News and events in Southborough, MA

Southborough Emergency Services will be running a drill today, Wednesday, December 11. Since it is taking place on Newton Street, it may have some impact on traffic during the day.

From 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes to using Newton Street. The street will be open to through traffic. Drivers are just asked to use caution.

SOUTHBOROUGH HANDS-ON TRAINING DRILL

The Town of Southborough Emergency Services Departments, in conjunction with the UMass/Memorial Medical Center – Marlborough Hospital, will be conducting a hands-on training drill at 28 Newton Street, Southborough (the Southborough Medical Group building) from 12:00pm – 4:00pm on Wednesday, December 11, 2013.

This drill will exercise and challenge the Staff employed at the UMass/Memorial suite located at 28 Newton Street and Southborough Fire, Police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), as well as various other assisting local, regional and state departments/agencies (on and off site).

The physical hands-on scope of the drill will entail a hazardous materials incident with a subsequent mass-causality incident and be limited to 60-90 minutes. There will be a narrow focus on the pre-established goals and objectives of the drill.

It should be noted that the drill will utilize live radio transmissions throughout the drill. Such communications will be preceded by the statement: “This is a Drill”.

Newton Street will be open to thru traffic, but motorist are asked to use caution. When possible, motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes from 11:00am-5:00pm. The Southborough Medical Group will be accessible at all times and operate normally with little to no impact from the drill.

Any media representatives interested in attending should notify Lt. Neal Aspesi at 508-485-3235 or naspesi@southboroughma.com, no later than 5:00pm on Tuesday,
December 10, 2013.

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Last week, I shared the news that Southborough Firefighters outsourced their fundraising calls to professionals. Funds were being raised for The Southborough Permanent Firefighters IAFF Local 3129.

I explained that only a portion of the proceeds would go to the firefighters. (That’s the trade off for using professionals.) Unfortunately, a complaint that one caller used deceptive tactics has put a halt to the efforts.

According to The Metrowest Daily News, a Southborough resident complained that a caller told him that he was a firefighter and all funds would go directly to the firefighters.

In a statement Monday, Southborough Permanent Firefighters Association Local 3129 said a professional company, All Pro Productions of Marlborough, began a fundraising drive on its behalf on Nov. 1.

The union said it became aware of a complaint about the company on Dec. 6 and, after speaking with All Pro, terminated the drive immediately “out of an abundance of caution.

“(Our) primary responsibility is to the citizens and businesses of the town of Southborough and we would like to continue to work together to make our community the best it can be,” the union wrote.

All Pro Vice President Maurice Rondeau said Monday that the company has made thousands of calls in Southborough in the past month and has received zero complaints.

For the full MWDN story, click here.

If you think it’s a shame that their fundraising efforts are halted, remember you can still support them. One way is through their Christmas Tree sales. But you can also contact the department to inquire about direct contributions.

(Image posted to Flickr by Philippe Put)

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