Above: The SPD announced an arrest that included the confiscation of alleged counterfeit apple products. (images of photos from press release and SPD patch)

The Southborough Police Department issued a press release this afternoon about an arrest made on Sunday.

Here is the (redacted) statement:

Southborough Police Arrest New York Man Wanted in Fraud Investigation, Seize Suspected Counterfeit Merchandise

SOUTHBOROUGH – The Southborough Police Department arrested a New York man wanted in connection with a fraud investigation while seizing suspected counterfeit Apple and Rolex products on Sunday.

[A 42 year old resident of WHITESTONE, N.Y.], was arrested and charged with:

• Distributing a Counterfeit Mark
• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle

[The arrested man] also received a citation for a child passenger restraint violation.

At approximately 10 a.m. on July 19, Officer Panajoti Samarxhi was on patrol on Tumpike Road when he learned that a 2026 Ford Explorer traveling in front of him was wanted by the Newton Police Department in connection with a fraud investigation.

Officer Samarxhi stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as [the suspect]. He determined [the suspect’s] license was suspended and took him into custody without incident.

Inside the car, officers observed a child laying across a back seat without a seat belt.

During an on-scene investigation, Officer Samarxhi contacted the Newton Police Department and learned that [the driver] was wanted for allegedly scamming a resident out of $2,500.

During an inventory search of the vehicle prior to towing, Detective Anthony Vega located a bag containing 11 AirPod Pro boxes, six Apple Watch Ultra 3 boxes, and a Rolex GMT-Master II. The Apple products were sealed and packaged as if they were brand new, but investigators determined most of the products had the same serial number and barcode.

“This arrest demonstrates the value of proactive patrol work and officers taking the time to fully investigate what they encounter,” said Chief Ryan Newell. “Officer Samarxhi recognized a vehicle connected to an outside investigation and worked with the Newton Police Department to develop the full picture. His attentiveness led to an arrest and the recovery of suspected counterfeit merchandise.”

[The suspect] was arraigned on Monday in Westborough District Court.
The incident remains under investigation.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The post SPD alleges unlicensed NY driver was involved in distributing counterfeit goods appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: A look at the upkeep of Cordaville Park and a resident’s desire for the Town to reinvest in it. (images cropped from top DPW video, bottom photos by John Kendall)

Over a year ago, I shared reader John Kendall’s photos and critiques of the southside’s Cordaville Park. (I also included related “perspectives” and questions about Town governance, plus my own photos.) 

Early this month, Kendall followed up to provide his update on the situation (with photos). That includes his ongoing concerns and his desire for the Town to reinvest more in park maintenance. I followed up with the head of the Dept. of Public Works to get their side of the story.

Kendall describes the park, established on once “dumpy” property donated by the MBTA, as having been initially well-maintained. But he said that fell by the wayside years ago. As we approach the Town’s Tricentennial, he would love to see the town:

Clean it up, restore it, recognize it as a symbol of the industrial hub that Cordaville once was. 

(You can read more about the establishment and history of the park in honor of the former mill area in last year’s post here.)

In late spring of 2025, John Kendall’s complained about Cordaville Park weeds, patchy grass, and dirty benches. At that time, he noted that the DPW picks up trash “once in a while” and checked the trash barrel. But he said cleaning up trash in the park generally falls to him and neighbors and felt that the park suffered from neglect by the Town.

Following the complaints, the Select Board added addressing the park issues to their annual goals. By December 2025, the board’s goal status noted that according to DPW Superintendent Bill Cundiff, the issues had been addressed.

In emails to me this summer, Kendall has expressed continued frustration with the DPW about what he sees as neglect. Complaints include issues with damaged and/or “rotting” trees, cracks in paved paths, and benches that need painting. He also says that he and a neighbor continue to pick up trash in the park.

When I reached out to Cundiff he defended:

Mr. Kendall has contacted the Department numerous times over the past three years regarding Cordaville Park and other neighborhood concerns. We have consistently acknowledged his inquiries and, depending on the issue, completed the work, inspected the condition, referred it to the appropriate contractor, or added it to our maintenance schedule. We appreciate Mr. Kendall’s input and concern for the park, and we strive to improve our services where we can.

Cordaville Park is maintained under the Town’s private grounds-maintenance contract. The approximately 0.78-acre site is scheduled for 30 mowings and 11 weedings annually. The contractor also performs trimming, edging, cursory weeding during mowing, and removal of litter and small debris encountered while working. Our Operations Supervisor has been monitoring the contractor and reports that the scheduled weeding has been taking place.

The shrub area along River Road is generally weeded when the trees and shrubs are trimmed, usually once annually around August. The other planting beds are included in the 11 scheduled weedings. Some of those beds also contain established perennials that may resemble weeds during portions of the growing season. . . 

The landscaping contractor picks up litter encountered during its work, while DPW staff empties the trash barrel. We appreciate Mr. Kendall and his neighbor picking up incidental litter, but residents should not feel responsible for maintaining Town property.

Below are photos that Kendall shared along with some of his detailed complaints, and more responses from Cundiff to related questions I raised.

Asphalt paths

Kendall took pictures to show examples of Tree roots “lifting the asphalt in the paths creating tripping hazards”.

Cundiff responded:

There are a few localized areas where the pavement has settled and underlying roots are beginning to show through. My understanding is that the park was originally designed with stone-dust paths and was later paved without full reconstruction of the base or root zone. The affected areas will be added to our repair list and monitored. A video of my July 10 inspection is available [below]

Cundiff’s video overview above presents a cleaner park than described by Kendall. However, since it focuses on the path condition, the video doesn’t hone in on some of the other areas where Kendall focused his camera (below). (Although, it does also show the deteriorated lawn that is among the complaints in the last of those listed below.)

“Rotted” Cherry tree

This spring, Kendall informed Cundiff about a broken limb on the cherry tree, worrying that a child would play on it and get hurt. (That appears to be the first photo below from “before”.) Since then, the DPW hacksawed off the limb, but Kendall complains that the “rotted” tree remains standing.

Cundiff responded:

It continues to show live, flowering growth and does not presently appear to pose an immediate hazard. We intend to remove it when higher-priority work allows.

Evergreen trees with broken limbs

Kendall wrote:

In June during brush cutting by the DPW, the operator hit two evergreen trees at the edge of the park and made a mess of them. I provided photos, and the DPW sent someone with a chainsaw to clean things up. Dead limbs still hang in the trees.

Cundiff responded:

Several limbs were inadvertently cut by the Town’s roadside brush-cutting equipment. Once the condition was brought to our attention, staff returned and addressed the affected branches that same day. During my recent inspection, I did not observe any remaining hanging limbs that appeared to present an immediate hazard. I have attached a current photograph showing the condition observed.

Benches

Kendall wrote that Cundiff had promised last year to fit cleaning of the benches into the DPW’s schedule. But since then, he wrote:

The benches were so filthy that a neighbor scrubbed them by hand. They still need paint work.

Cundiff responded:

Our records show that Mr. Kendall previously requested that the benches be cleaned and later reported that they looked better, although I cannot confirm the exact cleaning method used. Their current condition will be reassessed to determine whether additional cleaning or refinishing is appropriate.

“Washed out” Grass and more “broken limbs”

The resident also complained about “washed out areas where there used to be grass, but now are weed covered or bare.” Plus, he said that photos showed some things I couldn’t see. That included broken branches (which he said dark shadows made difficult to see) and a faucet that has been broken for a year.

These weren’t among the issues that I specifically asked Cundiff about. But Cundiff included a relevant wrap-up to responses to the questions I did ask:

The DPW will continue providing routine maintenance and addressing smaller repairs through its operating budget and work-order process.

More significant improvements—such as substantial path reconstruction, widespread tree replacement or broader park upgrades—would need to be evaluated, planned and properly funded through the Town’s capital-budgeting process.

The current landscaping contract expires at the end of 2026 and will be rebid later this year. We will review the maintenance requirements for Cordaville Park as part of that process.

The post Park beauty (and maintenance) is in the eye of the beholder appeared first on My Southborough.

Mr. Vinny will again wow Southborough kids with giant bubbles. But he’ll do it about a month later than originally scheduled

Due to the potential thunderstorms forecast for the original schedule this Wednesday afternoon, the free entertainment at the library program is postponed.

The Southborough Library will host popular entertainer on Wednesday, August 19th at 3:30 pm.

For a past visit from the entertainer, the library promoted:

There will be fun for all as big, giant, beautiful bubbles fill the air above while “Mr. Vinny” makes jokes, answers questions.

The show is open to the public, no registration required.

It’s part of the Summer Reading program. So, be sure to swing by the Children’s Room on the way in or out to have kids check out some books, take part in challenges, and enter the weekly drawing.

The bubble show is sponsored by The Friends of the Southborough Library.

The post Giant bubbles are Postponed to August appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: Mass Horticultural’s Plantmobile will bring a botany education program for kids to the library next week. (images cropped from Facebook posts)

Next week, the Mass Horticultural Society will visit the Southborough Library. They’ll be bringing along their “Plantmobile”.

The society will be running a free educational program for kids entering PreK through 5th grade.

The society’s plantmobile is meant to ” Inspire the next generation of gardeners, scientists, and environmental stewards” with programs led by experts.

Registration is required (here) to participate in a free “Plant Parts & Functions” workshop scheduled for Thursday, July 30th from 4:00 – 5:00 pm.

The society’s website describes:

Students will discover and explore the different parts of a plant and the functions they serve. Through age-appropriate activities, each child will learn to recognize these body parts in familiar and new plants they observe in their own life. As the students get older, they will learn how these body parts help the plant interact with the Earth and other living organisms.

The society promotes that it has been offering its plantmobile programming for free to eligible community organizations in the MetroWest, courtesy of support by the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation.

That opportunity meshed well with the Southborough Library’s (and other libraries) 2026 Summer Reading program theme, “Plant a Seed, Read”. You can read about more of the nature themed activities and programs at the Southborough Library throughout this summer here.

The post Sign kids up for hands-on learning about plants appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: Once upon a time, Town Meeting voters stripped a Town board of its authority to allow uses not covered by Town zoning. A new state law changes things. (image cropped from meeting video)

Ten years ago, a well-attended Town Meeting voted to eliminate “Use Variances”. The vote was prompted by anger over a controversial housing project. Changes in state law passed this month now reinstate use variances for residential uses.

(Coincidentally, the timing of the change is during the month that a legal case stemming from the same 2015-2016 controversy is headed to trial.)

On Friday, Southborough’s Town Counsel issued a memo to its municipal clients. In it, the law firm (Mead, Talerman & Costa) opined on impacts from recent changes in state law. That included:

Section 10’s prohibition of use variances unless “expressly permit[ted]” by a zoning ordinance or bylaw has been modified. The restriction that “no variance may authorize a use or activity” absent allowance by ordinance or bylaw has been amended by adding, thereafter, “other than residential.”¹⁴ Thus, municipalities are no longer free to prohibit variances for residential use.

It’s one of multiple significant changes under the laws that were passed as part of the state budget and promoted by the Healey administration as meant to increase much needed housing supply. A July 9th press release on the budget includes:

Making it easier to build housing and lower costs

To help build more homes and lower housing costs, the budget includes policy reforms that create a more predictable permitting process, reduce unnecessary delays and provide greater certainty for housing developments moving through local review. These changes will help accelerate housing production while preserving local decision-making.

Town Counsel’s opinion indicates that the impact of some of the changes is still unclear. One example:

The New Law eliminates the former statute’s express authorization for permit granting authorities to “impose conditions, safeguards and limitations both of time and use,” “excluding any condition, safeguards or limitations based upon the continued ownership of the land or structures…”¹⁵ It is unknown whether the courts will interpret the omission from the statute as meaningful, e.g. as restricting the extent to which a variance may be conditioned.

I received Town Counsel’s memo from the Building Commissioner Mark Robidoux when I reached out for his interpretation of the impact of the legal changes on Southborough’s Use Variance ban. He noted that his department was working with Town Counsel on training.

You can read the full memo here. You can find links to details on all of the changes just signed into law here.

The 2016 decision to eliminate the Use Variance was led by voters who were angered over a ZBA decision that allowed a Town House project at Park Central. Voters angry at the ZBA chose to strip the board of the specific authority.

At that time, some Town officials argued that the option was needed to allow flexibility for projects that are financially beneficial to the Town. Proponents of the Citizen’s Petition to eliminate the variances rebutted that if a project was beneficial, officials could bring it to Town Meeting and let voters decide. That’s precisely what happened last fall when voters approved zoning changes to accommodated the proposed Costco project.

In updating on the Costco project earlier today, I wrote about a change in the state laws that provides the Zoning Board of Appeals a simpler ability to allow zoning variances (for setbacks, height, etc) justified by “practical difficulty” in complying with the zoning bylaws. That same change also applies to the Use Variances. (Although, for Towns like Southborough, it only applies to residential uses.)

Still the variances aren’t meant to be automatically granted because of the applicant’s difficulties. The ZBA can still decide that applications aren’t in the public interest. Town Counsel’s memo explains:

The permit granting authority is instructed, i.e. via use of the word “shall,” to weigh the benefits to the variance proponent and to the public interest, expressly including “the interest in supporting the production of housing,” against the detriment to the public health, safety and welfare of the neighborhood.

And it’s worth noting that four of the five current members of the ZBA didn’t serve on the board at the time of the controversial Park Central decisions.

As for the court case I mentioned. . .

The same 40A townhouse project that prompted the public outrage in 2016 was the subject of a negotiated Covenant Agreement between Park Central developers and abutters.

The ZBA’s project approval was later vacated by a 2022 court ruling that the project was improperly combined with a 40B condo project. (You can read about that here.)

In 2023, developer Bill Depietri pursued a new 40B project at Park Central. Abutters publicly objected that Depeitri was violating the terms of the agreement. Depeitri then filed a lawsuit against abutters, requesting Declaratory Relief from Land Court that the Covenant Agreement is unenforceable and/or inapplicable.

Three years ago, the developer pushed to keep open paused hearings on the 40B. The ZBA eventually denied the application based on the unresolved legal issues. They told the developer that he could reapply once the case was resolved.

The trial is scheduled to run this week — Tuesday, July 21st through Thursday, July 23rd.

The post State guts Town’s ban on Use Variances appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: A retail project eagerly anticipated by many residents made it through another step in the approval process. (images from application for relief from zoning restrictions on setbacks and light pole heights)

On Wednesday night, the Zoning Board of Appeals granted Costco’s request for variances to restricted property setbacks for retaining walls and height restrictions on light poles. The developer is now able to incorporate those into the plans it will “very shortly” submit to the Planning Board when it next seeks Major Site Plan Approval.

The board unanimously voiced that rather than being forced to weigh project merits vs public safety risks, in this case they believed granting zoning relief increased public safety. Topography challenges for the site were also seen as justifying the requests.

No one from the public voiced comments against (or for) the variances prior to the board’s approval. And the board’s decision was simplified based on a very recent change to state laws.

On July 9^th, the Governor signed the budget which also included some zoning law revisions under the banner of advancing housing development. As part of the changes, the threshold for qualifying for a zoning variance was significantly eased.

Previously, applicants had to demonstrate that some aspect of the parcel posed a “substantial hardship” for the owner/applicant that a variance was required to overcome. Applicants can now simply point to a “practical difficulty” in complying with the zoning laws as written. The amended law, went into effect less than a week before Costco’s hearing last Wednesday.

The attorney for the developer, Robert Buckley, raised the “interesting situation”. He asserted that the business would still have been able to make its case under the original terms.

However, in past hearings for different projects, the definitions around the hardship concept had prompted debate among board members over how strictly they adhered to the “hardship” language.

The change made it easier for Costco to make its case. ZBA members had clearer authority to consider the challenges the variances would solve and weigh the pros and cons for the public interest (community and abutters, safety issues, etc.).

In the application for Costco, the business asserted that requested setback variances:

Will not have detrimental impact because the proposed retaining walls will be substantially screened from view from abutting properties and will not adversely affect neighboring uses. . .

The retaining walls are also setback from the property frontage and will not impact vehicular site distance.

Buckley told the ZBA that the height difference from Route 9 to the back of the property is “roughly 40 feet”. The retaining walls are to eliminate the “stiff decline” and make a level walking surface for increased safety. (The plan shows a retaining wall in the northwest section that goes from 0-30 ft high and a smaller 0-10 ft high wall at the southeast corner.)

As for the light poles, Buckley showed that adhering to the 20 ft height restriction would require placing 113 light poles, decreasing “circulation” in the parking lot for pedestrians and vehicles. Only 49 would be needed if they can place 36½ ft poles. He also pitched that the plan for lighting with taller poles allowed them to be laid out in a way that increased public safety by making the lot more uniformly lit with fewer shadows and “dark spots”. And the application assured that the plan was compliant with both the standards and intent of the Town’s lighting bylaws:

tile lighting design incorporates full cut-off fixtures and complies with all photometric and dark-sky requirements, ensuring no off-site glare or light trespass among abutting properties. The requested relief does not nullify or substantially derogate from the intent of the Bylaw, which is to protect public safety, welfare, and neighborhood character.

In addition to plans and simulations comparing the lighting if the variance was granted vs rejected, the application included a photo (from a drone) of an existing Costco site using the same concept. The image was meant to demonstrate that lighting wouldn’t “bleed” past the property boundaries.

Chair David Williams noted that with the site downhill off of Rte 9, he didn’t believe the lights would bother anyone. Member Doris Cahill asked for assurance that the lighting would look from higher up on Route 9 (worrying that it might look like a spaceship rising from below.)

Buckley and ZBA members indicated that more details of the lighting will be resolved and further vetted during the Planning Board’s future Site Plan hearing.

Near the end of the hearing – Buckley said that with the ZBA’s support of the variances, he expected the process for going before other boards to begin “within the next few weeks”.

Updated (7/21/26 11:28 am): I added an image of the retaining wall that I forgot to initially include.

The post Costco gets zoning relief from ZBA appeared first on My Southborough.

Here are the posted open, public Southborough committee and board meetings for this week* along with my selected highlights from the agendas.

As always, be aware that changes to the meeting schedule (and agendas) are known to happen throughout the week. (Scroll down for details on any meetings that popped up after last Monday’s post.) For an updated list of meetings, visit the Town website.

These days, most (but not all) meetings, can be participated in, watched live, and replayed from home.)**

Monday, July 20, 2026

• Library Board of Trustees Meeting, 11:00 am @ zoom only (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Professional Development Proposal; Appointments/Promotions of Library Associates; CPC signage for past Library projects
• Southborough Housing Authority Meeting, 5:30 pm @ Colonial Garden Community Room (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Approve amendment Contract for Financial Assistance (CFA 5001) for $167,557.64 for the projects listed.
• Affordable Housing Trust Meeting, 7:00 pm @ zoom only (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Appoint representative to Community Preservation Committee; 55+ Housing Bylaw Update; discuss potential Financing Approaches, housing strategies, and parcels for acquisition

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

• Community Preservation Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm @ Town House and zoom (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Discuss increasing CPA surcharge to 3%; Discuss applications for Fall Town Meeting (Fayville Park Improvements, Rural Cemetery Water Tower Restoration, Golf Course Irrigation, & Peninsula Trail Project), Discuss signage to complete projects

Thursday, July 23, 2026

• Conservation Commission Meeting, 7:00 pm @ zoom only (agenda with packet) Agenda Highlights: Public Hearings on Valley Rd (footbridge & trail), 14 Newton St (garage& ADU with septic replacement) 250 Turnpike Rd & Parkerville Rd (32 rental town homes), Southville Rd (two apartment buildings)
• Wastewater Study Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm @ Public Safety Building and zoom (agenda) Agenda Highlights: DIF financial analysis consultant debrief; Update on Rt 9/495 Gateway Initiative; Discuss AI results for possible sites, plans for Fall Town Meeting, filling vacancy, and continue discussing options for project financing sites, users, timeline, plans and worksteps

Looking Back:

Below are meetings from last week that were posted to the Town website after I initially ran the list last Monday morning (including ones that I added in later updates):

*I don’t list meetings that are only closed Executive Sessions unless the agenda indicates the possibility of some action in an open public session at the opening or closing of the meeting.

**Details on watching meetings remotely:

• Town Committee/Board Meetings:
  • If in-person meetings don’t also advertise a zoom option, assume that it won’t be broadcast or captured on video.
  • To remotely participate in meetings that allow zoom, click here.
  • To live stream (or view later) remote or hybrid meetings (even those covered by Southborough Access Media) over the internet, use the Town’s YouTube Channel for Remote Meetings. (The meetings covered by SAM can also be streamed on their website here, and eventually on SAM’s YouTube Channel.)
  • Cable Access — Southborough Access Media broadcasts the regular evening meetings for the Select Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals that take place in the Town House Hearing Room. (Those meetings will still allow zoom participation.) View SAM’s live and replayed broadcasts via their Government cable access channel (Verizon-37 and Charter-194).
• School Committee Meetings:
  • Subcommittee meetings and some special meetings are only available to attend/view live (in person or by “webinar”), sometimes with no later rebroadcast, sometimes later posted to Southborough Access Media here and on Verizon-37 and Charter-192 and their YouTube channel.
  • Regular Southborough School Committee meetings are generally broadcast live by Southborough Access Media here and on Verizon-37 and Charter-192. (Video replays are also usually made available through their YouTube channel within a couple of days.)
  • Regular Regional School Committee meetings (or Combined meetings based at Algonquin) are live broadcast by Northborough Cable Access here and YouTube channel, and on Southborough’s Education Channel (Verizon-29 and Charter-194). The meetings are also eventually rebroadcast and available on demand through NCAT’s VideoOnDemand player and YouTube (though that can take several days).
• Other:
  • Southborough does participate in some regional collaboratives hosted in other towns. Those committees follow their own rules and may not offer a way to re-watch zoom meetings.

Updated (7/21/26 1:23 pm): I added details for meeting posted for Thursday.

The post The week in government <i>(Updated)</i> appeared first on My Southborough.

The Only Living Heart Donor

Michael Anthony “Mike” Manzelli 62, of Midlothian VA, formerly Southborough MA, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family in the early morning hours of Friday, July 17. He was born on November 14, 1963, in Watertown Massachusetts. 

Mike lived a life defined by service, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. Whether wearing the uniform of a firefighter, caring for patients as a paramedic, serving his country in the United States Air Force, or building something beautiful with his own hands, he believed that a life well lived was one spent making the lives of others better.

Mike dedicated much of his early career to emergency services. He proudly served as a firefighter with the Southborough Fire Department and worked with numerous EMS agencies throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic as a Nationally Registered Paramedic. He also shared his passion for emergency medicine as an EMS instructor at MassBay Community College, helping educate and inspire the next generation of first responders, as well as served as Chief of the Bermuda Bensley Volunteer Rescue Squad in Chester VA.

His calm professionalism became well known throughout his career. One of the proudest moments of his professional life came when a local newspaper referred to him as, “The Only Living Heart Donor”, claiming he had, “Ice water in his veins,” recognizing his extraordinary composure and dedication to saving lives in emergency medicine.

Mike also proudly served his country for twenty years in the United States Air Force, retiring with the rank of Technical Sergeant. During his military career, he supported Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and later served during the early days of the Global War on Terror.

Following his first heart attack, Mike stepped away from emergency medicine and returned to his family’s roots in construction. As a talented carpenter and cabinet builder, he found joy in creating things that would last. His craftsmanship reflected the same patience, precision, and pride that had defined every chapter of his life.

Outside of work, Mike found happiness in woodworking, cooking for family and friends, building and repairing just about anything, and tinkering with small electronics. From the time he was a young boy, he was captivated by America’s space program. He followed every launch with awe, and that fascination never left him. The courage, ingenuity, and spirit of exploration embodied by those missions remained an inspiration throughout his life.

Mike also devoted countless hours to his community as Cub Scout Master for Pack 26 in Southborough, Massachusetts, mentoring young people with the same kindness and steady guidance that characterized every part of his life.

Above all, Mike’s greatest pride was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend whose love was measured not by words alone, but by his actions. His strength, quiet generosity, and willingness to help anyone in need will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In his final years, Mike demonstrated the same courage he had shown throughout his life. After receiving the gift of a heart transplant, he fought through extraordinary medical challenges with determination, resilience, and hope. Though the road was difficult, he faced every obstacle with the quiet strength that had defined him for decades, drawing comfort from the unwavering love of his family and friends.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Howard; his mother, Barbara Manzelli; his children, Christopher Manzelli and his wife Pamela, and Stephanie Manzelli and her husband Shane; his step children, Evan Howard, Chad Howard, Paul Howard and his wife Megan, and Colleen Howard; his cherished grandchildren, Vivian Manzelli, Sutton Powell, Teigen Powell, Olivia Howard, Violet Howard, Finn Howard, and Eden Howard; his sister, Barbara “Barbie” Trychon and her husband David; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony “Tony” Manzelli; his beloved wife, Gail Smalley Manzelli; his sister, Lynne Marie Manzelli; and his nephew, Brandon Egeness.

Mike was also proudly, “Uncle Mike” to Britney Gillespie, Katelyn Egeness, Ashley Thomas, Zachary Thomas, McKenzie Thomas, Matthew Trychon, and Jeffrey Trychon, all of whom held a special place in his heart.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to the countless physicians, nurses, therapists, first responders, hospice caregivers, and medical professionals who cared for Mike throughout his life and especially during his final journey. Their compassion and dedication brought comfort to both Mike and those who loved him.

Mike’s legacy will not be measured solely by the lives he saved, the homes he built, or the years he served his country. It will be measured by the countless people who became better because they knew him. His example of selfless service, quiet strength, humility, and unconditional love will continue to inspire his family for generations to come.

For more than four decades, Mike answered the call whenever someone needed help, whether as a firefighter, a paramedic, an airmen, a teacher, a craftsman, a Scout leader, a husband, a father, or a grandfather. He gave of himself freely, asking for little in return.

True to the man, a simple graveside service will be performed at a later date in Newton Massachusetts. For those who wish to truly honor Mike’s memory, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers or charitable donations, you carry his legacy forward through a simple act of service. Perform one small act of kindness or lend a helping hand to someone in need, something that leaves your family, your neighborhood, or your community just a little better than you found it. Mike believed that even the smallest acts of compassion could make a lasting difference, and there is no greater tribute to his life than continuing that spirit of service.

Now, his watch has ended. A life dedicated to serving others has earned its well-deserved rest. Though he will be deeply missed, his memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved him.

(Photo and Obituary via Legacy.com)

The post Obituary: Michael Anthony Manzelli, 62 appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: A peek at some of this week’s highlights (images cropped from flyers and Facebook)

Here are highlights of what’s happening around (or related to) our town next week.

Scroll to the bottom for info on additional activities and camps this summer.*

(The gray font below is for previously established long running events that take place weekly or bi-weekly.)

Monday, July 20, 2026

• Morning Walking/Running Group (7:00 am) @ Trottier Middle School’s outdoor track, 49 Parkerville Rd: Drop-in to walk or run with others every Monday in July as part of Southborough Recreation’s celebration of National Parks & Rec Month.
• Walking Group for Seniors (8:30 am) @ Trottier Middle School’s outdoor track, 49 Parkerville Rd: Free weekly walking group organized by the Southborough Senior Center. Walkers generally go for an hour, but continue for as long as you wish. The location is a loop, so feel free to join late.
• Rummikub (11:00 am) @ Southborough Senior Center: Drop-in to the game group for seniors, meeting the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Monday of each month.
• Knitting Club & Quilting Club (1:00 pm) @ Southborough Senior Center: Weekly opportunity for senior crafters to work on their projects in a social setting, including knitting, sewing, cross stitching, needle point.
• Comic Button Making (2:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Southborough Library, Eaton Room: Ages 11+ are invited to drop-in during this weekly opportunity this summer. Make customized pin-on buttons using comic books and the library’s button maker. Registration is not required.

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

• Discounted Golf (6:00 am – 3:00 pm) @ Southborough Golf Club: The Town is offering discounted Greens Fees to Southborough residents on Tuesdays in July as part of National Parks & Recreation month. For details, see related post.
• Spicy Ladies Club (11:00 am) @ Southborough Senior Center: A monthly social group for seniors. New members are welcome to drop-in. For details, see related post.
• Bridge (12:00 pm) @ Southborough Senior Center: A weekly card group for seniors, welcoming new participants. For details, contact the Senior Center at 508-229-4453.
• Nature Story Time (1:30 – 2:15 pm) @ Southborough Library, Children’s Room: Registration is required for this free program run by DCR for ages 2-5 years old. This month’s theme is Over in the Garden. For details, see related post.
• TLT: Lego Kits (4:30 – 5:30 pm) @ Southborough Library Main Floor: The library holds a monthly Teen Library Team volunteer program for ages 10-18 to make projects for others in need. This month volunteers will compile lego kits to be donated to youth in the foster care system. For details, see related post.
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night (8:00 – 10:00 pm) @ Owen O’Leary’s, 50 Turnpike Rd: Weekly Trivia game night with prizes. For details, see dedicated post.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

• Walking Group for Seniors (8:30 am) @ Southborough cemetery, 11 Cordaville Road: Free weekly walking group organized by the Southborough Senior Center. Walkers generally go for an hour, but continue for as long as you wish. The location is a loop, so feel free to join late.
• American Mah Jongg Meetup (1:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Southborough Library, Main Floor Stacks: Biweekly opportunity. Drop ins are welcome, but groups of 4 are generally necessary to play. For details, see related post.
• Cancelled – Mr. Vinny’s Bubble Show (3:30 – 4:15 pm) @ Southborough Library: Mr. Vinny will bring giant bubble wands for fun on the library lawn! Kids of all ages are welcome to attend this free program sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library. (Postponed to Wednesday, August 19th at 3:30 pm.) For details, see detailed post.
• Felted Wildflower Hoop (5:30 – 7:00pm) @ Southborough Library: Registration is required for this free program for for adults and teens ages 12+ to create a stunning felted landscape. For details, see related post.
• WooSox’s “Town Takeover” (6:45pm) @ Southborough Library: At this Borough’s night event, $5 from each ticket purchased through the Southborough event link will benefit the Town Scholarship Fund. For details, see dedicated post.
• Southborough Rotary Club (7:00 – 8:00 pm) @ Southborough Library, main floor: Regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Southborough. New and prospective members are always welcome. (Held on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month.)
• Live Blues Jam n’ Open Mic (8:00 – 11:00 pm) @ Owen O’Leary’s, 50 Turnpike Rd: Come play or sing with the house band and fellow musical talent, or just enjoy the show. For details, click here.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

• Mah Jongg (10:00 am) @ Southborough Senior Center: The weekly program for seniors would love new players to join. Feel free to stop by to watch or talk to one of the players to see if you would be interested. For details, contact the Senior Center at 508-229-4453.
• Youth Nature Club (4:30 – 5:30pm) @ Southborough Library: Volunteers in grades 6th – 12th are invited to take part in nature themed activities, like helping with the library’s veggie & native plant gardens.. For details, see related post.
• Summer Block Party (6:00 – 8:00 pm) @ Finn School playground, 60 Richards Road: Southborough Recreation’s free party features free family fun, including music and a visit from Red Sox’s Wally. For details, see dedicated post.
• Sit & Knit (6:30 – 8:30 pm) @ Southborough Library: For the summer, this twice monthly program for ages 18+ moves to Thursday evenings. Drop in and work on your latest knitting or crochet projects in a social setting. All levels are welcome but no formal instruction will be given.
• Karaoke (9:00 – 11:00 pm) @ Owen O’Leary’s, 50 Turnpike Rd: Come and be the star. DJ and Karaoke at Owens every Thursday.

Friday, July 24, 2026

• Wizards (9:00 am) @ Southborough Senior Center: This senior social group, is a spinoff to the popular Dull Men’s Club and meets immediately prior. They’ll “generally discuss subjects relating to science and technology”. For details, see related post.
• Dull Men’s Club (10:00 am) @ Southborough Senior Center: Casual social club for senior men. New members are always welcome to drop in. For details, see dedicated post.
• Kids Jam (11:00 – 11:30 am) @ Southborough Library Children’s Room: Newborns through preschoolers are invited to dance and sing. No registration necessary. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library.
• Canasta (11:15 am) @ Southborough Senior Center: A weekly card group for seniors playing “Hand & Foot”. For details, contact the Senior Center at 508-229-4453.
• American Mah Jongg Meetup (1:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Southborough Library, Main Floor Stacks: Biweekly opportunity. Drop ins are welcome, but groups of 4 are generally necessary to play. For details, see related post.
• Board Games for Teens (2:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Southborough Library, Eaton Room: Drop in to play with other game enthusiasts.

Saturday, July 25, 2026

• Live Music with Getaway (8:00 pm) @ Owen O’Leary’s, 50 Turnpike Rd: The cover band will perform Classic Rock/Pop/Dance tunes from the 70s-90s. For details, click here.

*Some other opportunities that aren’t special/weekly events (like Art on the Trails, Summer Reading program activities, or favorite-places/activities in our region) can be found under my posts on Summer Fun for Adults and What to Do with Kids this Summer. (I’ll be adding to these tagged lists throughout the summer.) You can also click here for Summer Camps.

Updated (7/21/26 9:22 am) I fixed the link under the TLT program to the correct post.

Updated (7/21/26 5:44 pm): Due to the potential thunderstorms forecast for the original schedule, the Giant Bubble show program is postponed. It is rescheduled for Wednesday, August 19th at 3:30 pm.

The post Events this week <i>(Updated)</i> appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: This home at 45 Highland Street went on the market this week for $850,000 (MLS photo)

Here’s what went on and off the market this week. Thanks to Gail DuBois (email) of William Raveis Real Estate for supplying the town’s new listing information for the week.*

New on the market

• 45 Highland Street (map) – 7 room, 4 bed, 2f 0h bath Colonial – $850,000
• 8 Partridge Hill Road (map) – 11 room, 4 bed, 3f 1h bath Colonial, Garrison – $999,520
• 39 Darlene Drive (map) – 10 room, 3 bed, 3f 1h bath Colonial – $1,349,000

No pending sales were newly posted this week

Sold*

• 25 Park Street (map) – 8 room, 4 bed, 1f 1h bath Antique, Farmhouse – 16 days on the Market, Listed at $649,000, Sold at $650,000
• 44 Gilmore Road (map) – 11 room, 4 bed, 3f 1h bath Colonial, Garrison – 96 days on the Market, Listed at $949,900, Sold at $949,900
• 14 Hillside Ave (map) – 10 room, 4 bed, 4f 0h bath Colonial, Contemporary – 36 days on the Market, Listed at $1,449,000, Sold at $1,375,000

*Listings for the week are based on data pulled from MLS on Thursday mornings. Occasionally, that includes “sold” info that isn’t captured by MLS until a week (or more) following the sale. [Listings don’t include houses that weren’t publicly listed through MLS.]

The post On the market this week in Southborough appeared first on My Southborough.