Wednesday, May 22, 2013
A number of building projects are in the works for Northborough.
"It's a very positive indication of what's happening locally, and hopefully with our economy as a whole," said Town Planner Kathy Joubert, who said a number of projects are in the works for Northborough. "We are seeing a lot of redevelopment as a whole, particularly in downtown. There has been quite a flurry around and right after Town Meeting." The Gulf station at 15 Main St. will be temporarily closed, as it is dismantled and rebuilt in the form of a Cumberland Farms convenience and gas center. The station will no longer be a service station, but rather a convenience store with gas pumps. The ZBA has approved a sign for the building in the event that it opens 24 hours, which developers are tentatively planning. Construction will begin …
The Regional School Committee is not in favor of adopting School Choice for the district.
The Regional School Committee again voted to reject to adopt the School Choice program, after holding a public hearing last Wednesday. No one offered feedback during the public hearing, and the committee unanimously voted to reject School Choice. School Choice allows a fixed number of students outside the district to apply to attend Algonquin, would also garner up to $5,000 per student from the state if implemented. Charles Gobron, superintendent of schools, said the expenditure per student exceeds $13,000. Last year a subcommittee was formed, at the urging of committee member Paul Butka, to study the impact of School Choice, and the finding was that it was not beneficial for Algonquin. Concerns over class size, as well as the inability to…
Former high school teacher Pat Conaway sees real hope in the young people who help him clean the area's trails, waterways and roadways.
Pat Conaway admits he is "kind of a nut" about the environment, so when he retired from teaching in 2008, it didn't take long for him to find a number of productive ways to spend his time. "I wanted to get people fired up about the environment, to try to encourage citizens to get involved locally," said Conaway, founder of Big Hearts, Little Feet. A nearly constant presence on area roadways, trails and waterways, Conaway can be found leading groups of volunteers, including many students, to pick up trash, improve trails and remove invasive species. From beer cans to soda and coffee cups, trash tossed by the roadside washes into local rivers and, if left alone, eventually finds its way to the ocean, where scientists have found plastic …
Our weekly contest offers readers the opportunity to win a gift card.
Beach weather is coming: and soon, the bathing suits will be coming out. But even if it were the middle of winter, we know there are still countless Patch readers who make physical fitness a part of their routine. So, with that in mind, our photo contest topic this week is "fitness." Whether you're a fitness guru, a local gym owner or simply someone who likes to exercise, we want to see your photos. Upload a photo of a fitness activity, and you'll have a chance to win a $25 gift card. We’ll take submissions until 5 p.m. May 27. The winner, chosen by Patch editors, will be announced on May 28. The prize? A $25 gift card. We know it can be hard to choose just one, so you may enter as many photos as you'd like. If you like a particular photo…
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Donating money to organizations that help victims is quick and easy.
Americans across the country are reacting with shock to the devastation caused by a 2-mile wide Tornado in Oklahoma. Dozens have died, and President Barack Obama has declared the path of the tornado a major disaster area. If you would like to help, you can do so from your computer or mobile device right now. Patch will be posting stories of locals who are working to help victims from afar. If you know of someone local was affected by the tornado or who is working to help the victims, please contact your local editor: northborough@patch.com.
The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement about the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms across much of southern New England Tuesday afternoon.
Enjoy this beautiful day while it lasts. The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement, warning of the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon. According to the statement, the conditions will exist between 1 and 4 p.m. Tuesday, created by a cold front that is moving south. "Some of the storms may produce strong, damaging wind gusts and hail, in addition to lightning and heavy rainfall," the statement said. The region affected includes most of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, but especially near the Mass Pike.
We've chosen our winner.
Readers since last week have been uploading dozens of cute photos in our weekly contest. After much deliberation, we've chosen our winner: "too cool for the beach," uploaded by Christel. Congratulations, Christel, and thank you to all who entered! Christel, we'll be emailing you to make arrangements for your $25 gift card.
Principal Tom Mead highlights the best events and achievements of the past month at Algonquin Regional High School.
Information courtesy of Algonquin Principal Tom Mead Here is a list of the Spring There It Is Geography winners. 12th grade first place winners: Adam Klein and Katie Pyne. 12th grade second place winners: Brennan Burns and Joe Grieco. 10th grade first place winners: Sean O’Neil and Nate Chen. 10th grade second place winners: Jonathan Cahill and Alex Sabel. Katie Salt hosts this semiannual event. At the New England Scholastic Press Association’s (NESPA) yearly conference at Boston University on May 3, The Harbinger was awarded second place in the “All New England” category for large school newspapers. All of the issues of the last year were evaluated for content, writing, photography, and design, and, for the first time in a long time, …
Upcoming plans for the Downtown Improvement Project include installing granite curbing and concrete to the sidewalk.
Originally, the Depatment of Transportation planned on having the Downtown Improvement Project for Northborough completed in March. As Town Engineer Fred Litchfield remarked at the Board of Selectmen meeting Monday night, "I don't know who would plan to complete a project in March in New England ... but it is now July." Litchfield, provided an update to the board on the project, which is a multi-faceted effort to reconfigure and update downtown Northborough that began in full force last spring. With questions and confusion from residents ranging from issues on poles in the road, streets without piping and ill-timed street lights, many have wondered, "When's it going to be done?" Late last week, construction on temporary pavement markings …
The following information was supplied by the Northborough police department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Incidents, Sunday, May 19 12:43 p.m.: Party came into lobby to have escort to residence - escort was denied at this time per the homeowner, Northgate Road 2:01 p.m.: Medical call, Hudson Street 2:26 p.m.: RP states someone smashed his tail light overnight, Winter Street 4:16 p.m.: Medical call on Tory Lane 4:08 p.m.: Found Dog - returned to owner, Park Street 5:17 p.m.: 2 black females took several pairs of shoes, Shops Way 5:57 p.m.: Ex-employee will not return materials, Main Street 10:38 p.m: In the area several reports of 3 loud bang noises, South Street 7:21 a.m.: Report of loud music being played. MA PC 293JM1, spoken to, Bartlett Street Don't miss a beat in Northborough. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter, like us on Facebook, …
J.G. DuPont
9:04 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Home owner are as much to blame as the elected officials and some of the salaried employees. Most people do not pay attention to local town elections and pooh pooh the people who are trying to do something to curb the spending. It has been this way since I moved here in the 1960's Until most people get off their dead behinds and get involved, they will see the spending increases just like the … more ›