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:
- Ask questions about programs in town or the town itself
- Post a note about things that you’re selling or giving away, or things that you want
- Share notices about upcoming events (Southborough or otherwise)
- Register your thoughts on town issues or news stories
- Point out interesting or helpful resources
You can add comments to the thread throughout the week. Check back often to see new comments. (If you read the blog via email or RSS, you might want to check the site from time to time for new comments.)
To view past open discussion threads, click here.
Central Mass. Mosquito Control will be in town Nov. 16 picking up used tires (off rim) for free. Call the office at (508) 393-3055 to give your location – more information is on their website at http://www.cmmcp.org. If you miss this event you can call anytime and give your information, they will database it and contact you next time they are in the area.
Used tires can be mosquito larval habitat for species that carry West Nile Virus. All tires are brought to a recycling facility in Littleton, MA.
Please join the Sourhborough Rotary and Bill’s Liquor this Friday night 11/19:
Holiday Wine Tasting
Friday November 19
7 – 9PM
St Marks Church Parish Hall,
Main St, Southborough
$25/person
Seasonal wines and snacks
Proceeds to benefit scholarships and other Rotary projects
RSVP tessa329@gmail.com
Be on the look out for girls of all ages selling COOKIES!
Girls Scouts will start their annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale on December 10th.
If they don’t come knocking on your door, look for them at locations throughout Southborough by visiting http://www.GirlScoutCookies.org. Just type in our zip code and you’ll find Cookie Booth Sale dates and locations hosted by Southborough Girl Scouts.
Girl Scout cookies come in 8 varieties,sell for $4/box and help support Girl Scout Programs. Please support Girl Scouts and enjoy your favorite cookies as well!
Did You Know……………….
– 75% of the price of a box stays within Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass to support
Girl Scout programs and camps ($.60 cents of every box goes directly to the girl’s troop that you bought from).
-There are 35 Girl Scout troops in Southborough from Kindergarten to High School ages.
– Thin Mints are still the No.1 top seller
– The FIRST national Girl Scout cookie sale was held in 1936
Thank you for your support!
I have lived in Southborough for one year and am expecting my first child this winter. I have searched the internet without luck for a new moms’ group in the immediate Southborough vicinity. Does anyone know of a new parents group that is accepting new members, or other soon-to-be parents who might like to start one? Thanks!
Hi Jessica –
Southborough Kindergroup is a great moms & kids group that has been in town for over 30 years. I did it with all 3 of my kids and it was great fun for them and a wonderful way to meet other moms in town. Check out the website at http://www.kindergroup.com. If you are interested, the contact information for the membership coordinator is there and I’m sure they are accepting new members. Good luck!
Jessica,
Make sure you check places like the Southborough Library and other venues around town where people might post flyers. When I was having my second child (11 years ago) I was also fairly new to town and searching for a mother’s group. I found one posted at the library and met the most warm and welcoming women.
I still keep in close touch with several of them and are as close as ever. You might even try posting at the library yourself and starting your own group. Good luck and welcome to motherhood!
Sometimes a good old piece of paper tacked to a bulletin board is the best way to find out about local info!
I’ll second the recommendation of Kindergroup. I did it for two years and loved it. Here’s a link to a post I did about the group last year:
https://mysouthborough.com/2009/09/04/kids-and-coffee-cake-kindergroup-is-open-for-new-members/
Best of luck and congratulations!
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! This is very helpful.
Contract Negotiations and Retirees Contribution towards Health Insurance
I believe that both the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee are in the middle of contract negotiations with several town unions. Perhaps this is the year the town should follow the lead of the Federal Government and freeze pay, that is have a zero cost of living raise for the next 2 years.
Now understand that what this really means is that the federal workers will not receive a cost of living raise for the next 2 or 3 years. They will continue to receive “step” raises which are built into the federal pay system. For example, a GS 10 starts as a step 1, goes to the next higher pay of Step the following year, etc. Think of it as pay to recognize increasing levels of competency. I believe we have a similar system to this with almost all town employees, I know the teachers have this system.
Keep in mind that these contracts are negotiated by the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee. They negotiate then approve the contracts. You will not vote on these contracts at the Town Meeting so if you think freezing COLAs is a good idea, you really need to express your opinion to the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee RIGHT NOW!!!!!
Also, I understand that most, but not all, town retirees pay a percentage of their health insurance costs when they retire. Perhaps this is a good time to re-visit this issue and ask all retirees to pat the same percentage towards their health coverage.
I mean no disrespect to any town retirees but in this terrible economic climate with so many towns people out of work, we really have to take a look at all parts of the town’s expenditures. If all town employees need to have the same minimum number of years of service to qualify for a pension, perhaps it just makes sense that all should pay the same percentage in retirement.