MAC: Oops! Wrong flags are on the lampposts

DID YOU KNOW …

It is amazing how observant some people are. For example, MAC received this recent email that read: “Has anyone noticed that the flags on the lampposts downtown are not the correct representation of Old Glory? The union (blue part) is too big, being eight stripes high with five stripes underneath. On a standard flag, the union is seven stripes high with six stripes underneath.” According to the Wikipedia entry on flag specifications, the emailer is correct. We have the wrong flags on the lampposts! MAC is sure that a lot of people can’t tell the difference.

Talking about U.S. flags, MAC and others feel it is time to replace the flags on the overpass at Route 138 and 128, Dedham Street over Route 95, and Neponset Street over 95. Most of the flags are torn and faded.

The landscaping in front of the post office has finally been spruced up. This past summer, it was a mess. Where were Gus Broderick and Sammy Fama when the post office needed them? Years ago, they maintained the landscaping in front of the post office, and it always looked great. Maybe it is time a local landscaper took over to regularly shape up the flowerbeds at Canton’s post office.

On the subject of landscapers, are there any out there that will maintain the downtown area? The trees need to be pruned and shaped up, the flowerbeds need sprucing, and shrubs need trimming.

The traffic lights at Dedham and Washington streets are rusty and outdated. According to a Dedham Street resident, the traffic lights have never been painted since they were installed over 20 years ago. The tennis courts and the shuffleboard court at Pequitside Farm, located at 79 Pleasant Street, will be removed in order to increase parking on the property.

Selectmen have sent a request for a reserve fund transfer of $35,000 to the Finance Committee for mechanical repairs to a ladder truck at the Ponkapoag Fire Station. The truck has been out of service, and the monies are needed to put the truck back in service until the selectmen determine whether the truck should be refurbished at an estimated cost of $350,000 or if a new truck at an estimated cost of $850,000 should be purchased.

A large crowd on Sunday, September 23, attended the formal dedication of the modern, up-to-date water treatment plant named after former selectman Ed Sullivan.

The Canton High School boys’ soccer team recently lost to Franklin 1-0 at home. It was the Bulldogs’ first home loss since September 2007, a winning streak spanning 48 consecutive games, believed to be a Hockomock League record. The loss was also Canton’s first defeat after 39 straight league wins, also believed to be a league record.

There are rattlesnakes in the Blue Hills Reservation. The South Shore Animal Hospital in Weymouth recently treated a Labrador retriever for a rattlesnake bite. The dog and its owner were walking on a trail in the Blue Hills when the dog was bitten by the rattlesnake. It was the first such snakebite the hospital had ever treated.

The School Committee recently approved the custodian building fee rate for school facility rentals at $41.88 per hour and $55.84 per hour on Sundays and holidays.

Marilyn Harris has stepped down after 25 years of leading the Canton Problem Solving Program. Suzanne Bronstein will take over the position.

Selectmen appointed Stephen Landry and Ed Gestrom to the Canton Conservation Commission.

Tom Theodore is the new manager of the Canton Town Club.

The town of Canton has advertised for proposals for snowplowing and removal. Manuals for the 2012-2013 winter season are available at the DPW administration office, located on the lower level of the town hall. Proposals should be returned to the DPW office no later than Friday, October 26.

Twenty-two percent of federal employees, about half a million people, earn more than $100,000 a year.

The Canton Sons of the American Legion Post 24 are holding a coat drive for homeless veterans. Anyone who has any slightly worn and clean coats may drop them off at the American Legion (950R Washington Street, behind Canton High School).

According to the Chicago Sun Times, Chicago teachers earn an average of $91,000 a year in total compensation (wages and benefits) for working only 170 “instructional days” a year, or “1,039 instructional hours.” Chicago also has a 40 percent dropout rate, and more than 80 percent of Chicago public school students qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches.

Sometimes the path you’re on is not as important as the direction you’re heading.

This is all for now folks. See you next week.

Joe DeFelice can be reached at manaboutcanton@aol.com.

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Posted by Joe DeFelice on Oct 10 2012. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.