GoFundMe created for resident who passed away from cancer Northborough | 5
Westborough residents volunteer for the Peace Corps Westborough | 6
Community says goodbye to Christmas Tree Shops Shrewsbury | 31
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Vol. 49 | No. 33 | August 18, 2023
Mickel, Murray named Commonwealth Heroines
Grafton ponders what to do about ‘nip’ bottles
PHOTO/ MAUREEN SULLIVAN
GRAFTON – They are found among the weeds and along the edges of parking lots and curbs. The little plastic bottles of liquor known as “nips.” Several communities in Massachusetts have banned the sale of “nips,” including Newton and New Bedford. Whether Grafton could join that list of communities was the subject of discussion during the Select Board meeting on July 25. The board first brought up the topic on June 13, and the members decided to bring in some of the town’s liquor store owners for the July meeting. The owners, including Manish Patel of Ultra Mart, made several points against the proposed
PHOTO/ MAUREEN SULLIVAN
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
PHOTO/EVAN WALSH
Under a proposal to expand the state’s bottle bill, “nips” and sports drinks would be included in the list of beverage containers qualifying for a redemption deposit.
SHREWSBURY/WESTBOROUGH – In late June, two local women were recognized were recognized as Community Heroines for their service to their communities. Shrewsbury’s Beth Murray and former Westborough Town Clerk Wendy Mickel were honored as part of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s group of heroines this year. Both Mickel and Murray reflected on their work in the community and the recognition in interviews with the Community Advocate. Read their profiles on Page 8 and 9.
Beth Murray stands in front of the Shrewsbury Senior Center’s garden.
Wendy Mickel shows the two citations presented to her as a Commonwealth Heroine.
Westborough welcomes homeless families By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – A sudden influx of homeless families – and the challenges they bring – was a big topic of discussion at the Aug. 8 Select Board meeting. Over the weekend of Aug. 4-6, the town was
notified by the state that nine families had been placed in a Westborough hotel. According to Town Manager Kristi Williams, the families were placed with no on-site provider, meaning the town had to come up with a system to meet the families’ immediate needs aside from lunch and dinner, which are being provided by the state.
‘Nip’ bottles | 15
Homeless families | 4
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