Gone are the days of downtown Dorchester's monochromatic, manual marquee. For those who have not been to town lately, a larger, orange and black, electronic sign now graces Dorchester's business section. It replaces the baby-blue message board that stood on the median strip for decades.The new marquee was installed several weeks ago. The electronic message board is slightly larger than its predecessor. In addition to displaying date, time and temperature, the new sign announces upcoming town events and special messages, including birthday greetings to residents.
We at the Dorchester Times thank the leaders responsible for bringing the new marquee to town, and we look forward to more improvements throughout town.
I agree that the new sign is a great improvement ... next we need to pave the streets and get a new baseball field.
ReplyDeleteI like it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI also like the new sign. It "updates" our town. I grew up there, but have lived in Lincoln for the past 4 years. When coming to town, over the tracks, it's nice to feel home again. However, I do think that the buildings on both sides of main street need some painting and cleaning up. It would make the town much more appealing. Maybe it could be called community clean up day or spring cleaning.
ReplyDeleteWe agree that Dorchester's main street (Washington St.) needs major renovation. A community clean-up day is a good idea. Perhaps the Village Board or Dorchester Area Community Association has such a plan in the works.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it would be ideal to have those buildings inhabited by business. We believe the first step to reviving Dorchester’s business community is to enhance the town's housing and amenities. For example, paving our streets would have a trickle-down effect, leading to improved housing and better retention of quality citizens.
ditto on the sign ... it's a great addition to our main street. Our median divide is unique and needs to have more flowers and flowering trees. Coming into town from the north is certainly more pleasing to the eyes than coming in from the the south.
ReplyDeleteWILL SOMEONE PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE TEAR DOWN THE OLD CONNER'S GIFT SHOP & ROOFING BUILDING? AFTER 25 YEARS, IT AIN'T COMING BACK!!!!
ReplyDeleteI disagree about paving the streets. That would be a waste of money.That money could be used to improve/and/or/ tear down the buildings that are falling down and make it look dirty. The street on the west side, by the legion, community builing, library,etc... need lots of help. We could use a new/better car wash. One that doesn't take the paint off your vehicle.And has anybody been in the community building lately? It needs some serious updating.
ReplyDeleteGood input. However, we place a priority on paving of the streets is because the roads are the responsibility of the city. The buildings are not the jurisdiction of local government, with the exception of the community hall and a few others.
ReplyDeletePaving the streets would not only enhance the aesthetics of Dorchester, but also reinvigorate community pride that would lead to new remodeling and construction throughout town.
However, we hope community groups -- like DACA -- will seriously consider focusing on the restoration of our commercial buildings, and providing incentives for interested business tenents.
As one who grew up in Dorchester is the 1970s, I've never figured out why we didn't have a swimming pool. I live in Wilber now and the pool here is great. I'd like to see my old hometown have something similar for its kids.
ReplyDeleteGreat sign....it helps "spark" up our downtown. Altough lots needs to be done to update our mainstreet,this is a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThe pool in Wilber was FREE!!! all the money was a donation.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people who do not live in city limits want to tell us how we should spend our tax money? Improvements are NICE but where will the money come from? Grants are out because our town folks are too wealthy and we do not qualitfy.
That's the first time we've heard of Dorchester residents being "too wealthy." In any case, grants are certainly fair game -- all you need to do is look at the dollar-for-dollar matching grant that the Dorchester Area Community Foundation secured from Game & Parks for the new park shelter.
ReplyDeleteBut don't count on money falling from the sky. Nor can we count on increased property taxes. There are options, such as town fundraisers and donation drives. However, the will must be there and leaders need to come forward with ideas and -- more importantly -- actions.
Will you?
If you find a grant, bring it to the Village Board
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the protests and picketing/marches when the town tried to pave all the streets, etc.? Now the cost is 9 times more!
ReplyDeleteActually, I DO NOT remember the protests. I wasn't old enough to have a say. Now I am. It's too bad we did have the foresight back then to pave the streets. The project would have been paid for and I'm betting homes would be better cared for, downtown would have more of a pulse, and we'd be looking forward instead of backward. Time for leadership in the Village, not just nay-saying!!
ReplyDeleteI would hardly consider people with a median family income of $40,000 wealthy, which is what most of Dorchester's families make! If they're so wealthy, the town would be in far better shape than what it is.
ReplyDeleteI've talked to a handful of our friends and also my family, and from what I've heard almost everyone is againt raising property taxes.
We certainly could make a long list of improvements that need to be made, at the top of the list should be the ones that will attract younger, well to do families and secure a future for Dorchester.
A thoughtful comment was left on this posting by an anonymous writer, who favorably commented favorably on the new town sign, as well as the prospects of paving Dorchester's streets. Due to technical problems, we were unable to post the comment. We apologize and encourage the writer to resubmit his/her comments.
ReplyDeletePeople need to look at paving the streets as an investment. You have years to pay it off if you wish. The City Council needs to do more for the young people and the future not just maintain so they don't have to do something. Also is it a requirement to be on the council to work for the city in the summer? Why not hire a young person that could use the money and actually do some work instead.
ReplyDeleteI think the sign was a great improvment to the town, but i think the money could have been spent better elsewhere! We could maybe try and get a swimming pool or else try and pave the streets all of the pot holes on the dirt roads are starting to make me mad!!!! but the sign is nice glad we got it
ReplyDeleteIf a swimming pool is needed, dig a big hole in someone's front yard. It would be a fitting match for all the cars on blocks and delapadated homes in this community. The town board and village employees should lead the charge in enforcing zoning regulations. It seems that any construction project can get a building permit no matter what it does to the looks of the community. Case in point--the renovation of the historical home on main.
ReplyDeleteThe median divide is a great project and it should continue. DACA should be commended for the great events and work they are doing for our town. Paving the streets is the only project that would force people to clean up their property. If you had a curb, people would be less likely to drive onto their lawn so they could stagger three less steps into their front door.
Lastly, I commend village dweller for starting this blog. All improvements come from discussion, and this format is certainly a great way to get the ball rolling.
i agree, the sign is a great improvement over the last one. In fact, in my lifetime, i would say that the sign is the biggest improvement in town..... mmmmm, how sad is that. None the less it is an improvement. Now to get on to major projects like paved streets. I hope our leadership has realized that pavement is not a flash in the pan idea, just look and ANY of our neighboring communities. For the comment that it is people outside city limits that want to pave our streets, I am a village citizen and taxpayer and want to join the 21st century. Hopefully city hall will take note of this site.
ReplyDeleteWhen we started this Web site, we certainly didn't intend for it to be a way to reach the Village Board. However, if it has evolved to that, so be it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the town board or city employee can comment on a swimming pool,
ReplyDeletepaving of streets, junk cars, etc. to answer some of these questions. What are some of the things that have or are being done on these issues? Or people can go to the board meeting and get their questions answered personally. This could be a good place for people to get informed about these issues.
come on people, we had more growth back in the days, and they didnt have paved streets. we had more business to. paving is not going to bring new growth, making our community look better, especially the down town area. fix that and then talk about streets later.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that most of the vocal opponents of paving always parking their vehicles on it. If you are that much against it please park on the dirt roads. There is never any gravel on them anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of paving has come up quite a few times in the last twenty years...........there have been many surveys and studies completed. Each time the majority of the citizens made it clear that they didnt want paving. Quit blaming it on the town board and talk to your neighbor.......that may be the problem.
ReplyDeleteIn response to 'anonymous' on the paved streets. They say the majority always made it clear they didn't want paving. The last time we had a survey, maybe 6 years ago (not sure because time goes by so quickly maybe its been 8) I asked the Village clerk what the consensus was & she said 50/50 so we wouldn't be getting paving. I asked, "If it was 50/50 why do the ones that want it, lose?" She just shrugged her shoulders.
ReplyDelete