My Southborough

Town update on EEE news

by beth on August 23, 2019

As I previously shared, aerial spraying for mosquitoes is scheduled to begin in our area on Sunday night and last several nights.

Southborough Emergency Management asked me to share a link to the Town’s centralized information hub on the issue. You can find that here. Lt. Neal Aspesi explained:

All updates moving forward will be uploaded to [that site]. Any specific questions that cannot be answered from the information and links on the website should be directed to the Board of Health during their normal business hours.

It is important to note that Southborough is not directly involved with the ground or aerial spraying processes, and as such will not have access to real-time minute to minute updates. However, MDPH has been very proficient in providing the town with updates regularly, any new/pertinent information will be uploaded to the town website.

The Board of Health contact information is:

Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm

Phone: (508) 481-3013

Tagged as: safety-alert

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Southborough Summer Nights during the day: All you need to know

by beth on August 23, 2019

Above: The free family fun has moved up to end before dusk this year. (photos L-R by Beth Melo and Susan Fitzgerald)

Here is everything you need to know about the 16th annual Southborough summer festival.

First, some safety notes. With the time change, it may be hotter than usual. So Southborough Rec is asking everyone to remember to stay hydrated. And since the change is due to the EEE threat, you should also wear/bring some bug spray.

Now here are the event details:

Schedule

Ignore the “Nights” part of the name this year. Southborough Summer Nights is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, August 24.

Field is open – 2:30 to 5:30 pm – Free activities, exhibits, and food vendors

3:00 – 5:00 pm – Music

It turns out that the original band couldn’t make the time change. Recreation was able to book The Railroad House Band. They’ll play a mix of bluegrass, western swing, and acoustic Americana music on the outdoor stage.

Parking

Parking is available at both Neary & Trottier Schools. (However the access road between is closed.) There is a designated drop-off/pick up site on Parkerville at Lundblad Field. A new announcement hasn’t been issued, but am told it is the same as years past – so you can go by the details in this old announcement.

Schedule

(click to enlarge map)

5:oo pm – Dusk: Free kids’ attractions, Booths, and Food Vendors (Click map to enlarge for information on activities layout.)

6:00 – 8:00 pm: The Boston Naturals

Dusk: Fireworks

Activities

Booths exhibiting local businesses and organizations. Many offer great freebies, so be sure to visit. (On the map, these are represented by the curved light blue line near the picnic area.)

Vendors include: Launch Entertainment Park, Villaris Martial Arts, Middlesex Savings Bank, Fay School, Renewal by Andersen, Kassatly Novelties, Eagle Scout bake sale, and the Cadence Academy.

Free Attractions –

Pony rides
Face Painting (by professionals)
Rock Climbing Wall
Inflatable Moon Bounces
65’ Inflatable Obstacle Course
3-hole mini golf
Photo Booth
Basketball Shootout
Balloon Artist

Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS One

The fundraiser will take place on the field near the pony rides. (I added a purple star to the map to help you find the tent.) For details on the fundraiser, click here.

Robot Test drive –

ARHS Robotics will be back with their hands-on activities on the tennis courts. (I’m not sure if that will be free this year or a fundraiser. But, even when they charge a fee to participate, it’s peanuts. And it’s always free to watch.)

Food Vendors – located between the school and playground.

This year’s food trucks and booths are:

The Dogfather – hot dogs and more!
Dean’s Concessions – cotton candy, fried dough, French fries, etc
StrEAT Food RX – Tacos, Nachos, salad, sliders, gluten free options
Dominoes Pizza
Uhlmans Ice Cream

Free fun “made possible”

None of this would be possible without the event’s many sponsors and volunteers. Click on the image right for the list of this year’s big sponsors cropped from the original flyer.

Send in your pics

I will be taking photos tomorrow, but I’d love to get your shots, too.

E-mail me your favorite pics from the event to mysouthborough@gmail.com. I hope to post a gallery early next week.

Tagged as: Southborough Summer NIghts 2019, summer-fun-for-adults-2019, what-to-do-with-kids-this-summer-2019

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Food Pantry thanks Chestnut Hill Farm and Southborough Rotary Club

by beth on August 23, 2019

Recently, the Southborough Food Pantry shared its appreciation on Facebook for more generous donations. (Click images to enlarge.)

The first thanks was for another donation of fresh produce this week:

So grateful to Chesnut Hill Farm for supplying fresh veggies every year. The produce is such a big hit with all the clients. Thank you so much!

Another big thanks was for a donation by the Southborough Rotary Club. Ten days ago, the Rotary posted:

Time to drop off some supplies to the Southborough Food Pantry! About 6 weeks ago the Pantry advised they would need paper towels around now. Club was happy to help them restock their shelves with that and some other key items. Various pantries in the area notice a discernible decrease and shift in donation patterns during the summer time when people are on vacation or out of town. The Southborough Pantry’s “wish” list changes depending upon recent donations received and they keep current needed items list posted on their website.

Tagged as: feelgood-fridays

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Kindergroup: Open House and open registration

by beth on August 23, 2019

Above: Kindergroup offers fun for tots and their parents/caregivers throughout most of the year. (images cropped from flyer)

Southborough Kindergroup is about to kickoff their new season. Whether you are a parent/caregiver interested in making friends for yourself and the kids or a returning member, you’ll want to save the date for the Open House on September 12th.

For those of you unfamiliar to Kindergoup. . .

The co-operative playgroup has been a starting point for friendships between moms, kids, and families since 1977. It’s the best way I know of to connect with other mothers in town. (Although, it is also open to fathers, caregivers [such as nannies or grandparents], and residents of nearby towns.)

I loved my experience. And I still enjoy the friendships and many acquaintances I made through the group.

Traditional, full membership meets weekly in the morning, throughout the school year.

This isn’t a drop-in or drop-off activity. Members join the day of the week that works best for their schedule. (For new members, they are currently offering either Tuesdays or Fridays.) Most weeks, that consists of meeting in their regular playspace. These days, that is Fay School’s Upjohn Building, 48 Main Street. As a “cooperative” group, parents/caregivers share and alternate certain duties throughout the season.

Throughout the year, the group also plans special, offsite field trips. They also hold nights out for the adult members to have some kid-free fun.

A few years ago, they began offering a “Social Membership” for those who want to be included only in the group’s field trips, special events, and Members Night Out events.

The Open House is Thursday, September 12th at 7:30 pm. It’s a chance for new and potential members to meet returning members and learn about the group. That will be held in the Community House at 28 Main Street. You can find details here.

You can learn more about Kindergroup on their website, www.kindergroup.com.

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On the market this week in Southborough

by beth on August 23, 2019

Above: This home at 65 William Onthank Lane went on the market this week for $489,900 (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

65 William Onthank Lane (map) – 7 room, 2 bed, 2f 1h bath Detached, Townhouse – $489,900
Lot 5 Deerfoot Road (map) – 9 room, 4 bed, 3f 1h bath Colonial – $1,349,000

Sale pending

9 Cherry Street (map) – : Fayville 6 room, 3 bed, 1f 1h bath Colonial – 128 days on the Market, Listed at $385,000
6 Walker Street (map) – 7 room, 3 bed, 2f 0h bath Split Entry – 9 days on the Market, Listed at $475,000
35 Clifford Road (map) – 9 room, 5 bed, 2f 1h bath Colonial, Cape, Other (See Remarks) – 18 days on the Market, Listed at $730,000
118 Deerfoot Road (map) – 12 room, 4 bed, 3f 1h bath Colonial – 112 days on the Market, Listed at $779,000
3 Michael Circle (map) – 10 room, 4 bed, 2f 1h bath Colonial – 19 days on the Market, Listed at $789,900

Sold

7 Wildwood Drive, Unit 7 (map) – 5 room, 2 bed, 2f 1h bath HalfDuplex – 98 days on the Market, Listed at $419,000, Sold at $397,000

*Listings for the week are based on data pulled from MLS on Thursday mornings.

Tagged as: Southborough Houses for Sale, Southborough Real Estate

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Aerial Mosquito spraying “anticipated” to begin in our area on Sunday (Updated)

by beth on August 22, 2019

Above: The most recent map of the EEE threat posed by mosquitoes in Massachussetts shows Southborough and some neighboring towns in the highest risk level category. (image from mass.gov)

The state has announced that aerial spraying is anticipated to begin for 17 communities in our area on Sunday. It isn’t certain yet when Southborough will actually be sprayed and how many times. Yesterday’s press release explains:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) today announced that aerial spraying for mosquitoes will take place in parts of Worcester and Middlesex Counties which is anticipated to begin this Sunday. . .

MDAR will conduct and monitor aerial spraying in these specific areas of Worcester and Middlesex Counties anticipated to begin on Sunday, August 25, and continue over several evenings. However, the ability to spray is weather-dependent and the schedule may change. Officials will continue to monitor the area over the next two weeks to evaluate whether a second round of spraying may be required to achieve maximal effectiveness.

The spraying for this region will cover the 6 critical risk towns for mosquito-borne EEE in our area (Southborough, Grafton, Westborough, Hopkinton, Shrewsbury, Upton, and Northbridge), the five “high risk” neighbors (Northborough, Marlborough, Framingham, Millbury, and Sutton), plus Ashland (“moderate risk”), Berlin and Sudbury (“low risk”), and Worcester (“remote risk” for EEE but the only town in the area with a “moderate” or higher risk for mosquito-borne West Nile Virus).

For more details on the spraying, the public is referred to the DPH website for the latest updates. That page links to a map for spraying in our area. But that map is yet to be posted. Click here closer to Sunday to check if it has been posted.

Earlier this week, the Superintendent of Northborough-Southborough schools announced that they will be complying with the state recommendation by closing the Southborough schools’ fields from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. With the risk in Northborough raised to “high”, I wondered if there was an impact to the Algonquin fields. Superintendent Greg Martineau informed me that they are in the process of working with Northborough Town officials to determine if any changes are necessary. They expect to have a decision within a day or two.

Here are more details from the press release: [click to keep reading…]

Tagged as: safety-alert

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Assabet Valley seeking Southborough representative to School Committee; Apply by August 28th (Updated)

August 22, 2019 08:00:18 AM

The Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School Committee needs someone from Southborough to join them.

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Obituary: James (Jim) B. Haugen, 60

August 21, 2019 07:10:02 PM

James (Jim) B. Haugen, 60, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 after a brief but courageous battle against cancer.

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“Here, Deon”: Owner seeking lost cat

August 21, 2019 02:37:44 PM

Has anyone seen this cat’s brother wandering around town?

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Southborough Ice Bucket Challenge – Saturday afternoon (throughout Summer Nights)

August 21, 2019 12:41:05 PM

The community is invited to again participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS One and to support #Shifstrong. However, with the change in the schedule of Southborough Summer Nights from night to day, there’s a change in the format.

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Trottier announces no more trips to Stone

August 21, 2019 08:54:02 AM

Trottier Middle School shared some disappointing news yesterday. The annual 6th grade two night trip to Stone Environmental School can no longer take place.

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