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Cold for good reason: Polar Plunge held in Marlborough
New Horizons Community Cares
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Hannaford’s Supermarket moving out of Marlborough
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Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
Hudson Public Schools budget set at $45.4 million By Sarah Freedman Contributing Writer HUDSON – With an override vote looming, the Hudson Public Schools budget has been set. The Select Board on Feb. 24 approved the school district’s $45.4 million budget. This budget — which cuts 12 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and about $1.1 million — will be “Budget A,” or the non-override budget. If Town Meeting and residents approve a Prop. 2 ½ override on May 12, the district may go with “Budget B,” which would add another $3.3 million. “This is going to fundamentally change the educational experience for the students of Hudson Public Schools,” School Committee Chair Steven Smith said at the Select Board meeting. Superintendent Brian Reagan said that expenses are currently outpacing resources, a trend residents may have noticed in their everyday lives. The town used circuit-breaker funds to postpone the need for an override in fiscal 2025. Reagan also said there are known factors — like a 51% increase in the transportation contract — that will help them mitigate any increases in the budget going forward. With the transportation contract decided, Hudson can now anticipate the increases in costs. If the override fails, Reagan presented future cuts that could be made. They may include 27 FTEs at the elementary schools, 9.6 FTEs at Quinn Middle School, and 14.6 FTEs at the high school. Overall, 15 FTEs in the special educaBudget | 18
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Vol. 51 | No. 10 | March 7, 2025
Happy 100th, Gloria!
Christopher Heights resident hits the century mark By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – A birthday bash was held for this local centenarian. On Feb. 28, Gloria Zimmerman presided over a roomful of family and friends in celebration of her 100th birthday. Held at Christopher Heights on Pleasant Street, the event included lots of well wishes, presents, and a visit from Mayor J. Christian Dumais. When it came time for the cake, Zimmerman was given a big piece. “It’s very good,” she said after tasting it. It was high praise from Zimmerman, who knows a thing or two about cooking. She’s published several books on Asian cuisine, taught cooking aboard the Queen Elizabeth II, and worked alongside Jacques Pepin, Bobby Flay and other celebrity chefs. She was born Gloria Nadler in 1925, the daughter of Harry and Lena Nadler, immigrants from Eastern Europe who settled in the Bronx. She had one sister, Beatrice. During World Gloria | 5
Gloria Zimmerman enjoys a piece of cake during her 100th birthday celebration on Feb. 28, at Christopher Heights in Marlborough. (Photo/Maureen Sullivan)
Skipping breakfast? Marlborough HS works to prevent it By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – Marlborough High School offers free breakfast. But some students are skipping out. A survey presented to the School Committee on Feb. 25 provided details on why students are dismissing the free meal. About 40 percent
of students said they don’t take the breakfast because they skip the meal altogether, while other students identified that they ate breakfast at home (40 percent), they didn’t like waiting in lines (32 percent), and they didn’t like the meal options (15 percent). Director of Finance and Operations Matthew Wells, who presented the survey results,
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99 Pleasant Street • Marlborough, MA 01752 • 508-281-8001 • www.christopherheights.com
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