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Man drowns at Fort Meadow Reservoir
New artwork unveiled in honor of Dennis Kennedy
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Firefighters Association honors members
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Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
Plans for Lizotte Drive pick up approvals from city boards
Vol. 50 | No. 26 | June 28, 2024
Hudson resident chosen as history teacher of the year finalist By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – A former office building at 130 Lizotte Drive is closer to being converted into multifamily housing. The project recently went before the Planning Board and Urban Affairs. On June 17, the Planning Board gave a favorable recommendation to amend the city’s zoning ordinance to create the Lizotte Drive Overlay District. “We’re putting a dormant property to work,” said board Chair Sean N. Fay. “It might be the best use for the land right now,” said board member George LaVenture. The office building at 130 Lizotte Drive stands on 12 acres. The building itself has not been used for nearly a decade. David Ferris of Ferris Development Group LLC has previously said during meetings that the property has changed hands three times, and he ended up purchasing the site at auction for about $4 million. Ferris told the Planning Board at a public hearing on June 3: “This is a tricky location for office daily commuter tenants. Originally, we bought the asset thinking a beehive approach (storage/services business that provides plumbing, electric, handyman services) would be best.” He continued, “After working with the city and hearing feedback from the community, we pivoted and went strictly with residential. What we are asking for from the city is an overlay district, which allows us to change the use from office to residential.” In preparation, Ferris said most of the build-
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HUDSON – For Jenny Staysniak, a history teacher at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, the lessons do not end with what her students learn in the classroom. She believes it is important to look outside the classroom and into the overall community to “bring history to life.” Staysniak, who has lived in Hudson for five years, has taught at Lincoln-Sudbury for four years. She has taught 9th grade modern world history and 10th grade 20th century American history. This year, she was chosen as a finalist for the 2024 history teacher of the year award by the Department of Education and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. “I feel like being a finalist affirms how valuable community-based learning can be,” Staysniak said. She believed that it was her community work that made her stand out amongst the
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Jenny Staysniak is honored at the May 7 ceremony as history teacher of the year finalist. (Photo/Courtesy of Jenny Staysniak)
New owner acquires former McGee Farm By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – There’s a new owner, and new plans, for the former McGee Farm on Boston Post Road East. The Procopio Companies, in partnership with Ridge Real Estate Partners, has announced the closing of a new 162,920-square-
foot multifamily housing development at 339 Boston Post Road East. Procopio purchased the site from Heritage Farm LLC in May. According to a press release from Procopio, “This strategic acquisition of 27.3 acres marks a significant milestone in Procopio’s expansion, with a continued focus on community benefits and extraordinary living spaces for McGee Farm | 7