Editorially Speaking

Region – Recently, work to replace the 100-year-old Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge that spans Lake Quinsigamond reached a major milestone. The span, which...

Grafton – With the approval by the state’s voters last November to legalize recreational marijuana, many local police departments have shared concerns regarding a potential increase in impaired drivers. In Grafton, thanks to a grant from the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the police department will soon be able to increase the number of patrols on the streets.

Grafton – For many families, a pet is not just a dog or cat; it is a beloved family member. And while saving human lives is of course the top priority for firefighters, they do try their best to rescue pets if it is safe to do so. During the month of August, the Grafton Fire Department is requesting donations so that they may purchase two pet saving kits. Each kit will include special equipment designed to handle and treat cats and dogs that have been affected by a fire.

Northborough/Southborough – After serving in many roles throughout her 32 years in public education, Christine Johnson, the superintendent for the Combined Northborough Southborough School...

Westborough - No one who knows Lester Hensley would ever doubt his commitment to Westborough. An avid advocate for the town, he has served as chair of both the Economic Development Committee (EDC) and Planning Board, two organizations that require a great deal of time. He and his wife, Jody, who is a member of the Westborough School Committee, have also been active volunteers in youth sports, school organizations, and other community groups.

In reporting on Shrewsbury’s recent Special Town Meeting (“Special Town Meeting votes down two petition-generated articles,” Oct. 4, 2016) the Community Advocate made several statements about my water rate article that were wrong. 1) I did not say that ‘commercial water users should pay more than residential users’ for the same consumption. I did say that commercial rates, which are currently much lower than residential rates, should be increased faster than future residential rate increases so as to make the residential and commercial rates more equitable. 2) I did not say that ‘water rates now in use had been set in 2007’ (current rates went into effect January 1, 2016). I did say that since 2007 residential consumption had been below the state guideline of 65 gallons/day, so from that year on, commercial rates should have been increased faster than residential rates in order to bring them closer together, thus making rates more equitable. 3) In connection with this article, I did not say that the selectmen’s reports were inadequate regarding toxins in the water. I did say that there had been substantial errors in reported residential water consumption and unaccounted water for several years. And I merely said that the town’s Manganese/dirty water problem this summer was probably exacerbated by the fact that one third of all water pumped was being lost. And by the way, Manganese is not considered a toxin even at Shrewsbury’s current high levels.

Westborough - After 22 years as the head of Westborough Youth and Family Services (WYFS), John Badenhausen has retired as director of the department. During...

To the Editor: At our May 7 meeting the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Shrewsbury Public Library voted unanimously to endorse the...

By Janice Lindsay When faced with a major life crisis, most of us rally. We face it, figure out what to do, and get on...

The summer I was 7, I was obsessed. I desperately wanted – no, I needed -- a bike.