Open discussion thread: Ask questions, share opinions

Above: Looking around town, it seems most pink petals are already on the ground. But if you need a boost this dreary week, look back at the vibrant blooms from a few weeks ago. (L-R photos thanks to Fay School’s instagram and Tim McCauley, Fay School Science Department Chair.)

It’s time for another open thread.

What’s on your mind this week, Southborough?

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14 Comments
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Rachel
4 years ago

I get quite a few calls for supporting various police organizations, and I always tell them that I will send a check if they send me something in the mail because I will not give my information over the phone. Can anyone tell me which is a legit one? I actually haven’t received any information in my mail this year… only phone calls.

John Kendall
4 years ago
Reply to  Rachel

The only police organization I donate to is the Southborough Police Association. Comes in the mail. I never respond to the phone calls

Kelly Roney
4 years ago
Reply to  Rachel

It’s not quite true but close enough: If you get a cold call asking for money, it’s a scam. There are lots of “charities” out there whose real purpose is to separate you from your money. Sure, they may donate a few percentage points to their ostensible cause, but their real cause is lining their own pockets.

Charity Navigator is one good place to find out.

Kevin
4 years ago

Anyone know an update on when Chestnut Hill road will be fully open? Or a status of the project going on?

William
4 years ago

One of my main concerns is the ongoing growing number of deaths attributed to the opioid crisis/epidemic. Reports point out that about five people die in MA each day from an unintended overdose of opioids.
Virtually all of them are caused by the fact that the drugs causing the deaths are obtained on the black market from street dealers. As long as that remains the source of the drugs taken by those who end up dying of respiratory suppression the deaths will continue!
The black market is the result of the very prohibition which hoped to prevent anyone from using the opioids. Portugal had a similar high death rate from opioids in the years leading up to 2001 when Portugal decriminalized all drugs ending prohibition and the deaths plummeted. There was no significant increase in users of opioids either.
But our politicians want to get re elected and are unwilling to advocate for repeal of the regulations and laws which constitute prohibition. They know from polls that hardly anyone wants to repeal the laws forbidding legal use of opioids.
It is possible to be opposed to recreational use of opioids while advocating for repeal of prohibition.
If you want to stop the deaths of users or those addicted rather offer them treatment instead advocate for decriminalization and let your legislators know that you support the repeal of regulations which make it “criminal” to possess an opioid in a small amount.
I would not be surprised if Chairman Xi Jingping was sending Fentanyl from China to the US via Canada thus causing deaths in the tens of thousands of young American men and women without losing any Chinese warriors at all, while he smiles and shakes President Trump’s hand.
What do you think?

southsider
4 years ago

I hope someone retrieved the US flag that has been hanging by a thread over the water from an island in the reservoir across from Shrubs ‘n’ Trees.

If you did… many thanks.

I hope it didn’t simply fall into the water.

Forrest Musselman
4 years ago
Reply to  southsider

If anyone is interested and the town wouldn’t mind, I would love to put a canoeing expedition together to hoist the flagpole back up on the island!

Nocturnal Adventures
4 years ago

Think getting permission will involve more than just town probably MDC. Town lore says these capers were done under the cover of dusk or dawn and the thought was if caught better to ask for forgiveness….

Al Hamilton
4 years ago

I agree, I am sure that the BOS would have to form a committee to determine if a canoe or row boat should be used and then there would be a great gnashing of teeth about capsizing and whether we would be infringing on open space and if a zoning variance might be needed. In the end the program would be scuttled because, we no longer own a hovercraft.

Freddie Gillespie
4 years ago

The island has become a
Great Blue Heron Rookery and a cormorant colony in recent years
The large birds would unlikely allow anyone to get close to the nesting area and may be why there hasn’t been a flag there in recent years.
The trees, which were alive when they first start nesting typically die after a few years from the guano build-up. The guano can make people ill.
Great Blue Herons are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. It is illegal to capture, possess, or cause harm to a Great Blue Heron or its nest or eggs.
Trying to put the flag out there at this time is likely dangerous and possibly a federal crime.

southville
4 years ago

Random question – but does anyone know of any outdoor stairs that would be appropriate for including in a run? Looking to work on some stair based exercise and wanted to find a nice place outside if possible. (And preferably multiple flights rather than just one.)

Jim Foley
4 years ago
Reply to  southville

My son liked to work out at Bowditch field in Framingham on 475 Union ave. They had a very nice track to run and he would climb the stairs with his Bulgarian bag.

Forrest Musselman
4 years ago
Reply to  southville

Not in town, but the wachusett dam stairs are brutal, but an excellent workout.

southsider
4 years ago
Reply to  southville

Main Street Marlboro has two sets of multi flight stairs, I believe.

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