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Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
Hudson Cultural Alliance continues Armory on the Assabet project
Vol. 51 | No. 1 | January 3, 2025
Community Advocate celebrates 50 years of sharing community news
By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer HUDSON – Since taking ownership of the Hudson Armory building in February, the Hudson Cultural Alliance has been busy, as the president of the Hudson Cultural Alliance, Tom Desmond, reported at the Dec. 2 Select Board Meeting. He provided an update on the Hudson Armory project, which is now known as the Armory on the Assabet. They have hired Ed Nunes as the project architect, and with $200,000 in matching funds they received two years ago from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), they had about $400,000 to hire Stages Incorporated to design the theater part of the project. “We just recently received their schematic designs that will cover the theater portion, which will be the stage, the seating, lighting, sound (and) some of the acoustic stuff they’re going to have to do,” said Desmond. With that piece completed, they hired Vector Builders to conduct an exploratory examination. Vector has recently restored the front door of the building, he said. Some areas of brickwork will need repointing, or renewing the outer part of the mortar joints between the bricks, and cleaning. An engineering design services company has been employed to look at the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems, which are very few at the moment, said Desmond. Hancock Associates has been hired to do an initial site plan. They have met with Desmond, Armory | 7
Community Advocate team members Mary Ellen Cyganiewicz, Melissa Tatten-Perry, Barbara Clifford, Patty Bengtson, Laura Hayes, David Bagdon, Valerie Jurries, Cindy Merchant, Brett Peruzzi, Ellen Bishop, Maureen Sullivan, Evan Walsh and Tami White. (Photo/Courtesy)
By Kristina Nilson Allen Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH – Over the past year, the Community Advocate has been celebrating its 50th anniversary — quite a feat in a world where news organiza-
tions are shrinking and disappearing across the nation. “Local journalism is important. We ask the questions that will provide clarity, we are constantly striving to get to the truth. The Washington Post has a famous slogan that states
‘democracy dies in darkness.’ I believe this to be very true,” said Publisher David Bagdon. The “Community Advertiser” began in 1974 as a grocery circular founded by Ed Bagdon and Arthur Surabian, with 50 years | 6
A look at Marlborough Public Library, one year later By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – For the past year, Sara Belisle and the rest of the staff at Marlborough Public Library have been getting to know their building again. “We’ve reacquainted ourselves,” she said. “It’s big and bright, and fully operational.”
Since returning to the Main Street location in October 2023, they have been using the expanded, renovated space for programs and meetings. This includes the summer reading program, which drew 350 young and adult participants. “It’s been tons and tons of fun,” said Belisle. When the library reopened, the local history Library | 8