My Southborough — News and events in Southborough, MA

Putt Putt Palooza – March 20

by beth on March 5, 2015

Above: Sisters enjoy a round of mini-golf at the annual Finn SOS fundraiser (Photo by Beth Melo)

Finn SOS is putting on its annual spring Putt Putt Palooza this month.

Save Friday, March 20 for a night of fun for the kiddies. (They don’t need to be Finn students to enjoy the fun.)

Admission includes a slice of pizza, a drink, carnival games, and the title event. [click to keep reading…]

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On the market this week in Southborough

by beth on March 5, 2015

Above: This home at 4 Fairview Drive went on the market this week for $400,000 (MLS photo)

Here’s what went on and off the market this week. Thanks to Gail DuBois (email) of Keller Williams for supplying the town’s new listing information for the week.

New on the market

4 Fairview Drive (map) – 8 room, 3 bed, 2f 0h bath Ranch – $400,000
6 Flagg Road (map) – 8 room, 3 bed, 2f 1h bath Split Entry – $589,000
3 Wells Lane (map) – 12 room, 4 bed, 4f 1h bath Colonial – $979,800
2 Nipmuc Lane (map) – 12 room, 5 bed, 5f 2h bath Colonial – $1,225,000
8 Schipper Farm Lane (map) – 13 room, 4 bed, 4f 2h bath Cape – $2,000,000

Sale pending

120 Deerfoot Road (map) – 8 room, 3 bed, 3f 0h bath Cape – 253 days on the Market, Listed at $387,000
20 Latisquama Road (map) – 7 room, 3 bed, 2f 1h bath Colonial – 60 days on the Market, Listed at $849,900

Sold

119 Northboro Road (map) – 8 room, 4 bed, 2f 0h bath Colonial – 79 days on the Market, Listed at $419,900, Sold at $395,000
6 Orchard Street (map) – 9 room, 4 bed, 2f 1h bath Colonial – 218 days on the Market, Listed at $735,000, Sold at $711,180

Tagged as: Southborough Houses for Sale, Southborough Real Estate

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Upcoming Town Meeting articles: Drainage for country road, sticker for swap shop and recycling, repairs for tennis courts and much more

by beth on March 5, 2015

The Annual Town Meeting is approaching. (Monday, April 13 may seem a ways away. But not if you’re one of the people working to get your article in front of the voters.)

Yesterday, I shared the Town Administrator’s recommended budget. What I didn’t mention is that his report also includes a preview of the articles up for vote this spring.

This isn’t the official warrant, so it’s just an overview of “notable” articles. In addition to the mandatory annual articles, the report listed twelve more to expect.

Four articles are being brought to voters via citizen’s petition:

Clifford Street Drainage: This is a citizen’s petition that seeks funding authorization to improve the “country road” drainage challenges between 18 and 28 Clifford Street by installing a formal drainage system and to crown and re-pave that section of Clifford Street.
Special Transfer Station Sticker: This is a citizen’s petition that requests the creation of a special sticker allowing admittance only to the swap shop, recycling bins, and the can & bottle bins at the transfer station for the cost of $25.00 per year.
Automated and searchable correspondence between Boards and Committees. (Look for more on this and the discussion at this week’s Board of Selectman meeting in a future post.)
Additional Alcohol License for Stony Brook Market

Articles sponsored by Town committees are:

Pay and Class Study: Would ask for adjustments to any positions outside the final recommended ranges of recent salary review of Salary Administration Plan employees. (Read past coverage.)
Restoration of four tennis courts. Funding would come from the Community Preservation Fund. Four courts would be repaired and restored with warranties. (One is behind Finn School and three are by Neary School.)
An amendment to the Town Code would set guidelines for demolition delays. (See past coverage.)
The Recreation Commission proposes to replace the lighting at the Mooney and Choate Fields. (See past coverage.)

[click to keep reading…]

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Learn about Tick-Borne diseases – March 24

by beth on March 5, 2015

Above: Along with the greener pastures of spring (which will come eventually) come the dangers of illnesses from ticks. (Photo of deer tick posted to Flickr by s p e x)

It’s hard to imagine that’s spring’s around the corner. But I’m sure we’re all looking forward to lawns that are green instead of white.

With the joys of being outdoors in the springtime, come the dangers, too. According to a news release by Southborough Open Land Foundation:

Massachusetts and New England are among the areas in the U.S. that have the highest incidence of tick-borne Lyme disease. And there are approximately 300,000 cases of Lyme disease nationwide each year.

That’s why SOLF and the Board of Health are co-sponsoring a public presentation on Tick-Borne Diseases, including Lyme Disease. [click to keep reading…]

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Town Budget preview

by beth on March 4, 2015

The Town Administrator has published his recommended FY16 budget with a $1.85 million increase. According to TA Mark Purple, the budget calls for an average tax bill increase of 2.87%.

Purple estimated an average homeowner could pay $256 more in taxes. But he pointed out to the Board of Selectmen that town-wide assessments of property values the town has been conducting could effect the figures.

The TA walked the board through the budget highlights last night. He explained the actual tax burden may be lower.

Purple said that the budget is based on level funding from the state. But he shared that the Governor’s office announced this week that an increase in local aid is coming. He quoted Lt Governor Karyn Polito as saying “Level funding is a cut.”

Another budget variable is an insurance hike the Town needs to deal with. Only three days prior, they learned that one of their health insurance providers is planning a 16.5% increase in reaction to a claim filed this year.

He reassured the board that they are investigating other providers and options. And Purple told selectmen that if they can’t get a better rate, the increase could cause employees to switch plans, which would mitigate the increase. But for now, the hike is included in the budget as a worst case scenario. [click to keep reading…]

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Collection drive to deliver Birthday Wishes

by beth on March 4, 2015

Above: Some local girls are helping to give Happy Birthdays to homeless children (Image from Birthday Wishes Facebook page)

A troop of Southborough Girl Scouts is seeking help to give homeless children their Birthday Wishes.

The scouts are collecting new toys for charity. The toys will be donated to the Massachusetts based charity, Birthday Wishes:

The mission of Birthday Wishes is to provide birthday parties for homeless children. We believe that all children, regardless of their living situation, should celebrate their birthdays joyfully, surrounded by family, friends, and others who care.

Troop 72786 is seeking donations of NEW toys.

You can drop off the gifts in their collection bin, located in the lobby of Neary School.

Click to enlarge

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Algonquin Start Time organizers ask for support on March 18

March 4, 2015 07:30:52 AM

An update on the district’s study group to alleviate the problem of over-tired ARHS students. And a story by local news on the issue in the district and surrounding region.

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Photo Gallery: Behind the scenes at the Boy Scout pancake breakfast

March 3, 2015 04:20:03 PM

Here are some highlights of events in and around Southborough this week.

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Family fun festival at Fay – March 28

March 3, 2015 02:30:37 PM

Fay School is holding its 5th Annual Fay Festival on Saturday, March 28. To lure families in to learn about Fay Day Camp, they are offering a free day of fun for 2-10 year olds.

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Girls can explore becoming Women in STEM – register for free now

March 3, 2015 11:30:18 AM

If you are looking to encourage your 5th – 8th grade daughter(s) to explore a future in science or math, take note. The Northboro Junior Woman’s Club is holding its 8th “Women in Science & Math Conference”.

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