By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Northborough – On Feb. 7, Executive Director Debbie Maruca Hoak from Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester held an informal walk-through of the second of two homes that have undergone extensive restoration. The home, at 37-39 Main St. in Northborough, was once the Cyrus Gale General Store built in 1855, and is of great historic value to the community. The other home, which is next door at 33-35 Main St., was dedicated last year.
State Representative Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough), Town Administrator John Coderre and Town Planner Kathy Joubert, along with members of the Northborough Affordable Housing Corporation, was given an advance preview of the home before its formal dedication which is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, at 10 a.m.
The home will soon be home to two families who were selected over a year ago.
“This is a wonderful project…It’s been an amazing project – a lot of work by a lot of people and a lot of support from the town,” said Rick Leif, treasurer of the Northborough Affordable Housing Corporation. “Half of this project has been funded by Community Preservation money, and we are all very appreciative that the town was willing to support that. You’ll be amazed at the job and what these people did to turn this building, which was basically falling down, into these two new beautiful condominiums.”
Paul Rebello, site supervisor, said that the house is practically new and is a state-of-the-art building with efficient heat, insulation and windows, all within a 200-year-old frame.
Beams original to the house have been restored and are attractively highlighted within the interior of the building as a reminder of its history.
The project took two years and work was done mostly by volunteers. Most of the materials were donated by local businesses. Notably, students from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School worked on the heating and plumbing.
“It was a great model and good practice for these students in perfecting their trade,” Rebello remarked.
Photos/Melanie Petrucci