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Vol. 50 | No. 35 | August 30, 2024
Shrewsbury · Westborough · Northborough · Southborough · Marlborough · Hudson · Grafton
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Four-grade building for Neary endorsed by committee
Plans for DPW facility revamp to go before Town Meeting
Colby settles into new role as Shrewsbury fire chief
By Laura Hayes Managing Editor
shrewsbury | 7
SOUTHBOROUGH – The Neary Building Committee has opted to move forward with an option to construct a new four-grade school at Neary Elementary School during a meeting on Aug. 12. “We have a chance to change the course of how Southborough wants to think about our elementary schools, or we can continue down the path that has been charted for many years,” said Chair Jason Malinowski. According to committee member Kathy Cook, the project began with 12 options of what could be done to solve the issues with Neary that was then
AV equipment in library meeting room funded by ARPA
Northborough | 5 Plans to convert former Sonesta Suites into apartments
Neary | 9
Proposed designs for Westborough Golf Club building presented
A 3-D rendition of the renovation option, with a rebuilt porch and pro shop in the left rear of the building. (Courtesy of Westborough TV)
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – The vision for a “new” Westborough Golf Club building is starting to come into focus. During its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 22, the Municipal Building Committee Golf Club | 8
The town recently offered tours of the Department of Public Works facilities on South Street. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
By Evan Walsh Reporter SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury government officials have been meeting for months to develop plans to renovate the town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) facilities on South Street. The site, town leaders say, is long due for an upgrade, and can no longer adequately support the majority of the DPW’s current operations. In anticipation of asking Town Meeting members to fund construction at the complex, community members were invited to tour the site on Aug. 21 and Aug. 24. State of the buildings The DPW complex is located on a 13.75-acre parcel at 207-211 South St., directly north of Price Chopper and Route 9. Shrewsbury residents may recognize the site as a yard waste drop-off location or
the polling location for Precincts 5 and 10. Constructed in the 1950s, the Water and Sewer Garage (207 South St.) is an 11,000-square-foot facility that town officials and employees alike have said is “at the end of its useful life.” In a March presentation to the Select Board, town leaders pointed to the building’s failing masonry, water-damaged insulation and limited office space. The space is no longer conducive to modern-day operations, according to officials. Staff members share their locker room with shelves of bottled chemicals. Some vehicles must be parked outside either because they are too tall to fit under the building’s roof or because there isn’t enough room. The building is set to be demolished in every plan the town has considered. The 30,000-square-foot Highway DPW | 12
Westborough | 5 Central Mass. volleyball discusses ambitions for season
region | 22
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