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Planning Board approves site plan for QuattroSport Motors location
Marlboro Shamrocks will not play this season
hudson | 11
marlborough | 21
Musicians march in Tournament of Roses Parade
marlborough at a glance
Wenzel | 12
Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
ZBA approves special permits for dog daycare By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer HUDSON – The Zoning Board of Appeals granted Pet Nannies Doggie Daycare two special permits on Jan. 9. The two permits were for the use of an animal daycare within an industrial district and a watershed protection district. Pet Nannies previously operated at 577 Main St. for about five years before relocating to 561 Main St. Engineer Stephen Poole of Lakeview Engineering Associates and attorney Edward Denn spoke on the behalf of the petitioners and owners of Pet Nannies. In a letter to Building Inspector Kyle Tucker and Administrative Manager Katie Evangelisti from April, Denn wrote that Pet Nannies had submitted an application for a certificate of occupancy for their location at 561 Main St. in November 2023. “Until being notified last week, the Pet Nannies had no idea that (a) there was an issue with their application, (b) 561 Main, a commercial property in a commercial/industrial neighborhood, was in a watershed district, and/or (c) a Special Permit was required to relocate their business from a few doors down the street to 561 Main,” Denn wrote. He said Pet Nannies planned to take immediate action and submit an application for a special permit. According to Poole, the operation consists of an open yard for the dogs, a play area and a small storage shed of about 240 square feet for equipment and shelter, if needed. The area is completely fenced, he said, and it is in the back of the property. There is a double gate for safety reasons. He said, “It is not open to the public, view wise.” The capacity of up to 30 dogs varies with two caretakers and other staff on the site, Poole said. According to a letter from Norse Environmental Services, Pet Nannies operates between Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dog daycare | 7
Vol. 51 | No. 3 | January 17, 2025
Marlborough wildlife center focuses on rehabilitating animals By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – Bella was the center of attention, even if she was half-asleep. The young barn owl drew a crowd to the first of Marlborough Public Library’s “Climate Café” programs on Saturday, Jan. 4. Before Bella took her bows, the audience learned about her home, the Giaquinto Wildlife Rehabilitation Center located in Marlborough, from Alyssa Giaquinto. A retired police officer, Giaquinto became a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The center receives orphaned and injured wildlife from local police and fire departments; animal control officers; the public; and other wildlife centers. Over the past few years, the center has helped dozens of animals — from squirrels and raccoons to hawks and owls — with recovery and release back into the wild. Much of Giaquinto’s presentation focused on the unintended consequences of rodenticides. Wildlife | 5
Alyssa Giaquinto introduces Bella, the educational ambassador for the Giaquinto Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce marks 100 years of service to community By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – Much has changed in the city since the board of trade became a chamber of commerce in 1924. Shoe factories have made way for biotech and life sciences; farms have turned into residential and business districts; and connections can be made with the click of a button. Through it all, the main purpose of what is now the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce remains the same. “It’s people to people. You need that face time,” said Sue Morreale Leeber, who was active in the chamber for more than 30 years. Leeber remembers when the ramp to Route 495 opened in the 1990s, and then-Lt. Gov. Paul MRCC | 9
Michelle Mercier, current president and CEO of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, holds a commemoration for the chamber’s 75th anniversary from 1999. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)