It’s time for another open thread. What’s on your mind this week, Southborough?
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(Photo by Beth Melo)
Does any street in Southboro has municipal sewer, If not is Southboro town planning to bring this facility in near future like some of our neighboring towns ?
Many houses along Pine Hill Road have municipal sewer from Framingham. They’re the only ones I’m aware of in town.
@sl Thankyou
I don’t think there are many if any houses on PHR that have sewer service. There are a few in the neighborhood that get water from Framingham but most of us have wells.
How many of you will support the curbside trash pickup, if it were proposed by town?
I would love curbside pickup! I’ve never been quite sure of the reasons against it. Towns everywhere in the country manage it successfully, I’m not sure why we can’t.
Although in lieu of that, I’d love to at least get a few Sunday hours open at the transfer station!
I’m in favor.
@Brett Peters : I agree, Thanks @SouthboroDave
Do you think trash pick up would be free? How much would our taxes go up?
Would it create a whole new town beaurocracy? ( trash manager, assistant trash manager, new trash trucks, yards yada yada). I just as soon make a weekly visit to the transfer station, visit the swop shop etc.
We don’t need to create these posts if we give it to private companies, DPW can monitor it, many towns in metro west are managing it successfully,
I’m in favor of it.
Agreed. Trash trucks with squealing brakes racing through the neighborhoods, large containers spilling over in the street…
When trash is our responsibility we store it so it doesn’t spill or smell. Contain it so it can go inside our cars or in the back of our pickups. The large trash contains required by paid services are big and heavy when full and are great for attracting raccoon’s and bears. The big recycling bins have even been known to attract Democrats…it’s that serious folks.
If you want curb side town pickup then think about the whole process and where things will change other than just that you won’t have to take it to the dump yourself. Think about the runners and bicyclists who will be squeezed onto the shoulder by a passing or oncoming trash truck. How would it work on Flagg and Dearfoot Roads? Think about the delays behind school buses now and add to that trash trucks stopping at every house. It’s an eyesore and inconvenience that increases our taxes, so many negatives that even outweigh the possibility that your diaper genie bag will explode in the back of your X5.
If you really want curbside pickup and hate the inefficiency of local government then get a private hauler right now!
Better still I think it’s time for the Post Office to start collecting garbage. They make the rounds and stop at every house anyway, might as well transition that dying industry towards one that seemingly never ends.
of course it won’t be free, nothing is free. But I’m in favor of dropping my ~$200 (~16/month) transfer station fee and the extra money the tax base contributes in lieu of a trash pick up bill ($20/month). If we have the whole town using the service we could probably get a discounted rate from the provider. I’m not at all worried about cans strewn around the streets as I grew up with trash pick up and it is not the horrendous scenario SB residents portray. Just this week I had maggots in a bag of trash that had to go in my car. No thanks. Close up the transfer station. Keep recycle and swap shop if we can do it for little or no cost to tax payers, otherwise close the whole thing.
If you want curbside trash pick up, you can have it tomorrow. Just call Waste Management or any of the 2 or 3 other providers that offer the service in our town. Where the market provides a set of competitive choices there is no reason why the service should be offered by the government.
Count me out, for the reasons JohnBoy outlines. There are commercial options available and the cost seems reasonable enough for those who want to do it. I enjoy going to the transfer station, personally.
I would consider subsidizing commercial pickup for those who can’t get to the transfer station, particularly our seniors, but that hasn’t come up.
I would support curbside pickup, but I don’t expect it to happen. Anytime progress (sidewalks, affordable housing, small business investment) is proposed in this town, everyone shouts that “IT WILL DESTROY THE RURAL CHARACTER OF OUR TOWN!” and it gets shot down. Also, I wouldn’t identify yourself as a new resident. Your voice will be identified as not as important as that of individuals “who have been here since as far back as….”
@em, Thanks for your input
I’m in for the curbside trash pickup..,
Dear New Resident: Welcome to Southborough!! I hope you decided to move to this little town for the beauty and open spaces and good schools and proximity to Boston, and so much more. This blog is a terrific way to see events and ask questions and also to get a feel for the inner workings of Town politics and issues. You will be exposed to a lot of history, too. I recommend reading the official History of Southborough edited by Nick Noble and at the library. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them, but you may receive conflicting answers.
Regarding the trash pick-up, there is a private company that services residents. Many folks do that. To make it a “service” would add to our taxes. Recent discussions by the Board of Selectpersons over a few years now have examined the costs and the current system. You can search thru Beth’s history herein. But frankly, going to the Transfer Station on a Saturday is a cherished community activity! You will meet a lot of people, and recycle too.
As to the sewer system, I am not the expert, but most private residences (anything not on Route 9) have septic systems. To build sewer into the road systems at this point would be beyond expensive. We cannot even agree on how to pave Main Street in the center of Town! Just keep up with your bi-annual clean out by Lakeside or another reputable Sewer company and you’ll be fine.
Keep those questions coming, and again…Welcome!
@M, Thanks for your warm welcome and information
Any chance anyone has an update on the horrible crash that happened last night near Pizza 19? My heart just breaks for them.
Just about to post the story. Names are withheld and cause still being investigated. Stay tuned for story.
Just about to post. Names are being withheld at this point in the investigation, so I don’t know if anyone involved was a resident. Stay tuned for story.
Does anyone want or know anyone who wants a free dog kennel? It measures 46″ tall by 46″ wide by 72″ long. Thanks.
Sure, I could actually use another one!
James – that’s great. How can I get in touch with you?
What is with the moths? It seems they just appeared in the last day or so. They look like the winter moths we see in December or so. What are they? Does anyone know and how long they will be around?
The gypsy moths have hatched. Hopefully the trees will recover, but with the lack of rain and several years now of heat and caterpillar stress we may see some die off.
Yep. This is the year of the gypsy moth. We had bad winter moths last year (small green caterpillars that ate all the oak leaves.) This year we had winter moths and gypsy moths! Gypsy’s are the bigger blackish caterpillars they ate whatever the winter moths didn’t get to. two years in a row we have oaks with no leaves and caterpillar frass all over the cars, driveways and cars. Then they rest and turn into gypsy moths that you see everywhere.. These are the males b/c the females don’t fly. Kill as many as you can! The bird population should do well this year. I saw some birds catching moths and feeding their young! Very cool. Any way, the gypsys are making a come back this year because the dry spring has prevented the ground fungus that helps kill the caterpillars hasn’t been present. http://www.telegram.com/article/20160402/NEWS/160409765
I’ve been thinking about some kind of trap for them. Any insight as to what they like? Would love to put double sided tape on a 4×8 sheet of plywood and see how many I can catch with the right lure.
I wish I knew.
We have so many in my yard my wife thinks we live in a horror movie. I know bird eat them, so maybe this will boost the bird/bat population. I think they sleep at night, but you might consider bat houses to help decrease general insect populations.
Is there anything in the town archives that ties the old Andrea Restaurant on Rt. 9 West to the SS Andrea Doria (I remember there being a picture in the rear of the restaurant, and think it was named after the ship) I saw that some Sonar captured new pictures of the sunken ship, and was curious of the inception of the name and if it was named after the vessel.