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I’m seeing a lot of the “new design” street signs peeling, specifically the white letters…I’m referring to the red ones that were larger ostensibly to be easier for our aging eyes to see from a distance.
I’m curious, is this within spec? Or are these failing prematurely? Will we have to pay lots of $$$ to replace? Or if they’re failing, are we going after the manufacturer to replace at their cost?
Chris – I haven’t noticed that. Where are some of the ones that are peeling?
Yes! I notices that too. The Latisquama Road sign at White Baigley is peeling.
Yes, note that it’s visible when you come from Rte 9, from Rte. 30 it’s fine.
They did replace the “McNeil” sign (corner of Latisquama) that was peeling, and spelled it correctly, so that there is now a larger “MacNeill” sign and smaller “McNeil” sign that’s fine.
I’ll try to record others in town that are peeling.
Granuille (west bound on 30) is funny looking but not sure if it’s peeling. I noticed the Latisquama sign just yesterday for the first time.
Here’s a question: since the heavy rains of July, there’s been a metal plate on Woodbury Rd where it crosses a creek. When does the town plan to make the permanent repair?
Chris – I was wondering why the MacNeill sign had two different spellings. Someone (hi, Emily) pointed that out to me a few weeks ago. I guess that explains it!
Papa Rosa – I’ve been meaning to write a post about Woodbury Rd, but haven’t gotten around to it, so thanks for asking. The plate is there because a culvert failed. DPW Head Karen Galligan said they’re waiting on a manufacturer to make the precast headwall (whatever that is) and then they can do the repair. They’re hoping for mid to late September.
Susan,
You’re amazing! Such a wealth of knowledge…people are going to ask you to run for a town office soon! You’re totally “in the know” and connected to what’s going on.
I think you’re already the “unofficial CCO (Chief Communications Officer)of Southborough”!
Thanks for everything!
The difference in spelling on the McNeil/MacNeill sign is based on the original Town Meeting warrant that accepted the street. When the State changed the specifications for street signs, and required that towns follow suit, the DPW replaced the signs based on the official name from Town Meeting. The actual spelling in the warrant was McNeil. We obviously received many complaints regarding the change, and when the signs started to peel it was replaced with the “wrong” (but more widely accepted in the Town) spelling.
Unfortunately, we are having problems with about 4% of the signs peeling. In general, the signs that we are having problems with are ones that were installed in 2004 and are exposed to continuous full sun, but there are signs under different conditions that have peeled too. The replacements seem to be holding up well, and signs that were installed after 2004 and are under the same conditions are holding up well also. We don’t believe that the problem will continue once we replace the signs that are currently peeling. We are keeping track of the problem and, if it becomes chronic on all the signs, we will change vendors, products, color, whatever we have to to ensure that the signs last.
Karen, thanks for the update/explanation.
Was out for a walk this AM, and looked for signs in trouble…
North on Middle Rd, the Gen Henry Knox sign is in tough shape (faces South, so no surprise).
The Peggy Dr sign (at Birchwood) is peeling.
The Birchwood sign (at MacNeill) is peeling (minor).
The signs nestled up to the light at the intersection of Rte. 30 & Framingham road are starting to peel.
I’m glad to find out the answer to the McNeil/MacNeill sign difference! Thanks Karen and Susan.
At the Special Town Meeting September 29th in Southborough, I was very surprised to see the selectmen advise that we increase the Marijuana penalty in defiance of the 67 % of Southborough voters who endorsed last years ballot initiative to decriminalize marijuana possession of less than an ounce. We knew what we were voting for. There are other laws on the books that can be used to control unruly teenage behavior, The town meeting was a less than democratic way to overturn the voter’s will. It was tyranny of the majority in a special town meeting setting, which was in fact an undemocratic way to modify last year’s initiative. In fact it is another instance of the reasons that the average citizen feels disenfranchised. I understand the police chief advocating for this policy. I do not understand the selectmen acting in opposition to the will of the voters, or at least having the sense to wait until the regular town meeting to amend this law. The vote to close off debate on this issue meant that no one outside of town officials was able to express their sentiment and seek to sway the vote. It was all legal. It stunk.
Great points Jim. The majority already spoke back in November’s election. A town meeting is not the setting to vote on a change, especially with the stigma associated with the topic of marijuana. IF a change was to be voted, the vote should have been decided by a ballot question at the next election. Susan (this blog’s author) discusses this topic in her post on 10/1. It is interesting that there are currently no comments to her 10/1 post. Perhaps, the reason for the lack of comments is the fact that few people feel comfortable publicly questioning a decision to increase penalties for using marijuana due to the associated stigma – the same stigma that was exploited at the Town Meeting.