Open discussion thread: Ask questions, share opinions

Above: Weather may be spotty with rain in and out this week. But it’s better than six years ago this week, when several inches of rain flooded some basements in town. (photo by Chris Wraight).

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

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Donna McDaniel
8 years ago

Wondering: any more contests in the elections.. especially for Selectmen? And pls. remind of deadline to take out papers… maybe this Friday and then next week to file? Or too late?
I’m restraining from my comments about concern I registered about a supply of new candidates when we went to five on the board and hoping some/one or?? have come forward. And…plenty of room in other offices unless there’s been a last minute rush. This
is the democracy we say we’re so proud of in New England… and it depends completely on us.

Allan Bezanson
8 years ago

Near this dam by Deerfoot Road Southborough’s first settler, Peter Bent, built a grist mill ca. 1664. The Parker family operated a mill here after the Bents, hence the name Parker Pond. After that it was the Sawin family’s grist mill and sawmill. Sawin’s mills thrived until about 1897 when Stony Brook was converted to a reservoir. There are photos of Sawin’s mills and adjacent Burnett’s ice house in the Massachusetts state archives, and they can be viewed or copied on the website Digital Commonwealth.

The dam in this photo and the adjacent Deerfoot Road granite arch are listed as contributing structures to the Wachusett Aqueduct Linear District in the National Register of Historic Places, US National Park Service….

Downtown Resident
8 years ago
Reply to  Allan Bezanson

Thank you for taking the time to post some of Southborough’s history. I drive by our waterfall nearly everyday. It’s nice to know something about it and the names attached to it :-)

Deborah Costine
8 years ago
Reply to  Allan Bezanson

Here is a link to a photo taken in 1898 of the same dam; looking north toward Main St. The house visible is the one opposite the end of Sears Rd. – originally owned by one of the Parker family (giving that part of town the name “Parkerville”) recently underwent significant renovations. http://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/t148g475q

Allan Bezanson
8 years ago

Sawin’s mills are to the far left in this photo which was taken from behind the Burnett mansion.
https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:0p097z599

In this view looking toward the Deerfoot Road bridge Sawin’s is at the extreme right. The shop on the left was built in 1847 to cut the stone for the Burnett mansion. It later became living quarters for the manager of Deerfoot Farm, was used for church services and for girl scout meetings among other uses. It still stands on the lot at 84 Main Street.
https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:0p097z378

anne
8 years ago

When and why hasn’t the fallen tree limb at the library been cleared. It is an eyesore, Not a welcoming sight at the intersection of our town center. Time to act.
Could a town official reply to this question? Thanks

anne
8 years ago
Reply to  Beth Melo

Could you please place this differently, where it will be seen and hopefully addressed, thanks

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