Above: Southborough celebrates it’s first ever sectional win on Tuesday (photo by Katrina Wrin)

Southborough won the Little League Section 2 championship on Tuesday night — it’s first Section 2 championship ever — and in doing so, earned a spot among the state’s final four. Our boys will face off against Newton West, Leominster, and Peabody Western in the state championship tournament that starts tonight.

The tournament runs through Sunday and features round robin play. Southborough will face off against Leominster tonight at Kelley Field in Norwood. On Friday, they’ll take on Peabody Western, followed by Newton West on Saturday.

The two teams with the best records will play for the state championship title on Sunday. The winner will advance to the New England Regional Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut starting August 6.

In their sectional win on Tuesday, the Southborough 12-year-olds beat out Braintree by a score of 5-2 at Dean Park in Shrewsbury. In the game, a third inning solo home run by Nolan Kessinger gave Southborough a 1-0 advantage. Braintree grabbed a two run lead in their half of the third, but Southborough responded in the fourth with a two runs off a single by Connor Henderson. Jack Harlan hit a two-run homer in the sixth.

Matt Trehub pitched a complete game with five hits, 10 strikeouts, and no walks to earn the win for Southborough.

Tonight’s game against Leominster starts at 7:45 pm. Kelley Field is located behind Coakley Middle School at 1315 Washington Street in Norwood. Go show them some support!

Baseball mom Katrina Wrin sent in these photos from Tuesday’s Section 2 win (click to enlarge).

 

The team includes Gavin Boyden, Joe Egizi, Kevin Haley, Jack Harlan, Connor Henderson, Kyle Hill, Nolan Kessinger, Michael Morhardt, Alex Osetek, Matt Trehub, Andrew Warfield, and David Wrin. The head coach is Ken Trehub, and assistant coaches are Erin Henderson, Marji Warfield and Gordon Wrin.

Above: This house at 190 Southville Road went on the market for $409,900

We have a few weeks of real estate goings-on to catch up on, so the list of what went on and off the market is rather long this week. Have a look.

Thanks to Doug McClain (email) of Century 21 Commonwealth Realty for supplying the listing information.

New on the market

• 4 Flagg Rd (map) – 7 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath Split-Entry – $339,000
• 6 Meeting House Lane (map) – 6 room, 2 bed, 2.5 bath townhouse – $369,900
• 84 Newton Street (map) – 7 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath Cape – $399,900
• 190 Southville Road (map) – 6 room, 3 bed, 2.5 bath Colonial – $409,900
• 12 Foley Dr (map) – 8 room, 4 bed, 1.5 bath Colonial – $569,000
• 1 Davis Road (map) – 11 room, 4 bed, 3.5 bath Colonial – $795,000
• 9 Parmenter Rd (map) – 14 room, 4 bed, 5 bath Colonial – $799,900
• 84 Main St (map) – 17 room, 11 bed, 5.5 bath Colonial – $0 (auction)

Sale pending

• 69 Southville Rd (map) – 6 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Colonial – 109 days on market – Listed at $145,000
• 6 Walker Street (map) – 7 room, 3 bed, 1 bath Split Entry - 18 days on market – Listed at $289,900
• 6 Summit Rd (map) – 6 room, 3 bed, 2 bath Ranch – 71 days on market – Listed at $319,000
• 15 Ted Ln (map) – 6 room, 3 bed, 1.5 bath Raised Ranch - 14 days on market – Listed at $329,900
• 21 Pinecone Ln (map) – 8 room, 4 bed, 2.5 bath Colonial – 3 days on market – Listed at $474,900
• 26 Overlook Drive (map) – 10 room, 4 bed, 3.5 bath Cape - 56 days on market – Listed at $699,900
• 4 Wolfpen Lane (map) – 9 room, 4 bed, 2 full, 2 half bath Cape - 55 days on market – Listed at $995,000

Sold

• 86 Middle Rd (map) – 8 room, 3 bed, 2.5 bath Colonial - 44 days on market – Listed at $545,000 – Sold for $510,000
• 113 Carriage Hill Circle (map) – 8 room, 2 bed, 2.5 bath Townhouse – 63 days on market – Listed at $549,000 – Sold for $539,000
• 10 Nathan Stone Road (map) – 11 room, 4 bed, 2.5 bath Colonial - 21 days on market – Listed at $764,900 – Sold for $760,000

Above: Students at the St. Mark’s Summer Music Institute (photo by St. Mark’s School)

The fifth annual St. Mark’s International Chamber Music Festival kicks off its concert series tonight with a performance starting at 7:00 pm. The concert will feature performances by master teachers who hail from Boston, New York, and Moscow, along with students from throughout the Metrowest area.

There will also be concerts on Friday, July 30, Wednesday, August 4, and Sunday, August 8.

All concerts start at 7:00 pm and are free and open to the public. They’ll take place in the Class of 1945 Hall in the school’s Performing Arts Center (campus map).

Above: Southborough’s new Tower 21 waits at a plant in Nebraska (photo courtesy of the Southborough Fire Department)

Many of you have asked about the status of the town’s new aerial ladder truck — a purchase approved by voters at a special town meeting last September.

The truck is being constructed according to the town’s specifications at a plant in Nebraska. Here’s the latest update from the Fire Department website:

The fire pump  has been installed on the chassis, as well as the compartmentalization, torque box and turntable base. Lt. Jim Peltier and Rich Peck traveled to Nebraska on July 5, 2010 to inspect the body prior to painting, which was expected to occur this week. Once the body is painted, assembly of the fire pump piping and panel will occur, along with wiring of emergency lighting, and installation and wiring of the aerial portion.

Fire Chief John Mauro Jr. said he expects the town will take possession of the finished truck sometime this fall.

A message from the Friends of Southboro Recreation:

The annual Summer Nights festival is set for Sunday, August 29. Its takes a village to pull this great event off! We are looking for adults to volunteer one hour of their time that evening to help with parking or supervision at the inflatables.

Date: Sunday, August 29th (rain date August 30th)
Time: 5:00pm
Location: Neary School Fields
More: Fireworks display at dusk

Join us for an evening of food, music, fun and fireworks! If you can spare an hour of your time it would help make this event a success!

For more information, visit the Friends of Southboro Recreation website (www.friendsofsouthboro.com).

I didn’t post any of these while I was away, so here are the Fire Department logs for the past three weeks.

Tuesday 7/6/10
10:05 Unintentional alarm system activation, Marlboro Road
13:42 Unintentional transmission of alarm, John Street
14:27 EMS call, Oregon Road
21:04 EMS call, Buffalo Run

Wednesday 7/7/10
12:27 Rescue, EMS call, Turnpike Road
15:42 EMS call, Pine Hill Road
22:33 EMS call, Mitchell Street
23:22 Vehicle fire, Mass Pike West

Thursday 7/8/10
10:49 Public service assistance, Main Street
13:47 EMS call, Turnpike Road
14:22 EMS call, Newton Street
15:45 Public service assistance, Cordaville Road
22:29 EMS call, Newton Street

Friday 7/9/10
10:41 EMS call, Boston Road
11:25 Public service assistance, Boston Road

Saturday 7/10/10
08:50 Unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire, Village Path
14:14 EMS call, Cordaville Road
14:55 EMS call, Pleasant Street
17:41 EMS call, Cordaville Road
21:13 EMS call, Middle Road
22:00 Cover assignment, Cedar Street, Ashland

Sunday 7/11/10
No call reported

Monday 7/12/10
09:57 EMS call, Carriage Hill Circle
18:00 Good intent call, Latisquama Road

Tuesday 7/13/10
07:39 Unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire, Highland Street
11:05 EMS call, Newton Street
16:28 Gas leak, Highland Street
21:15 EMS call, Boston Road

Wednesday 7/14/10
08:04 Unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire, Turnpike Road
13:00 Assist police or other agency, Breakneck Hill Road
15:24 EMS call, Lyman Street
20:16 Good intent call, Lynbrook Road
22:07 Assist invalid, Brook Lane

Thursday 7/15/10
10:35 Assist police or other agency, Southwood Drive
14:47 Rescue, EMS call, Parkerville Road
18:44 EMS call, Crestview Drive
23:29 Alarm system activation due to malfunction, New York Avenue

Friday 7/16/10
08:53 Gas leak, New York Avenue and Boston Road
09:14 Good intent call, Main Street and Conrail Tracks
09:25 Animal problem, Sarsentone Way
10:59 EMS call, Mountain Avenue, Framingham
13:12 Vehicle accident with injuries, Northboro Road
15:45 Vehicle accident with injuries, Mass Pike westbound near mile marker 108
17:59 EMS call, Pine Hill Road
19:23 Alarm system activation due to malfunction, Richards Road
20:54 Good intent call, Latisquama Road

Saturday 7/17/10
02:56 Alarm system activation due to malfunction, Turnpike Road
22:01 EMS call, North Street

Sunday 7/18/10
21:20 Gas leak, Wood Street

Monday 7/19/10
10:21 EMS call, Leonard Drive
12:34 Unintentional transmission of alarm, Common Street
14:37 Building fire, Maple Lane, Northborough
14:53 Rescue, EMS call, Main Street
23:56 Mutual aid, Fire Apparatus R25 with District 14 Tech Team to Leverett, MA

Tuesday 7/20/10
01:09 EMS call, Main Street
08:20 Vehicle accident with injuries, Boston Road and Route 30 Causeway
09:58 Vehicle accident with injuries, Framingham Road
12:30 EMS call, Main Street
18:07 EMS call, Southwood Drive

Wednesday 7/21/10
11:07 Unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire, Deerfoot Road
18:12 EMS call, Main Street

Thursday 7/22/10
00:36 Vehicle accident with injuries, Cordaville Road and Main Street
02:10 Smoke detector activation due to malfunction, Lynbrook Road
08:44 EMS call, Walker Street
08:51 Power line down, Main Street
11:45 EMS call, Ivy Lane, Ashland
18:29 EMS call, Marlborough Road

Friday 7/23/10
11:05 EMS call, Newton Street
18:32 Alarm system activation due to malfunction, Turnpike Road

Saturday 7/24/10
03:32 Mutual aid given, Hopkinton Road
13:36 EMS call, Turnpike Road
14:15 Building fire, Richards Road
19:59 Alarm system activation due to malfunction, Turnpike Road
20:50 Gas leak, East Main Street
22:11 Alarm system activation due to malfunction, Turnpike Road

Sunday 7/25/10
02:54 Mutual aid given, Persilla Drive, Hopkinton
03:12 EMS call, Turnpike Road

Monday 7/26/10
04:23 System malfunction, Boston Road
05:19 System malfunction, Turnpike Road
22:55 Vehicle accident with injuries, Turnpike Road

At their meeting on Wednesday night, the Zoning Board of Appeals will try to sort out what businesses can legally operate on the Gulbankian Farms property at the corner of Mt. Vickery and Cordaville Roads.

Since 1965 the Gulbankian family has operated a garden center and florist shop on the site. They also run a machine shop that services antique cars. When the family sought to reestablish a school bus parking terminal on their property — a use for which they received a variance in 1983 — some neighbors complained. That prompted town Building Inspector Dave Gusmini to review how the land was being used.

According to town bylaw, a property cannot be used for multiple purposes without a special permit. The Gulbankians say they have the permits and that they have always operated legally, but Gusmini has reportedly issued fines against the family for zoning violations.

It’s up to the ZBA to figure out where to go from here. Carolyn Gulbankian said she hopes residents will show up at Wednesday’s meeting to support her family. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm at the Town House Hearing Room (second floor).

“(Gusmini) has officially put a cease and desist order on the flower shop and the machine shop,” Gulbankian said. “On Wednesday we are seeking a modification to the machine shop, and a special permit to operate our businesses here after being legal for 45 years.”

Update: After reading this post, Carolyn Gulbankian asked me to clarify that their machine shop rebuilds bus engines along with those for antique cars. She also told me the family fought the zoning violation fines in court and won.

(Full disclosure: Gulbankian Farms Garden Center and Florist is a My Southborough sponsor.)

There’s already been some discussion of this on the blog, but for those of you who haven’t heard, the so-named Garfield House — the stone house on the corner of Main Street and Deerfoot Road — will be going up for auction on Tuesday, August 17.

The 10,000-plus square foot house sits on more than four acres of land. In addition to the house, there are two already approved residential lots on the property. The house and land were last assessed by the town at nearly $1.7M.

Originally built by town benefactor Joseph Burnett, the stone house plays a big role in the history of Southborough. You can read more about its legacy on the realty’s website.

For those of you who have always wanted a glimpse inside the home — and who hasn’t? — there is also a photo gallery with lots of interior shots.

Several of you emailed me about this story last week. An entrepreneur from Groton had hopes to open a “classy” strip club at the former Tin Alley Grill on Route 9 in Framingham just east of the Southborough border. Were the strip club to be approved, one reader said it would make “a decidedly unsavory entry to town.”

Since it was first floated, the proposal for the Tin Alley site has fallen through, but the entrepreneur said he has a Plan B — an as-of-yet undisclosed location within Framingham’s existing zoned adult entertainment district. That district runs along Route 9 east starting at the Southborough border.

I’ll keep you updated on the latest as it develops, but what do you think? Would a strip club near the Framingham-Southborough border have a significant impact on our town? Share your thoughts in the comments.

The Southborough Fire Department responded to a fire on Richards Road on Saturday:

Southborough’s 9-1-1 center received a telephone call from a Richards Road resident at 2:15 PM on Saturday, July 24th reporting a smoke condition in the basement possibly caused by an electrical issue.

Engine 22 with two on-duty personnel immediately responded; Engine 23 was delayed as the other two on-duty personnel were returning from Framingham Hospital from a previous medical emergency.

Engine 22’s crew reported a smoke condition in the basement of the home. Off-duty and On-Call personnel were recalled with three responding to the request. Additional assistance was started to the scene from Ashland (Tower) and Hopkinton (Rescue for a rapid-intervention team), as well as station coverage from Westborough Fire Department.

Once sufficient personnel arrived to meet safety requirements, a search was started to find the origin of the smoke. A fire was discovered in a clothes dryer and the ventilation duct. The situation was declared under control at 2:38 PM. No injuries were reported. The fire was contained to the clothes dryer and ventilation duct, however smoke from the fire spread throughout the entire structure.