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Your community. Your news. Your paper. Vol. 50 | No. 51 | December 20, 2024
Shrewsbury · Westborough · Northborough · Southborough · Marlborough · Hudson · Grafton
ARPA funds approved for firefighters’ gear after reconsideration
WHS grad saves the day at Westborough tree lighting
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By Laura Hayes Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH – With a 4-1 vote, the Select Board reconsidered and approved the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for equipment for eight new firefighters during its Dec. 16 meeting. Members Mitch Cohen, Laura Ziton, Mike Tietjen and Julianne Hirsh voted in favor, with Lisa Maselli against. The vote comes after the board originally voted 2-3 to not fund the request on Dec. 2. The Northborough Fire Department received a nearly $3 million grant through FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program to hire the eight firefighters. An original quote estimated that it
9-year-old performs on Jennifer Hudson Show
Northborough | 14 Sikh temple delivers meals to displaced families
ARPA | 4
Westborough | 23
Shrewsbury’s MBTA zoning plan to be put to townwide vote
Police search for man who grabbed high school girl
By Evan Walsh Reporter
MBTA zoning | 8
Steve Masciarelli, left, and Andrew Wickremeratne stand together. Wickremeratne stepped up and helped with the Westborough tree lighting after Masciarelli broke both of his feet. (Photo/Courtesy Westborough Rotary)
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – An injury nearly pulled the plug on Westborough’s holiday tree lighting. Thanks to last-minute assistance, the event went on as scheduled. According to Reina Rago, president of the Westborough Rotary, which has sponsored the event for more than 40
years, the sound system for the event is handled by Steve Masciarelli from Westborough Public Schools. On Sunday, Dec. 1 — the day of the tree lighting — Masciarelli was setting up a Christmas display at home when he fell off a ladder and broke both feet. “While he should have been focused on his own serious situation, he was concerned about the tree lighting, which
H O L I DTreeALighting Y |7
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SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury’s MBTA zoning saga isn’t quite over. On Dec. 5, Town Clerk Sharyn Thomas certified the signatures of 1,706 Shrewsbury residents who petitioned for a townwide referendum on MBTA zoning. On Dec. 10, the Select Board recognized the petition; ry the board is exsbufor ew Shr pected to set a date the referendum pike Turn 100 Boston during its Dec. 17 scheduled MA 01545 meeting, wsbury, Shre which is after the Community Advocate goes to press. After about two hours of debate on Nov. 18, Town Meeting voted 123-50 to
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