It’s time for another open thread.
What’s on your mind this week, Southborough?
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(photo by Beth Melo)
Hi Beth: I was wondering if you or the town officials have heard of the Wi-Fi / cell phone towers( 73 feet tall) purposed to be constructed along the railroad tracks along southville road. There is a lot of news about the project on line, but it doesn’t say anything about Southborough, mostly about the north shore .
Thanks
I hadn’t heard anything about this or seen anything on any agendas. I reached out to both the Building Inspector and Town Planner to see if they knew anything. Neither of them were aware of such a project.
Thanks Beth, according, to The stories I have heard about it on TV and on line, every city and town that has MBTA tracks in them will be getting these poles, The I-Team found out about the plans , most cities and towns never knew about the project, and Sen. Markey is conducting a full review with the FCC,.Time will tell
I’m surprised they have not heard anything about the project, as the current plan calls for at least 2, 70’+ cell towers along the rail line in Southborough. One by the station, and another about 1/8-1/4 mile past Bridge St.
Here is a helpful link to MBTA’s public update presentation that shows a map of the Worcester line and where poles would go: http://andoverma.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/2632
MBTA and Deval snuck this by quietly a few years back and now it’s game time, but as the public and abutters across the state caught wind (most props go to the people of Andover), MBTA has had to temporarily shelve this.
Thank you for sharing that information. It is possible that some other Town officials were aware the same way that you are, through the media. But reading the presentation you provided a link to – as of Monday, the MBTA didn’t send out notices to municipalities on the south side of the project yet – which includes the Worcester line.
The MBTA does now appear to be accepting public comment through August 14th. But I couldn’t find any way for non-Andover residents to submit their comments. (The only place I could find information on comments being collected was the Town of Andover’s website. And they were collecting comments from their own residents.)
I have reached out to Southborough officials and a few other places. If I get an answer on how Southborough residents can submit their comments, I will let readers know.
The Boston Glove reported today the Wi-Fi tower project has been cancelled due to the backlash.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/08/10/controversial-wifi-towers-along-commuter-rail-rejected/uNpaVAkAltIw188cGA51eI/story.html
Good to know. I had been trying unsuccessfully to find the contact information readers could used to comment on the project.
Anyone know if our PD cruisers (and FD) are impacted by the carbon monoxide leaking issues being reported? Auburn PD is on the news w/ several officers sickened.
Thanks forest for your link, I think our town officials should act Now and look into this project before it’s too late, So we in southboro don’t get stuck with these eyesores in town.
I reached out to Chief Paulhus. He responded, “We have been aware of the problem for several weeks. We had the exhaust systems checked out by our supplier and installed the proper CO detectors which plug into the accessory outlet. We continue to monitor any updates.”
Does anyone know what happened with First Steps on Oregon Road? My daughter went there and we LOVED it, especially the caring staff. Is the building going to be knocked down?
I heard through grapevine that they closed suddenly with little notice to staff or employees.
They were apparently bought by developer to use property as part of the Stonebrook Village development on Oregon Road. That development had been under appeal for years by neighbors. The appeals were unsuccessful and project is moving ahead.
That was in May. I thought we would learn more when they went before the Planning Board, as they were applying to change the name of the road at that time. But they withdrew the application.
We received our transfer station stickers in the mail and can’t get over how enormous and gaudy they are–more than every before! Not only has the sticker grown in size but it’ll certainly look like an ugly hand-written billboard on my small car–I confess I am waiting until the last possibly moment before I need to add it.
I would really love to see a better solution. What do other towns do for dump permits?
Someone else brought this to my attention. The new stickers are twice the size of the old stickers. I checked in with the town clerk to find out why. His response: “The old stickers were 3×2 inches and the Transfer Station attendants could not read the license plate numbers on those stickers unless they walked right up to the car which made it hard for them to enforce the rules and ensure that only authorized cars were at the Transfer Station. This year’s stickers are 1″ wider and 1” taller. “
Despite living in town for a while I have never purchased a transfer station sticker but find myself in need of one now. If I purchase one now is it good from date of purchase until NEXT year!
Many thanks in advance –
BT
You are in luck.
The stickers are September 15 to September 15. But the permit stickers for this year went on sale In July. And they are effective from the date of purchase. Good thing for you since prorated permits are only allowed for new residents.
Thank you so much for this information. Very helpful!! I did look on the website but was unsure if I could use it right away. Yea me!
Did anyone have any details or see any report of the motor vehicle accident on Route 9 Eastbound at Parkerville Road in Southborough about 330 AM today (Monday, 8/7)? Was a life flight transport made? Thanks
A life flight transport was made from Finn.
Thanks. :-(
I came upon the accident while all traffic had been stopped Eastbound. About a half hour later a helicopter went overhead in Shrewsbury headed towards UMass.
Any other details available? I’m concerned it might have been a neighbor.
I don’t yet know if it was a resident. And the little I did hear through the grapevine I don’t want to share without getting official confirmation that the details are correct.
I can now confirm that it was not a Southborough resident on the helicopter. I will post more details later today.
I was woken up by the loud noise of the helicopter, as were other neighbors. Must have been when it was coming in, looking to land. Thanks for clearing this up! It was driving me crazy.
That is, the MYSTERY was driving me crazy…
I posted details this afternoon: https://mysouthborough.com/2017/08/08/car-crash-before-dawn-on-monday-required-lifeflight-transport/
Thank you
Thank you!
Estate sale/ Garage Sale
Everything must go!
All brand names, designer labels, mint condition!
North Face, Uggs, Crate and Barrel, Vera Bradley, Coach, Christmas Village, ornaments, all kinds of home goods, Craftman tools, furniture, and lots mores! Come see and name your price!
Saturday August 12th 8am-2pm
Sunday August 13th 8-1pm
28 Ward Road Southborough