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Marlborough Hudson An edition of the Community Advocate
Vol. 51 | No. 20 | May 16, 2025
Meet Marlborough’s Packard Street ready to offer affordable housing HUDSON – It used to be Packard new interim Street School, then it was a Police Station. Now, it’s set to provide affordable housing to local famisuperintendent lies. On May 7, local leaders held a ribbon-cutting at 62 Packard Street, a new development of 40 affordable units. The speaking program included MetroWest Collaborative Development Executive Director Caitlin Madden, Hudson Affordable Housing Trust Chair John Parent, Hudson Select Board member Scott Duplisea, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus, State Rep. Kate Hogan, State Senator Jamie Eldridge, among others.
By Maureen Sullivan, Assistant Editor MARLBOROUGH – After interviewing several candidates on May 2, the School Committee has decided to enter contract negotiations with Jason DeFalco for the position of interim superintendent. DeFalco has been the superintendent for the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District since 2018. Previously, he served as Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer for New Bedford Public Schools, where he played a pivotal role in academic turnaround efforts and helped secure more than $16 million in grants to enhance instruction and expand learning time. His career also includes principalships in Southbridge, Somerville, and Worcester. DeFalco holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and education from Suffolk University, a master’s degree in school administration from Worcester State University, and an Ed.D. in school leadership from Johnson & Wales University. In other news, Marlborough Public Schools has another vacancy to fill. On May 5, West Boylston Public Schools announced that Dr. Daniel Riley will leave his current position as principal of Marlborough High School. Riley will become West Boylston’s superintendent on July 1. Riley, who lives in Rutland, has served Marlborough Public Schools for 17 years. He has been Marlborough High School principal for seven years. “I can’t express my appreciation enough for the school district,” said Riley of his experiences in Marlborough. “It’s a great place to be, and a great place to work.”
(PHOTO/DEREK KOUYOUMJIAN)
Override passes, candidates chosen in Hudson election By Paul Hopkins Contributing Writer HUDSON – Hudson voters cast their ballots in one of the most contentious elections in recent history. On May 12, Hudson voters narrowly approved a $3.95 million Proposition 2½ override, with 2,258 voting “yes” and 2,112 voting “no” in the town election. All results are unofficial as of the Community Advocate’s print deadline. Supporters say that the override will save school and municipal offices from making significant cuts. As some expected, the vote was close; “yes” votes constituted 51.6 percent of votes cast on the issue. Town officials have said the override will add $287 to the average property tax bill
in the coming fiscal year. About $2.3 million would be added to the FY26 tax levy, with $1.5 million held in reserves. A school employee who was holding a sign in support of the override was hoping for a “yes” vote because he said schools would lose staff and programs. One voter who spoke with the Community Advocate said he expected the override to pass because supporters had been sending the message consistently, but he bemoaned the higher cost of living in Hudson today and expected any tax increase to boost his rent payment eventually. Even with passage of the override, the School Department is eliminating 12 full-time equivalent positions. With such energy around the election, turnout was through the roof.
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