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Hudson football avenges last year’s loss, heads to Super Bowl hudson | 26
Hudson native installed into Norwich University Hall of Fame
Main Street businesses revive village association marlborough | 8
hudson happ’nings rimkus | 14
Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
Vol. 50 | No. 48 | November 29, 2024
Hudson to receive Marlborough students start up $750K in opioid organization to help immigrants settlement funds By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer HUDSON – Hudson is one of the communities that will receive funds from opioid abatement settlements, or national settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Massachusetts is receiving over $900 million in settlement funds, with 60% going to the state level and 40% going to cities and towns. Senior Public Health Planner Claire Hoffman from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council said that Hudson is estimated to receive around $750,000 between 2022 and 2038 in increments. She provided some recommendations on how Hudson could use these funds, including stateapproved strategies involving treatment, recovery and prevention, at the Select Board meeting on Nov. 4. Following the completion of eight focus groups of people who have experienced substance use and their family members, the Health Department found that around 16 to 25 overdoses occur in Hudson per year, with a small number of them fatal. Hoffman said that alcohol use is the “most pervasive substance” being used. Hoffman said those surveyed would like to see the funds used to support people in treatment and recovery as well as to prevent the misuse of opioids. Specifically, participants wanted to expand health education curriculum for grades five through 12 to include appropriate lessons in elementary schools and learn from their peers or young adults about substance use prevention. Opioid | 5
MARLBOROUGH – A new arrival to this country, unfamiliar with the laws and customs, not speaking the language, and trying to understand what’s going on around them may face a challenge. “It’s difficult to get a better life when you start with nothing,” said Isaac Ladas, a junior at Marlborough High School. Ladas, along with other MHS students, recently established a new, non-school organization called the Cultural Compassion Alliance. Currently in its early stages, the alliance will help immigrants with legal and financial support. “The need is there,” said Ladas. “They need financial aid for food, clothes, help with job applications.” Its mission statement states, “Our mission is to guide immigrants through the complexities of the immigration process, ensuring equal opportunities, access to resources, and legal guid-
Immigrants | 2
Altagracia Toussaint and Isaac Ladas, two of the directors of the newly formed Cultural Compassion Alliance. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
Garden Remedies marijuana shop wants to move By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – The city’s first adult use marijuana retail business wants to move. Garden Remedies, which has been at 416 Boston Post Road East since opening in 2019, is requesting an amendment to its special permit in order to relocate to 423 Lakeside Ave.
That location also houses The Vitamin Shoppe. In a letter to the City Council dated Nov. 12, attorney Brian Falk, on behalf of Garden Remedies, said, “Market changes and the impact of the Route 20 construction project have presented significant business challenges at the company’s existing location.” Garden Remedies | 2
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