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Westborough tax increase estimated at $969
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‘I absolutely love hockey’
Valentine’s Day page 12
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
Tax increase | 5
Tougas granted license to serve wine and beer
northborough | 4 (PHOTO/EVAN WALSH)
WESTBOROUGH – At the town’s annual Budget Summit on Thursday, Jan. 30, the key word was “impact” — as in the estimated tax impact for the average single-family home. For fiscal 2026, the increase is currently estimated at $969 for a tax bill of $12,314. “We’re uncomfortable with the $990 [estimate],” said Town Manager Kristi Williams. “I understand that.” Williams emphasized to the members of the Select Board, School Committee and Advisory Finance Committee that there are still factors yet to be figured into the fiscal 2026 budget. These factors include insurance; the
Vol. 51 | No. 6 | February 7, 2025
Mini-golf event raises funds for library repair project
Tina Beauchemin became a Northeastern legend, represented the USA, and then jumped into coaching at Algonquin. Read her story on page 30.
Westborough | 16
After referendum, Shrewsbury keeps MBTA zoning By Evan Walsh Reporter SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury’s MBTA zone is here to stay. On Feb. 4, Shrewsbury voters participated in the town’s second-ever referendum. The vote, which was held after 1,700 people signed a petition calling for it, asked whether the town will stick with the MBTA zoning plan approved by Town Meeting in November. The “NO” campaign — which asked to overturn Town Meeting’s decision — won the popular vote, 2,222 to 1,398 (61% to 39%). However, Shrewsbury referendum law dictates that 20% of registered Shrewsbury voters must vote “NO” to overturn a Town Meeting decision. That threshold was not reached, and thus Town Meeting’s pro-MBTA decision was upheld. The “magic number” for 20% was 5,274 votes. “NO” was 3,052 short. Approximately 13.7% of the town participated in the election. Due to another quirk in Shrewsbury’s bylaws, polls were only open from 2 to 8 p.m., though voters cast their ballots at their normal polling locations.
Shrewsbury’s proposed MBTA zone is a contiguous, 118-acre area located in the southeast corner of town that contains three main parcels: Shrewsbury Commons, 409 South Street, and Emerald Run. The zone also includes several minor surrounding areas. In an effort to lessen the potential impact of the zone, and mitigate the amount of housing that may be built, town officials zoned on pre-existing and soon-to-be-existing housing projects. Emerald Run (300 units) and 409 South Street (196 units) are both sites of future 40B developments, while Shrewsbury Commons is an existing 587-unit, 53-acre development. Though the MBTA zone could technically accommodate 1,512 units at 15 units per acre, town officials estimate that with the pre-existing development, it’s likely that significantly fewer units would be constructed. The “net new unit” count would be approximately 426. As an “adjacent community” according to the MBTA Communities Act, Shrewsbury must zone to permit 1,497 housing units, equal to 10% of the town’s current housing stock. Shrewsbury only needs to zone for the units — it does not need to build them.
Suspect in attempted kidnapping pleads not guilty
Westborough | 22
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