Locally owned and operated since 1974
Your community. Your news. Your paper. Shrewsbury · Westborough · Northborough · Southborough · Marlborough · Hudson · Grafton
Vol. 50 | No. 23 | June 7, 2024
Neary teacher placed on leave after holding mock slave auction
‘Be deliberate’
1974 - 20
24
FREE Police Department holds awards ceremony
Supt. Bock celebrates her final WHS graduation
Shrewsbury | 7
By Laura Hayes Managing Editor
Farmers Market prepares to open in new home
SOUTHBOROUGH – A teacher at Margaret A. Neary School has been placed on administrative leave after the teacher reportedly held a mock slave auction and used a racial slur while discussing a book. “I apologize for the events that took place in the public schools of Southborough,” wrote Superintendent Greg Martineau in a letter to parents. “I acknowledge that there were missteps in this process that further complicated the situation. Ultimately, I am responsible for ensuring students are in safe and supportive learning environments.” In a letter to parents, Martineau said he learned about two incidents from Teacher | 5
Residents rally behind SELCO as town weighs Charter application By Evan Walsh Reporter SHREWSBURY – As Spectrum Northeast, otherwise known as Charter, seeks to provide cable services to Shrewsbury, residents and employees voiced their support for Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations (SELCO), the town-owned, nonprofit entity that has provided cable to the town for 42 years. On May 28, the Select Board reviewed a cable television franchise application from Spectrum Northeast. The application, which the Select Board was legally required to consider, would put Charter in direct competition with SEL-
Westborough | 8 Fire causes $1 million damages; no injuries
Westborough | 24
Members of Westborough High School’s Class of 2024 show the next stops in their lives during graduation ceremonies on June 1. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
Algonquin wins 11-inning playoff thriller
By Maureen Sullivan, Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – Amber Bock used to think the word deliberate had a negative implication. She told Westborough High School’s Class of 2024 how her attitude about being deliberate changed to something beneficial – to acquire wisdom, for example. “Seeing a more deliberate path forward is indeed an active process,” she said. “It takes time to learn. Being able to make more deliberate choices requires reflection.” She advised the class to “be deliberate” by taking some time to “talk to yourself about you,” your goals and dreams. On June 1, in her final graduation ceremony as superintendent, Bock said she enjoyed her years with Westborough Public Schools and watching this class grow. “It’s been a joy to know you these 10 years,” she said. Bock announced in December 2023 that she was leaving to accept a position at a school on the North Shore. Allison Borchers will take Bock’s place. Class President Sandhya Baia presented a message of appreciation for the present. “Most of the challenges we face in life don’t last,” she said. “We need to cherish the moments when we’re happy…” Baia offered a “condensed” quote from Theodore Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena
NORTHBOROUGH | 26
Stay up to date with all the news!
Graduation | 14
SELCO | 6
Summer is the Perfect Time To Meet New Friends! AN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY
99 Pleasant Street • Marlborough, MA 01752 • 508-281-8001 • www.christopherheights.com
Call to Tour Today!