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Algonquin girls soccer hopes shutout victory will mark turning point in season

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Vol. 47 | No. 41 | October 8, 2021

Shrewsbury selectmen approve Town Meeting warrant

Westborough Cultural Council presents 11th ‘Arts in Common’

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter

By Ed Karvoski Jr. Contributing Writer

SHREWSBURY - Town Meeting Members will decide a number of key questions regarding everything from the future of the Toblin Hill Drive bridge in town to sidewalk and crosswalk improvements when they gather later this month. Selectmen approved a now finalized warrant for that meeting on Sept. 28. Town Manager Kevin Mizikar said there are a total of 16 articles on the warrant.

WESTBOROUGH - Arts enthusiasts enjoyed ideal autumn weather Oct. 2 for the Westborough Cultural Council’s 11th offering of Arts in Common at Bay State Commons. It was canceled last year due to pandemic restrictions. Promoted as “a festival of all things creative,” the six-hour event showcased a variety of performance and visual artists. Eric French of the David French Music Company emceed the live entertainment lineup. Acts included four bands performing an eclectic mix of music for all ages as well as a comedic juggler to entertain kids. About 45 artists displayed and sold handmade items. Among free activities were caricature and henna creations, and a musical instrument petting zoo. Some vendors and food trucks represented culinary artists. Festivalgoers viewed the Community Bottle Cap Mural, which was created by attendees of 2019’s Arts in Common. The mural is now a permanent attraction at Bay State Commons. This fundraiser allows the Westborough Cultural Council to award annual grants. They awarded over $12,000 to 17 grant recipients for projects or events in 2020-2021. Event co-chairs are Maureen Johnson and Jenny Silverberg along with other committee members Michelle French, Holly Kenny and Tracy Spadafora. Learn more about Arts in Common at artsincommon.net and facebook.com/artsincommonwestborough. For more photos, visit communityadvocate.com.

Article to propose funding Toblin Hill Drive bridge replacement One will appropriate funds received from the sale of Centech Park North to replace the Toblin Hill Drive bridge. That structure was built in the late 1990s and was deemed irreparable in 2016, according to reporting in the Worcester Telegram in November of that year. The town recently sold Centech Park North to NorthBridge Partners for $6.5 million after NorthBridge secured approval to build a “campus-style” complex on the property.

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Wearing a shark hat purchased at Arts in Common, Ralph Audi, 6, draws on the roof of a graffiti art house.

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PHOTOS/ED KARVOSKI JR.

Articles address sidewalk, crosswalk improvements Another article will appropriate funds the town gets from companies like Uber and Lyft for initia-

The Bekhit sisters – Miryam, 9, and Natalie, 12 – are amused as they see their caricatures, which were drawn free of charge at Arts in Common.

2 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Northborough library launches job seekers program By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter NORTHBOROUGH - The Northborough Free Library has launched a year-long program to help people find jobs. The Job Seekers Program officially launched on Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30 of next year. “It’s the bread and butter. It’s what people need — employment,” said Adult Services Librarian Donna Kafel. “The way of looking for jobs has just changed so much … there’s a lot people who don’t know about managing their online presence, writing resumes, how it’s done now, even in terms of interviews.” All of the programs are free. ‘We…realized that a lot of people were losing their jobs due to the pandemic’ Before the COVID-19 pandemic, people visiting the library looking for jobs asked library staff for help formatting their resumes.

“

Donna Kafel is the Adult Services Librarian at Northborough Free Library.

It’s the bread and butter. It’s what people need — employment. Donna Kafel Adult Services Librarian

PHOTO/LAURA HAYES

“The whole idea of going online and creating a resume and submitting a resume is a huge learning curve for many people,” Kafel said. The Adult Services department can proofread cover letters, applications and resumes. It can also print any documents related to a job search. During the pandemic, though, the library building was closed and couldn’t host

any live or in-person programs. “We also realized that a lot of people were losing their jobs due to the pandemic,” Kafel said. So, in 2020, the library launched a series of Zoom programs that featured speakers who presented pro bono. That series inspired the library to seek grant opportunities to fund further presentations and to build a collection

of job search resources at the library, such as books on how to write resumes or the process of searching for a career. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners awarded the Northborough Free Library a $6,200 Institute of Library Services Grant for their Job Seekers program. Future workshops to focus on ‘writing and review,’ other topics Though some of the library’s planned programs will be held virtually, Kafel hopes to hold subsequent sessions in person. The program kicked off with “Get Motivated to Job Search” on Oct. 4. The next event, “Resume Writing and Review,”

will be held on Monday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Other workshops focus on topics such as managing an online reputation and interview preparation. That Board of Library Commissioners grant will fund not only programs but also workshops for library staff to help them as they review visitors’ resumes for content and set up LinkedIn accounts with library patrons. T h e l i b ra r y h a s a l s o launched a new database, which can be found along with a list of upcoming events at https://www.northboroughlibrary.org/Pages/Index/182038/northboroughjob-seekers.

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Goodbye summer, hello fall THE

OVER TOP

Violet investigates a flower. PHOTO/TAMI WHITE

Site of proposed new Marlborough fire station MARLBOROUGH - Drone photography recently captured the intersection of Elm St. and Bigelow St. in Marlborough. Mayor Arthur Vigeant recently requested city council approval to purchase land at nearby 100 Locke Dr. as the city considers building a new fire station in the area. Part of 100 Locke Dr. is visible in the bottom left corner of the photo above, abutting Bigelow St. and pushing toward the intersection of Elm St. and Bigelow St. itself.

PHOTO/COURTESY SANDY HOWARD

NORTHBOROUGH - A Northborough resident recently snapped a photo of her dog, Violet, curiously investigating a flower. “She seems to be thinking that soon summer will be over and she won’t be able to enjoy the flowers until next year,” Sandy Howard wrote in an email to the Community Advocate. Many throughout the region have noticed a rather sudden drop in temperatures in recent days and weeks as summer weather gave way to cooler fall air late last month. Howard lives in Northborough and notes that she enjoys capturing slices of the local life and landscape.

A different kind of

letters to the editor

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All letters should be 350 words or less. Letters can be emailed to news@communityadvocate.com or mailed to Managing Editor, Community Advocate, 32 South St. Westborough MA 01581. Letters must have the name, address and phone number of the person submitting it (only name and town will be printed.) Letters will be reviewed and printed at the discretion of the Editor for suitability. Letters that are deemed slanderous, libelous or attacking a person or organization will not be printed. Opinions expressed in the letters to the editor are not necessarily the opinion of the Community Advocate or its advertisers.

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The Community Advocate is a weekly periodical, (U.S.P.S. # 014-423), published by Bagdon Advertising, Inc., with offices located at 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Periodicals postage is paid at Westborough, MA 01581 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Community Advocate, 32 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Publication date is Friday. Deadline for R.O.P. advertising, local community news and classified advertising is Friday, noon, seven days prior to publication. Not liable for typographical errors, however, we will reprint that portion of the ad wherein error occurred if notified in writing within three working days of the publication date. All material included is the property of The Community Advocate and may include material produced under copyright or a syndicated ad service. Permission must be obtained in writing before reproducing any material from any issue of the Community Advocate.

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4 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY VIEWPOINT Community members continue discussion of Algonquin, school mascot

‘Keeping our Northborough and Westborough streets illuminated’

letters to the editor

Having reported numerous streetlight outages over the past several years in the interests of both safety and security, I’m writing this as a public service for Northborough and Westborough residents: I have found National Grid dedicated to keeping our streetlights lit, however they no longer patrol the streets at night like they did many years ago when I was a youngster. Instead, they rely on these outages to be reported by both pole number and street address. The easiest way to notify National Grid seems to be via email: customerservice@ nationalgrid.com There are two types of outages: COMPLETELY OUT or CYCLING (dim blinking on and off) so it is important to advise which condition is present so the appropriate fix can be made. Occasionally I will be advised by a National Grid representative that the owner of the light is

Without delving into the merits of the mascot change movement, I put ink to paper simply to express my confusion as to why the name Algonquin is not also being retired? Tomahawks are objects; Algonquin is a people. If the point of the mascot change movement is to avoid cultural appropriation, then the school name must change. How do we have the authority/permission of the Algonquin to keep their name on our school, regardless of whether we put a Tomahawk on shirts or whether we put a butterfly? Algonquin Bobcats (or whatever) does not resolve the issue of cultural appropriation. If Algonquin is allowed to remain,

then this whole exercise will have been in vain. Take the lead of other regional school districts (Lincoln/Sudbury, Dover/Sherborn, Acton/Boxborough, etc.) and rename the high school the Northborough/Southborough Regional High School, and then pick whatever mascot you want. Aaron Hutchins Former Northborough Board of Selectmen Dear Editor: I am a 1967 graduate of Algonquin Regional High School. My cousins, brothers, youngest aunt all graduated from ARHS. My daughter graduated in 1993, also. We are appalled at the mascot change. The Algonquin Indian was indigenous to our area. The Tomahawk was the instrument to hunt and the

Smoke Signal was the way the communicated. They have already removed the newspaper’s Smoke Signal for the Harbinger. If this part of the new woke cancel culture, then what is next ? Do the change the name of the high school next. Do we cancel history for political correctness? Who is an outsider as a consultant who thinks it is best for our community to cancel out all of our history? I still reside in Northborough. I was born here in 1949 at Marlborough Hospital. My parents bought their first home here in 1949. My brother, nephew, and neice still live here. We are so saddened by the transient population coming here and wanting to change everything. Sincerely, Patricia Milano-Thayer

“the Town of Westborough” for instance and to contact them for service, however neither town maintains their street lighting. The confusion seems to be that “the Town of Westborough” is in fact the Customer name on the account, NOT the Owner. Also, in certain cases the lighting of streetlights is billed to private citizens however National Grid is still responsible for maintaining the bulbs and filaments of streetlights in both Northborough and Westborough. Northborough’s Administrative Office has offered to report known outages brought to their attention while the Westborough Police have advised they try to address this issue monthly. I’m disappointed that the responsibility of maintaining our streetlights seems to depend mainly upon citizen reports. Sincerely, Doug Stone, Northborough

Community members weigh in on proposed Mass General Brigham facility Dear sir/Madam: I am writing in support of the planned Mass General Brigham facility in Westborough. I was so happy to see that the Select Board members support this project because I think it will be a great asset to the area. I know there has been some voiced opposition. I also noticed that a lot of the opposition was not really from people in this community. But as a Westborough resident and a patient who currently travels into Boston for doctor appointments, I can say

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that this will be so much more convenient. Having this medical facility in town means that I will not need to drive for an hour or more each way, worrying about traffic and parking issues, just for medical appointments. It will benefit the entire region to have MGB practitioners here in Westborough offering the care many of us need but closer to home. Sincerely yours, Yu Chen Westborough

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Dear Editor: I choose to receive my medical care at Mass General Brigham hospitals in Boston. As of now. I am still able to drive, but I am not sure for how much longer. Recently, I drove into Boston for a doctor’s appointment and it was really challenging, Not only was there considerable traffic, but even the idea of finding a parking space was so taxing that I used the valet service to park my car, Yet,

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 5

COMMUNITY NEWS Boylston Planning Board approves warehouse project near Shrewsbury border By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter

PHOTO/LAURA HAYES

SHREWSBURY - A warehouse will be built on the border of Boylston and Shrewsbury after the Boylston Planning Board approved the project during their Sept. 13 meeting. The developer, NorthBridge Partners, proposed building a 396,375-square-foot warehouse on a 60-acre site on Pine Hill Drive near FedEx. “It’s been a good process for us,” said Larry Beals of the engineering firm Beals Associates, Inc. “This is a good board. It’s a give and take of information and works pretty well.” The board also approved a special permit to allow the developers to build a warehouse and a waiver to allow them to have additional parking space in front of their building.

Cars drive along Route 140 in Boylston. Traffic from a new warehouse in Boylston will use Route 140 to head to the interstate.

its proximity to town. NorthBridge has also worked directly with the Town of Shrewsbury on its major development proposal for Shrewsbury’s Centech North property. Residents opposed to that Centech project, at times, cited this effort in Boylston in public comments. “It seems like you guys are proposing an awful lot of loading dock logistics space very

Project draws attention in Shrewsbury The project has drawn attention in Shrewsbury due to

close to each other,” resident David Singer said during a June 17 Shrewsbury Planning Board meeting. Singer argued that the Boylston proposal was targeting a better location for such a development compared to the Centech North property. “Send those trucks to Boylston,” he said. As those discussions played out, others in Shrewsbury

shared initial concerns online about adverse traffic impacts of the Boylston proposal. Shrewsbury officials were, indeed, following the Boylston project and attending Boylston Planning Board meetings, Town Manager Kevin Mizikar told the Community Advocate in an email in June. While additional traffic is “always a concern,” Mizikar said, Shrewsbury was also working with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and State Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury) to make traffic improvements near the site in Boylston. “The Town of Shrewsbury has very limited opportunities to directly influence the development in Boylston,” Mizikar said. “Further, we recognize economic development in neighboring towns is beneficial to the growing Central Mass economy and provides

additional job opportunities for Shrewsbury residents.” Planning Board also approves Shrewsbury Street project The board approved a twobuilding project down the road at 160 Shrewsbury St. during the same Sept. 13 meeting where they green-lit the NorthBridge warehouse. That project proposed building a 373,000-square-foot building that would be occupied by Rand-Whitney, which manufactures cardboard. The project’s other building is 307,000 square feet and is still looking for a tenant. All of that site’s trucks and most of its other vehicles will access the site through a road through a nearby FedEx property. The developers said passenger cars would be able to use the entrance off Shrewsbury Street.

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Grant funds new firefighter radios By Laura Hayes, Senior Community Reporter NORTHBOROUGH - The Northborough Fire Department will be getting new radios thanks to a grant through the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA). Fire Chief David Parenti told the Community Advocate that the grant is being administered through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program. Northborough will be receiving $219,477.69. The department’s share is $10,973.88. Parenti discussed the grant during a Sept. 13 Board of Selectmen meeting.

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6 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Southborough receives $22,875 climate change resiliency grant By Stuart Foster Contributing Writer

The grant for Southborough Melissa Danza said this work will fund the town’s Planimetric is particularly important in the Impervious Surface Mapping areas around the Sudbury ResSOUTHBOROUGH - The state’s Project, allowing the town to ervoir and around the town’s Municipality Vulnerability Preidentify surfaces that prevent wetlands resource areas. There, paredness (MVP) program has water from seeping into the impervious surfaces could cause given a $22,875 grant to Southground. When water can’t be untreated discharge into the borough as part of $21 million absorbed like this, it can run off larger bodies of water. in funding allocated through-State of-the-art Treatments surfaces and potentially gather “We are hoping to limit our out Massachusetts for climateAccepting pollutants. new patients, same day impacts to the reservoir and change resiliency projects thisappointments Southborough Conservation can be arranged. to the hotspot flooding areas,” year. Agent and MVP Coordinator Danza said. Open M-F 8am-4:30pm

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Danza said the goal of the project is to have a third party create a Geographic Information System (GIS) layer that would allow them to extract data and determine how many impervious surfaces exist per lot in town. Danza also said that the Southborough Conservation Commission has recently begun sending monthly letters to new homeowners. As a result of this project, Danza said, those letters would be able to include more information gained from the GIS layer. “It will better let the homeowners and property owners of Southborough understand what our goals and actions are and what the downsides are to

increased impervious surfaces,” Danza said. She noted that the most common impervious surfaces in Southborough are roofs and asphalt parking spaces. As a result, the project will mainly count driveways, roadways, parking lots, homes and structures. The project’s kickoff meeting was scheduled to be held during the week of Sept. 13 with the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Danza added in an interview with the Community Advocate last month that the Conservation Commission’s goal was to have a contractor hired for the project by the end of September.

Northborough Historical Society to open museum on Sundays through October NORTHBOROUGH - The Northborough Historical Society museum will be open on Sundays through the rest of the month of October, inviting community members to visit its collection of local artifacts at its location at 52 Main Street. Doors will be open between 2 and 4 p.m. on Sunday Oct. 10, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24. Masks must be worn in the museum and no food or beverages are allowed. The museum will be closed for the remainder of the year following these dates according to a press release. The Historical Society has opted to offer these hours after attracting over 75 visitors during Applefest weekend last month. “We decided we would open the museum a few more times

this year in case some people missed it or wanted more time to look at other items in the museum,” that aforementioned press release noted. Mastodon artifacts “were a big hit,” over Applefest weekend, as was an hourglass once owned by Mary Goodnow. “But there is so much more there, it takes several visits to take it all in,” the press release continued. Outside of museum availability, the Historical Society will also host a lecture by local historian and author Christopher Daley on Friday, Oct. 22. “1620: The First Year” will focus on the Mayflower voyage, the settling of Plymouth Colony and the Pilgrim’s encounter with the Wampanoag people.

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“The radios increase our capability and allow each individual firefighter to have his own portable radio,” he said. “So, when they’re in the building, if there’s a mayday … they can get out.” Parenti said the new radios would be multi-band. That will let the Northborough Fire Department communicate with other fire departments and law enforcement agencies like the Massachusetts State Police who operate on different bands, Parenti said. “These new radios will function on all of those bands,” he

continued. “All we have to do is flip the channel.” Parenti told the Community Advocate that the department would be receiving 26 pulse batteries, chargers, carrying straps and holsters. “Our current portable radios is a combination of numerous technologies, most of which are not supported anymore,” Parenti said. “They are very limited in use and do not work with many of our mutual aid partners.” During the selectmen’s meeting, Parenti said one portable radio costs approximately $8,000. The order for the new radios was placed last month.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 7

Aging Gracefully

Seniors

by MariAnn Paladino, Dir. of Admissions, Notre Dame Long Term Care

on the move

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AS WELL! Caring for the elderly, either as a family member or a professional, can be as frustrating and exhausting as it is rewarding and fulfilling. Many consider it a privilege, but it is one that comes with heavy burdens which can take their toll, resulting in “caregiver burn-out.” Knowing the warning signs can help you avoid this condition. Feelings of depression, exhaustion, loss of control, severe anxiety, irritability, and loss of interest in caring for your own needs and happiness are definite signs you are facing burn out. Keep in mind that it is okay to ask others for help, and speak with other people who are going through the same thing. Be sure to take breaks and practice selfcare. To avoid burnout, caregivers can take advantage of respite care services. Respite care provides a temporary break for caregivers. This can range from a few hours of in-home care to a short stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility. NOTRE DAME LONG TERM CARE CENTER offers assisted living, long term care and rehabilitation, hospice care, and pediatric palliative care. To learn more, please call (508) 852-3011. You can also schedule a tour of our facilities at 559 Plantation Street. P.S. One of the best ways to avoid caregiver burn-out is to set aside several small pockets of time every day to do something for yourself, such as reading a single chapter of a novel or snapping three puzzle pieces into place.

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8 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mass General Brigham would pay Westborough $35,000 in first year of PILOT agreement payments By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor WESTBOROUGH - Mass General Brigham would pay Westborough $35,000 in the first year after it attains a certificate of occupancy for an ambulatory care clinic it intends to open in Westborough. That’s according to a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement approved by the Select Board last month and provided to the Com-

munity Advocate last week. “They’ve been a really great partner in working with the town in creating our first community services agreement,” Town Manager Kristi Williams said of Mass General Brigham in comments to the Select Board on Sept. 14. This PILOT agreement, also known as a community services agreement, is indeed the first of its kind for Westborough. Select Board members ap-

proved it at that Sept. 14 meeting after hearing from Williams and others involved in its development. Developed through a lengthy negotiation process, the agreement sets that $35,000 payment as a baseline payment that will increase by 2.5 percent per year for 20 years. That would translate to a $56,752 payment in year 20, sending a total of just over $900,000 to Westborough over two decades.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 9

COMMUNITY NEWS

Grafton & Upton Railroad Company faces civil penalty following EPA settlement By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter GRAFTON - Grafton & Upton Railroad Company will pay a $52,000 civil penalty after it allegedly violated federal chemical accident prevention requirements. The penalty is part of a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to an EPA press release. “It is important that facilities take all necessary actions to protect local communities by following chemical accident prevention steps,” said Deb Szaro, who is EPA New England’s Acting Regional Administrator. According to the release, Grafton & Upton opened a new propane transfer terminal at its facility in North Grafton at 42 Westboro Rd. in 2018. On its website, the rail company said the Liquid Propane Gas Transfer Facility “immediately became a new standard in the industry.” “Boasting state-of-the-art technologies, quick transfer time and scheduled shipments, the propane facility can fill a demand for propane that has been absent for decades,” the website reads. The EPA said the facility consists of a railroad siding off the main line and includes storage for propane rail cars, transfer stations, four 80,000-gallon storage tanks and truck loading stations. A switching yard sits to the south. “The terminal is located near homes, a school, and other businesses,” the EPA wrote. The EPA said that the Clean Air Act, which regulates propane, requires facilities that store and deal with specific quantities of extremely hazardous materials to file what’s called a risk management plan with the EPA. That’s in addition to complying with other chemical accident prevention and mitigation requirements. The risk management plan includes a summary of a company’s accident and mitigation program. Grafton & Upton allegedly didn’t file a risk management plan before the terminal

The Grafton and Upton Railroad Company is located on Westborough Road in North Grafton.

PHOTO/LAURA HAYES

opened for business. “An EPA inspection concluded that the terminal generally was well-designed in accordance with industry standards, but EPA did raise additional concerns to ensure protection for the surrounding community,” the release said. Pa r t i c u l a r l y, E PA ex-

p re s s e d c o n c e r n a b o u t whether water cannons would be able to be filled quickly enough if needed in the winter. In addition to the civil penalty, the company will automate the water delivery for fire suppression in the winter and provide training to emergency responders.

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10 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Westborough officials talk budget process, fiscal situation at tri-board meeting By Stuart Foster Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough Select Board, the Advisory Finance Committee and the School Committee participated in a tri-board summit meeting on Sept. 23. School Committee Chair Kristen Vincent said that the priorities of the meeting were to launch the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget planning process, create a common understanding of Westborough’s current fiscal position and to identify budgetary priorities. “The ultimate goal of this is to have a smooth and effective budget planning process,” she said. Town Manager Kristi Williams presented about the close-out of the FY 21 budget on June 30. Williams said that, compared to FY 20, Westborough in FY 21 had a higher free cash balance, an operating budget increase of 2.65 percent, and an increase in the average single family tax bill of

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2.33 percent, or $10,300. Williams also presented a graph showing Westborough’s free cash balance at the end of FY 21, $13,160,890, compared to other communities in the area. Westborough’s was the third highest, lower than Lexington’s at $17,338,059 but significantly higher than Southborough’s at $1,400,293. It also represented an increase from the free cash balance from the end of FY 20, which was $11,941,082. “You can see that we have obviously ended the fiscal year in a strong financial position,” said Williams. Town Planner Jim Robbins presented on the town’s recently-approved master plan. Advisory Finance Committee Chair Michael Barretti asked when a cost estimate for the master plan would be available. Robbins said many of the plans in the master plan would be done in house and absorbed by staff hours. He said that the Planning Board would develop priorities in an implementation plan. Cost estimates would then be

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capital plan. Williams, presenting on the FY 23 budget process, said that there will be a series of budget and capital planning meetings throughout this fall, with a budget due to the Select Board and Advisory Finance Committee by Dec. 21. There will then be a budget hearing at a Select Board meeting in January. “Hopefully we will be back in this room for a joint departmental budget meeting with

the Select Board and Advisory Finance Committee,” Williams said. Williams also presented on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that is now in process. Westborough will receive approximately $5.6 million from ARPA, Williams said. As of her presentation, the town had received $11.8 million in requests from 22 proposals submitted by 11 town departments.

Westborough Police get $20,425 grant to analyze traffic patterns Drone photography shows South St. and Brigham St. stemming off the downtown rotary in Westborough. The Westborough Police will use newly acquired grant money to collect traffic data throughout town.

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presented to the town. “I just think, from a taxpayer point of view, when we gave our message at the last Town Meeting, I think we were pretty clear that we would like to see costs to taxpayer estimates up front,” Barretti said. “Not halfway through or at the end of an implementation.” Robbins said that most people working on the master plan understand that it is a guidance document, and not a specific

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By Stuart Foster Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - The Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research recently awarded the Westborough Police Department with a $20,425 grant in support of the Department’s Municipal Road Safety program. In a Facebook post, the po-

lice wrote that the program would use data recorders and speed measurement devices to measure traffic density, flow and speed of vehicles in the town. The police wrote that they would not record vehicle information. “The data is then analyzed by our Traffic Supervisor, who assigns the Traffic Officer to problem areas throughout

Westborough Lions Club seeks participants for Peace Poster contest WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough Lions Club is hosting and recruiting participants for its annual Peace Poster contest this fall. The Peace Poster contest is designed for students between the ages of 11 and 13 to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through their art and creativity. This year’s poster theme is We are All Connected. Each poster will be judged on three criteria: Artistic Merit, Originality, and Expression of the Theme. There are four levels of competition: Local, Dis-

trict, State, and International. The deadline to enter the Westborough Contest is Friday, Oct. 15. The winner will be selected by Saturday, Nov. 6 and will receive a monetary award. All entries will be displayed near the Children’s Room at the Westborough Public Library during the week of November 1. More information on the contest and details on how to register can be found on the Peace Poster page on the Lions website at westboroughlionsclub.org.

Westborough High Class of 1971 postpones reunion due to COVID-19 WESTBOROUGH - The members of the Westborough High class of 1971 were actively planning and looking forward to a 50th reunion. But the COVID-19 risk has forced them to wait another year. “After much reflection, and the reality that COVID and the variant is still very much active, we have decided to postpone the class of ‘71 reunion until next summer 2022,” explained Planning Committee Spokesman Gordon Henley. The reunion group will continue efforts to locate class members and to make plans for a reunion in 2022. Members of the WHS class of 1971 are asked to contact Gordon Henley ghenley2@ gmail.com.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 11

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mask mandate in Southborough municipal buildings to continue By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer SOUTHBOROUGH - The mask mandate for municipal buildings will remain in effect indefinitely following a discussion at a Sept. 22 Board of Selectmen meeting. Public Health Director Heather Alker gave a COVID-19 update during that meeting. She noted that the state’s latest twoweek count showed the town having 23 cases of the coronavirus. By Sept. 23, Alker said that number would rise to 30. For context, under the state’s old rating system, Southborough would be in the “red” category. Concerning, Alker said, is that 12 of the 19 students recently testing positive as of Sept. 22 in the combined school district with Northborough came from Southborough. The week preceding her comments, she added, there were three probable in-school transmission cases. There had been one to date in the week

“

School spacing is really challenged due to full in-person teaching.

of Sept. 22. “School spacing is really challenged due to full in-person teaching,” Alker said, noting there are no longer remote or hybrid learning options. She said there are instances in buildings where adequate spacing is not possible. The good news, she said, is that the vaccine is working well for 4.5 million people in Massachusetts. Though the rate of breakthrough cases was low, 217 deaths had occurred statewide for fully vaccinated individuals and numbers were on the rise for children as of Sept. 22, Alker said. Selectman Martin Healey noted the decision about masks is made locally and not

Heather Alker Public Health Director by the state. “They are looking at the same data we are and not mandating it,” he said.

SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury Police Department will soon add a mental health clinician to accompany police officers responding to mental health calls. That was one of multiple additions described in an annual report by Police Chief Kevin Anderson during a Sept. 28 Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen meeting. Anderson discussed officer training, campaigns and task forces the department has participated in as well as grants the department has applied for and the hiring process. “What are you guys doing in your spare time?” joked Selectman Maurice DePalo after Anderson’s presentation. “[This is] tremendous all the stuff that you’re doing. I think it’s great. I commend you for doing it.” Anderson discussed a number of grants that the department has applied for and been awarded. For example, the department is on the waiting list for a grant with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to install a Motor Ve-

hicle Automated Citation and Crash System. Officers will be able to swipe a driver’s license through this system. That driver’s information will then be put on a citation, which will be sent electronically. “Saving paper, saving time and it saves the admin assistant time in typing the reports and putting all that information in,” Anderson said. The fiscal year 2022 budget includes funding for a mental health clinician. Anderson also said, though, that the department is in the process of applying for a grant to help foot the bill for that new hire, as well as a jail diversion program. He said the grant would run for three years and pay for both the clinician’s salary and overtime if they have to come in on off hours. The clinician would corespond with officers to mental health calls. “We believe this position is critical in providing our officers and citizens more resources during mental health emergencies from a trained mental health professional,” Anderson said.

Alker replied that, two weeks after large numbers of people stopped wearing masks back in June, cases started rising again. She said wearing masks lowers transmissions, noting that school transmissions likely occurred when students were unmasked and eating in the cafeteria. Healey said they could agree to disagree.

Shrewsbury selectmen approve Town Meeting warrant Warrant | from page 1

tives like improving sidewalks and crosswalks. Mizikar said the town receives $0.10 for every ride that originates in Shrewsbury. Another article will make changes to the operating budget. “I continue to see the opportunity to lower the total amount of funds that we need from taxpayers, which will allow us to not utilize the full amount that has been autho-

Shrewsbury Police to install electronic citation system, hire mental health clinician By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter

Healey said his judgment was “burdened’’ by having two kids who are statisticians. “They filled my head with a statistical approach to looking at this…” he said, adding he is skeptical about mask effectiveness. “It doesn’t send a particularly good message in terms of the efficiency of the vaccine,” Healey added.

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with additional funds available for other projects, Mizikar said. Additionally, there will be four zoning articles, one of which would allow outdoor and indoor service to restaurants in specific zoning districts by right. Town meeting to take place Oct. 18 Town meeting will take place on Monday, Oct. 18 at Oak Middle School.

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12 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Westborough Select Board reevaluates Columbus Day name change discussion, citing concerns By Stuart Foster Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - The Westborough Select Board recently opted not to entertain a motion to schedule and hold a public listening session about a proposal to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. Gathered for a meeting on Sept. 28, the board decided to add the item to their next agenda due to concern over how the proposal, which was unanimously recommended by the Westborough Diversity and Inclusion Committee, had been previously handled. “I do think, candidly, there is a part of me that thinks that we should entirely table this and start back from zero as a process, but I sort of feel like the cat is out of the bag,” said Select Board member Shelby Marshall. Select Board, Diversity and Inclusion Committee member reflects on process Marshall, who is also a member of the Diversity and Inclu-

“

I do think, candidly, there is a part of me that thinks that we should entirely table this and start back from zero as a process.

sion Committee, said that she had heard many comments from community members that the process was less than ideal, which she said she takes full responsibility for. At a Diversity and Inclusion Committee meeting on Sept. 23, Marshall said that, in retrospect, the committee should have heard from opponents to the proposal who support retaining Columbus Day. Select Board Vice Chair Ian Johnson mentioned that he had heard from people who supported tabling the motion and not having a public listening session because the state is already looking at the issue. Another Select Board member, Patrick Welch, however, said that, while he had heard

Shelby Marshall Select Board member similar concerns from community members, the state is, in part, looking at how municipalities handle this issue. “I actually don’t feel comfortable with abdicating our responsibility in the town,” Welch said. Proposal drew community opposition Though the holiday would have still been known as “Columbus Day” at the federal level, the proposal endorsed by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee would have changed the name to “Indigenous People’s Day” in a local context. “By instituting the new holiday, we will publicly celebrate and raise awareness about the culture and history of indige-

nous people,” Committee Chair Cara Presley said in July. “By replacing Columbus Day, we honor the perseverance of indigenous people, despite their suffering at the hands of European colonists, led by Columbus, who overtook inhabited lands and committed genocide of indigenous people.” The proposal was met with opposition, though, drawing a number of individuals to a meeting on Aug. 24. “The petition to remove Columbus Day presented to the committee was a self-fulfilling prophecy, for it was inherently biased against Columbus as a person, with no regard for historical fact,” said Ciaran O’Donnell at the time. Other supporters discussed the value of Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian-American identity. ‘From its inception, the proposal was tainted’ Earlier in the Select Board’s Sept. 28 meeting, during open forum discussion, Diane Modi-

ca, the chairperson for the Commission for Social Justice in the Massachusetts Order of Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA), suggested that the Select Board table the matter or vote “no” on the proposal. Modica said that the Diversity and Inclusion Committee process, which originated from a petition that she described as “conclusory,” was biased. Modica said that it appears the committee had reached out and talked to indigenous Americans without making a similar effort of outreach either to Italian-Americans in Westborough or organizations like the OSDIA. “A recent comment by the DIC Chair Cara Presley indicated that, in their process in connection with Diversity Matters, she believes that not all voices carry the same weight,” Modica said. “It is clear that, in the Columbus matter, Italian-Americans carried no weight at all, which means that, from its inception, the proposal was tainted.” Columbus Day | 13

The Marlborough Commuter Shuttle is coming back! Service resumes on October 4, 2021

The 12 -passenger handicap-accessible shuttle connects local commuters between three stops at the Southborough MBTA Commuter Rail, the Apex Center of New England, and the “Marlborough Hills” business park located on Forest Street. This option provides free public transportation for those who take the train to and/or from Boston and Worcester.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

Families enjoy scarecrow-building event in Northborough NORTHBOROUGH - Area families gathered at the Ellsworth McAfee Park Pavillion in Northborough on Oct. 2 for a special “Build-AScarecrow Day” event. The event was put on by Northborough Recreation, continuing a 14-year tradition of annual scarecrow-building fun. Normally held at Assabet Park in town, this year’s event was moved to Ellsworth McAffee Park due to planned renovation work back at Assabet Park. Scarecrows will now be displayed around the park until Halloween.

Jake and Bri color their scarecrow’s pants at a recent scarecrow building event.

Westborough Select Board reevaluates Columbus Day name change discussion, citing concerns Columbus Day | from page 12

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Presley said at a Sept. 23 Diversity and Inclusion meeting that she felt good about how the process had been handled. She said, though, that the committee would make some changes if it were to go through the process again. She also noted that the purpose of the committee is to elevate diversity, equity and inclusion in town government. “That doesn’t always mean that everybody’s opinion is weighed equally, because equity is about dismantling the systemic racism, in this case, the topic of racism, and in order to do that, it doesn’t always mean bringing all of the voices with equal play,” Presley said. Presley specified that this perspective does not represent the Diversity and Inclusion Committee as a whole, noting that this was her opinion as an individual.

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14 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY NEWS

Westborough Select Board votes to close warrant for upcoming town meeting By Stuart Foster Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - The Select Board voted to close the warrant for Westborough’s upcoming town meeting during a Select Board meeting on Sept. 28. The 22 articles on the town meeting are now finalized, though subject to any changes by town counsel. Warrant includes DPW articles Speaking on Sept. 28, DPW Director Chris Payant discussed three articles relating to his department, including one requesting $167,000 to repair culverts along Jackstraw Brook under Bowman Lane in town. “The culvert is in rough shape,” Payant said. “It’s not going to fail imminently. But it’s something we need to address.” Payant added that another set of culverts along Jackstraw Brook, the Morse/Uptown Culverts, are currently being assessed as part of a replacement process. The article in question would

provide funding to support stormwater bylaw revisions and the creation of stormwater rules and regulations. This would ensure compliance with approaching revisions to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s stormwater guidance manuals, Payant said. Another DPW-related article would allow for the purchase of a portable generator. Payant said that there are currently three fixed-place generators on order for the town’s sewer pump stations. But one of the ones they currently have does not work and its replacement is estimated to be 444 days away. “What we’re proposing is that we purchase a used generator at a cost of about $39,000, and that’s based on some kind of deliberate thinking about the smartest way to handle this,” Payant said. “We need to have some backup power available, and we can’t wait a year to do that.” The third DPW article detailed by Payant would fund

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professional cleaning for the Fire Department’s building once external COVID-19 relief funding ends. Recreation Department seeks funding for golf course fees, water pump replacement Westborough Recreation Officer Jenn Kirkland also spoke about two articles involving the Westborough golf course. One article would transfer $11,000 to cover credit card transaction fees. The other article would provide $50,000 for the replacement of the golf course’s water pump system, which Kirkland said is more than 35 years old. “Without a reliable irrigation system, the course would

become virtually unplayable,” Kirkland said, noting that parts of the pump system “have failed repeatedly over the last five years.” Warrant includes Fire Department, Police Department, Schools articles The finalized town meeting warrant includes a number of other articles, including ones proposed by the Fire Department, Police Department and Westborough Public Schools. The police are seeking funding for an administrative lieutenant as well as funding for a new electric cruiser. The Fire Department is hoping voters will approve its article requesting money to pay

for the removal of antiquated, hard-wired fire alarm wires on local telephone poles. The schools, meanwhile, have put forward two articles. One seeks to slightly amend action taken at Town Meeting in 2018 to allow for the construction of a shed near the new Fales Elementary School. The other, meanwhile, proposes hiring a new full-time administrative assistant, as well as a new English language learners teacher to work at the Mill Pond School. The Select Board unanimously voted to endorse the first 17 articles as well as the 21st article on the warrant. Town meeting will take place on Monday,Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at Westborough High School.

Lifelong resident celebrates 100th birthday in Westborough Westborough’s Bunny Perron recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

By Susan Olsen Orpilla Contributing Writer WESTBOROUGH - Over 100 family and friends, some from as far as California, gathered on Sept. 12 for Patricia “Bunny” Perron’s 100th birthday party. The senior demographic continues to rise. However, the count of people 100 years old or older makes up less than 1% of the population, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Due to the uncertainty of possible returning restrictions on public gatherings, this celebration was held before Perron officially joins the exclusive designation of centenarian on Nov. 18. Bunny Perron grew up in town Perron has called Westborough home her entire life. The youngest of eight children, Perron was born and raised on Otis Street and graduated from Westborough High School in 1939. She married a Westborough man, Fred Perron, and they raised their two daughters, Kathleen Sarnelli and Patricia Conroy, in Westborough. Fred owned and operated a five-and-dime store called The Circle and passed away in 2002. Bunny now lives at The Willows at Westborough retirement community on Lyman Street.

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Lifelong resident lived history in Westborough Everyone knows Patricia as “Bunny,” though she does not recall how she received the nickname as a child. Perron lived through The Great Depression, noting that living on a farm with ample food allowed her family to get by better than others. She lived through World War II, which delayed her wedding. Then, at 98-years-old, Perron survived COVID-19. Some of her fondest memories are also what she attributes her longevity to — taking beautiful walks along with picking and eating blueberries. She enjoys her family and the simple life she’s lived as a

homemaker also helping her husband in their store. Perron was also a charter member of the Westborough Community Chorus. Celebration gathers friends and family in town Last month’s celebration was held at the home of Perron’s nephew Richard Smith and wife Kathleen Donley, next door to Uhlman’s Ice Cream, which Smith and Donley own. “Everyone should have an aunt like Bunny,” remarked Donley. “[Bunny] is so smart, has such a long memory, is always upbeat, and kind to everyone,” she continued. Birthday | 23

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 15

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS Shrewsbury schools looking to hire additional counseling staff, paraprofessionals District also considering after-school transportation program

By Laura Hayes Senior Community Reporter SHREWSBURY - The Shrewsbury Public Schools plan to hire a total of six full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to help address mental health and academic needs, Superintendent Joseph Sawyer said in a Sept. 22 School Committee meeting. The district plans to hire these positions using a third round of funding from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund through the American Rescue Plan Act. Shrewsbury is slated to receive about $1.23 million, Sawyer said. District to hire counselors, paraprofessionals, pilot afterschool transportation According to Sawyer, the district plans to hire adjustment counselors for the elementary level and for Shrewsbury High School (SHS). The district is also looking to hire four FTE for para

professionals to tutor math and reading at the middle school level. Additionally, Shrewsbury plans to set aside $125,000 to pilot an after-school transportation program similar to a late bus that ran from the high school and the middle school in the pace. This came after respondents to a district survey said that afterschool transportation can be a challenge.

sues we have,” he continued. “Over the years, we’ve touched on a few things that may be contributing such as start time, dialing down homework and standardized testing,” Magee said. “I think within our school system, there’s an opportunity for us to try to see if there are things that we are doing that could be contributing to the emotional issues out there.”

‘[It] is an important first step’ Following Sawyer’s presentation, School Committee member Dale Magee noted that issues with stress, anxiety and depression are bubbling as front-burner issues. “I think that mitigating this with counseling and the like is an important first step,” Magee said. “I also think that we need to pause a little bit and see how we can not only put out the fire but maybe try to look at what could be starting it and do what we can to try to address what system is-

School Committee members praise plans Sawyer said the paraprofessional positions may be split into part-time positions. “We have a very strong program using tutors at the elementary level, and we would look to adapt that program for a more middle school need,” Sawyer said. With the new adjustment counselor positions, meanwhile, there will be three adjustment counselors at SHS in particular, though one is tied specifically to the BRYT program.

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The adjustment counselors will help deliver the district’s proactive social-emotional learning, Sawyer said. “We know we’re trying to work with a lot of students at the elementary level, some of whom are struggling because they’re young and they’ve actually never really been to school before,” Sawyer said. Hearing this presentation,

School Committee members praised the district’s community outreach, particularly with key stakeholder groups. “I do like that social and emotional health and mental health are consistent throughout this plan,” said committee member Jason Palitsch. “That was a consistent theme of a lot of the feedback that we received, and it’s certainly reflected here.”

Special education parent group to host speaker event NORTHBOROUGH/SHREWSBURY - The Northborough Southborough Special Education Parent Advisory Council (NSPAC) and the Shrewsbury Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) are co-sponsoring a webinar event featuring Dr. Kerry Magro on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Magro is an award-winning national speaker, best-selling author, and autism advocate. He is currently the CEO of KFM Making a Difference, a non-profit corporation focused on disability advocacy and housing. All are welcome. Learn more and register by visiting https://www.nspac.org/magro.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 17

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crack left unaddressed, Kuhnle encourages homeowners to act quickly. Even those that don’t know of any cracks in their home, he said, should keep an eye out for issues that can begin as hairline fractures in concrete before progressing into larger cracks. “With the way New England is with freezing and thawing, and just the nature

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18 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY SPORTS

Schools square off in regional football matchups By Chris Wilson, Contributing Writer

Shrewsbury football dropped a tough loss to Algonquin last week, one week after nabbing a victory over Acton Boxborough.

ALGONQUIN FIELD HOCKEY – SEPT. 27 Algonquin – 2, Wachusett – 5 GIRLS SOCCER – SEPT. 27 Algonquin – 1, Nashoba – 2 BOYS GOLF – SEPT. 28 Algonquin – 25, Nashoba – 47 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – SEPT. 28 Algonquin – 3, Nashoba – 0 BOYS SOCCER – SEPT. 28 Algonquin – 3, Wachusett – 1

GIRLS SOCCER – SEPT. 28 Algonquin – 1, Wachusett – 0 BOYS CROSS COUNTRY – SEPT. 29 Algonquin – 24, Westborough – 35 GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY – SEPT. 29 Algonquin – 17, Westborough – 46 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – SEPT. 29 Algonquin – 0, Hopkinton – 3 GIRLS SOCCER – SEPT. 30 Algonquin – 6, Nashoba – 0 BOYS SOCCER – SEPT. 30 Algonquin – 0, Leominster – 1

PHOTO/LAURA HAYES

REGION - Grafton football remained undefeated as Algonquin defeated Shrewsbury in the second of two major local football matchups last week. Elsewhere, Westborough dropped a 27-0 final score to HIGH SCHOOL Nashoba. St. John’s got back into SCOREBOARD the win column, beating Malden Catholic 38-7. Off the gridiron, Algonquin Girls Volleyball snagged a pair of wins and Grafton Field Hockey routed Auburn 8-0 while Shrewsbury Girls Soccer beat St. Paul of Worcester by a score of 6-1. See full scores...

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FIELD HOCKEY – SEPT. 27 Grafton – 0, Sutton – 1 BOYS SOCCER – SEPT. 27 Grafton – 3, Uxbridge – 1 GIRLS SOCCER – SEPT. 27 Grafton – 5, Uxbridge – 0 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – SEPT. 27 Grafton – 3, Tantasqua – 0

FIELD HOCKEY – SEPT. 29 Grafton – 8, Auburn – 0 BOYS SOCCER – SEPT. 29 Grafton – 2, Auburn – 2 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – SEPT. 29 Grafton – 3, Millbury – 1

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GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – SEPT. 27 Shrewsbury – 3, Acton-Boxborough –0 GIRLS SOCCER – SEPT. 28 Shrewsbury – 0, Westborough – 1 BOYS CROSS COUNTRY – SEPT. 29 Shrewsbury – 24, Wachusett – 33 GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY – SEPT. 29 Shrewsbury – 38, Wachusett – 19 FIELD HOCKEY – SEPT. 29 Shrewsbury – 2, Marlborough – 0 BOYS GOLF – SEPT. 30 Shrewsbury – 38.5, Groton-Dunstable – 33.5 BOYS SOCCER – SEPT. 30 Shrewsbury – 0, Sutton – 0 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – SEPT. 30 Shrewsbury – 3, Ashland – 2 GIRLS SOCCER – SEPT. 30 Shrewsbury – 6, St. Paul of Worcester – 1

ST. JOHN’S GOLF – SEPT. 27 St. John’s – 186, Algonquin – 202 SOCCER – SEPT. 28 St. John’s – 1, Xaverian – 1 CROSS COUNTRY – SEPT. 28 St. John’s – 22, Xaverian – 39 SOCCER – SEPT. 30 St. John’s – 5, Catholic Memorial – 1 GOLF – SEPT. 30 St. John’s – 233, Catholic Memorial – 264

WESTBOROUGH BOYS GOLF – SEPT. 27 Westborough – 36, Hudson – 18 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – SEPT. 28 Westborough – 3, Shrewsbury – 1 BOYS SOCCER – SEPT. 28 Westborough – 2, Shrewsbury – 0 FIELD HOCKEY – SEPT. 29 Westborough – 1, Quabbin – 1 BOYS GOLF – SEPT. 29 Westborough – 25.5, Wachusett – 46.5 GIRLS SOCCER – SEPT. 30 Westborough – 2, Wachusett – 1 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL – SEPT. 30 Westborough – 3, Barnstable – 0 BOYS GOLF – SEPT. 30 Westborough – 38.5, Algonquin – 33.5

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 19

COMMUNITY SPORTS

Shrewsbury teenager competes in national rock climbing competition By Morgan Hume Contributing Writer

outdoors and visiting places in New England that could offer him more of a challenge. He said that, someday, he hopes to travel to Spain or California to complete more outdoor climbing. “At the climbing gym, they’re only set to a certain level, but outside there’s way harder stuff that I can try and I really want to try,’’ said Dadwal.

SHREWSBURY - As Olympic athletes were competing in rock climbing in the Olympics, this summer, a Shrewsbury teenager was putting his climbing skills to the test here at home. Anshul Dadwal, now a senior at Saint John’s High School, has traveled across the country to compete in rock climbing competitions. Beginning to climb Dadwal has spent most of his life rock climbing. His father helped spark his love for the sport by showing him how to climb when he was around three years old. His love for it only grew and he started learning how to rock climb indoors around the age of five. “At first, I didn’t really want to fall because I was scared I was going to get hurt,” said Dadwal. “But I just got used to it,” he continued. By the age of 10, Dadwal was getting more serious about his skills, and his journey only speeded ahead from there. Climber earns spot in major competition Dadwal competes in various rock climbing competitions. Specifically, he competed at the USA climbing nationals in Reno, Nevada, over the summer for bouldering and sport climbing, after qualifying for both at regionals. “I didn’t do as well as I want-

Top: Anshul Dadwal practices outdoor rock climbing. Left: Anshul Dadwal participates in the USA climbing national competition.

PHOTOS/ COURTESY UDAI DADWAL

ed, but I can go next year and do better,” said Dadwal. The trip to Nevada, indeed, came after hours of hard work and dedication. Dadwal practices three days a week in Worcester, learning from coaches who help him work to improve his weaknesses. He also competes in open competitions, where climbers of all ages can participate. He said that gave him experience competing against adults, who are older and could have more experience than him. Pandemic interrupts climbing routine For some time, Dadwal wasn’t able to participate in the types of competitions where he’s excelled due to the pandemic.

Although Dadwal has an eight-foot-tall rock wall set up in his garage, he said that last year was challenging because he couldn’t visit the gym like he normally did. “I didn’t really notice how much I missed competing until the pandemic happened and I couldn’t compete anymore….” said Dadwal. “It was pretty boring without climbing.” Advice for other climbers Dadwal was once a beginner too. And while many are afraid of falling or reaching new heights, he has advice for those looking to get into the sport. Dadwal said in order to become a well-rounded climber, people need to work on a variety of skills instead of only building upon their strengths. His other piece of advice is to bring along some friends and try climbing simply for fun. “Don’t worry about not be-

ing able to do the hard stuff and just have fun,’’ said Dadwal. “You don’t need to do any workouts or anything, just climb.” ‘There’s way harder stuff that I can try’ As Dadwal finishes up his high school career, he plans to compete at nationals again next year. He is also looking toward the future, and he said he wants to spend more time climbing

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20 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY SPORTS

Shrewsbury resident to run Boston Marathon for husband’s ex-wife By Dakota Antelman Managing Editor SHREWSBURY - Nicole Torres is planning to run the Boston Marathon on behalf of her husband’s ex-wife, Sandie Rossini. A Shrewsbury resident, Torres’ reasons for running the marathon will stand unique even amid the throng of charity runners set to line up in Hopkinton on Oct. 11 for this year’s race. “It’s quite an honor,” Rossini said of Torres in a recent interview. “She’s a special kind of person.” ‘She was doing all of that on top of being so ill’ Rossini was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, back in 2013. Four years later, when Nicole married her husband, Ramiro, she said he was open about Sandie’s cancer. “My husband let me know that his ex-wife was ill with a very serious illness,” Nicole said. “They have children together, so we’ve always had total clarity

with each other on that point.” Nicole and Ramiro had a child of their own in 2017. As they raised their young child, Nicole said she told Ramiro that she wanted to start training to run the marathon for Rossini. “I think really becoming a mom and just recognizing the added difficulties that that brings, it just blew my mind that she was doing all of that on top of being so ill,” Nicole said. Rossini values positivity amid cancer fight Rossini and her doctors had been “keeping her cancer at bay” for a number of years. In November of last year, though, scans showed three new tumors had grown. Just last month, another scan showed yet another tumor. Through this, Rossini said she’s committed to a sense of positivity as a means of strength. Through rounds of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgeries, she’s hopeful for better treatments and, eventually, a cure.

Ramiro Torres stands with his ex-wife Sandie Rossini and his wife Nicole, who is planning to run the Boston Marathon for Sandie.

“

Nicole Torres cheers while running the Boston Marathon in 2018.

You can have your moments where you get mad and like a little pity party … But don’t stay in those moments because if you do you lose it.” Sandie Rossini

She’s connected with people on similar journeys, making and selling shirts with positive statements to raise money for cancer research. She’s grateful for her family. “You can have your moments where you get mad and like a little pity party, because you have to, it’s just human nature,” she said of her outlook on positivity. “But don’t stay in those moments because if you do you lose it.” ‘It was just so surreal’ Nicole first ran the Bos-

ton Marathon for Rossini in 2018. That year, torrential rains swamped the race course, making for a long, wet run to Boston. In those moments, though, Nicole said she thought of Rossini. “I really did keep thinking of ‘What am I really going through in comparison to what she’s going through,’” she said. “It’s literally a drop in the bucket in comparison.” Rossini was then one of several loved ones waiting for Nicole at the finish line in downtown Boston.

“I just remember crying and it’s one of those moments that you almost feel like you’re watching yourself live through because it was just so surreal,” Nicole said. Torres raises money for Beth Israel Lahey Health Nicole ran the New York City Marathon in 2019. COVID-19 then cancelled the 2020 Boston Marathon and delayed the 2021 running of the race to its current October date. Now, though, the 2021 race is on and Nicole is raising money to specifically go to Rossini’s hospital, Beth Israel Lahey Health. Interested individuals can support Nicole’s fundraising efforts at: https://tinyurl. com/3sa587ea.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 21

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BID NOTICE OPEN 10/7/2021 The Town of Southborough is Awarding Authority invites sealed bids for the renovation of Kallander Field located on Kallander Drive, Southborough, MA 01772. Bids are available starting 10/7/2021 by contacting Arthur Eddy at AEddy@ traversela.com or 401-383-4950.

INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE Docket No. WO21P2538EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Estate of: Glenn Edward Kantorski Also Known As: Glenn E. Kantorski Date of Death: 5/30/2021

To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner: Barbara A. Kantorski of Southborough, MA a will has been admitted to informal probate. Barbara A. Kantorski of Southborough, MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond. The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Person Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.

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A Power the Holy Spirit you problems roads so I goals, yo me the d forgive a evil again short pra you for a confirm that I nev separated even in sp terial illu you in e thank yo mercy t and mine must say for three days. Afte the favo will be g if it may cult. This be publi diately af is grant mentioni Only you appear on - F.R.

22 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

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Prayers A Powerful Prayer to the Holy Spirit - Holy Spirit you who solve all problems who light all roads so I can attain my goals, you who give me the divine gifts to forgive and forget all evil against me, in this short prayer to thank you for all things and confirm once again that I never want to be separated from you, even in spite of all material illusions. I wish you in eternal glory, thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. The person must say this prayer for three consecutive days. After three days the favor requested will be granted, even if it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published immediately after the favor is granted without mentioning the favor. Only your initials shall appear on the bottom. - F.R.

ST. JUDE’S NOVENA May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, the helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this nine times a day, by the ninth day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. My prayers are being answered. N.T.H ST. JUDE’S NOVENA May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, the helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this nine times a day, by the ninth day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. My prayers are being answered. M.D.H.

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COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 23

PLACES

Selectmen approve changes to proposed downtown district bylaw By Susan Gonsalves Contributing Writer SOUTHBOROUGH - Southborough selectmen agreed to the wording of a proposed downtown district bylaw, Sept. 21, that was revised by the Planning Board on the previous evening. Their approval did not come without reservations, however. Two issues prompted concern from Economic Development Committee (EDC) member Julie Connelly. Connelly said she couldn’t agree with a change to limit the number of residential dwellings in a “mixed use” area to 40 percent of the gross floor area. The EDC, the selectmen and the Planning Board have all played roles in developing the bylaw. Connelly noted that the boards have been talking about three-story buildings with commercial uses on the first floor and residential uses above that. She said 40 percent coverage would not work in that scenario and would “undermine” the intent of the bylaw “to add by right mixeduse zoning.” Connelly also disagreed with a decision to require a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of .30 as of right and a maximum of .50 by special permit from the Planning Board. She said she believes it makes more sense to use a lot coverage ratio instead, saying it is easier to understand and saying that is what other communities do. She said using a .30 FAR

Part of Main St. in Southborough runs through the area subject to the proposed downtown zoning bylaw.

equates to nine percent lot coverage on a three-story building and 15 percent for a two-story structure. “That would look ridiculous and not make sense,” Connelly said. Connelly added that a lot of compromise had taken place while creating the bylaw. Although she agreed with other changes, she said these two issues must be resolved because they “are critical to successful implementation to achieve the desired outcome.” Selectman Andrew Dennington noted that the Planning Board came to this version of the proposal after taking “a lot” of public input into consideration. Residents have expressed concern that the bylaw would focus too much on allowing “housing” by right and not enough on its stated intent to

Lifelong resident celebrates 100th birthday Birthday | from page 14

There were lines of wellwishers, and guests had the opportunity to write down a special message or memory for Perron. Sparkly cupcakes were served along with Uhlman’s kettle corn and treats from the Uhlman’s Ice Cream Truck. Maria Smith, wife of Perron’s godchild/nephew, Tom Smith, bestowed upon her a

100th birthday crown, a bouquet of flowers, and plaque from the Council on Aging. Luanne Crosby performed special music. Father Reverend Walter Riley of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westborough stopped by to reminisce with Perron. Representation from Westborough’s Police Department, Fire Department, and Board of Selectman were also in attendance.

expand the commercial aspect of downtown. Ultimately, the board agreed with Selectman Martin Healey’s view. “I’m loathe to let the perfect be the erasing of the good,” he said. Selectmen Chair Lisa Braccio said the bylaw is being pitched to “bring business to downtown,” such as a microbrewery, a bakery, an ice cream shop or a child care center. Healey said he agreed with the idea to “bring commercial vibrancy” to downtown but said people have been “talking the talk” of diversifying Southborough’s housing supply. He said it may be an “opportunity missed,” if the housing component is minimized. Healey said it is not only the responsibility of communities like Fall River, Boston and Brockton to offer diversified housing. “More affluent communities like Southborough,” should consider that as well, he said. Connelly said the way to make a community vibrant is to have “mixed use,” by right. She said the current proposal would require special permits even in two-story buildings. Connelly added that she is working on an amendment to pitch when the matter comes to a Town Meeting vote. Planning Board member Meme Luttrell said that zoning can’t be looked at in a

PHOTO/TAMI WHITE

vacuum adding that all of the Southborough zoning code uses floor area ratio (FAR). The

board wants to be consistent, she said. “I don’t know when lot coverage became the latest and greatest thing,” Luttrell added. She said it is possible to have residential and commercial units co-existing on the same floor. For example, residential use on the first floor of a building would be American with Disabilities Act compliant. Selectmen voted to approve the bylaw, although Healey said he did so with some reservations. “It does not bind me for arguments down the line,” he said. Selectmen were scheduled to discuss the Downtown District bylaw once again at their Oct. 5 meeting, which took place after this edition of the Community Advocate went to press.

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24 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY OBITUARIES The Community Advocate will post obituaries online (and in print, as space allows) at no charge as a courtesy to our readers. Please send information (and a picture if desired) to tracy@communityadvocate.com. Here is a complete list of individual obituaries posted on the Community Advocate website (www. communityadvocate.com).

DEATHS Beddow-Arnth, Jean of Hudson Belmonte, Margaret of Marlborough Cross, Mark of Marlborough Elbe, Theresa of Marlborough, formerly of Northborough Flanagan, Margaret of Northborough Grossman, Linda of Southborough Haire Jr., Willis of Shrewsbury Holmes Jr., Francis formerly of Shrewsbury Larochelle, Theresa of Shrewsbury Kent, Ralph of South Grafton Leland, James formerly of Northborough Montreuil Jr., Robert of Hudson Nichols, Bruce formerly of Grafton Renaud Jr., Edgar of Hudson Smith, Samantha formerly of Marlborough and Hudson Taxiera, Phyllis of Northborough White, Gloria of Hudson Wright, Terrill formerly of Marlborough Wyskoczka, William of Marlborough Yerra, Bernice of Marlborough

Scan QR code to read all of this week’s obituaries on our website.

Linda P. Grossman, 71 Dec. 4, 1949 – Sept. 30, 2021 SOUTHBOROUGH - Linda P. Grossman, (Bruno) of Southborough, formerly of Wakefield, MI on Thursday, September 30. Beloved wife of Howard D. Grossman. Devoted mother of Jeremy Grossman and his wife Jill of Newton, Stephen Grossman and his wife Heather of Upton and Paul Grossman and his wife Kate of Parkland, FL. Loving daughter of Julia (Decur) Bruno and the late Peter Bruno. Cherished grandmother of Noah Grossman, Leyla Grossman, Hannah Grossman, Dylan Grossman and Jackson Grossman. Dear sister of Mick Bruno, Darlene Bruno and Robert Bruno. Levine Chapel of Brookline assisted the family.

Phyllis A. Taxiera, 88 NORTHBOROUGH - Phyllis A. (Leonard) Taxiera, age 88, of Northborough, MA passed away peacefully on September 22, 2021, after a short illness. Phyllis was born on January 28, 1933, in Poughkeepsie, NY, the daughter of the late Harry and Violet (Constable) Kirchner. In addition to her beloved, devoted husband and best friend, Joe, Phyllis is survived by her three children, William Leonard, Jr. and his wife Debra of Mendon, MA, Patricia Leonard of Portsmouth, RI, and Donna Smith and her husband Glenn of Middletown, RI. Also surviving her are six grandchildren, Glenn Smith, Dillon Smith, Riley Smith, Kimberly Leonard, Brian Caniff, and Michael Caniff, all whom she loved, as well as many nieces and nephews. A sister, Joyce Campbell, preceded Phyllis in death. Phyllis was a very caring woman who was loved by all who knew her. Hays Funeral Home of Northborough assisted with arrangements.

Bruce Nichols, 78 MILLBURY - Bruce Nichols, 78, passed away September 22, 2021 following an illness. He leaves his wife of 37 years, Judi (Holmberg) Nichols, his daughters Diane Nichols-Philie and Kristina Jackson, special daughter Ammie MacDonald, two grandsons he adored, Brady and Henry Rokes. He was predeceased by his daughter Joanne Rokes and brother Wayne. Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton assisted with arrangements.

Willis K. Haire Jr., 91 SHREWSBURY - Willis K. Haire Jr., 91, of Shrewsbury, passed way on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at UMass Hospital. Willis is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-eight years, Theresa F. (Thomas) Haire; two daughters, Kath-

ryn R. Gaudette and her husband Thomas, and Donna M. Wilson and her husband Jeffrey; and a sister, Barbara Truelson, all of Shrewsbury. He is also survived by four grandchildren, William Gaudette and his wife Kathleen, Gillian Turo and her husband Chris, Cristina Wilson and Maria Wilson; two great grandchildren, William Gaudette, Jr. and Leo Turo; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three siblings, Francis Haire, Margaret Breen, and Ruth Rondeau. Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel of Worcester assisted with arrangements.

Terrill W. Wright, 78 MILFORD, N.H. - Terrill W. Wright, 78, of Milford, NH, formerly of Marlborough, MA, died Friday, September 24, 2021, at his home following a lengthy illness. Born March 17, 1943 in Newport, VT, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Isabelle (Sanville) Wright and the husband of Jacqueline “Jackie” (Labossiere) Wright. They were married for 59 years. Most called him “Short”, a nickname from childhood and as time went by others would become to know him as “Terry”. He worked alongside his two brothers, Donald and Wilford Wright at Wright Brothers Construction Corporation (WBCC) in Marlborough, MA during the late 1960’s throughout the 1970’s. From there he started his own trucking Company, K&T Transportation, driving until his health prevented him to semi-retire a few years back. Short had a variety of hobbies throughout his life. In the 1980’s, he loved to race cars at Westborough Speedway and Thompson’s Point in Thompson, CT. During the winter months he was fond of snowmobiling, venturing back to Vermont with his family to ride. Short also loved his weekend getaways to New Hampshire with Jackie so the two of them moved to Milford, NH this past summer. Besides his wife, Short is survived by his two sons, Timothy Wright and hus-

band Jeff Fongeallaz of Wilton, NH and Keith Wright an d hi s p a r t ne r Fre d d y Abarca of Spring Valley, CA., his only grandson, Anthony “Zach,” Wright, his brother Wilfred K. Wright and wife Claudette of Oklahoma, and sister-in-law Alice Wright of Marlborough, MA. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Donald, Arnold, Phyllis, Lucille, and Gail. T h e S l a t t e r y Fu n e ra l Home, Inc. of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.

Margaret Flanagan, 81 NORTHBOROUGH - Margaret Mary (Flynn) Flanagan, age 81, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her own home on Monday evening, September 27, 2021, after a period of declining health. Among those who survive Margaret are her three children, Deborah Flanagan Gillis and her husband Peter of Northborough, James Flanagan of Charlton and Karen Brewster of Northborough; eleven grandchildren, Connor, Macaulay, Keegan, Campbell and Colby Gillis, Patrick and Riley Flanagan, Sarah Ring, Brad Mandella, Alysia and Nicholas Brewster; three great-grandchildren, Amelia Flanagan, Kaydence Ring and Gracie Ring, all whom she loved so much. Margaret also leaves three siblings in Ireland, Patrick Flynn, Michael Flynn and Kathleen Culkeen; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James W. Flanagan in 1985 and her two siblings, Thomas “Tommy Joe” Flynn and Ann Dunn. Hays Funeral Home of Northborough assisted with arrangements.

Theresa A. Larochelle, 94 SHREWSBURY - Theresa A. “Terry” (Archambault) Larochelle, 94, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Sunday September 26, 2021 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Claremont, NH, the daughter of Herve and Jeannette

(Blanchard) Archambault. She was predeceased by her husband, Gerard Larochelle, in 1971. Theresa is survived by her children: Jeanne Larochelle of Shrewsbury, Richard Larochelle and wife Linda of Fredericksburg, VA, and Cecile Cote and husband Jerrold of Holden; grandchildren: David Larochelle of Sunnyvale, CA, Jeremy Larochelle and wife Sarah of Fredericksburg, VA, Jerrold Cote, Jr. and wife Laura of Townsend, Mary Johnson and husband John of Marston Mills, Andrew Cote and partner Anna Yatskar of Holden, and Catherine Killen and partner Py of Boston; great-grandchildren: Hannah Larochelle, Izzy Cote, Ellie Cote, Ben Cote, Joe Cote, Emma Johnson, and Grace Johnson; Godchildren: Andrew Cote, Joan Rainville, Jane Sheridan, Paul Roy, and Mark Archambault; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her three siblings, Cecile Roy, Leo Archambault, and Anita Beauregard. The Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

Francis T. Holmes Jr., 73 WARREN - Francis T. “Fran” Holmes Jr., 73, of Warren, formerly of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 27, 2021 at his residence surrounded by his family. Francis is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ellen M. (Gilpin) Holmes; beloved father of Amanda Brown and her husband Matthew of Shrewsbury, Daniel Holmes and his wife Kathleen of Millbury, and Matthew Holmes and his partner Jennifer Leger of Shirley. Also survived by his loving grandchildren Madden and Ethan Brown and Genevieve and Joshua Holmes. Fran was predeceased by his parents Francis T. and Margaret M. (Kelly) Holmes and his sister, Caroline Holmes. Chiampa Funeral Home, Sumner House, 5 Church Ro a d , O n t h e Co m m o n , Shrewsbury assisted with arrangements.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 25

POLICE LOG The information in the police log is obtained directly from the official records maintained at each police station in our circulation area. Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty. The Community Advocate will publish news of acquittals upon notification and a copy of court issued documentation.

Grafton

Monday, Sept. 20 4:30 p.m. Creeper Hill Rd. Disturbance – general. 6:10 p.m. Ferry St. Motor vehicle violations. Tuesday, Sept. 21 2:37 p.m. Main St. Threatening. Thursday, Sept. 23 7:50 a.m. Wesson St. Road rage. 11:09 a.m. Valley View Dr. Larceny/theft. 4:09 p.m. Aspen Ave. Fraud/identity theft. 9:09 p.m. Providence Rd. Vandalism. Friday, Sept. 24 8:40 a.m. Church St. Disturbance – general. 10:47 a.m. Providence Rd. Vandalism. 2:15 p.m. Providence Rd. Vandalism. 3:22 p.m. Ferry St. Motor vehicle violations. 3:49 p.m. North St. Vandalism. 5:26 p.m. Mass Pike E. Accident – personal injury. 6:33 p.m. Providence Rd. Vandalism. 6:59 p.m. Shrewsbury St. Disturbance – general. 7:07 p.m. Providence Rd. Vandalism. 11:56 p.m. Faulkner Rd. Fire – electrical. Saturday, Sept. 25 8:18 a.m. N Main/Overlook Sts. Road hazard.

“TURN OF PHRASE”

1:07 p.m. N Main/Waterville Sts. Road rage. 6:45 p.m. Wesson/North Sts. Accident – hit & run.

Westborough

Monday, Sept. 20 3:27 a.m. E Main St. Disturbance (general). 2:19 p.m. Treetop Pk. Trespassing. Tuesday, Sept. 21 11:21 p.m. Otis St. Disturbance (general). 11:22 p.m. South St. Disturbance (general). 11:28 p.m. South St. Disturbance (general). Wednesday, Sept. 22 7:09 a.m. Turnpike Rd./Lyman St. Road/ tree services. 7:46 p.m. Milk St. Accident property damage. Thursday, Sept. 23 1:23 a.m. Arrested, Crystal Lin Savani, 32, of 52 Country Club Blvd., Apt 314, Worcester, on default warrant. 4:36 p.m. Union St. Disturbance (general). Friday, Sept. 24 6:41 a.m. W Main St. Larceny. 12:20 p.m. Oak/Milk Sts. Accident property damage. 3:55 p.m. Gilmore Rd. Road/tree services. 7:49 p.m. Milk/Oak Sts. Disturbance (general). Saturday, Sept. 25 1:12 a.m. Turnpike Rd. Disturbance (general). 1:25 p.m. High St. Larceny. 6:52 p.m. Oak St. Trespassing. 8:04 p.m. W Main St. Disturbance (general). Sunday, Sept. 26 12:09 a.m. W Main St. Disturbance (general).

3:06 a.m. W Main St. Assault. 11:14 a.m. Arrested, Manuel Ricardo Martinez, 39, of 25 Haynes St., Apt. 3, Worcester, for op MV with license suspended, fail to stop for police, shoplifting by asportation, reckless operation of motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, straight warrant, fail to stop/yield. 2:15 p.m. Connector Rd. Road/tree. Monday, Sept. 27 3:41 a.m. Otis St./Turnpike Rd. Accident property damage. Tuesday, Sept. 28 3:31 p.m. Computer St. Disturbance (general). 7:58 p.m. Warren St. Disturbance (general). Wednesday, Sept. 29 5:48 a.m. School St. Disturbance (general). 3:53 p.m. Milk St./Nipmuc Dr. Road/tree. 4:13 p.m. Turnpike Rd. Accident property damage.

Northborough

Tuesday, Sept. 21 10:46 a.m. West Main St. Disturbance. Wednesday, Sept. 22 10:55 p.m. Arrested, Emmanuella Desir, 41, of 41 Rodney St., bsmnt, Worcester, for speeding in viol of special regulation, op MV with license suspended, warrant. Friday, Sept. 24 8:03 a.m. Bartlett/Cedar Hill Sts. Accident: P.I. 8:02 p.m. Main/Bartlett Sts. Accident: P.D. Saturday, Sept. 25 11:48 a.m. Belmont St./Southwest Cutoff. Accident: P.D. 5:05 p.m. Southwest Cutoff/Belmont St. Accident: P.I. 11:28 p.m. Howard St. Disturbance. Sunday, Sept. 26 6:54 a.m. Howard St. Ambulance. 12:00 p.m. Davis St./Southwest Cutoff.

Accident: P.D. 1:01 p.m. Avalon Dr. Animal calls. 1:51 p.m. Ball St. Dog complaint. Monday, Sept. 27 8:47 a.m. West Main St. Vandalism. 4:46 p.m. Allen/Hudson Sts. Accident: P.D. 7:52 p.m. Hudson/Allen Sts. Accident: P.D.

Shrewsbury

Thursday, Sept. 23 9:28 a.m. Dewey Rd. Threats. 1:24 p.m. Boston Tpke. Vandalism. 4:20 p.m. Worthington Ave. Animal complaint. 5:37 p.m. Camelot Dr. Animal complaint. Friday, Sept. 24 6:22 a.m. Arrested, Jonmichael Creelman, 36, of 36 Shrine Ave., W Boylston, for armed robbery. 8:37 a.m. Main St. Assaults. 12:01 p.m. Old Mill Rd. Animal complaint. 5:09 p.m. Boston Tpke. Harassment. 5:22 p.m. Francis Gardens Crt. Disturbance. 11:07 p.m. Prospect St. Disturbance. Saturday, Sept. 25 11:08 a.m. Boston Tpke. Dispute. 1:24 p.m. O’Donnell Ave. Larceny. 5:21 p.m. Grafton St. Dispute. 10:07 p.m. Walnut St./Boston Hill Cir. Disturbance. Sunday, Sept. 26 2:16 a.m. Boston Tpke. Dispute. 11:18 a.m. Boston Tpke./Dewey Rd. Road hazard – trees/wires/debris. 2:34 p.m. Maple Ave. Dispute. 6:42 p.m. Raymond Ave. Disturbance. 8:54 p.m. Flintlock Dr. Disturbance. Monday, Sept. 27 8:00 a.m. Grafton St. Animal complaint. 12:17 p.m. Camelot Dr. Illegal dumping. 4:48 p.m. Main St. Dispute. 7:47 p.m. Wesleyan St. Animal complaint.

7:58 p.m. Main St. Dispute. 9:43 p.m. Arrested, Robert A. Fuller, 66, of 92 Diamond Hill Ave., Boylston, for OUI liquor, fail to stop/yield, marked lanes violation. Tuesday, Sept. 28 11:55 a.m. Orchard Rd. Road hazard – trees/wires/debris. 12:12 p.m. Boylston St. Road hazard – trees/wires/debris. 1:34 p.m. Commerce Rd. Larceny. 8:18 p.m. Maple Ave. Road hazard – trees/wires/debris. 11:44 p.m. Florence St. Road hazard – trees/wires/debris. Wednesday, Sept. 29 12:15 p.m. Boston Tpke. Animal complaint. 4:55 p.m. Hartford Tpke. Road hazard – trees/wires/debris. 5:46 p.m. Hartford Tpke. Dispute. 6:32 p.m. Boston Tpke. Dispute. Thursday, Sept. 30 1:15 a.m. Arrested, Jason M. Pasquale, 28, of 634 Charlestown Mdw, Westborough, for OUI liquor, negligent operation of motor vehicle, fail to drive in right lane. 1:52 a.m. Commons Dr. Disturbance. 4:38 a.m. Memorial Dr. Larceny. 3:36 p.m. Lantern Ln. Animal complaint. Friday, Oct. 1 12:59 a.m. Arrested, Kevin Mwangi, 29, of 16 Brookside Ave., Apt. 19, Worcester, for oper MV with license suspended/ revoked.

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26 • COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021

COMMUNITY BUSINESS Hudson Trading thrives with strong reputation for serving the community By Jeff Theodore Contributing Writer HUDSON - What sets Hudson Trading and Loan, LLC apart from other pawnshops? Stewart Medoff, owner of the popular store since it opened 24 years ago on Main Street, credits his success to continuity and trust. “We have a homegrown reputation. My manager, Dana, grew up in the area and his father worked here before he did,” Medoff says. Patrons know they can trust Medoff and his staff. “We are straight, upfront and consistent,” he says. “We are licensed by the [town] and overseen by the state. If we aren’t honest, we can be shut down. Sometimes people who pawn their items here for $5,000 loans are nervous about getting their stuff back. I tell them to call the police

Trading is the largest independent buyer of scrap gold and silver coins and jewelry in MetroWest and the sole pawnshop between Boston and Worcester. A jewelry salesman for more than four decades, Medoff initially had no intention of entering the pawn business. “In the mid-90s, a guy who worked for a jewelry store I did business with went to work for his brother-in-law who opened a pawn shop,” Medoff recalls. “I was intrigued because I had never been in a pawn shop before. It was a perfect symmetry for me to open a pawn shop because it was both a source and an outlet for jewelry.” For the first time in his life, Medoff decided to put together a business plan to open his own pawn shop. The shop specializes in buying and selling gold and silver

Stewart Medoff, Founder and Owner (l) and Manager Dana Balthazar

department to ask about our reputation.” Today, Medoff says Hudson

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coins and bullion as well as karat jewelry. They also make collateral loans. Additionally, Medoff and his staff make house calls to buy and appraise jewelry from estates. Medoff says he’s noticed an increased interest in buying silver these days. “It’s more affordable than gold,” he says. A while ago, Medoff decided to reinvent his retail pawn business and create a larger online presence through his website, hudsonpawnbrokers. com. “We decided to concentrate on selling silver coins and bullion as well as gold,” Medoff says. “Our prices are competitive with online dealers,” he says. “We have good stock in coins

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and bullion. Another advantage is that you can walk out of our pawn shop with the coins or bullion in your hands.” For Medoff, the pawn business has paid off, just like he planned it. “Everything is a risk and there are no guarantees for success, but I took a chance and it has worked,” he says. “Oh, and did I mention we have type 1 and type 2 US silver eagles in stock?” Hudson Trading and Loan, LLC is located at 109 Main St. in Hudson. Individuals can also call at 978-562-1068.

By Jesse Kucewicz Contributing Writer SHREWSBURY - Songbird Dental, the Shrewsbury dental practice first opened by Dr. Luciana Messina in August of 2016, officially broke ground on its future location at 235/237 Main St. in Shrewsbury last week. The new building is just a mile and a half from Songbird Dental’s current location in downtown Shrewsbury. In addition to building a new home for her practice, this will be the first commercial real estate project for Luvin Realty, the group formed by Dr. Messina and her husband, Vincent Messina. The new build will allow the couple to expand upon Dr. Luciana’s current practice and leave

room for continued growth in the future. “She wanted to grow a little bit, and she really didn’t have a lot of space,” Vincent told the Community Advocate. “The look and feel are going to be slightly different and a little bit more our own.” In addition to expanding the practice, the Messinas are excited for the opportunity to build equity in their own property, all without the limitations of the current location. “It’s the simple matter of just owning your own world,” Vincent Messina said. “With this, there is no restriction, and she can basically do what she wants to do.” Songbird Dental is expecting to officially open in its new building in March of next year.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE • Friday, October 8, 2021 • 27

COMMUNITY BUSINESS

Massage industry a perfect fit for couple’s business plan By Jeff Theodore Contributing Writer REGION - Getting a massage is more a necessity than a luxury because it benefits health and wellness, according to 86 percent of respondents in a recent poll conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association. That theory aligns with Andrew and Jill Dudka’s belief that they are providing a vital community service as owners of Elements massage studios in Shrewsbury and Mansfield. “We’re helping people who may have chronic or sustained injuries, cancer survivors, pregnancy, and folks who are simply and emotionally stressed out,” says Andrew Dudka, a business executive and entrepreneur.. A decade ago, Andrew and

W. F. Financial Services announces name change SHREWSBURY - W.F. Financial Services will now be known as Central One Retirement & Investment Center following a name change announced last week. W.F Financial Services has a more than 25-year history helping customers identify primary financial goals and objectives, analyze their current financial situations and recommend alternative methods to achieve financial security. “Although their name has changed, the same experienced team is available to work with you,” a press release noted. “The new name reflects their continued commitment to guide individuals and families to plan for their short and longterm financial goals.” For more information, contact Jeff Singer at jsinger@ centralfcu.com or 508-8410635. Contact Hope Dennis at hdennis@centralfcu.com 508-841-0506. Singer and Dennis are located at the Shrewsbury branch of Central One Credit Union. Appointments can be scheduled, however, at any Central One location.

his wife, Jill, a longtime middle school math teacher in Blackstone, Mass., sought out opening a massage franchise as a way to “expand on our knowledge of business, operations, and marketing, the cornerstone to running a successful business.” “It was exciting to hire staff, build out the store, learn the software and learn about massage,” Andrew Dudka says. “Our goal was to open a therapeutic office.” Fast forward a decade and

the couple has two thriving studios that employ about 40 massage therapists and sales staff, performing up to 1,700 massages a month. The studios operate on a membershipbased model. Currently, the Dudkas’ studios have about 1,400 members. “There’s no commitment to become a member but it offers an opportunity for people to have a session with a preferred therapist or skip a month and bank a session that they can

use at any time,” Dudka says. Therapists are licensed by the state and go through rigorous training that requires both written and hands-on testing. “When we interview therapists, we ask about their backgrounds and what they can bring to the client that they think is unique,” Dudka says. “A good massage therapist must be a good team player, communicate with clients and deliver on their needs. The client must feel better walking out than they did walking in.” Massage modalities offered at the Elements studios range from deep tissue massages, which relieve pain and reduce muscle stiffness, to Swedish massages, which are painless and designed to increase blood flow while calming the body. Dudka says deep tissue and Swedish massages are the most popular ones at his studios. He added, though, that an add-on service that calls for applying CBD oil during the massage is becoming increasingly popular. “Once people try it, they

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love it,” Dudka says of the CBD oil. “It tends to provide longer pain relief. People are thrilled that it is now legal in Massachusetts and something we can offer.” Cupping, a form of alternative medicine where cups are applied to areas of the body to decrease inflammation, is another add-on service in high demand, Dudka says. “For some clients, deep tissue massages can be painful,” he says. “Cupping can provide similar relief as deep tissue but is less painful and a tremendous option for our clients.” For the Dudkas, they hope to remain an option that patrons will trust as educators about massage, particularly when it comes to safety. “We always tell clients and our employees that safety is our top priority,” Dudka says. “That’s in regards to COVID and personal safety.. In the future, I hope to grow our business, but do so in a way that encourages people to know that we will look out for them.”

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