The Grafton News

25/07/2024

Grafton's own Swirls and Scoops made it to the state's list of places to get ice cream!
Click here to see the Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail:

01/07/2024

https://www.thegraftonnews.com/lions-club-concert-july-2/ #/

The Grafton Lions Club will have their 42nd annual Concert on the Common on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The concert will feature the performance… Login to continue reading Login Sign up for complimentary access Sign Up Now Close

07/03/2024

https://www.thegraftonnews.com/presidential-primary-official-results/

GRAFTON – The Grafton Town Clerk has released unofficial results of the March 5 presidential primary. In the Democratic Primary, President Joseph Biden received 1300 votes from the 1632 voters who took Democratic ballots, with 132 votes of no preference. Other candidates who received more than a f...

23/02/2024

https://www.thegraftonnews.com/online-kindergarten-registration-begins-march-1/

GRAFTON — Grafton Public Schools kindergarten online registration 2024-2025 begins March 1. Please go to www.graftonps.org for complete registration information and directions. Children must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2024 to be eligible for Kindergarten in the fall.   Kindergarten paren...

07/01/2024

https://www.thegraftonnews.com/town-government/

Meetings Jan. 8 through Jan. 11.For updates on this list or details or agendas see www.grafton-ma.gov/AgendaCenter. Some meetings may not have been scheduled as the Grafton News went to press.Jan. 8 Economic Development Commission, Conference Room G and via Zoom, 7 p.m.Jan. 8 Board of Health, via Zo...

05/01/2024

Westborough Fire Department Offers Safety Tips Ahead of Expected Winter Weather

WESTBOROUGH — Chief Patrick Purcell and the Westborough Fire Department wishes to provide winter weather safety precautions to the community as some of the first snow accumulation of the season is expected this weekend.

Stay Informed:
While snow totals may continue to change, much of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut can expect 6-12 inches with lower totals for cities and towns closer to the coast.

Visit weather.gov to see the most recent forecast as the storm approaches. Residents are reminded that the forecast can change quickly and at any point. Stay informed by following local alerts, warnings and public safety information before, during and after emergencies. Residents can also listen to local area radio, NOAA Radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.

Prepare Your Vehicle:
Check your tires’ tread.
Make sure all fluid levels are full and ensure that the lights, heater and windshield wipers are in proper working condition. Keep the gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
Don’t leave the house without a fully charged cellphone and car charger. Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded.
Know whether your vehicle has an antilock brake system and learn how to use it properly.

If You Must Travel:
Be aware of current and forecast weather conditions. Avoid non-essential travel when the National Weather Service has issued advisories.
If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival.
Drive cautiously and increase your following distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you.
Don’t crowd a snow plow or travel beside the truck. Snow plows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and exit the road frequently. If you find yourself behind a snow plow, stay far enough behind it and use caution if you pass the plow.
Remain cautious even after conditions have improved. Even if roadways have been cleared of snow following a storm, any water left on the roadways may freeze, resulting in a clear sheet of ice, also known as black ice. Black ice is patchy ice on roadways that cannot easily be seen.

Take Precautions Outdoors:
Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: wear a tightly woven, preferably wind-resistant coat or jacket; inner layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.
Cold weather puts an extra strain on the heart. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Use caution and take frequent breaks.
Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.
If you experience a power outage and plan to use a generator, use extreme caution and allow for proper ventilation. Never use a generator indoors or inside a garage. Keep generators away from doors, windows and HVAC air intakes. Be sure that you have working carbon monoxide detectors. Additional safety information regarding the use of generators can be found here.

Residents can also assist firefighters by clearing snow away from fire hydrants during and after significant snowfall. Shovel a path from the hydrant to the street, and clear snow 3-5 feet all around the hydrant so firefighters have enough room to connect a hose.

For more winter weather safety tips or winter driving tips, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

03/01/2024

https://www.thegraftonnews.com/gpl-director-resigns-new-temporary-hours-in-effect/

GRAFTON — In the monthly newsletter, the Grafton Public library announced that the library director, Beth Schreiber, tendered her resignation as of December 2023. The library expressed thanks to Schreiber for her years of service to the Grafton Public Library and the Town of Grafton and wished her...

22/11/2023

https://www.thegraftonnews.com/grafton-food-bank-serves-up-200-thanksgiving-bags-for-area-families/

It takes a village they say, and that was nowhere more obvious than on Monday, when a team of volunteers from the food bank’s regulars, to Goretti’s and Community Harvest Project folks and a team from Job Corps packed 200 bags to help area families make their Thanksgiving meals this year. Read a...

22/11/2023

https://www.thegraftonnews.com/grafton-youth-footballs-8th-graders-are-massachusetts-state-champions/

The Grafton Youth Football 8th graders went all the way to the top on Saturday in Franklin to become Division I champions after beating Mansfield 26-8! Read all about the history of this amazing team in our November 23 digital issue and our November 30 print issue.

20/10/2023

As Halloween creeps closer, NFPA reminds the public to celebrate with fire safety in mind!

October 19, 2023 -- As Halloween creeps closer, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is reminding the public that fire safety hazards often lurk among spooky decorations and festivities. With these potential risks in mind, the association encourages everyone to take simple precautions that can help ensure a festively fun, safe holiday.

“From decorating with jack-o-lanterns and other seasonal items to costume parties and trick-or-treating, many hallmarks of Halloween can present potential fire hazards,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “Fortunately, the vast majority of these risks can be prevented with a little added awareness and caution.”

According to NFPA data, candles accounted for an annual average of 7,400 home fires, resulting in 90 deaths, 670 injuries and $291 million in direct property damage between 2015 and 2019. In addition, an annual average of 790 home structure fires began with decorations, causing one civilian fire death, 26 civilian fire injuries, and $13 million in direct property damage; more than two of every five (44 percent) of these fires occurred when decorations were placed too close to a heat source, such as a candle or hot equipment.

NFPA offers these tips and guidelines for enjoying a boo-tiful and fire-safe Halloween:
• Decorations: Many common decorations like cornstalks, crepe paper, and dried flowers are very flammable. Keep these and similar decorations far away from any open flames or heat sources, like candles, heaters, and light bulbs.
• Candles: Using candles as decoration can be risky if not done correctly. Keep them in a well- attended area out of the path of potential trick-or-treaters. Remind children of the dangers of open flames, and make sure they are always supervised when candles are lit. Always extinguish candles before leaving an area.
• Jack-o-lanterns: Glow sticks or electric candles are the safest choice when it comes to lighting up your jack-o-lantern, but if you choose to use a real candle, do so with extreme caution. Light a candle inside a jack-o-lantern using long fireplace matches or a utility lighter and keep it away from other decorations.
• Costumes: Avoid fabric that billows or trails behind you, as these can easily ignite. If you are making your own costume, avoid loosely woven fabrics like linen and cotton, which can be very flammable.
• Visibility: Give children flashlights or glowsticks for lighting, these can even be incorporated into the costume. If your child has a mask, ensure the eye holes are large enough for them to see clearly.
• Smoke Alarms: This is a great time to make sure your smoke alarms are in working order.
• Exits: Exits are NOT an appropriate place for decorations. When decorating, ensure that nothing is blocking escape routes, including doors and windows.
Visit the NFPA Halloween safety page for more resources of how to stay safe. For more Halloween fire safety for kids and families, visit www.sparkyschoolhouse.org and www.sparky.org.

For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research, and resources, please visit the NFPA press room.

About the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)
Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

Welcome to Sparky School House. When you teach fire safety, you save lives. Check out our resources for educators, families, and, kids.

17/10/2023

Fire destroys liquor store in strip mall
By Melissa McKeon, The Grafton News
A fire around 10 p.m. on October 16 destroyed Valley Plaza Discount Liquor, a tenant in the small strip mall at 43 Main Street in South Grafton.
About 12 hours after the fire, the end of the building where the liquor store operated was a pile of rubble and fencing surrounded what was left of the building. It is unclear how much damage was sustained by neighboring tenant Hear Joy Audiology.
The property is owned by Robert E. and Beatrice Collette Trustees and co-owner Collette Realty Trust and was built in 1997.
The Grafton News is investigating details of the fire.

08/09/2023

31/08/2023

Enjoy the supermoon tonight!

12/07/2023

The Municipal Center will be closed for paving from Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 28. All Town Departments can be reached by telephone and email during normal business hours throughout this closure.

19/04/2023

In this online-only column, Police Chief Normand Crepeau Jr. lets residents know about Saturday's Prescription Drug Take Back program at the Grafton police station.

On Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Grafton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.

07/04/2023

Happy 270th birthday to Simon Willard!

GRAFTON — Simon Willard’s birthday party went off with the chiming of his clocks at the Willard House & Clock Museum on Saturday, April 1. Willard’s birthday party kicks off a monthlong celebration, which includes free admission to the museum all month long and several other events for adults ...

06/04/2023

From today's edition: A 40B affordable housing rental project planned for 12.5 acres at 59 Pleasant Street went through a sometimes contentious public hearing on March 29 at the Grafton Zoning Board of Appeals, even as the town’s “safe harbor” affordable housing levels remain in dispute.

GRAFTON — A 40B affordable housing rental project planned for 12.5 acres at 59 Pleasant Street went through a sometimes contentious public hearing on March 29 at the Grafton Zoning Board of Appeals, even as the town’s “safe harbor” affordable housing levels remain in dispute.

24/02/2023

Congratulations, Jackson!

GRAFTON — Breaking a school record in any high school sport is arguably one of the most revered accomplishments a student-athlete can achieve. It proves, without equivocation, that you’re the best of the best, outdistancing all other school record holders that came before you.

24/02/2023

The Grafton Select Board decided last week to move ahead and join an effort to build a regional 911 dispatch center in Westborough. So did their colleagues in Westborough and Southborough, who also voted at their respective meetings last week. (Note: This blurb has been changed from the original posting to better explain what happened last week.)

GRAFTON — The Grafton Select Board decided last week to move ahead and join an effort to build a regional 911 dispatch center in Westborough.

24/02/2023

Last year’s inaugural Fourth of July Parade in Grafton was so successful that organizers Justin Stone and Robert DeToma are hoping to do it again in 2023.

Candy is tossed from one of the vehicles that participated in last year’s inaugural edition of Grafton’s Fourth of July Parade. Grafton News File Photo

13/02/2023

Congratulations to Grafton native Steve Spagnuolo, who won his third Super Bowl ring last night!

Grafton native Steve Spagnuolo, left, earned his third Super Bowl ring Sunday night with the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Philadelphia Eagles. [Gavin Liddell/Kansas City Chiefs]

09/02/2023

Gauthier spent 44 1/2 years on the Grafton Fire Department, retiring as fire chief in 1997. He had a significant role in building up the town’s on-call department.

GRAFTON — Retired Fire Chief Philip Gauthier, who served the town of Grafton for decades, including nearly half a century with the Fire Department, has passed away.

06/02/2023

Grafton Superintendent Jay Cummings presented an updated version of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to the Grafton School Committee, one in which potential reductions totaling $815,076 were included.

GRAFTON — Grafton Superintendent Jay Cummings presented an updated version of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to the Grafton School Committee, one in which potential reductions totaling $815,076 were included.

03/02/2023

Grafton Select Board members will decide in the next few weeks whether the town should become a founding member of a regional public safety dispatch center.

GRAFTON — Select Board members will decide in the next few weeks whether the town should become a founding member of a regional public safety dispatch center.

03/02/2023

NOTICE FROM GRAFTON & UPTON RAILROAD - CARROLL ROAD CROSSING

The railroad crossing signals on Carroll Rd. have been placed into service. The crossing lights will flash and the bell will sound as a train approaches. It should be noted that there will no longer be a flagman on the ground to flag the crossing and the train will not stop at the intersection. It is imperative that motorists stop when the crossing lights are activated.

03/02/2023

Congratulations to Genevieve, who was chosen to represent the town at a yearlong community service program because she is a role model for her peers!

GRAFTON—Because she is a role model for her peers, Genevieve Le was chosen to represent the town at a yearlong community service program.

11/01/2023

If you haven't read The Grafton News lately, here's some of what you missed:

• Grafton officials consider setting up townwide composting service: https://www.thegraftonnews.com/2023/01/05/grafton-officials-consider-setting-up-townwide-composting-service/
• Property tax rates go down, bills go up across the region for 2023: https://www.thegraftonnews.com/2023/01/05/property-tax-rates-go-down-bills-go-up-across-the-region-for-2023/
• Better late than never for senior captain Xander Schelling: https://www.thegraftonnews.com/2023/01/05/better-late-than-never-for-senior-captain-xander-schelling/
• Kevin Saleeba named head swim coach at Grafton High School: https://www.thegraftonnews.com/2023/01/05/kevin-saleeba-named-head-swim-coach-at-grafton-high-school/
• Truth Organic Spa rebuilds with support from community after fire: https://www.thegraftonnews.com/2022/12/29/spa-rebuilds-with-support-from-community-after-fire/

And if you haven't subscribed, what are you waiting for? Plans start at $3.99 a month! Click the link below for subscription information:

22/12/2022

From today's edition: The school district is working with local entrepreneur and former educator Chuck Brown, the founder of Bread Guy Breads, on the Grafton Achieving Independence Now (GAIN) venture.

The home of the Grafton Achieving Independence Now (GAIN) venture at 204 Worcester St. is seen in this 2019 Google Maps photo. Submitted Photo

16/12/2022

Are you going to take part in this weekend's Santa parade through Grafton? Do you have cute holiday-themed photos you'd like to share with The Grafton News? Send them to us at [email protected] or through Facebook Messenger, and they may appear in next week's edition of the paper!

08/12/2022

A health official from Springfield has been chosen to lead the Worcester Division of Public Health and a public health-focused coalition that includes Grafton.

WORCESTER — A health official from Springfield has been chosen to lead the Worcester Division of Pubhc Health and a public health-focused coalition that includes Grafton.