What You Missed at the Board Meeting

The Board of Selectmen, which met Monday night at 7 p.m. at the town offices, discussed the progress on the new center of town plan, approved a new police officer to the squad, and gave BJ's an alcohol license.

Here's a handy little breakdown of what happened so you can be informed, and not take a lot of time becoming informed.

Pinning on the Northborough Badge: Ryan Caneen will fill the vacancy on the as the board unanimously voted to back Chief Mark Leahy's recommendation to hire the Police Academy trained 26-year-old from Worcester. With a Master's from Westfield State, Caneen applied for a position on the squad years ago, coming in second. "Years ago, I went through [Leahy's] candidate testing," said Hutchins. "I know what you've been through and I'm familiar with the police in town. My father was the chief prior to Leahy, and there is a fine tradition here of police officers in Northborough." 

The Food is Served at BJ's: BJ's Wholesale Club is one of the anchor stores going in at the Northborough Crossing, opening on Shops Way this fall.The board approved unanimously a common victualler license for the business, which will be located at 6102 Shops Way, giving it a license to sell and serve food in a food court area that contains 28 seats.

BJ’s license – 6102 shops way,

Coderre – this normally would have been taken up , it’s a common vic license in the food court area, and it contains 28 seats and at this point in time we recommend approval, approved

Beer and Wine for Bernadette's: was approved for a beer and wine license for a fundraiser on Aug. 13 for one of its parishioners, who is entering the sisterhood, as well as its Fall Fest on Sept. 23 and 24.

Grants for Green: As it was approved by Town Meeting, Northborough purchased the with the intent of preserving it as conservation land. As a stipulation, the town is required to pursue any grants that may offset the cost of the purchase, and the board approved a letter of support for a grant submission to the Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Centering On It: Town Engineer Fred Litchfield updated the board on the which will include widening the road at the center of town, as well as adding traffic lights. The project is "progressing," he said, and construction should begin in earnest by spring.

Turning Tragedy to Charity: Selectman Aaron Hutchins spoke recently with Lisa Reese about her new charity. Reese, who once owned the Pampered Day Spa in Northborough and lives in Shrewsbury, lost her son in a car accident this past December. Reese recently launched a nonprofit called Andy's Attic, which will collect sneakers, clothes, socks and underwear for Shrewsbury and Northborough students in need. Visit andysattic.com for more information.   

Town Loses Another Dedicated Servant: As reported in the Worcester Telegram, Allyn Phelps died on June 28 at the age of 94. The town's accountant many years ago, as well as a member of the Appropriations Committee, Selectman William Pantazis commented, "We lost another person who was very influential." Dawn Rand, co-chair, added, "He lived a wonderful life. I knew him my whole life and he was a big part of it. We used to say, 'If Allyn Phelps said it was true, it was.'" 

Signs, Signs, Not Everywhere Are Signs: Driving around town recently, Selectman Leslie Rutan commented there are some missing signs, particularly at critical intersections such as Maynard at Howard Street. She and Administrator John Coderre urged the public to let the DPW know if you see a missing sign. Rutan also commented that "visibility is poor" at the end of Allen Street approaching Hudson, and the weeds need to be cut.

Have Respect: If your yard sign sign was removed, chances are Selectman Jeff Amberson ripped it down. Every year at this time, he said, he sees signs all over town, and "what bothers me is when they place these inside memorials." Last week, he commented, a yard sale sign was posted at Ellsworth Square Corner. "I believe there is a better place to place your sign," Amberson said. "To me, it’s extremely disrespectful and inappropriate. Ellsworth served in Vietnam and lost his life. Common sense and common dignity would say you wouldn’t put them on a war memorial."