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Plans revealed for major Downtown Northborough development
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Vol. 51 | No. 32 | August 8, 2025
He Baked. They Came. Back to S Grafton’s ‘Bread Guy’ builds Back to Sch l Back to Sch l community, one loaf at a time
Bac Page | 10
By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter
Inside a Westborough Gold Star Mother’s scrapbook
NORTHBOROUGH – Two years since the Northborough Select Board accepted a $1 bid from resident Millie Milton to purchase 13 Church Street, the town now has a glimpse into what may become of the former fire station property. Along with architects and engineers working on the project, Milton presented the first draft of plans for the property to the Northborough Design Review Committee on July 31. Milton, who owns C’est La Vie Bistro and is involved with the Northborough
westborough | 7 Kevin Anderson celebrates five years as PD chief
Downtown | 13
Select Board considers raising petition signature requirements By Adri Pray Reporter WESTBOROUGH – In response to negative voter feedback, the Select Board is considering increasing the number of signatures needed for citizens’ petitions brought forth by town residents. The debate originally stemmed from frustration voiced ahead of the March 2024 Town Meeting, where 14 petitions tackling a range of social issues were overwhelmingly shot down by voters. Some Select Board members called it “a mockery” of the legislative process at the time. Currently, a minimum of 10 signatures from registered Westborough votSelect Board | 4
shrewsbury | 16 Conor Secrist commits to Naval Academy baseball
Chuck Brown is Grafton’s “Bread Guy.” (Photo/Sara Bedigian)
By Sara Bedigian Contributing Writer GRAFTON – When Chuck Brown bought a 50-pound bag of flour during the COVID-19 pandemic, he had no idea it would come with a new identity: the bread guy. A former school principal, Brown retired during the pandemic and, like many others cooped up in their homes, decided to start making bread. Eventually, word got out on Facebook, and soon enough, Brown’s hobby became a business. For nearly three years, he ran a cottage industry out of his house — baking different breads, delivering them to customers, and bringing his products to local farmers markets. What started as a hobby blossomed into a second career. A career focused on making people happy.
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“Our motto is great bread equals great happiness,” Brown told the Community Advocate. “And we actually live that all the time. Everything we do is focused on making people happy.” Good bread requires the right ingredients, love, and early wake-ups. Brown begins his morning at around 3 a.m. to start baking the day’s bread and pastries. When preparing for a big weekend or a farmers market, his day starts at midnight or 1 a.m. Making the starter, waiting for the dough to rise, baking it in the oven — it’s all a very delicate and time-consuming process. But the finished product is worth it, said Brown. Bread Guy Breads sells anywhere from 150 to 200 loaves each week. The most popular item is always the classic sourdough bread, according to Brown. Bread Guy | 9
Learn more Scan the QR code or visit www.stmaryscu.org
southborough | 26
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