Open discussion thread: Ask questions, share opinions

Above: I’ve noticed a few overdue signs of spring around town. Can’t wait for everything else to start blooming. (Photo by Susan Fitzgerald)

I’m excited to take a little time off. So I’m leaving you to entertain each other.

It’s time for another open thread. What’s on your mind this week, Southborough?

For those of you new to the blog, the open discussion thread is your place to ask questions, sound off on town issues, or share information with other readers. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

  • Ask questions about programs in town or the town itself
  • Post a note about things that you’re selling or giving away, or things that you want
  • Share notices about upcoming events (Southborough or otherwise)
  • Register your thoughts on town issues or news stories
  • Point out interesting or helpful resources

You can add comments to the thread throughout the week. Check back often to see new comments. (If you read the blog via email or RSS, you might want to check the site from time to time for new comments.)

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23 Comments
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Sharon
8 years ago

Why do landscaping companies blow all of the debris into the road? Seems all wrong to me as then it becomes someone else’s problem. Also, doesn’t it eventually just get blown back onto the property by traffic going by.? I think they need to sweep it up and dispose of it properly.

Mary
8 years ago
Reply to  Sharon

And they park on the streets blocking traffic and spilling gas and oil on the streets. I hate how they think they own the roads. There should be a law that they need to park in the customers driveway!

Sobo Resident
8 years ago
Reply to  Mary

Sometimes the vehicles cannot fit into the driveway. I know it is a nuisance, but can you imagine how hard these people are working to make our town look nicer, let’s give them the space and respect they deserve. If you’ve ever tried to do that kind of work, you’d have a new appreciation for the stress of their jobs.

Mary
8 years ago
Reply to  Sobo Resident

A lot of the time they can fit in driveways but choose not to. It’s not a nuisance it’s a hazard. They are not making our town look nicer they are making private properties look nicer! I am often out walking my dog and have to avoid spilled gasoline and oil on the street where a landscaper has parked and refilled his equipment. I have total respect for our town workers, they keep the town well maintained and looking nice. I maintain my own yard so I do appreciate the “stress” of having a nice yard.

Sobo Resident
8 years ago
Reply to  Mary

I have respect for the landscapers as well. They are decent people. I know a lot of them, just trying to make a decent living.

Mistakes Happen
8 years ago

I misread my property tax amount last quarter and short changed the town 1 cent. My current tax bill includes a charge of interest of 51 cents because of that error. Does that mean that if I was off by $10.00 that my interest would be $510.00? Talk about paying for (honest) mistakes!

SouthboroDave
8 years ago

Good question, but there is likely some minimum charge. Perhaps the min is $0.50 and they hit you with 0.51?

neighbor
8 years ago

Its our government. Take it back. Wait until you miss paying your road tax for a month with levies and fines over $100

Over the winter my daughter pulled up to south station to drop a friend at the train. Signs are covered, there is no where to go, just pulled up in a wrong spot (taxi stand?), camera took a pic and we received a fine of $50. The kicker is I did not open int I tossed it because all the post office delivers these days (another entity to get rid of and let the private sector handle mail) so we got the fine and $16 fee.

It is all too much but only 50 people showed up to the town meeting and many many taxes will be raise, additional (try to get rid of one employee not needed in the cemetery group) personal, raises for government employees , no one want to put an end to it.

BUT… the debt will and that is why we have our own troops doing exercises on American soil in American cities….. oh boy, here come the black helicopter accusers, you shall see.

Publius
8 years ago
Reply to  neighbor

Are not taxes the price of a free and just society?

Al Hamilton
8 years ago
Reply to  Publius

unfree and unjust governments also have taxes.

Art Fay
8 years ago

We recently received a notice from the Board of Assessors stating that there will be inspections of all property in town, conducted by some third-party consultants. The notice says that the inspectors will want to enter our homes. Are we legally obliged to let them in?

John Kendall
8 years ago

No, I haven’t contacted Karen Galligan, but I was wondering when street sweeping will start? Other towns including marlborough are way ahead of us on this. After this past winter, it would be nice to see all the sand go away.

Tom Marcoulier
8 years ago
Reply to  John Kendall

The street sweeper needs to be repaired. That is causing a delay in starting…… Oops that was mean. :-)

resident
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom Marcoulier

The street sweeper is in the garage with the sidewalk plow. Funny how we only know something is broken at the DPW when we need it. Imagine if we did that with the fire and police vehicles!

Anne
8 years ago
Reply to  resident

DPW has been slipping. The roads were not plowed well in comparison to other towns, some roads are crumbling and the sand and salt piles are aweful. maybe we need a new head of DPW.

Allan Bezanson
8 years ago

The Southborough Historical Society will hold its 50th Annual meeting on Sunday afternoon, April 26th, at 2:00 PM at the museum on Common Street. After a short business meeting with election of officers there will be two presentations about a 19th century event that shaped our town. Admission to the museum is free, and the Society will be pleased to welcome newcomers.

Sean Fisher from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will speak about current work on “The Metropolitan Water Works Photo Collection Digital Project”. The work involves digitizing hundreds of photos of the construction of the reservoirs in the 1890s. The Society is in possession of 88 of these photos which will be turned over to him for the project.

Allan Bezanson from Friends of Burnett-Garfield House will talk about “When a Thirsty City Swallowed Deerfoot Farm”. Plans obtained from the US National Park Service Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site (Olmsted Job #1432, Joseph Burnett) will be displayed. The plans are from 1894, before Stony Brook was flooded. If Olmsted’s proposed sketch had been adopted by the Boston Water Board, a section of the Sudbury Reservoir today would have a “meandering shoreline”, the adjacent land would be “graded with gentle undulations” and the “projecting parts of the shore planted with a variety of shrubs and trees.”

After the presentations a cake celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Society will be served.
http://images14.fotki.com/v438/photos/4/1263364/13473839/DeerfootFarmbyStonyBrook-vi.jpg

Beth T.
8 years ago

Can someone tell me what happened to the houses (garages?) on Deerfoot, closest to Main Street? Two buildings that look quite similar, but appear to never have been lived in? They have Picardi Construction signs in front of them? I have lived here a while and have often wondered the story behind them. Are they meant to be like a model home?

JMO
8 years ago
Reply to  Beth T.

I have no idea. When we were looking to move to Southborough more than 10 years ago, we called the number on the sign because we were interested to learn if they were building elsewhere in town. We were only told they properties were not for sale. I have been wondering about them off and on for years!

Resident
8 years ago
Reply to  Beth T.

I have wondered about that property for years.

Southville
8 years ago

Anyone know what happened on the intersection of Southville and 85 (by fitzgeralds and the train station) last night? The road was more or less blocked for a while, and police were still directing traffic there even a few hours later.

Jim Hegarty
8 years ago

On Wednesday May 20, the Algonquin Girls Lacrosse teams will hold a fundraiser at the Ninety Nine Restaurant located on Rt 20 In Marlboro (32 Boston Post Rd West).

The event will run from 4 pm – 10 pm and the Ninety Nine Restaurants will donate 15% of your check to the Algonquin Girls Lacrosse!

Please join us for a great meal and to support a great cause.

You’ll need to print out and bring this form to give to your server.
———————————————————————————————————————-
DINING FOR A CAUSE
Benefiting: Algonquin Girls Lacrosse
Date: Wednesday May 20th 4:00 – 10:00
Location: Ninety Mote Restaurants, Marlboro
32 Boston Post Rd West

Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub

Coupons, discounts and promotions including “Kids Eat Free” will not be accepted during the fundraiser. Present this voucher to your server when seated as this is required for the organization to receive credit for the sale. *Donation is 5% of sales (excludes tax and gratuity.) Only valid on date, time and location stated above.

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