community Center on Union Street are becoming clearer, some costs remain up in the air. Over the past month, town officials have been refining the proposal, which will come before Town Meeting on Monday, Oct. 16, in two warrant articles. Article 3 will ask residents whether to authorize the Select Board to acquire the property at 1500 Union St. for a price of $8.8 million (payable by a 20-year bond, at 5 percent interest). This article will require a two-thirds majority vote. Article 4 will ask for funds to conduct due diligence, design costs, etc., for the proposed center. While there is a better idea on costs associated with personnel and operations, there’s still one big blank — how much it would take to “fix up” the site should the town approve the purchase. In her presentation to the Advisory Finance Committee on Sept. 14, Town Manager Kristi Williams said, “It’s difficult to calculate,” but once that fix-up number is determined, she said the hope is that the town could cover that expense out of its reserves. Why $8.8 million? According to a Frequently Asked Questions Community Center | 4
WESTBOROUGH – It may have been gray skies above, but there was plenty of color at the 13th annual Arts in Common event at Bay State Commons on Saturday, Sept. 30. At the event, sponsored by the Westborough Cultural Council, visitors checked out more than three dozen vendors and activities. Those activities included a petting zoo hosted by David French Music; a caricature artist; henna designs; typewriter poetry; an art tent to make your own magnets; origami; and a Kid’s Corner. Vendors offered a wide range of products for purchase, from cigar-box guitars to handmade soaps, handmade knits, artwork and stained glass. On the stage, there were performances Arts in Common | 12
Members of the Ekta Dance Academy perform Bollywood dancing during Arts in Common Sept. 30.
Spectrum seeks to enter Shrewsbury cable market By Evan Walsh Reporter SHREWSBURY – In Select Board meetings throughout August and September, Town Manager Kevin Mizikar announced that the cable provider Charter/Spectrum has applied to expand its coverage into Shrewsbury. Charter Communications is a broadband and cable
operator that serves its customers through its Spectrum brand, according to its website. SELCO — Shrewsbury’s longtime cable operator — is preparing for the possible competition. At the SELCO Commission’s Sept. 26 meeting, General Manager Christopher Roy addressed the possibility of Charter/Spectrum moving into Shrewsbury.
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