Sixty miles west of Boston, Massachusetts there is the small New England town of Sturbridge. Located at the junction of I-90 (The Mass Pike), and I-84 it has become known as the "Crossroads of New England". The town was first settled over 300 years ago, and like other small New England towns it has grown just enough over the years to be in a difficult place today. How do we embrace the future without forgetting how we got to our present? How do we attract the right kind of growth, and maintain who we are? And, what about our culture out here in Central Massachusetts?
These pages will cause one to think about how to protect what we have, our future direction, and how to move on in the very best way.
Those thoughts, and other ramblings, will hopefully inspire more thought, conversation, action, and occasionally a smile...
...seems to be working so far
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Educate Ourselves, And Then Ask Informed Questions
Education is something we all need to do in order to figure out just what the hell the other guy is talking about. Here's a start:
Personally, I'm not convinced this is a bad idea for Sturbridge. I think it would enhance traffic flow tremendously. Change is good. Sturbridge needs change and our Main Street needs a serious face lift.
I agree that Sturbridge needs a face lift at some point. Now would be great actually. However, i am not willing to pay for it at this time. Maybe when the tax rate drops down to the 10% range or so i will be willing to open up the wallet more. The problem is right now there isn't much left in the wallet after the property tax bill comes. After our big ticket items get paid for bring forth something new. Its going to be a few years though until Tantasqua, Burgess the waste water plant are paid for. A lot of things in the master plan look awesome on paper and i truly wish some of them would happen but who is going to be paying for it? Grants from the state are not free money mind you, the sales tax went up last year now the gas tax went up, nothing is free people!
As for the roundabouts... For the locals i do not think they would be a bad idea. But as we are SUCH a tourist town i am not convinced that a rather odd traffic pattern is what we need.
With the traffic light gone at 148 there will be no traffic break further down for cars trying to pull out of McNucks, the Post Office and other places. Church traffic, school buses, and flea market traffic up by 148 will be very difficult with a rotary. Bicycles taking over the rotary won't be fun either. Traffic lights that work properly would be much better.
Last night, Monday, August 5, 2013, the Chairman of the Board of Selectman suggested that we look into the feasibility of taking over Route, from route 148 to Arnold Road, and then from Arnold Road to Cedar St., and then from Cedar St. to New Boston Rd..
So I guess "we" are willing to plow, pave and do whatever to Roue 20, like put in two rotaries, redo this and alter that, etc., etc.
MR. CREAMER, ARE YOU, SERIOUSLY, "for the people," and as concerned for those who have trouble meeting ends meet as you claim to be?
I really do wonder what the real objectives are and WHY?
So, who wants to pay to takeover, upkeep and alter Route 20 in Fiskdale? When will people begin to realize that it's crazy time at the Sturbridge zoo?
I wonder, if, as Mr. Creamer suggested, we look into taking over Route 20, we will be required to do a feasibility study. The planning and consulting we are paying for, for Route 20 right now, cost over a hundred grand. The studies and plans made leading up to this in years past must have cost plenty also.
It's way past time to lock up your wallets. Be cautious and firm because once badgers glom on they never let go.
The first Anonymous wrote that change is good. Sometimes it is. A nice new pharmacy in Fiskdale would be good. The Blackington building looks pretty sad. Are the owners doing anything about that? At least one of the owners of that building is all for redoing Route 20 through the business district - but if they owners themselves just fixed up the old building for which they are responsible the area would be hugely nicer looking.
Well if Creamer wants this then lets go all the way to the Pike so we can grab the Sturbridge Toll Booths and get the Revenue. Since we want to take over Sturbridge from the State lets get that revenue.
What town on Route 20 that goes throught Massachusetts has taken it over. Are we serious?
I don't know if Mr. Creamer himself wants this or not. He didn't actually say whether or not he is personally for it, but he put it out there - want's to see if it's feasible. He is not only the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, but also Chairman of the Sturbridge Tourist Association.
I think that most of us think that the town of Sturbridge taking over Route 20 from New Boston Road to Route 148 is not feasible, and don't need to spend time or money making that decision.
You all have seen signs along a road that reads "End Route XX", and once you travel through a downtown area you will see another sign that reads "Begin Route XX". This what happens when a community has taken over, or been given juristiction of a particular highway. This means that massDOT would no longer be responsible for clearing the road of snow, or reaping the roadway. For a town that wants its residents to clear the sidewalks along Route 20, and Route 131, would taking responsibility of Route 20 be a cost effective measure? Of course not, but it would make it easier for the town to put in roundabouts on the roadway. It would make it just as easy to put in traffic lights at New Boston, and Arnold Road, too.
If it happens will the abbuters be asked to clear the road of snow?
Mr. Creamer also asked Shaun to get Greg Morse and Tighe and Bond together to come with a number for a sewer line just for Sturbridge Retirement! Does this sound like ground hog day?? Ground hogs and Badgers..this must be the zoo.
Looking at the situation, you can see why nothing is going to be done at CVS and American Motor Lodge. These are parcels needed to be used for the so called roundabouts. This is all Smoke and Mirrors that happened and now Creamers statements are a taste of the reality show to come...
The highway department is too busy to plow the sidewalks on Main St., but they may not be too busy to take over plowing Route 20 and a couple roundabouts?
Personally, I'm not convinced this is a bad idea for Sturbridge. I think it would enhance traffic flow tremendously. Change is good.
ReplyDeleteSturbridge needs change and our Main Street needs a serious face lift.
Change is good but at what price?
ReplyDeleteI agree that Sturbridge needs a face lift at some point. Now would be great actually. However, i am not willing to pay for it at this time. Maybe when the tax rate drops down to the 10% range or so i will be willing to open up the wallet more. The problem is right now there isn't much left in the wallet after the property tax bill comes. After our big ticket items get paid for bring forth something new. Its going to be a few years though until Tantasqua, Burgess the waste water plant are paid for. A lot of things in the master plan look awesome on paper and i truly wish some of them would happen but who is going to be paying for it? Grants from the state are not free money mind you, the sales tax went up last year now the gas tax went up, nothing is free people!
As for the roundabouts... For the locals i do not think they would be a bad idea. But as we are SUCH a tourist town i am not convinced that a rather odd traffic pattern is what we need.
With the traffic light gone at 148 there will be no traffic break further down for cars trying to pull out of McNucks, the Post Office and other places. Church traffic, school buses, and flea market traffic up by 148 will be very difficult with a rotary. Bicycles taking over the rotary won't be fun either. Traffic lights that work properly would be much better.
ReplyDeleteLast night, Monday, August 5, 2013, the Chairman of the Board of Selectman suggested that we look into the feasibility of taking over Route, from route 148 to Arnold Road, and then from Arnold Road to Cedar St., and then from Cedar St. to New Boston Rd..
ReplyDeleteSo I guess "we" are willing to plow, pave and do whatever to Roue 20, like put in two rotaries, redo this and alter that, etc., etc.
MR. CREAMER, ARE YOU, SERIOUSLY, "for the people," and as concerned for those who have trouble meeting ends meet as you claim to be?
I really do wonder what the real objectives are and WHY?
So, who wants to pay to takeover, upkeep and alter Route 20 in Fiskdale? When will people begin to realize that it's crazy time at the Sturbridge zoo?
ReplyDeleteI wonder, if, as Mr. Creamer suggested, we look into taking over Route 20, we will be required to do a feasibility study. The planning and consulting we are paying for, for Route 20 right now, cost over a hundred grand. The studies and plans made leading up to this in years past must have cost plenty also.
It's way past time to lock up your wallets. Be cautious and firm because once badgers glom on they never let go.
The first Anonymous wrote that change is good. Sometimes it is. A nice new pharmacy in Fiskdale would be good. The Blackington building looks pretty sad. Are the owners doing anything about that? At least one of the owners of that building is all for redoing Route 20 through the business district - but if they owners themselves just fixed up the old building for which they are responsible the area would be hugely nicer looking.
ReplyDeleteWell if Creamer wants this then lets go all the way to the Pike so we can grab the Sturbridge Toll Booths and get the Revenue. Since we want to take over Sturbridge from the State lets get that revenue.
ReplyDeleteWhat town on Route 20 that goes throught Massachusetts has taken it over. Are we serious?
I don't know if Mr. Creamer himself wants this or not. He didn't actually say whether or not he is personally for it, but he put it out there - want's to see if it's feasible. He is not only the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, but also Chairman of the Sturbridge Tourist Association.
ReplyDeleteI think that most of us think that the town of Sturbridge taking over Route 20 from New Boston Road to Route 148 is not feasible, and don't need to spend time or money making that decision.
You all have seen signs along a road that reads "End Route XX", and once you travel through a downtown area you will see another sign that reads "Begin Route XX". This what happens when a community has taken over, or been given juristiction of a particular highway. This means that massDOT would no longer be responsible for clearing the road of snow, or reaping the roadway. For a town that wants its residents to clear the sidewalks along Route 20, and Route 131, would taking responsibility of Route 20 be a cost effective measure? Of course not, but it would make it easier for the town to put in roundabouts on the roadway. It would make it just as easy to put in traffic lights at New Boston, and Arnold Road, too.
ReplyDeleteIf it happens will the abbuters be asked to clear the road of snow?
Just sayin'.
Mr. Creamer also asked Shaun to get Greg Morse and Tighe and Bond together to come with a number for a sewer line just for Sturbridge Retirement! Does this sound like ground hog day?? Ground hogs and Badgers..this must be the zoo.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the situation, you can see why nothing is going to be done at CVS and American Motor Lodge. These are parcels needed to be used for the so called roundabouts. This is all Smoke and Mirrors that happened and now Creamers statements are a taste of the reality show to come...
ReplyDeleteThe highway department is too busy to plow the sidewalks on Main St., but they may not be too busy to take over plowing Route 20 and a couple roundabouts?
ReplyDeleteHow many buildings & land will have to be bought and torn down to make these so called roundabouts.
ReplyDeleteDid Creamer say what is the price tag for this dream?
Did any of the Selectman present the list of land and buildings?
Did anyone ask...
In the immortal words of Richie Cunningham: "Sit on it ............... and rotate!"
ReplyDelete