Above: Breakneck Hill Conservation Land in winter
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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This Friday is wear green in honor of the memory of Eric Green who passed away one year ago Saturday. The Trottier & Algonquin kids will be wearing green. Let’s help support our children by everyone in town wearing green which would be an amazing rememberance of Eric.
Does anyone know why we don’t have Comcast in Southborough? I’m assuming the town has a contract with Charter for some set period of time. Nearly every community inside Route 495 has Comcast and we are stuck with Charter or FIOS – which means that we are stuck with FIOS mostly, as I’ve found Charter to be insufficient. Interesting that people whose streets/neighborhoods border other towns can access Comcast, but if you aren’t on one of those streets, you can’t.
Hi, has anyone else noticed how annoying the early morning train is that goes from main st over to fayville? The last couple of morning, it has blown its horn loudly around 4AM as it approached Central St. I thought there would be restrictions on noise at this time of the morning. It is ridiculous. What are the shipping on that rail exactly as well?
Thanks.
Because railroads transport goods interstate, they are highly regulated by Federal Law and Regulations, and exempted by local laws and regulations. Locomotives are required (with few exceptions) to sound their horns at railroad crossings. Federal regulations state:
“the locomotive horn shall begin to be sounded at least 15 seconds, but not more than 20 seconds before locomotive enters the crossing.”
Unfortunately, they have to be blown 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There is an option where horns do not have to be sounds and that option is called a “Quiet Zone”. In order for a railroad/roadway grade crossing to qualify as a quiet zone, it requires very expensive upgrades to the crossing crossing gates, and other safety appliances, and federal approval. I am not sure, but if approved, the local municipality has to fund these upgrades.
Ashland and Framingham also have raised concerns for several years about the sounding of horns through their communities. They have approximately 35 trains that go through the downtown in their communities 24/7 and are required to sound their horns all of the time (Ashland has their senior housing complex right next to railroad at a rail/roadway crossing). As Town Administrator Mark Purple came from Ashland, you may want to contact him regarding the requirements for setting up “Quiet Zones”
More information on Quiet Zones can be found here: http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0401
Several industries are served by this CSX line, including Ken’s Foods in Marlborough as well as two container manufacturers, lumber distributers and plastic manufacturers. Generally the train uses this line twice a day Monday through Friday.
Correct link to the FRA site is: http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0104
I heard it this morning! This is the first time I have heard it at that time. I am a small distance away but it woke me up at 4 this morning. I lived downtown for many years and never heard that. I usually hear the 11pm train but never at 4am. I wonder if this is a new train coming through?
Trains can run anytime day or night.
The track through Fayville and the center of town is a dead end line. The train generally leaves Framingham, does its work up to the end of the line in Leominster, and returns. The return time depends on how much work the crew had, and whether they “outlaw” (reach the federally-mandatd 12 hour on duty time limit). My guess is the reason it is running so early in the morning is that the original crew runs out of time while doing their work somewhere between Southborough and Leominster, and they have to call in another crew to complete the work take the train back to Framingham.
We live quite close to downtown and I love to hear the train – even at night. Reminds me of my childhood. More trains mean less truck traffic on our roads.
Anyone know why the recreation ice rink at Woodward isn’t complete? Last two weeks would have been perfect for ice.
I am looking to rid my house of old laptops, computers, t.v., etc. Does anyone know
of local organizations or locations doing a “pay to drop off”?
Thanks!
Best Buy will take most items and you pay but they give you a gift card in return.
I’ve dropped off TVs at Best Buy in Framingham and Marlborough. I didn’t have to buy anything and there was no charge.
Seeking a knitting pro to help me learn, I have been teaching myself to knit from YouTube videos but would gladly pay an instructor to help with some lessons. We could meet at Red Barn or maybe even the library?
Anyone have any feedback on Custom Auto on Rt 85 on the south side? I live nearby, but have never used them for any car repair. They’re closer than my other options, so I was wondering if anyone else had tried them and if they had good or bad results.
I used him for a snow blower he said he could repair a few years ago. I swear he said he fixes them all the time but even though he charged me $160 it still had the same problem. When I followed up he said he didn’t have time to look at it.
Aside from being a bit of a slob and bad at fixing my snowblower he does seem to be busy. That should speak to his car fixing abilities if nothing else.
I know it’s further away but I’ve been really happy with Tony at BP gas station up on rt9 by the pike. Nice guy, works on anything and even works Saturday.
Unfortunately I have had to use the services of, Precision Auto Body, 492 South Street Marlborough, MA 01752, (508) 481-5979 on occasion. Charlie Boufard is the owner and is very good. I have been most pleased with their work and their prices were fair. He was recommended by Billy Stapleton, at Southboro Auto Tech, who has been servicing our cars forever. That was enough of an endorsement for me.
Possibly misreading your post, for regular car maintenance, Billy Stapleton at Southboro Auto Tech, 145 Boston Road Southborough, MA 01772, (508) 485-9082 is excellent, and I recommend him without reservation.
Is there a doggie park in Southborough or a doggie day care?
Maybe Rep. Dykema could comment on which new revenue source(s) she supports. Increased gas tax, sales tax, income tax or a new Mass Highway usage fee – all the above?
hi Kel – There is a pet walking service called Pet Luv’n (508-846-6272) who will come & pick up your dog & take him/her for an outing to a state park of other facility for an hour or two either every day or just one or two days a week. The owner is Sharon McCarthy & we had her for years when we lived in Southborough. Can’t say enough about her terrific service and attention to our beloved Lizzie!
So much for Rep Dykema coming on the board and discussing what tax hikes or new taxes she would support. Maybe she could discuss why she walked away from here promise to support putting State House committee votes on line. What is so bad with more transparency in government? She has now voted against it.
If she will not explain her vote, maybe one of her apologists………..I mean supports can explain it for us.
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x1503808681/Keefe-Dykema-disappointment
I was wondering if Town has any plans for the natural gas pipeline along Main St/Rt30 (towards I-495)? We saw some NStar work going on near Parkville Rd and Rt30 intersection and checked with NStar and the customer representative didn’t know much besides the fact that they have the pipeline till there. Any update will be appreciated. Thanks