AARP awards grant for Senior Center trail
Algonquin math team soars to new heights
GHS welcomes new athletic director
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Vol. 49 | No. 30 | July 28, 2023
Additional plaintiffs not allowed in Beal Commons appeal By Evan Walsh Reporter SHREWSBURY – A Land Court judge has ruled against allowing eight new plaintiffs to the Beal Commons appeal. Jennifer S.D. Roberts made the ruling during a case management conference on July 14. The original complaint listed seven plaintiffs, all of whom lived near the proposed Beal Commons development at the site of the former Maj. Howard W. Beal School. Roughly one month after the complaint was filed, Henry Lane, the plaintiffs’ attorney, asked the court to amend the complaint to include the eight additional plaintiffs. At the conference, Lane said that the 20day period to file the appeal wasn’t sufficient time to include the eight plaintiffs — Michael Henderson, Carolyn Henderson, Susan Collins, James Collins, James Nagengast, Mary Genetti, Suchit Patel and Michael Binder — in the complaint. All the new plaintiffs also live nearby the proposed development. “Maybe that’s true. It’s certainly possible,” said Kevin Robinson, the lawyer representing the Planning Board at the conference. “But, I think that it falls woefully short… we know for certain that many of these plaintiffs knew well in advance of this proposed development and the impending decision.” Roberts said that the additional plaintiffs would not be allowed, noting that the “current plaintiffs [already] adequately represent their interests.” Lane is “welcome” to attempt to
Beal Commons | 4
Grala turns childhood passion for racing into career By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – When he was a senior at Worcester Academy in 2017, Kaz Grala spent part of the winter at Daytona Beach, Fla. Not on the beach, but on the speedway. He wasn’t in the stands; he was competing in the NASCAR Truck Series. And at 18 years, 1 month and 26 days old, he became the youngest person to win at the legendary racetrack. Grala, who was born in Boston and raised in Westborough, credits his father with his interest in racing. “My dad used to race when I was little,” said Grala. Grala began racing with go-karts at F1 Boston (now X1 Boston) in Braintree. He added racing to his other childhood activities, including soccer, Little Grala | 4
Kaz Grala, left, signs a card for a pair of fans at Arturo’s Restaurant on July 13.
Westborough Food Pantry sees increased demand By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – In 1986, a group of volunteers began distributing bags of groceries to the less fortunate — mostly single people and couples. Much has changed over the past four decades for the Westborough Food Pantry, but not its mission — to provide food and personal care products to those who need it.
Members of the food pantry’s board of directors came before the Select Board on July 11 to provide an update on what’s being offered. Working out of the Forbes Community House on East Main Street, the pantry has provided groceries and other items to more than 190 families over the past year. “It’s a service that’s sorely needed,” said Select Board Chair Sean Keogh. Food Pantry | 12
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PHOTO/MAUREEN SULLIVAN