FedEx property expansion approved by ZBA Nothborough | 7
Cold Harbor Brewing opens at Otis Street westborough | 21
Grafton Police host annual National Night Out Grafton | 23
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Vol. 49 | No. 32 | August 11, 2023
Ernie Sawyer named Applefest grand marshal
SELCO eyes move to Patrick Subaru building
By Laura Hayes Managing Editor
PHOTO/EVAN WALSH
Patrick Subaru is located at 247 Boston Turnpike.
By Evan Walsh Reporter SHREWSBURY – The SELCO (Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations) Commission unanimously voted on July 25 to approve funds to explore possibly moving the organization’s operations from their locations onMunicipal Drive and Maple Avenue to 247 Boston Turnpike, the current site of Patrick Subaru. With other areas in town — like the police station — expanding, SELCO decided to work with Tecton Architects to evaluate its space needs. The analysis, which was done at the peak of inflation and supply-chain issues, concluded that more space was needed. At the time, the expected cost of a basic, rectangular building was $40 million. SELCO decided to look at other options. SELCO | 5
NORTHBOROUGH – The Applefest Committee has tapped the next grand marshal for the upcoming festival — Sawyer’s Bowladrome owner Ernie Sawyer. “Ernie epitomizes the spirit of giving back to our community,” the committee wrote in the announcement July 29. Sawyer said he was surprised when he learned that he would be grand marshal. The street fair associated with Applefest happens to be located right outside of Sawyer’s Bowladrome, and he’s always enjoyed watching the parade with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “He goes to the parade every year,” said his daughter Deb Reynolds. Sawyer moved to Northborough when he was two-years-old and has lived in town for
Applefest | 12
Ernie Sawyer stands in Sawyer’s Bowladrome.
Library Building Committee preps for repair project By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – For the past several months, the Westborough Public Library Building Committee has been working toward developing a repair project. “The Library Building Committee heard the town’s voters clearly in last fall’s Town
Meetings,” said committee Chair Ed Baldwin. “We have changed our focus to a much more limited project, focused on repairing the existing library with any updates needed to conform to applicable building codes and any renovations that make sense economically and will help the library meet the needs of patrons and the community.” Library | 5
PHOTO/LAURA HAYES