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Shrewsbury MBTA referendum set for February 4 By Evan Walsh Reporter
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Vol. 51 | No. 5 | January 31, 2025
McKenzie helps seniors stay ‘fit for life’
Bird deaths attributed to bird flu in Marlborough, Hudson
Region | 6
SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury voters will head to the polls on Feb. 4 to determine whether the town will stick with the MBTA zoning plan approved by Town Meeting in November. This will be the second referendum in Shrewsbury history.
Edinberg does not seek another term on Select Board
The zone Shrewsbury’s proposed MBTA zone — otherwise known as the “Transit Oriented Development Overlay District” — is a contiguous, 118-acre area located in southeast Shrewsbury that contains three main parcels: Shrewsbury Commons, 409 South Street, and Emerald Run. As an “adjacent community” accord-
westborough | 7 Grafton resident dies in accident on Mass. Turnpike
MBTA | 5
Grafton | 16
Martinek resigns from Planning Board By Laura Hayes Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH – Chair Kerri Martinek announced that she will be resigning from the Planning Board during the board’s meeting on Jan. 21. “I will be leaving Northborough. Location TBD, but I won’t be eligible to serve on the board,” she said. Martinek thanked her fellow board members, town staff, residents, applicants and members of other boards. “It’s been a great honor, and I’ve really enjoyed working with you all. We’ve certainly had a lot of interesting times together,” she said. Martinek was first elected to the Planning Board in 2018 and was re-
Karen McKenzie’s show “Fit for Life with Karen” recently hit the 200-episode mark. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
By Evan Walsh Reporter SHREWSBURY – “If we’re going to live longer, why not be happier and healthier?” That question is posed by a Shrewsbury woman whose life has revolved around demystifying aging, supporting seniors, and educating elders. Through her television shows on Shrewsbury Media Connection and Westborough TV, Karen McKenzie has helped people stay “fit for life” and “on the move.” “Aging is complex, and I want people to delay the time of disability as long as possible — through exercise, through information,” said McKenzie. “It’s very sat-
isfying to know that I’m helping people. When people come up to me, I feel like I’m a movie star.” Originally from the Boston area, McKenzie moved to Shrewsbury in 1966. Always passionate about helping the senior population, she earned a degree from Worcester State University in health science, later receiving a certificate in gerontology. She worked as a Senior Fitness Specialist at The Willows in Westborough, managing a cutting-edge senior exercise room that was featured in the Boston Globe. But, outside of her job, she didn’t see many places seniors could get up-to-date information on how to improve their
Leadership? Talent? Grafton girls basketball has it all
Grafton | 23
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Fit for life | 13
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