editor@southboroughnews.com

Archived Page 236

November 27, 2011 - December 3, 2011

Santa Arrives

December 3, 2011 - The annual Santa Day arrived brought to the town for over thirty years by the Southborough Kindergroup.

Kid's Shop

December 3, 2011 - Lots to buy at the Boy Scout Troop 92 Kid's Shop today.

 

Sunset over Ft. Meadow, Marlborough

December 3, 2011 - Sunset on Ft. Meadow Reservoir, Marlborough.  Lake looks placid enough to take out a canoe.  However, if this warmer weather gets you into the canoe/kayak mode, be aware that it is mandatory to wear lifevests at this time of the year.

This Way

December 3, 2011 - Trying to out -do her brother Adam's house, Laura Phaneuf Bertonazzi decided might as well join him and put an array of lights on their house in the shape of an arrow pointing to Adam's house If you travel down Parkerville Road south from Route 9 look to your left just around the old trolley crossing bridge abutments.  

Sports and Recreation

ARHS Sports Photos by Chris Wraight www.thawkspix.com

Start of a New Season

December 3, 2011 - Wishful thinking of skating right now with this unseasonable weather.

Great game but unfortunately Assabet Valley fell to Baypath in the Super Bowl earlier today.  The score was a very respectable and close 38 to 34 game.

Holiday Lighting

December 2, 2011 - The Southborough Girl Scouts once again celebrated at the Community house with songs and lighting of the decorations tonight.

 

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church annual Christmas Bazaar

 Saturday, December 3rd, from 10am to 2pm,

featuring the White Elephant, Jewelry, & Toy sales, hand crafts, fresh greens, silent auction, basket raffles, hot lunch, photos with Santa, and so much more! 

New this year, in conjunction with the United Brethren Masonic Lodge of Marlborough: the MyChip child/youth identification program. 

Admission is free!

Also on the 3rd: Bargain Box Bag Sale at beginning at 10am. 

Come and fill as many bags as you like for only $5 per bag

Saturday, December 3 – Tree Decorating and Library Open House

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, December 3 at the Library.

Children are welcome to make ornaments and help decorate the Library Christmas tree in the front room.

The fun starts at 10:30 a.m. – no registration required. Come, and bring a friend or neighbor.

The Friends of the Library will have a table set out with information about membership. Did you know that it is our Friends of the Library who provide all those great museum passes for free or reduced admission at so many places of interest?  The Friends of the Library add “the icing on the cake” for the staff and for the Library community, and we need lots of friends!  Hope to see you tomorrow – Saturday, December 3 – at the Library.

Open Studio

Gersonware

December 3rd & 4th - Cathy Gerson Open Studios,
Southborough, MA
10am - 5pm

December 10th & 11th - Cathy Gerson Open Studios,
Southborough, MA
10am - 5pm

December 17th & 18th - Cathy Gerson Open Studios,
Southborough, MA
10am - 5pm

Cathy Gerson Ceramic Design
254 Parkerville Road
Southborough, MA 01772

phone: 508.485.5992
fax: 508.485.0679

Cathy@CathyGerson.com

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Sunny Window Soaps and Scents

4 Pearl Street

Southborough, MA

Open Studio at the Barn

December 10 – 11, 2011

December 17 – 18, 2011

      (508) 485-8132      

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Leeds Land Farm Craft Shop

118 Middle Rd., Southborough, MA, 01772

(508) 481-6111

Open House

Saturday, Dec 3 @ 10:00 AM

Saturday, Dec 10 @ 10 AM

Sunday, Dec 11 @ 10 AM

Handmade crafts made on farm with sheep and llama wool. Hats, mittens, scarves, rugs, yarn and felted items

Wolf Hill Farm

30 Jericho Hill Road

Southborough, Ma

508-485-5087    

WOLFHILLFARM1@VERIZON.NET

11/19 – 12/18 10 – dusk weekends only for trees.   Christmas Barn open

 Thu & Fri 11:00-6:00, Sat & Sun 10:00-5:00.

Southborough Firefighter's Association Annual Christmas Tree Sale

behind the Main Fire Station on Main Street

Monday through Friday 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Eastward Ho

December 2, 2011 - A single engine runs east through the Southborough station.

Jeffrey S. Thomas, 46, of Southborough, formerly of Natick, died Wednesday (Nov. 30, 2011) at Marlboro Hospital after being stricken ill at home. He leaves his wife of 23 years Helen (Lee) Thomas and children Scott W. Thomas and Rebecca A. Thomas both at home. Also leaves his parents Francis and Judith (Finch) Thomas of Durham, CT. and his sister Debrah Linehan and her husband Kevin of Cromwell, CT. and his mother and father in law Robert and Sandra Wilson of Natick. He was born in Hartford, CT and moved to Southborough 8 years ago from Natick. For the past several months he was employed as a stationary engineer by the Energy Construction Service of Worcester. Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday (Dec. 3, 2011) in the John P. Rowe Funeral Home Inc., 57 Main St., Marlborough. Cremation will follow at Rural Crematory in Worcester. Calling hours are prior to services on Saturday in the funeral home from 10 to noon.

Sports and Recreation

ARHS Sports Photos by Chris Wraight www.thawkspix.com

                                                                                OUTDOOR AND WILDLIFE-RELATED HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

Now is the time to consider a wildlife-related gift for the outdoor or wildlife enthusiast on your holiday list! The following suggestions from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) are suitable gifts to consider for all ages.

A 2-year subscription to Massachusetts Wildlife magazine ($10) delivers eight full-color issues of the Commonwealth's best wildlife publication. For the budding conservationist, try a copy of the Critters of Massachusetts book ($5). Critters is a great gift for the curious youngster or the beginning adult naturalist with an interest in backyard wildlife and beyond. For the more advanced naturalist, the Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies ($20) or A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools ($12) might be just the ticket. In-depth descriptions and detailed photographs help the reader identify and learn more about these creatures. For the budding herpetologist, there are a couple of options: The Field Guide to the Reptiles of Massachusetts features information on breeding, feeding habits, range, habitat, and conservation issues. This unique issue of the Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine is $3 per copy and also offers spectacular color photos of the various species, including color and pattern morphs of those species with variations and a list of key features that allows you to identify any native snake or turtle (except sea turtles) found in the Bay State. The turtle enthusiast in your life may also enjoy the Introduction to the Threatened Turtles of Massachusetts ($5), a video available from the DFW’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. More information is found at: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/publications/publications_home.htm, or call the Westborough Field Headquarters at (508) 389-6300.

The sportsman or sportswoman in your life will appreciate a 2012, hunting, fishing, or sporting (combination) license and any stamps they will need. New this year, freshwater fishing licenses for minors ages 15-17 years of age are free! (Minors under 15 do not need a license to fish.) 2012 licenses are available for sale online or through license vendors throughout the state. License purchases support the DFW and its wildlife conservation, management and restoration of wildlife, and wildlife habitat protection programs in Massachusetts. Information on purchasing a license online or through a license vendor can be found at: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/licensing/licensing_home.htm.

Give them the gift of the outdoors! Purchase a gift certificate for one of the 2012 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman, workshops. Workshops on skills such as animal tracking, shooting, fishing, kayaking, and photography are designed for adults and families new to that particular skill. The 2012 schedule of workshops will be posted in January. For more information, visit: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/bow/bow_home.htm. A terrific outdoor experience for teen girls and boys, 13-17 years old, is the Junior Conservation Camp, a 2-week overnight camp session packed with outdoor skills learning such as shooting, fishing, canoeing, and camping and field trips with biologists. The camp is located in Chesterfield and will be held in August. A link about the camp is at:  www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/jr_conservation_camp.htm.

For the person who has everything, make a donation in his or her name to support one of the following two funds. Wildlife habitat protection can supported by donating to the Wildlands Fund, a fund dedicated to acquiring important wildlife habitat open to wildlife-related recreation. Send the honoree’s name with a check made out to “Comm. of MA – DFW Wildlands Fund” and send it to: DFW Wildlands Fund, DFW Field HQ, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Visit www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/protection/wildlands_funding.htmfor more information. The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fundsupports efforts to protect rare and endangered wildlife. A donation in the form of a check made out to “Comm. of MA – NHESP” can also be sent to the DFW Field HQ, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. More information about this fund is at: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhesp_support.htm.

December 1, 2011 Announcing

Second Annual Holiday Lighting Contest

Sponsored by the Southborough News and its advertisers

Got Lights?  Why not send a photo to editor@southboroughnews.com

All photos should be submitted by 6:00 PM Friday December 16, 2011

Photos will be posted on the Southborough News beginning Saturday December 17

Voting will take place as soon as the photos are up. Voting will close Thursday December 22, 2011. 

The winners will be announced Friday December 23, 2011.

First prize $50 gift card

Two Runners up will receive a $25 gift card

The Southborough News will match those with a $100.00 donation to the Southborough Food Pantry.

To vote send an email to editor@southboroughnews.com (when photos are posted they will have assigned numbers), please vote for the photo by putting the correct number in your email. 

Thanks and have a great holiday.

Girl Scout Town Wide Holiday Sing Along and Gift Drive

Friday, Dec. 2  7:00-7:45

Southborough Community House

Open to all Southborough Girl Scouts and their families. Join us to sing in the holidays and light up holiday lights at the Community House. Also, bring along an unwrapped gift for the Southborough Fire Station gift drive.

Painting Class at the Senior Center

December 1, 2011 - Lots of activities go on at the Southborough Senior center such as this painting class earlier this week.

 

                        SOUTHBOROUGH FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                DAILY LOG

Tuesday 11/22/11

07:31 VEH ACCIDENT W/INJURIES TURNPIKE RD and WOODLAND RD

    A28  FF PIERCE       FF AMENDOLA

    C30  FF RICE

11:22 GOOD INTENT CALL NEWTON ST 

    C30  FF SHANAHAN     FF PIERCE

11:50 EMS CALL BIGELOW RD 

    A28  FF MARTINS      FF AMENDOLA

    C30  FF PIERCE

16:40 SMOKE SCARE, ODOR OF SMOKE PINE HILL RD 

    C30  LT PELTIER

21:47 ALARM SYSTEM DUE TO MALFUNCTIO CENTRAL ST 

    E23  LT PELTIER      FF MARTINS

Wednesday 11/23/11

09:59 ALARM SYSTEM, UNINTENTIONAL MARLBORO RD 

    E23  FF AMENDOLA     FF TOMMANEY

    T21  FF RICE         FF PIERCE       FF KANE

10:29 VEH ACCIDENT W/INJURIES CORDAVILLE RD 

    A29  FF KANE         FF AMENDOLA

    E23  FF RICE         FF PIERCE

11:09 EMS CALL BANTRY RD 

    A28  FF KANE         FF AMENDOLA

    C30  FF PIERCE

20:34 ALARM SYSTEM, UNINTENTIONAL SEARS LN 

    E23  FF RICE         FF KANE

23:06 EMS CALL OVERLOOK DR 

    A28  FF KANE         FF RICE

    C30  FF PIERCE

Thursday 11/24/11

12:43 VEH ACCIDENT W/INJURIES SOUTHVILLE RD and RIVER ST

    A29  FF SHANAHAN     FF GOODSPEED

    E23  LT PELTIER      FF FRANKS       FF MARTINS

Friday 11/25/11

11:45 EMS CALL SOUTHVILLE RD 

    A28  FF ASPESI       FF WILLS

    C30  FF ROACH

Saturday 11/26/11

16:21 VEH ACCIDENT W/INJURIES PARMENTER RD and PINE HILL RD

    A28  FF ROACH        FF NEAL

    E23  LT DANO         FF STRONG

20:05 EMS CALL PARKERVILLE RD 

    A28  FF ROACH        FF NEAL

    C30  LT DANO

Sunday 11/27/11

08:41 VEH ACCIDENT W/INJURIES TURNPIKE RD 

    A28  FF WILLS        FF KANE

    E23  FF ASPESI       FF NAVAROLI

10:40 ALARM SYSTEM, UNINTENTIONAL MARLBORO RD 

    E22  FF ASPESI       FF NAVAROLI

    T21  FF KANE         FF WILLS

Monday 11/28/11

09:00 SCHOOL INSPECTIONS CORDAVILLE RD 

    C27  CAPT MAURO

10:00 SMOKE DETECTOR, RESALE MT VICKERY RD 

    C27  CAPT MAURO

11:04 COVER ASSIGNMENT EAST MAIN STREET ST HOP

    C30  FF SHANAHAN

    E22  FF STRONG       FF PIERCE       FF NAVAROLI

13:30 PLAN REVIEW - SMOKE DETECTOR WINCHESTER ST 

    C3   CAPT MAURO

14:28 COOKING FIRE, CONFINED TO CONT DAVID HENRY GARDNER LN 

    E22  FF SHANAHAN     FF NAVAROLI

    T21  FF STRONG       FF PIERCE

Sports and Recreation

ARHS Sports Photos by Chris Wraight www.thawkspix.com

     DPU Holds Public Hearing in Southborough

National Grid President Marcy Reed

     November 30, 2011 Linda Hubley - Some staggering numbers were given out by National Grid President Marcy Reed last night addressed a slim crowd that had turned out for one of several public hearings being held by the MA DPU.  The hearings are for residents/customers, State and Public officials to voice their concerns over how the utility companies have handled restoring power after the two major storms (Tropical Storm Irene and the Snowstorm of October 29, 2011).

     During Irene, 170 out of 172 cities and towns that National Grid serves were impacted with ten communities nearly entirely out of power.  518,000 National Grid customers in Massachusetts lost power at one time or another which is over 40% of their customers. Six million customers lost power in eleven states.

     During the snowstorm, 420,000 National Grid customers lost power.  Thirty-Eight of the communities served lost 90% of customer power.  There were three million homes and businesses without power from Maryland to Maine.  Over 600 utility crews from out of state responded to Massachusetts.

Storm                    Poles replaced  transformers replaced   electric cable replaced   wires down reports

Irene                     230                         130+                                      17,000’                                  12,000

Snow                     155                         65                                           13,000’                                  20,000

     Both storms were classified as Level 5 which is National Grid’s highest level in their Emergency Restoration Plans.   These two Level 5 storms events came in within nine weeks of each other.  Prior to the Tropical Storm, National Grid attempted to mitigate any potential restoration process by bringing in crews from other regions and staging personnel and equipment around the state.  However, she admitted that due to the storms intensity and widespread area of destruction, many crews from along the eastern seaboard that they would naturally call were themselves getting prepared for when the storms hit their states.  Inevitably crews ended up coming from Texas, Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada, which took longer to reach Massachusetts.   Ms Reed said the snowstorm was heavy and wet snow layering the still leaved out trees down on wires.   

     In the lessons learned Ms Reed said that they would work on a better mutual aid package with other states, they would work on the communications issues addressed by MEMA, local police and fire and the State Police.  Safety is a concern for both their employees and the public.  National Grid utilized their gas supply personnel to stand by downed power lines, GPS tracking systems for their contractors and better explanations of the process of restoring power from the main lines out.

     State Representative, Carolyn Dykema said she would like to see better communications taking place between the power companies and the local towns.  Representative Dykema would like the utilities to check into alternative power feeds such as undergrounding the wires.   Attorney General’s Office Representative Jim Stetson reminded all that the weather is unpredictable but that National Grid needs to improve on their response to restoration and that their office had heard there was lack of communication between local emergency response teams such as fire and police and the Grid.    The Attorney General’s office would like to hear complaints.  For example if you called to report an outage or wire down, what was your response from the company?  How long did it take for restoration? Would like to know if this is a staffing level concern or lack of tree trimming that contributed to such long power outages.  Mr. Stetson also reminded the public that this is just the start of the investigation and that only after extensive hearings will we know the answers and to be patient.

     Southborough Selectman Bill Boland commended National Grid for their communication improvements during the snowstorm incident vs. the tropical storm incident.  He said the biggest improvement was to have a National Grid employee embedded within the Emergency Operations Center.  Mr. Boland participated in conference calls with National Grid which he said enhanced his understanding of the power restoration process.  He did end his statements by saying as companies gobble other companies and get bigger and National Grid being owned by an out of country team that maybe sometimes staffing, tree trimming and local management get overlooked or not taken as seriously.  He also recommended that the substation on Northborough Road maybe needs upgrading as we have had so many power feed losses from there.

Southborough’s Emergency Preparedness officer, Neal Aspesi, followed Mr. Boland by saying that he too saw a big improvement in communications between the two storms.  But he also saw other problems.  One big problem is that when the town loses power – we lose phone lines, fax machines, emails, and ability of 911 and reverse 911, servers, fire alarms and the ability for residents and businesses to call in emergencies.  He reminded the Grid that in years past phone systems was copper but now with the fiber optics electricity is needed to run all these things.  Southborough had shelters, senior citizen center, Colonial Gardens, hotels, St. Mark’s and Fay School that all depend on these and needed firewatch.  He stated that after the power was restored during Irene that the fax machine started to spit out numerous faxes from the Grid that was of little use because of the dated material.  Firefighter Aspesi said that they need to address their tree trimming program and that during the conference calls he felt that National Grid was overwhelmed but never said as much and the town needs to know these facts that if indeed the power is going to be out longer let them know so that the town can accommodate its citizens and shelters.

     Although he knows that this next recommendation may be hard to do, he suggested having mixed crews stand by in major storms.  Aspesi recommended that the crews consist of a tree trimming crew, line truck and a Verizon company official.  In his ending comments he said that this storm with the power out, people felt the cold even inside their homes and sought shelter elsewhere or toughed it out but that he wanted the utility company to understand that in their restoring power they also hold people’s lives in their hands that they should not think of themselves as just a utility company.

The public was then allowed to speak.  Louise Barron of Sadie Hutt Lane spoke angrily about National Grid.  She wanted them to cover expenses of lost food and hotel expenses.  Ms Barron stated that she would like to see National Grid gone from Southborough and fined heavily for the power loss.  One other resident said that he would like to see much more tree trimming around the power lines and better planning for roads blocked by trees and wires.  He knew of many people caught in traffic for the route 30 tree that had fallen across by Firman Ave and had taken nearly a week to clear out.

The meeting was closed. 

State Representative Carolyn Dykema	Selectman Bill Boland address DPU Commissioner	Southborojugh Emergency Preparedness Director Neal Aspesi	Southborough Resident Louise Barron

Southborough Notes

Southborough Selectmen at their last meeting agreed on placing a truck ban on Gilmore Road a winding narrow road that connects Parkerville Road in the corner of southwest Southborough with Flanders Road in Westborough.

Selectmen also accepted the resignation of Town Engineer John Woodsmall who has taken a position as DPW Director for the Town of Holden, MA.

Southborough police on their facebook page has posted information pertaining to a house break in the northwest section of town around Main Street and the Route 495 overpass earlier today.  In the facebook statement police say an unknown suspect (s) forced their way in through the front door of the residence and took several items (including jewelry and electronics) from the home.  If you have any information that may be useful in helping to solve this B & E, please contact the police department at 508-485-2121.  Also, if you have been following our posts, you'll notice that this type of crime is increasing slightly.  This is usually the case for this time of the year as the holidays are approaching and stolen goods are turned in for cash.  We will continue to investigate this crime and want to reassure everyone that we are committed to keeping our residents safe.  We ask that you be vigilant in reporting any type of suspicious activity around town.

On November 29, 2011 at 3:40 pm Southborough officers responded to a report of a suspicious male, hanging around the outside of an abandoned house on Oak Hill Road.  Responding officers located the male, coming from the back of the abandoned home upon their arrival.  Officers found the residence and the neighboring vacant home had been broken into, and observed that several copper pipes, fixtures, and wires were gathered together to be taken from the house.  Robert Alberini of Woodland Road, Ashland, MA was arrested and charged with B & E in the daytime with intent to commit a felony; trespassing; and malicious destruction of property.

MARLBOROUGH HOSPITAL TO HOLD

11TH ANNUAL TREE OF LIGHT EVENT

 Marlborough, MA (November 29, 2011) --Marlborough Hospital will light the hospital’s “Tree of Light” at 5 pm on Thursday, December 15. Guests will gather in the Leahy Conference Room for some holiday refreshments and the fourth grade chorus at the Whitcomb School will provide entertainment.

This year, Karen Moore, MS, FACHE, Marlborough Hospital’s new president and CEO will "light" the tree. Ms. Moore began her new position at the end of November.

The Tree of Light will be decorated with angels, shining stars, snowflakes and twinkling lights. The lights and decorations are gifts from patients, family members, employees and friends of the hospital. An “angel” may be purchased in memory of a loved one or a “shining star” can be purchased in honor of a physician, nurse or any hospital employee who provided compassionate care to a patient or a family member.  Snowflakes and lights represent gratefulness to the hospital for care or simply as a “thank you” to the hospital for being here in the community.

Since 1890, Marlborough Hospital has provided quality and compassionate care to the residents of the community. The Tree of Light represents the patients, the hospital staff and the members of the community that the hospital has served for 120 years.

For more information about purchasing an ornament or to learn more about the 11th Annual Tree of Light, contact Ellen Carlucci, director of development at Marlborough Hospital 508-486-5807.

Come Support the Teams

Assabet Students do not pay to participate in sports - the Boosters raise the money so that they are allowed to play - this is such a big help and a burden off of the parent's shoulders

Southborough Youth Will Be in Chorus

Left - Jen Piekarz (contributed photo)

State Agriculture Budget Hearings Scheduled

A reminder to Massachusetts agricultural stakeholders of two upcoming budget hearings where you may have the opportunity to show support for the MDAR programs and services of greatest importance to YOU.  Please see dates and times below. Written comment can also be submitted (see details):

NOTICE: EOEEA FISCAL YEAR 2013 BUDGET HEARINGS

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) will hold 2 hearings to allow interested parties to provide their comments as part of our Fiscal Year 2013 recommendation process.

BOSTON:   Thursday, December 1, 2011

2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

100 Cambridge Street, Boston, 2nd floor

Conference Room C-D (please bring a picture I.D. for building security)

PITTSFIELD:  Thursday, December 15th, 2011

5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

DCR’s Regional Headquarters Building

740 South Street, Pittsfield, Main Conference Room

Written comment is encouraged prior to the hearing.  Interested parties may also submit written comments at the hearing or through the close of business on December 22.  Please address them to:

Richard K. Sullivan, Secretary

ATTENTION: FY 13 Budget

Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs,

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900

Boston, MA 02114 

Sports and Recreation

ARHS Sports Photos by Chris Wraight www.thawkspix.com

Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School Goes to the Super Bowl

Petition to Keep the Swap Shop Open

Sunrise

What about this stretch of weather we have had with temperatures reaching into the sixties.  Every morning lately there seems to be a surprisingly beautiful sunrise complimented by a just as equal sunset.  The region should see cooler and more normal temperatures later this week with some fairly heavy rain midweek.  Tennessee is in the 30's and snowing.  Upside down weather.

A "Messiah Sing" by Assabet Valley Mastersingers

A “Messiah Sing” will be presented by the ASSABET VALLEY MASTERSINGERS on Sunday, December 11^th at 3:30 PM.  The Christmas portion of Handel’s oratorio in addition to the “Hallelujah Chorus” will be sung at Trinity Church, 23 Main Street (Route 20) at Hudson Street in Northborough.

Those in attendance will be invited to join with members of the chorus, sitting in sections according to voice part.  Generally all participants greatly enjoy this beloved tradition of the Christmas season.  Organist Brett Maguire will provide accompaniment, and vocal soloists will be soprano Leslie Leedberg, mezzo Catherine Hedberg, tenor Joshua Kohl, and bass-baritone Seth Grondin.   Robert P. Eaton, Artistic Director of the ASSABET VALLEY MASTERSINGERS, will direct the ensemble. 

Some scores are available to share, although participants are urged to bring their own, if possible. Those people who would prefer to listen are also welcome.

A suggested donation of $10 is desired. Guests will be invited to share refreshments following the “sing”.  For further information call (978)-562-9838 or search www.avmsingers.org

From our Sister News Site:  www.hopnews.com

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Sports and Recreation

ARHS Sports Photos by Chris Wraight www.thawkspix.com

Free Skate at St. Mark's

November 28, 2011 - As the hours of the free skate at St. Mark's continued, so did the crowd as more and more young skaters showed up to enjoy the afternoon skating courtesy of the Southborough Recreation Department and St. Mark's School.

 

Petition to be Presented to Selectmen asking the Swap Shop Stay Open

The Saga will continue about the Swap Shop closing, as residents spent the the time since last Tuesday gathering signatures (over several hundred signatures just on Saturday alone) for the shop to stay open.  Signature gatherers tell me that nearly everyone that entered the transfer station gladly signed it.  They said some were shocked and angered to hear of its closing and upset that it was not listed on the Selectmen's agenda. Many recounted stories of what they had been able to pick up and use from furnishing their children's college dorms, swapping out books, enlightening their children on sharing and recycling and helping people out in need.  And as I'd mentioned in my earlier article, many people are concerned with what to do with their still useful items.  Many do not want to just throw them in the bin for many reasons including they don't want to see the town paying for extra waste weight due to no more recycling within the swap shop.  The petition will be presented to the Selectmen this week.  Townspeople hope that the closing of the swap shop will be reconsidered and brought up at a public meeting.

William Boland

Daniel Kolenda

John Rooney

Southborough Board of Selectmen

Town House

Southborough, MA 01772

28 November, 2011

RE: Continued Operation of Swap Shop at DPW Transfer Station

Dear Selectmen Boland, Kolenda and Rooney,

Enclosed please find our petition of approximately 700 Southborough residents’ signatures in favor of the continued operation of the Transfer Station’s Swap Shop. We the undersigned request that the Swap Shop be kept operating for residents’ use.

We also request that you hold a publicly announced, open-forum meeting of the residents, selectmen and DPW,  as soon as it is possible, to discuss rules and regulations for the operation of the Swap Shop that will be acceptable to both residents and the Town.

We further request that a plan acceptable to both residents and Town be implemented to ensure optimal continued operation of the Swap Shop in the future.

We believe that the Swap Shop is one of the primary recycling operations in this community, and an important service to taxpayers, which they are entitled to.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Residents of Southborough

cc. Karen Galligan, Supt. Department of Public Works

Thank You

November 27, 2011 - Dan Kolenda, Robert Braccio and Deb Dep-Wilson greeted all that donated items at the Gobble Wobble that are  to be shipped overseas for troops.

Southborough Senior Center Activities