The front page of the Southborough Villager from October 12, 2001. The photo caption read, “Children over their ears as fire trucks and sirens lead the Heritage parade on Monday”
Each week we take a look back at the top stories reported in the Southborough Villager 10 years, 20 years, and 30 years ago. Here are the stories that were making headlines during the week of October 10. If you have memories about any of these events, please share them in the comments.
10 years ago: Residents celebrate their heritage
A month after the September 11 attacks, and just a day after bombing began in Afghanistan, Southborough residents took refuge in Heritage Day. The celebration was marked by 9/11 fundraisers and a heightened sense of patriotism. While celebrating time as a community, residents said larger world events were not far from their thoughts. “It never leaves your mind,” resident Ann Pietro said. “You have to go on with your life and not give up.” (Southborough Villager, October 12, 2001)
20 years ago: Officials hope to make town hall user-friendly
Citing frustration on the part of residents, Selectmen launched an effort to make town hall services more “user-friendly” by creating a user guide to town permits and procedures. “I’m not singling out any particular board…I’m not asking to circumvent anybody’s power,” Selectman James W. Falconi said. “I think we’ve forgotten we’re trying to help people here.” (Southborough Villager, October 10, 1991)
30 years ago: ‘Temporary closing’ for White Bagley/Route 9 Crossing and Middle Road proposed
After what they said were too many accidents, the state considered closing the Route 9 crossings at White Bagley/Breakneck Hill Road and Middle Road. Back then there was no traffic light at White Bagley, so drivers would just wait for a break in the traffic before crossing Route 9 from north to south and vice versa. The intersection at Middle Road was similarly open, so you could get from one side of Middle Road to the other by crossing Route 9. Selectmen said they were concerned that closing the crossings would exacerbate the “China Wall syndrome” between the north and south sides of town, so the state proposed a 6-month trial closure. (Southborough Villager, October 9, 1981)
