Open discussion thread: Ask questions, share opinions

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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Chris
11 years ago

Is there any way to proactively request some ‘Right Turn on Red After Stop’ signs? There are two intersections that seem like they could use it.

1. Rte. 30 East at Rte. 85. Very often I’m behind cars that are taking a right onto Rte 85 South and despite a lack of cars coming southbound, they remain there. Seems like it would help that intersection clogging by reducing the volume.

2. Rte 30 East at Framingham Rd. Again, I’m often behind cars that wait until the right turn arrow lights, despite a lack of cars coming down from the left, when it’s legal to take a right turn.

Related to the congestion at #1…what about putting a sign up for people going North on 85, to take the Common St. shortcut, again, cutting down on the volume in the 85/30 intersection. Very often we’re sitting behind cars that are waiting to take a left hand turn onto 85 North.

A resident
11 years ago
Reply to  Chris

You seem to be assuming that people are waiting because they don’t know they are allowed to go. While people are allowed to turn at these lights, some may feel that they can’t see clearly enough to go or may feel uncomfortable with it for some other reason. There is no law that says you have to turn right on red just because its allowed. Not everyone is in a hurry.

SB Resident
11 years ago
Reply to  A resident

While safety is always the number one concern, it is generally considered rude to not turn when it is safe to turn. Though you’re not in a hurry, you should still drive courteously.

Ed
11 years ago

Does anyone know why they tore down the structure on route 9 next to Shrubs and Trees? I assume it had something to do with the resovoir. It seem like such a neat structure. I wish they had repaired it rather than demolish it. These types of building add so much character and are disappearing.

John Kendall
11 years ago
Reply to  Ed

That was an old water pumping station that had been offline for years and no longer fit in to our water distribution system. I may be wrong, but I believe that there was a warrant article a few years ago at Town Meeting to salvage whatever, then raise the building.

Sboro Mom
11 years ago

Can any parents provide a compare/contrast, pro/cons of the after school programs and summer camps at Southborough Extended Day through the schools vs. Kidsborough? I know that Kidsborough is a sponsor of this site but I’m just looking for some objective observations/experiences/recommendations from other Southborough parents. Thank you in advance!

Another Sboro mom
11 years ago
Reply to  Sboro Mom

I looked into just one day of child care in the mornings and extended day had more openings and was, therefore, more flexible than kidsborough. Kidsborough required a minimum of two mornings when i just needed one. The price is about the same. Another bonus is that the extended day program at each school has kids that are closer in age to each other. In the am, there are k through 3 students at Finn, which is important to me. At kidsborough, I believe there are kids from k through 5. Also, I know my kids just have to walk down the hall to go to school rather than get on the bus to get to school.

Rebecca
11 years ago

Kidsboro also let’s kids come for only one day

Parent
11 years ago
Reply to  Sboro Mom

My wife and I looked into both, and chose SEDP. We were comfortable with the teachers and the facilities, and also how they manage the age ranges (bear in mind that the age range can be wider during “holiday” coverage and summer camp). We also read through the parent survey results for SEDP and were pleased.

There wasn’t anything particularly negative about Kidsborough that influenced our choice, but there were some factors. The age ranges can be wider. More busing is involved. And they did tend to give older kids the opportunity to directly supervise younger kids as part of their leadership initiative, which I did not care for (being the parent of a younger child).

Rebecca
11 years ago
Reply to  Parent

I tried sedp program but I saw that the counselors tell kids who are still finishing their homework to come do the project even when the child refused

PM
11 years ago
Reply to  Sboro Mom

My kids are older now but we used both Kidsborough and Extended Day. We loved both. I liked the variety of programs at Kidsborough and the fact that my kids could be together in the same place because they were 4 years apart so were never at the same school. Kidsborough seemed to focus more on having students do their homework before they could do something else and they had really great craft projects. I also liked that they were open on snow days and on school delays.

We also loved extended day. We liked the playground area better and the fact that the early morning drop off was easier because the kids were there at the school and didn’t have to catch a bus. The staff at both places are really amazing and I would recommend them both — just check for their closing schedule, snow day schedules, etc. to see what works for you. We only used them occassionally for the summer and liked them both but only for an occassional week or two. I like to switch it up in the summer: other camps or hiring a college student as a babysitter.

Rebecca
11 years ago
Reply to  PM

Yes but Kidsboro is open on non school days Such as holidays and vacation, and Kidsboro will focus more or less depending on what the parents prefer

Mark Ford
11 years ago

Sue, when we see unattributed photos such as the “tree and ice” shot above, are they stock photos?

Mark Ford
11 years ago
Reply to  susan

Beautiful! Nice shot.

Jim
11 years ago
Reply to  susan

It really is a nice photo.

Elaine
11 years ago

Nice shot Susan

Debbie
11 years ago

I’ve been enjoying reading about Quabbin Reservoir, the source of our drinking water. There are several books. – The two I’ve just read are “Accidental Wilderness” by Tom Conuel and “Quabbin, a History and Explorer’s Guide” by Michael Tougias. It’s quite a story. One that began in the late 1800’s as Boston’s reservoirs could not keep up with demand. Then, four towns were totally dismantled as the Winsor dam was built.

southsider
11 years ago
Reply to  Debbie

Debbie,
A woman from Ashland has published a book called “Cascade” that is a romanticized version of a similar story about a town being flooded to make way for a reservoir. It’s pretty good.

Carrie
11 years ago
Reply to  southsider

I am reading it now and LOVE it! Historical fiction with of course a lovely romance fit for the times (1935>) I knew nothing about the book until Heidi at the library told me about it. The author is speaking at the library.

Karen Muggeridge
11 years ago
Reply to  Carrie

Maryanne O’Hara, author of Cascade, will be speaking and having a book signing at the Southborough Library on Wednesday, February 13, at 11 am. Refreshments will be served.
Maryanne is a wonderful person. We were in a book group together here in town for several years.
So happy that Cascade, her first book, is getting the acclaim that it deserves. Do make time to attend this event if you can!

Mark Ford
11 years ago

There’s also “Drowned Hopes” by Donald Westlake, which has stolen loot buried in a town that was subsequently flooded for a reservoir. Like most Westlake books, it’s a hoot.

mark
11 years ago

Does anyone have any updates on downtown/Main street project? And any whispers on what’s to become of our lovely corner of Main and Newton?

Carrie
11 years ago

Karen,
Thanks for posting the details of when Maryanne O’Hara will be at the library, most appreciated; I am really enjoying the book.

Bill C
11 years ago

I was taking a walk down Parkerville Road south yesterday and was amazed at how many Christmas wreaths are still decorating homes and mailboxes. It’s almost Valentines Day people!

JOJAMA
11 years ago
Reply to  Bill C

I am proudly still displaying my beautiful Christmas wreathe! I still love it! I may even put a Valentine bow on it and then change it up for Easter!!

Bill C
11 years ago
Reply to  JOJAMA

25 Happy Valentine-mas Wreaths on Parkerville Rd South. How about in your neighborhood ?

Resident
11 years ago
Reply to  Bill C

I have lived in MA for 15 years now and find that in snowy and cold New England, holiday decorations are actually seen as “winter decorations” making up for the dismal landscape and lack of any outdoor cheer. It is a cultural thing up here and I don’t mind it. That being said, I do keep my wreaths and window box/planter greens all winter, but not the red bows. It is just a different way of looking at it.

Matthew
11 years ago
Reply to  Bill C

Mine come down for Easter. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Rebecca
11 years ago

Did anyone in Southborough have there power knocked out by the storm

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