Mother’s Gift Guide FREEDay 19 74 - 20 24
MHS staff say goodbye to beards
COMMUNITY
Mother’s Day
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ADVOCATE
Marlborough | 29
Basketball player gains college allstar stature
hudson happ’nings rimkus | 27
Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
City Council gets first look at proposed housing for Lizotte Drive By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – The building at 130 Lizotte Drive has stood vacant for almost a decade. It is currently being gutted to prepare for future use. If developer David Ferris gets the necessary approvals, including a zoning overlay and special permit, that future use of the building could be housing. Ferris presented preliminary plans for the site during a City Council public hearing about the zoning overlay on April 22. Ferris recently purchased the site, which includes the building and 12 acres. He said the property has changed hands three times, and he ended up purchasing the site at auction for about $4 million. He envisions converting the current building into 75 units and wants to construct two more buildings to house another 105 units. He emphasized that the proposed new construction would take place on the current parking lot, and it would not disturb the adjacent green space. “This could really benefit the city,” said Ferris. He added that converting office space into housing could become a national trend. He said that if something is not done about vacant office space, it could turn into “empty zombies.” Lizotte Drive | 11
Vol. 50 | No. 18 | May 3, 2024
Boys & Girls Club kicks off 80th anniversary celebration By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – For the past eight decades, the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest on Pleasant Street has provided youngsters a chance to play, learn and grow. Over the years, the club has undergone several changes in name and location, but the mission remains the same, according to President and CEO Chris Duane, “to be open to all kids who need us.” There’s something else that hasn’t changed — the annual membership fee. Duane said the fee — $25 — has been in place for 30 years; the fee covers full access to all club programs and activities in Marlborough, Hudson and Framingham. Those programs “tend to grow with the times,” said Duane, who’s been with the club since 1996 (she was with Girls Inc. when it merged with the Boys & Girls Club).
Boys & Girls Club | 16
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Marlboro merged with Girls Inc. in 1996. (Courtesy photo)
Town Meeting to consider 6 citizens’ petitions By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor HUDSON – When the Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 6, residents will consider six citizens’ petitions, five of which have to do with the MBTA. Article 36 – A request for $20,000 from available town funds for the Addictions Referral
Center, which is based in Marlborough. The program helps residents from Hudson and vicinity dealing with substance abuse disorder. The Finance Committee recommended passage of this article. Article 37 – This is a request to place on the ballot for an annual or special town election the question “Shall this town be added to the Citizens’ petitions | 6