You won’t find many contested races on the ballot at the town’s annual election next Monday – in fact, there’s only one – but there is another reason to get out and vote. Two measures on the ballot could, if passed, have a significant impact on how we govern ourselves as a town.
The two questions ask voters whether the town should expand the Board of Selectmen from three members to five, and whether the town should increase the authority of the town administrator. Both proposals appeared as articles at Town Meeting in April and were overwhelmingly approved by voters there, but a ballot vote is required before they can go into effect.
While the measures passed by a wide margin at Town Meeting, they weren’t without controversy. In particular, the proposal to expand the Board of Selectmen from three to five members has had its detractors. Two sitting members of the board, Bill Boland and Dan Kolenda, both oppose the plan, while Chairman John Rooney supports it.
You can read more about the discussion and vote at Town Meeting in this post.
Here is the wording of the two measures you’ll find on the ballot next week.
Question 1: Shall an act be submitted to the General Court in the year 2013, entitled ‘An Act Establishing a Five-Member Board of Selectmen for the Town of Southborough’ be accepted?
Summary: If passed, two (2) additional members of the Board of Selectmen shall be elected, such that one office shall appear on the ballot as serving a term that shall expire three years from the date of election, and one office shall appear on the ballot as serving a term that shall expire two years from the date of election. Thereafter, as the terms of the Selectmen expire, successors shall be elected for terms of three (3) years. The terms of those members currently serving as Selectmen at the time of the adoption of this Act shall be unchanged.
Question 2: Shall the Town of Southborough cause an act to be submitted to the General Court in the year 2013, entitled ‘An Act Establishing the Authority of the Town Administrator to Sign Town Warrants for the Town of Southborough’ be accepted?
Summary: This article will allow the Town Administrator to sign warrant, payables, vouchers and other related documents on behalf of the Board of Selectmen.
Town elections take place on Monday, May 13, with polls open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
