Introducing a new series: The Villager Files

Above: Back to school photos on the front page of the Southborough Villager, September 11, 1981

Welcome to a new My Southborough series! Each week we’ll take a step back in our town’s history with a look at the top stories reported in the Southborough Villager 10 years, 20 years, and 30 years ago.

Those of you who have lived in Southborough a long time will no doubt remember many of the stories that made headlines in past decades, while other stories might prove a bit more obscure. But whether you grew up here or just moved to town, I’m betting you’ll find that while much has changed over the years, there are many things that have stayed remarkably the same.

Now on to your headlines for the week of September 5. If you have memories about any of these events, please share them in the comments.

10 years ago: New taxi service OK’d
Selectmen approved a license for Absolute Livery Service/Westborough Taxi to operate in town. The going rate for a trip to Logan Airport at the time was $78 each way. The owner of the taxi service told selectmen he expected business to pick up in town when the commuter rail station, then under construction, opened up at the end of the year. (Southborough Villager, September 7, 2001)

20 years ago: Hurricane clean-up bill tops $100K
Highway Superintendent John Boland said a glancing blow by Hurricane Bob on August 19, 1991 caused $100K in wind and water damage to the town. About $75K of that was spent cleaning up trees and debris that landed on Southborough streets. An estimated 90% of homes in Southborough lost power during the storm. Sound familiar? (Southborough Villager, September 5, 1991)

30 years ago: New Southborough recycling campaign launched
The Southborough Recycling Committee launched its new Southborough Saves campaign to encourage recycling. The campaign included a new logo and signs to be installed at the Transfer Station. Committee members – Donna McDaniel, Harold Kiess, Inge Tufts, and Richard Upjohn – told selectmen they would also seek donations for additional promotional materials. Who knew Southborough had been on the recycling bandwagon for as long as it has? (Southborough Villager, September 11, 1981)

(Original captions for the back-to-school photos shown above. Click here for a larger version of the photo. LEFT: Finn School teacher Dot Minville greets Daniel Garden, Lynn O’Brien, Lianne Kinchla and Carolyn Loring, as they arrive for the first day of school. RIGHT: With best foot forward, Lauren DeCollibus, Analisa Garofani and Leslie Papazian pose outside Finn School.)