Above: I was going to share a pretty snowscape. But who wants to look at more snow today? So here’s a shout out to upcoming Valentine’s Day. Hope you have a romantic (or at least pleasant) one. (Image posted to Flickr by Art01852)
It’s time for another open thread. What’s on your mind this week, Southborough?
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Snow is on my mind! The condition of the lesser traveled roads in town is poor. Breakneck Hill Road is particularly scary with its narrowed state and copious amount of snow. Today, a snow plow was coming toward me on this road. It may have been spreading sand, but it certainly wasn’t removing any of the snow from the road. There was not enough room for us to pass and the plow was not slowing down, so I was forced to drive in reverse many feet to get out of the way. My patience is wearing thin when school is closed/delayed on the day after snow due to poor road conditions but there is no additional effort to improve the roads.
A word to the wise: we contacted a local roofing company to remove snow from our roof. After hearing quotes from others in excess of $1,000, we thought these guys at $750 seemed the more reasonable. We even discussed with the owner how badly others were gouging customers during this crisis. As my wife was leaving the house to run an errand yesterday, the two man crew arrived and told us that they were told to collect the $750 in advance. My wife returned after 50 minutes to find the 2 man crew leaving! Only part of the roof was cleared of snow. The owner asked for some pictures when we called to complain and we’re hoping some workers come back today to finish the job. When we suggested that $375/hour per worker was a ridiculous rate to pay, the owner first told us that he never measured the work being done by time and that his crew worked much harder than anyone else’s! Maybe he’ll read this and do the right thing… and maybe, if he doesn’t, I’ll log back in and actually mention his company’s name.
Red Flag goes up when I hear pay in advance. That always means their work is subpar and once they get their money they can run. Never trust anyone that asks for money up front. Live and learn
A follow-up… Today, the two roofers knocked on my door and asked what else they needed to do to make me more satisfied with their work!
They immediately set up ladders and worked very hard for another hour.
I know it’s still a ludicrous hourly rate but it is certainly an improvement and I was impressed that the owner sent the crew back.
Glad to hear!
In case it helps…We had ours done and it was $600. There were five guys and a foreman and it took about an hour. Not entirely sure how cost is determined, but for reference our house is around 3,000 sf finished with a walkout basement, so three stories in the back and two in the front. Snow was around 1-2 feet on roof, although you really can’t see the back. They also cleaned up everything that they shoveled off.
Has anyone else hit that nasty “bump” on the bridge over Route 9 in the northbound lane? Given it’s not my routine route I forget about it – and am quickly reminded when I hit it. I know they hit it with cold patch recently and that only held until the next time the plows are out. How many cars in Southborough or of those who travel through Southborough are going to need front end alignments because of that “pot hole”. Who can we bill? It’s crazy that it hasn’t been addressed – and I can’t believe I’m the only one that has a problem with it.
FWIW Sullivan tire offers a lifetime alignment for $190. I get the cars aligned 3-4 times a year now that it’s ‘free’… :)
Sorry – It’s the Route 85 bridge over Route 9.
I hit that one myself recently. It didn’t feel good.
Yes, that bump is crazy. Same exact kind of bump on the bridge crossing Rte 9 on Crossing Blvd. Almost like the seam of the road/bridge is buckling in same way at on 85.
While I’m not happy about the bumps or potholes, I’ve noticed much bigger issues with BIG potholes all over Framingham Hudson and Westborough during the past several days. I just don’t think any state or town public works department can keep up with all the issues were having this winter. I saw what I assume was another water main break being fixed on 85 near Woodward School today.