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Former Hudson Fire Chief ID’d as man pulled from Lake Boon hudson | 21
The Vin Bin celebrates 20 years of all things wine and cheese marlborough | 10
Backpacks donated in memory of Mahoney
marlborough at a glance
Wenzel | 5
Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
ZBA grants special permit for Cottage St. townhouse project
Vol. 50 | No. 35 | August 30, 2024
Assabet Valley begins the school year with a new principal By Cindy Zomar Contributing Writer
By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer HUDSON – A four-unit townhouse project has received its special permit. The Zoning Board of Appeals deliberated on the townhouse project at 55 Cottage St. on Aug. 8. It approved the request of the trustee to the property, Eric Chaves, to have a special permit for the expansion of a pre-existing, nonconforming two-family use. Chaves’ attorney, Matt Eckel of Fletcher Tilton PC, said they have been involved in the zoning process for the last five or six months. The project will be four connected townhouses, which is a change from the previously proposed five townhouses that was presented to the board on July 11. Their team had believed that five townhouses was “within the realm of the character of the neighborhood,” but after hearing from abutters they realized there was work to do to address concerns, Eckel said. “We did come up with a redesign,” he said. The board may grant a special permit, Eckel said, as “long as the new proposal is not substantially more detrimental than the existing, non-conforming structure to the neighborhood.” The area is just over 23,000 square feet and contains two properties on Cottage and O’Neil streets. The corner lot will still be acquired, Eckel said, but there won’t be a fifth unit built on it. The change to the plans will expand the structures on the property from a three-family Cottage St. | 8
MARLBOROUGH – The excitement and energy are palpable in the office as Patrick O’Rourke, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School’s new principal, talks about the upcoming school year. “Day one will be like the first day of kindergarten for me, I have the same nervous energy I can remember from walking into that first day of kindergarten,” he said. In actuality, O’Rourke walked into Assabet Valley nearly 18 years ago, so he is certainly at home in his environment. He admits that he loves the school and loves coming to work every day. “I plan to retire here! I have an amazing administrative team, all professionals and experts in their respective fields, and I will lean hard on them through the transition,” he said. He continued, “My goal is to get out, meet all the new staff, and be very visible in the school and the community. I want to improve in all Principal | 13
Milling, repaving of Boston Post Road East begins By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – Traveling along Boston Post Road East (Route 20) will be a bit rough for a while longer. According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, portions of Route 20 will be prepped for resurfacing over the next
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Patrick O’Rourke is taking the helm at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School as the new principal. (Photo/Cindy Zomar)
few weeks. Milling on Route 20 was scheduled to start the night of Sunday, Aug. 18, weather permitting. Work will be done at night, and it is expected to take four-five nights. This will be from the west end of the project to just past the Farm Road/Wilson Street intersection, which is just over half of the project length. Boston Post Rd. | 9
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