Abladian not to run for re-election as selectman
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Westborough - Sue Abladian has enjoyed her time on the Board of Selectmen very much, but time with family and the potential to travel has led the current chair to a very difficult decision.

"Every minute of it has been fun and enjoyable," Abladian said, "but I've found myself wishing I didn't have a Board of Selectmen-related meeting or issue to deal with so that I could spend time with my husband, [Michael], visiting my children and grandchildren."

Because of that, Abladian, 65, announced recently that she will not seek re-election when her three-year term expires in May.

"It's time for someone else to have the seat," Abladian said. "To meet people and help shape Westborough and prepare it for the future."

Abladian said she has been mulling over the decision regarding running again for several months, but in the end it was the tug of family that helped her make the decision.

"I have family in the Midwest I want to visit," Abladian said, "I want to visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Park."

Upon reflection, Abladian marveled at the number of issues that have come before the Board of Selectmen during her time as a member. She said she didn't think any one topic defined her or her term.

"There were a lot of things we worked on - Bay State Commons and everything that was impacted by it was probably the biggest one," Abladian said, "but there were others, the proposed public safety complex, the never-ending property tax concerns, traffic, school issues, Verizon coming to town."

Abladian worked at Accela Graphics/Kwik Kopy Printers, located on Otis Street, for more than 25 years before retiring in November 2006 as vice president of sales.

Westborough's town election is Tuesday May 6. Nomination papers are available until Monday March 10 and will have to be returned by Tuesday March 18 for prospective candidates to get their names on the ballot.