Habitat for Humanity dedicates historic home on Main Street

By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter

Northborough – The sun shone brightly on 33-35 Main St. in Northborough on the morning of June 25 as Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester dedicated the home and welcomed Northborough’s newest homeowners. Coreen and Gilana (last names withheld) became homeowners for the first time and will occupy the two newly renovated units of this historic home with their respective families.

Tim Firment, executive director of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester, addressed invited guests which included Northborough selectmen Jason Perreault and Julianne Hirsch; Rick Leif from Northborough Affordable Housing Corp.; and Superintendent of Assabet Valley Regional Technical high School Ernie F. Houle.

“It’s really about community” Firment said. “I want to say a lot of thank yous. Thank you first to Assabet High school… Assabet was here day in and day out and basically built this house for us.”

He added said that they expect to dedicate the larger of the two homes, which is the old Gale General Store, in about eight or nine months.

Other speakers included Hirsch, Leif and Kathleen Polanowicz, a member of the Community Preservation Committee. Reverend Valeria Schmidt from Trinity Church conferred a blessing upon the home.

The dedication concluded when Debbie Maruca Hoak, who will be the new executive director when Firment retires at the end of June, presented Coreen and Gilana and their families with a key to their new homes.

“I’d like to thank you because without you this wouldn’t be possible,” Coreen said. “…Without Trinity and the regular volunteers…and the groups that came and helped, and the sponsors who have donated so much, and the school for getting those kids in here and making sure they built us a safe house…It’s amazing.”

Gilana added, “I thank God because the day that I prayed for is finally here. It’s been such a journey and I am so thankful.”