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Beal Commons clears final hurdle; project allowed to begin construction
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Vol. 51 | No. 43 | October 24, 2025
‘I just absolutely fell in love with this town’
New Italian restaurant slated for South Street
Allison Lane celebrates 25 years in recreation WESTBOROUGH | 3
By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – On April 13, 2023, the Planning Board approved plans for Beal Commons. After months of litigation, a multi-month extension, and 915 days since initial approval, the Select Board officially took final action on Oct. 14 that allows the project to go forward. By a 4-1 vote, the board signed the deed and other closing documents to transfer the ownership of 1-7 Maple Avenue to Civico Development. With the move, Civico faces no barrier to build Beal Commons – a mixed-use 53-unit development that includes 7,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor. The site – directly in Shrewsbury Center – is the former home of Maj. Howard W. Beal School, which educated students for a century. After Shrewsbury voters approved a new Beal School in 2018, the old, brick building became obsolete. Starting in 2017, the town looked for possible opportunities to use the space: Civico was the lone bidder to an RFP, and reached an agreement to purchase the 3.86-acre property for $250,000. It became the talk of the town. The Planning Board ultimately approved the plans for Beal Commons, 4-1, in April 2023. Neighbors took the project to court, but in January 2025, the Massachusetts Land Court dismissed the challenge, affirming the Planning Board’s decision. There was just one hiccup: A litigation process that lasted almost two years complicated plans for Civico. Taylor Bearden, a partner at Civico who spoke before the Select Board at an Aug. 12 meeting, said the “market
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Allison Lane is celebrating a quarter-century in recreation.
By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter NORTHBOROUGH – For Northborough Recreation Director Allison Lane, it’s all about having fun. This year, Lane is celebrating 25 years working in recreation in Central Massachusetts. A career dating back to high school Lane’s career in recreation dates back to when she was a freshman in high school. She had just moved to Wayland and wanted a part-time job that would allow her to walk to the lake. An avid swimmer, she loved being in the water whenever she could. She worked at the Wayland Parks and
Beal | 11
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Recreation Department through high school and college, teaching swimming lessons and eventually becoming a lifeguard. Today, she still teaches private swim lessons for people who have experienced water trauma. After graduating with a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies from Springfield College in 1999, she kickstarted her career as the assistant recreation director in Westborough. After less than a year, she noticed a director vacancy at the Northborough Recreation Department. In her early twenties, Lane applied for the job, admitting she really just wanted the interview experience. “I kind of thought it would be a real long shot for me to get a director posi-
shrewsbury | 33
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