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Vol. 51 | No. 3 | January 17, 2025
Local business provides restrooms for presidential inauguration
Boston Lawnmower opens at Bridle Lane location
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
westborough | 11
WESTBOROUGH – A meeting about the community center project provided some updates and answers, but some questions still remain. During a presentation to the Select Board and Municipal Building Committee (MBC) on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Joel Bargmann of BH+A Architecture discussed the latest cost estimates. Members of both committees voiced concerns on what needs to be repaired or replaced, especially the roof; and items that either will or might appear on this spring’s Town Meeting warrant. They also wanted some clarity on when the project — especially the senior center — could commence. In December, in response to concerns about rising property taxes, the Select Board decided to postpone a request to construct a senior center until at least the fall of 2025. This was done to allow the Westborough Public Library repair Community Center | 5
Bus bids rejected by local school committees By Laura Hayes Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH/SOUTHBOROUGH – The Northborough, Southborough and Regional School Committees have rejected the two bids received for the transportation contract during a joint meeting on Jan. 13. The lowest bid would have resulted in a 45% increase to the daily rate per bus for fiscal 2026. Several committee members said that going to Northborough and Southborough for more money for the same service would be difficult. “Particularly in this budget climate, I think we owe it to the students and to the community to see if we can do something different to get a better contract, recognizing that there is going to be an increase and that’s a tough place to be anyways,” said Regional School Committee member Sean O’Shea. Bus bid | 7
New SHS course would address need for sporting officials
shrewsbury | 14 Grafton Police seizes $38,000 in cash and drugs
grafton | 16 Algonquin wins battle of Central Mass. girls hockey teams
Westborough-based Clean Restroom Rentals is providing more than 550 portable restrooms to the Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20.
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – There will be a special local connection at the Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20. Clean Restroom Rentals, with a home office at 200 Friberg Parkway and facilities along the East Coast, is providing more than 550 portable restrooms that will be placed at the Capitol Building, West Lawn, Reflection Pond and the National Mall. About 470 units will be the standard, one-person restrooms; there will also be 80 wheelchair-accessible restrooms, three luxury trailer units (10 stalls in each unit, plus sinks), and eight hand sanitizer stations. “We’re super excited for the opportunity,” said Anthony Spitalieri, chief Business Development officer for Clean. “It’s a big deal for us. We were not the only bidders.” Spitalieri said the process included placing a bid and working with the architect of the U.S. Capitol. “There were background checks, staging yards. They were great to work with,” he said. Most of the restrooms were delivered from Clean’s facilities elsewhere on the East Coast. The luxury trailers were provided by Clean’s Boston area division.
“They’re really nice,” said Karina Kellar, director of business operations, about the trailers. The Inauguration joins other big events using Clean for its restroom needs, including King Richard’s Faire, NASCAR, the LPGA, Live Nation and the Topsfield Fair, among others. “We have a really good reputation,” said Spitalieri. In addition to portable restrooms, Clean can also provide portable wash stations and shower trailers. Innovative approaches Portable restrooms usually bring out the “potty humor” and stories full of stink and flat-out grossness. Yes, the Clean folks know all the jokes. However, they also place a very high emphasis on portable restrooms that are clean, deodorized and stocked. “We try to be cutting edge,” said Anthony Spitalieri. “We’re passionate about it.” Sustainability is also high on Clean’s list of priorities. The portable restrooms are made from recycled plastic; the fleet of trucks has pressure washers that use less water than hoses; and the cleaning products are biodegradable and nontoxic. Clean recently implemented a proInauguration | 12
Sports | 22
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