Home Care In Grafton, MA

MANSFIELD — After watching his group open the season 0-2, Herb Devine was still optimistic. While some folks were counting Scituate out before league play, the football coach was holding out hope things could still quickly turn around.

Just weeks later, the Sailors are back in a spot they found themselves just two short years ago – one win away from the pinnacle.

Senior quarterback Jackson Belsan completed 14-of-18 passes for 189 yards and two total touchdowns (one rushing), while junior running back Willy Robinson added 46 yards rushing and a score as the seventh-seeded Sailors returned to the Div. 4 Super Bowl for the first time since 2021 with a hard-fought 20-10 victory over No. 6 Grafton.

The Sailors (8-3) were determined to prove they belonged in the Div. 4 Super Bowl conversation, and they opened action with a long drive. Facing fourth-and-long, Belsan decided to flick a prayer toward the end zone. It was answered in the form of Sam Allard, who hauled in a miraculous and contested catch for a 37-yard touchdown.

Grafton went three-and-out only to watch its ensuing punt attempt blocked. Scituate was quick to capitalize, as Robinson scampered for a one-yard touchdown. With 4:12 to go in the opening frame, the Sailors were leading comfortably, 13-0.

“We were hoping to start fast,” said Devine. “That’s kind of the plan. To block a punt and to capitalize on that, turn that turnover into points was huge. We knew they were going to run the ball, and they’re going to keep coming … our kids played outstanding tonight, and we needed it.”

Just when it appeared Scituate was ready to cruise, the Gators showed their fangs. Finn Gilmore helped to key a long drive in response for Grafton, capping it with a two-yard touchdown rush to cut it to a 13-7 ballgame with 11:48 left in the first half.

When Scituate needed an answer, however, Belsan came through in the clutch. The senior guided the Sailors on a long drive in the later stages of the half, capping it with a two-yard touchdown scamper to put his squad ahead 20-7.

Grafton would beat the buzzer with a 27-yard field goal by freshman standout Ryan Davis to trim the Gators’ halftime deficit to 20-10. That was as close as the school would get, as Scituate forced two critical turnovers in the second half to ice the win.

“We love that people are not really thinking that we’re a contender,” Devine said. “We’ve talked about that since the beginning of the playoffs. People kind of wrote us off this year, said: ‘Hey, maybe they will be pretty good next year.’ But our seniors that were on this team had different plans.”

Scituate looks ahead to Gillette, hoping to recapture the magic it discovered a few seasons back with a last-minute 14-13 victory over Duxbury in the final.

“That would be huge,” said Robinson. “At the beginning of the season, nobody was believing in us. We were a young team. They thought we were going to come up short this year, but look at us now.”

GRAFTON – For Grafton High School Salutatorian Anthony Lam, he didn’t understand the phrase “life is short” until recently.

“I’m realizing now that we’re not as invincible as we thought we once were – that we were quickly growing up and leaving our childhood behind,” said Lam during graduation.

Lam was one of the 226 seniors who walked across the stage of the Hanover Theatre on June 1 to receive their diplomas.

He noted that the seniors have grown up together and are now growing apart together.

“I’m bittersweet that the very faces that I’ve seen for the past 12 years of my life will no longer be part of my every day, but in exchange, we’re all going on our different walks of life, chasing after aspirations and becoming the very people we truly dreamt of becoming,” Lam said.

He urged his fellow graduated to take a break and reflect on their surroundings.

“As you move onward, I want you to continue to enjoy life, remember to stop for a second and truly savor the present,” Lam said.

The ceremony featured speeches by Principal Kevin Carney and Noelle Fedor and several musical performances, including Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” by Eilidh Deans; Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” by Isabelle Geoffroy and Amanda Murdock and Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes” by Sylvia Cahill, Julia Chaisson, Deans, Meroska Gouhar, Sean McGlynn, Murdock, Maggie Mussler and Zander Shaw.

Following a series of thank yous, Valedictorian Kathryn Branda turned to address everything the senior class had accomplished.

“This speech was honestly not easy for me to write,” Branda said.

She said the speech reminded her of a college essay and also because there was too much say. As a class, she said the seniors have found ways to influence their communities, whether it was establishing a club, leading a team, creating art or mentoring another student.

She also mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted three out of their four years at Grafton High School.

“Although our high school experience may have been atypical, I believe that our class made the best of the opportunities that we did have, especially in our final year when with no restrictions,” Branda said. “Class of 2023, it has been a privilege to learn and grow up alongside all of you. I am so proud of all that we have done as a class, and I cannot wait to see what we do in the future.”

The ceremony can be viewed here.

A 9-year-old boy battling cancer in North Grafton, Massachusetts, had his wish fulfilled on Friday in a large celebration as Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island marked its milestone 10,000th wish granted.

Kyle Osterman, who is undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, wished to have a treehouse in his backyard but not just any treehouse -- one that's furnished. Kyle told NBC10 Boston that he wanted LED lights, a chair, pictures, shelves, a desk, speakers, books and more in his dream treehouse.

With significant artistic input from Kyle, the W.T. Rich Company of Natick was able to make his vision a reality, along with numerous local businesses including Cardi's Furniture.

"Thank you to the team at W.T. Rich Company and its partners for creating a fantastic space where Kyle can play, create, and dream," the organization said in a Facebook post. "His wish has given him so much to look forward to."

Dozens were in attendance at the Osterman's home Friday as "Kyle's Krib" was unveiled in a special wish reveal complete with surprise guests, including Jeff Kinney, the best-selling author of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book series.

Kinney said he heard Kyle was a fan of his books, so he made him a special Wimpy Kid drawing, with the custom art piece now hanging in Kyle's Krib.

Besides his family and friends, others on hand to celebrate Friday included representatives from the Worcester Red Sox, Make-A-Wish members including CEO Sean Holleran, the CEO of W.T. Rich Company, Kyle's Make-A-Wish volunteer team Jeff and Laura Wormuth, and other Make-A-Wish supporters, including the family of the organization's first ever wish recipient -- Colleen O'Brien of Wilmington, Mass.

"As we grant Kyle’s wish, the celebration also honors the thousands of wish children and families we have served in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and our community of supporters who have helped fulfill wishes over our 40-year history," the organization said, noting that more than 25 local vendors and individuals helped fulfill Kyle's wish in collaboration with W.T. Rich Company.

Support for the wish and celebration came from all corners of the organization's territory.

The day started with students from the Make-A-Wish Club at Ashland High School welcoming Kyle with a spirit tunnel as he arrived to his wish reveal. After exploring his completed treehouse, the joyous occasion continued with a private party for Kyle and his family and friends hosted by Make-A-Wish partner Red Robin -- and there was even an ice cream truck.

Kyle was also surprised at the event by Smiley Ball from the Worcester Red Sox and with gifts from Hasbro, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and former Boston Red Sox outfielder Darnell McDonald.

From start to finish, it was a dream day for Kyle.

"It's crazy just to think that I'm the, I'm the one that got the 10,000th wish," Kyle said. "I mean it's insane."

Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. With the help of generous supporters and more than 500 volunteers, the organization has now granted the wishes of 10,000 children in Mass. and RI since it was founded 40 years ago.

GRAFTON – Amid the research into soil, traffic, water and affordable housing, abutters of the proposed development at 59 Pleasant St. continue to ask about safety, traffic and possible environmental impacts.

During a public hearing conducted by the Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday, May 17, the ZBA joined representatives from the applicant, 59 Pleasant St. Properties LLC, in presenting updates and fielding questions.

Plans for the Reserve at Pleasant Commons call for a total of 104 units across four multifamily apartment buildings – the market-rate units will include 24 one-bedroom apartments; 45 two-bedroom apartments; and nine three-bedroom apartments. The affordable units will include four one-bedroom apartments; 15 two-bedroom apartments; and seven three-bedroom apartments.

The 12.4-acre site is currently owned by members of the Wasiuk family, subject to a purchase-and-sale agreement with the applicant.

Half of the site would be donated to the town for open space and conservation purposes.

As part of the plans, developer Eastland Partners of Worcester will install a sidewalk and a 14-foot-tall privacy berm.

A possible switch from peaked roofs to flat roofs drew criticism from ZBA member William Yeomans.

“The design is a major issue in my mind,” he said. “I think the flat roof is ugly. This should be addressed sooner rather than later.”

Todd Kramer, who lives on Peters Way, wrote to the ZBA that he supports the project.

“Eastland has agreed to help mitigate drainage that has caused flooding to occur on our property,” he wrote. “They have agreed to donate the wooded area to the town and keep access to the trails.”

While some abutters said they support having more affordable housing projects in Grafton, they do not want this project in their neighborhood.

“We are not opposed to affordable housing projects. We are strongly opposed to this project,” said Pleasant Street residents Gail and Bob Sjoberg in a letter to the ZBA. “This neighborhood is zoned for single-family homes with lot sizes of 1 acre. Several projects have been completed off Pleasant Street with 40B cluster development, which includes smaller lots, and open space.”

“These projects were completed and although they add traffic to the street, we feel they were done within the character of the neighborhood. This project is not at all within the character of the neighborhood,” the letter states.

The Sjobergs cited the number of rental units on six acres; the traffic count; the egress for fire apparatus; and how close the development would be to buffer zones.

During the May 17 hearing, several abutters voiced their concerns about the possible impact on local wildlife. One resident said that bald eagles nest nearby.

According to the proposal’s development impact statement, “The project will not alter any wetland resource areas; only minor work will occur in the buffer zone.”

Traffic was another topic that drew plenty of discussion.

“I am terrified for the safety of the children,” said a Pleasant Street resident, citing the amount of traffic that uses the long and narrow roadway.

The ZBA voted to continue the public hearing to Thursday, June 15, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the Grafton Public Library.

For more information on the project, visit here.

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GRAFTON – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced that Eastern equine encephalitis has been detected in additional mosquito samples collected on Sept. 11 in Sutton and Southbridge.

These findings raise the EEE risk level to high in Douglas, Dudley, Oxford, Southbridge, Sutton and Webster, and to moderate in Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Millbury and Northbridge.

The first EEE-positive mosquitoes in Massachusetts in 2023 were announced on Sept. 1 from Douglas and Southbridge. There have also been mosquitoes with EEE and a donkey with EEE infection identified in Rhode Island and EEE-positive mosquitoes in Connecticut close to the Massachusetts border. No human or animal case of EEE has been detected in Massachusetts so far this year.

“While EEE is a rare disease, it can cause severe disease resulting in hospitalization and death,” said Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein. “Risk is high enough in several towns that we recommend rescheduling outdoor events.”

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths, and five human cases with one death in 2020.

It is recommended to use insect repellent when outdoors. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors.

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found at https://www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases.

MARLBOROUGH – Professional Automotive on Mechanic Street has taken a big step toward its expansion plans.

On Sept. 6, the City Council’s Urban Affairs Committee approved a special permit that will allow the business to use an adjacent building, a former glass shop. Rick Mariano, a trustee for Marco Realty Trust and Professional Automotive Service, first went before the City Council seeking the special permit earlier this summer.

The vote was 4-1, with Councilor Laura Wagner voting against the special permit after voicing concerns regarding the Village District zoning in which the property is located.

Other councilors supported the special permit.

“It’s something we could use,” said Councilor Sean Navin. “The city would benefit.”

“It’s going to be attractive, functional,” added Councilor Donald Landers Sr.

Professional Automotive plans to install two garage doors along the side of the building; a new bathroom; an equipment storage platform; and three automotive lifts.

The permit would still be subject to the Site Plan Review Committee in accordance with the city’s Site Plan Review ordinance.

Under the conditions for the special permit, all auto repair activities will take place indoors. All loading and unloading shall take place within the site and not on Mechanic Street; and no deliveries of materials or equipment or shipments from the site shall be permitted on Sunday.

Professional Automotive would also maintain the right-of-way for 7-9 Mechanic St.

The maximum hours for auto repair activities (excluding administrative and maintenance operations, and employees arriving and leaving before and after shifts) shall be Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The City Council voted to send the permit application to the city solicitor during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 11; it will come back to the council in the near future.