Time for another open thread. 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:
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I’ll start us off this week. As you can see from the photo above, the squirrels have discovered our bird feeders, and they made quick work of what seeds remained. Anyone have a favorite squirrel-resistant feeder they’d like to recommend?
My wife hangs our feeders from a metal shepard’s hook. She regularly sprays PAM on the shaft so the squirrels can’t get a grip and climb.
Love that idea, but it will have to wait for next year. No chance of getting one of those hooks in the ground at this point I suppose.
Hi Susan – I’ve been reading your blog for some time – thank you! About the squirrels… I finally purchased a bird feeder that the squirrels can’t figure out – It’s called “Squirrel Buster Classic Bird Feeder”. The perch is weight sensitive – as soon as a squirrel puts a paw on the outside grid, it moves down and covers the openings so the squirrel cannot access the seeds. As soon as he lets go, the grid springs back up into place and the openings are uncovered. It’s amazing. The squirrels seem to know that they just can’t win – they give up very quickly. It’s been such a hard winter for the poor guys, that I’ve been tossing extra seeds on the ground for them since I installed the new feeder. Check it out online – the manufacturer has posted some pretty funny videos of squirrels trying to get in. Good luck…
Hi Robin – I saw that one on Amazon and was intrigued (those videos are pretty amusing!). I read one review that said the cardinals don’t like it. Have you found that to be true? What about blue jays? I wasn’t sure if it was just for the little birds.
We use a similar squirrel “proof” feeder, but I have to say that somehow one of the squirrels picked the spring mechanism so he can now sit there and eat all the food he wants! It is very hard to find a truly squirrel proof feeder, so we employ the dog chasing squirrel method. There are no squirrels in sight when we are home with the dogs.
I have seen a feeder attachment device that is intended to allow cardinals to access the seed, but I don’t know if it works. The one I have is great for small birds (finches, juncos, chickadees) but I have also seen blue jays perched on it. With the heavy snow covering, I’ve been tossing out extra seed on the ground for the mourning doves and cardinals. And speaking of cardinals, Beverly Beckham, had a great column that touched on cardinals at her feeder in last Sunday’s Boston Globe – you can find her column online, “In the dead of winter, celebrating what you’ve got.” Take a look.
The upsidedown cone worked for me … until the snow got too high and they basically stepped from the snow onto the cone!! Oh well – melting has begun.
One of my feeders is like that too – the birds just stand on the snow and peck at it!
Not to move the discussion completely away from the annoyance of squirrels, but I was hoping for some opinions from long term Southborough residents. We are expecting our first child in a few months and are looking at pediatricians in the area. Anything good/bad about either Town Center Pediatrics or Southborough Medical up on Newton Street? Any other recommendations would also be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I agree with everything JD said about Southboro Medical. My family receives care at both the Newton St location and the Framingham location on Route 9. My two children see Dr. Jeffrey Zaref at the Framingham location. He is an excellent doctor who takes the time to really listen to your concerns. We have also dealt with other doctors within the practice when an urgent need arises, and they have all proven to be excellent.
The Framingham location also has a Lab, so that helps with routine tests your child may need.
Congratulations and good luck to you!
Karen and JD- Thank you very much for your replies! They are greatly appreciated.
Hi AD,
Congratulations on the upcoming new addition to your family. I am a long time Soutborough resident, and an RN who has been employed at one of the medical practices you mention, and have 2, now older children who were treated outstandingly at the other.
I feel the need to give a little bit of equal time to Town Center Pediatrics, only b/c I know that you should not rule it out.
I know that the care given at Town Center Pediatrics is outstanding. Drs Hunt & Dr Rednor are terrific as are the rest of the staff. They are accessible and available, knowledgeable and courteous. There are many advantages to a smaller practice.
You are lucky that you do not have a bad option.
Again, best wishes!
We absolutely adore Southborough Medical on Newton Street. We see Dr. Dugan and she is fantastic. She is practical, very supportive, caring, and really listens. We have been going to her since my eldest was born. Dr. D. helped me through some tough times – and I think most moms will understand how important this is – she was supportive of my efforts to exclusively nurse, but when my baby wasn’t gaining weight and we needed to supplement with formula, Dr. D was incredibly understanding about how disappointed I was and helped me understand that I wasn’t a failure or anything like that. She also detected a sneaky case of mononucleosis in my 2.5 yo and helped us get through really dreadful colic with my second child. I could keep going on about how wonderful she is, but I won’t bore you all any more! Anyway, many of my friends’ kids go to her, too, and we all love her. I know people also love Dr. Benz, Dr. Adibe, Dr. Hassler, Dr. Zaref, and Dr. Bechta – I have seen them all at some point.
Another great thing about Southboro Medical is their hours – urgent care on weeknights and weekends. I have never had to go to the ER b/c my doc’s office wasn’t open. And everything is under one roof – lab, specialists, psych, OB, eye care, etc. etc.
Back to signs….
The sign honoring the Algonquin boys baseball state championship that is on the Rte. 30 causeway, heading west just past the Central St. light has been upside down since at least November. Who’s responsible for maintaining these signs?
Can anyone recommend a good dog walker in Southborough?
Mike – We have used Sarah Hill @ Fitpet for 7 years. We love her and our dog potentially loves her more than he loves us! Her website is fitpetinc.com and her contact information is on there if you are interested. Good luck!
Does anyone know if there’s a recycling bin/drop off for batteries at the Transfer Station? I have a large 6V battery that I hate to throw in the regular trash.
There is a shed in the recycling area at the far end of the sidewalk. They accept most smaller batteries, but not automobile batteries. They also accept flourescent lights in the same area.
Dear Mike e – we had an excellent dog walker named Sharon McCarthy – Pet Luv’n services. Couldn’t give her a higher recommendation! I think her # is 508-846-6272. She was always super-reliable, and very caring toward those in her care. Outstanding! good luck, Mary
@John K, thanks…
Time to get a bit more agitated about the CSX hazardous chemical transfer station proposal just over the town line in Westboro. They just had a train fall off the tracks in Westboro the other day! What would have been the impact if this derailment was a line of box cars carrying chemicals? We’ll never know but I do think we should be more nervous than ever. They brag about their safety record but this recent event doesn’t make me feel very comfortable.
Is anyone else irritated by the solicitors that are allowed in this town???? Or is it just where I live off of Flagg Rd. Two days ago the usual one who comes around every year selling magazine subscriptions (suggesting I buy the one for 36 months at the cost of $360) claiming it goes towards her points of good service to work her way up in the inner city program they are in. This morning some unknown college kid selling reading materials! Don’t we give enough to the schools and organizations in town(at least we know where the money is going right?) Does the police really have to allow these other people in? I just want to know if they travel all over Southborough or do they always just come here?
Ellie,
Funny you should bring this up. I was inspired to do some research into this after a kid selling “educational materials” came to my door this week. Back in September 2009, voters at a special town meeting overwhelmingly approved a stricter bylaw that requires solicitors to register with the police department in advance and undergo background checks before they can canvas town. It doesn’t prevent solicitors, but it raises the barrier to entry. Read more here: https://mysouthborough.com/2009/08/04/is-the-time-right-for-tigher-restrictions-on-door-to-door-solicitors/.
But here’s the thing. From what I can tell, 18 months after it was approved by voters, the bylaw still isn’t on the books. If you read the language in the town code (http://ecode360.com/ecode3-back/getSimple.jsp?custId=SO1070&guid=9539388&all=true) it’s still the old verbiage, with nothing about the requirement to register (they’re only “asked” to do so) and nothing about background checks. I was told that the state Attorney General had some issues with the bylaw and that’s why it’s not on the books yet.
I don’t know any more than that, but I plan to do some digging.
Thanks so much!!! I figured I could get some info from this b/cause it really has started to annoy me. I also sent an email to the police chief, think that was a waste of time? My neighbor also said that they were going to call and complain. I will wait to hear your feedback, since you are a stronger voice :)