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Southborough looks ahead to new sewage facility
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Vol. 52 | No. 9 | February 27, 2026
Year of the Fire Horse
Michael Mazzola — Grafton PD’s longesttenured officer
And 30 years of Mandarin education in Shrewsbury
By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor
GRAFTON | 2 Westborough 2026 Election Guide
SOUTHBOROUGH – A year into the Wastewater Study Committee’s work, many unknowns remain as Southborough officials look toward a future they hope will include a sewer system that can spur more business development along Route 9. It’s a future many residents embrace as they look for relief from the increasing burden of taxes, but the committee has been facing a number of challenges that have stifled progress.
WESTBOROUGH | 6 A unifying force for Central Mass.’s Indian community
The push for regionalization Challenges include finding a location and funding. But now, the committee Sewage | 5
60,000-square-foot warehouse planned along Bearfoot Road in Northborough By Evan Walsh Managing Editor NORTHBOROUGH – This industrial complex may soon be complete. On Jan. 28, Northborough’s Design Review Committee heard a proposal from McCord Development to construct a 60,500-square-foot facility at 20 Bearfoot Road. The project would include office space, room for research and development, and equipment for light manufacturing. The facility would complete an industrial complex at the corner of Warehouse | 5
THE LARGEST CIRCULATION SERVING OUR AREA... BAR NONE.
SHREWSBURY | 13 Basketball coach Adrian Machado stepping away after two decades
Shrewsbury celebrated Chinese New Year on Feb. 22. (Photos/Evan Walsh)
By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY – When Shrewsbury Public Schools considered adding Mandarin to its language offerings decades ago, the Massachusetts Beijing Chinese Language School was still in its infancy. With just $6,000 in available funds, the school thought Shrewsbury’s Mandarin initiative was important enough to make a $1,000 donation. Under former superintendent Anthony Bent, the program was implemented. And today, it’s thriving. On Feb. 22, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Massachusetts Beijing
Chinese Language School made another impactful donation. Maintaining its commitment to helping educate Shrewsbury students, the school gifted $5,000 to Mandarin programs at both Shrewsbury Public Schools and Saint John’s High School. “It’s to showcase the culture, the unity. The kids — they don’t sometimes have the chance to get exposed to the beauty of Chinese culture,” said Weichu (Brian) Xu, a Shrewsbury resident who serves as president of the Massachusetts Beijing Chinese Language School. “We have a very strong Chinese culture. We are here to promote cultural exchange, cultural
SHREWSBURY | 22
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