Above: Southborough is still looking a bit ragged from a rough March. But signs of spring were beginning to break through over the weekend before the snow. (photo by Cassie Melo)
It’s time for another open thread. What’s on your mind this week, Southborough?
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:
- Ask questions about programs in town or the town itself
- Post a note about things that you’re selling or giving away, or things that you want
- Share notices about upcoming events (Southborough or otherwise)
- Register your thoughts on town issues or news stories
- Point out interesting or helpful resources
You can add comments to the thread throughout the week. Check back often to see new comments. (If you read the blog via email or RSS, you might want to check the site from time to time for new comments.)
To view past open discussion threads, click here.
I know this question was asked in the last open thread, but I’m still curious about the work going on at the corner of Newton Street and Main…Will we soon have a new business downtown?
As far as I heard, they are simply prepping a staging area for pending Main St. work. i could be entirely wrong, but hear it from a reliable source. I would love for something to get there after the work is done though. Maybe a cafe? Anything really.
It looks like they are finally following through on old approved plans for a small office building with parking.
Following up on the owner’s extension request to the Conservation Commission last week, I got an update from the Cons. Commissioner today. They received a year extension on their Order of Conditions approval that was about to expire. They will need a new septic permit and they’ll need to go to Planning for Site Plan approval. I’m waiting for updates on whether there’s been any action on either of those yet.
Here’s what I learned from Beth Rosenblum:
Has any information been posted about the Junior Police Academy?
Not yet. I asked for an update on when we can expect that, but that usually isn’t announced until June. I’ll definitely let you know if I hear anything sooner. (But if you want to enroll yourself in their adult Citizen’s Police Academy, I just posted about the one being offered this spring!)
Apparently, last year too few applied to make the academy viable. (A shock to me.) So, this year, they are trying to coordinate a joint effort with Hopkinton. They will update me, and I will update readers, when they have this year’s plans worked out.
See the following
http://mjpoa.wildapricot.org/The-Boros-Youth-Police-Academy/
Westborough, Southborough and Northborough Police are joining their efforts July 30th -August 3rd, in Westborough at the Gibbons School. Cost is $50.
As a retired Southborough firefighter, I want to commend our fire department on a job well done. In the early hours of Saturday, March 31, my neighbors Bill and Cheryl Kane suffered a devastating fire in their home at 9 Cottage Street. With only 5 firefighters on duty, Captain Sadowski ordered first and second alarm responses immediately. The on duty personnel were able to hold their ground until off duty firefighters as well as mutual aid companies arrived. Mrs. Kane was evaluated by Firefighter/Paramedic Jason Roach, and was transported for burns and smoke inhalation. The fire was finally extinguished, and Mrs Kane was released from the hospital to be with her family. Our firefighters did an outstanding job of preventing further damage, as well as protecting my next door neighbors garage. At the same time they provided much needed immediate medical care. The Kane family is working on the reality of their home, as well as the loss of their pets. The one big story here is that their smoke detectors activated, and prevented a disaster. Remember: WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES!
Does anyone know what is going on the parking lot at Fitzgeralds? I heard they were going to have extra parking for the train station and people would be able to pay through Fitzy’s rather than the town lot (which is ALWAYS filled). It seems to be at a standstill.
Good question. The most recent record I could find was from minutes of a discussion at the Planning Board’s October 16th meeting.
Town Planner Karina Quinn updated to the board in October that she had a meeting with the owner and the Conservation admin to discuss outstanding items before construction. The special permit expired October 13th and the extension was expiring in November. She advised told the owner that he would need to reapply to the Planning Board for permits.
Am I out of the loop on Fayville Park, or has it not opened yet? I’m not sure I’ve heard anything about progress recently, obviously the winter months don’t allow for much. I don’t need to ever drive past if we’re not stopping there, so I haven’t seen it in a bit. Anyone know?
Still not done. Last update I heard was early May, but it’s already been delayed a couple times I believe and their last update mentioned that this is all contingent on weather on the weekend. The rate weather is going lately, who knows.
In driving by the playground over the weekend, it looked basically complete but the fence was still up. I got an update from Rec this morning. It will be open sometime soon. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for May with two potential dates in early and late May. But it will likely open to the public before the celebration.
When I have solid news on an opening, I’ll run a post.
Has anyone else noticed the nightly truck traffic at 0300, 0400, 0500, etc. on (?) route 495
and/or route 9? These trucks are running with open exhaust systems and with Jake
brakes, so it’s BLAAAT up the hills and the same, if not worse down the hills. This sound carries for miles!
Who patrols 495 going through Southborough?
What happened to muffled exhausts for commercial trucks?