Come get educated on one of the most important issues that will face voters at Town Meeting next month. On Thursday the Southborough Library will host a public forum on the proposal to move to a new form of town government. Here’s more info:
The Southborough Library will be hosting a public forum on Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m, on a Town Meeting warrant article that, if approved, would create a Town Manager form of government in Southborough and expand the Board of Selectmen from three to five members.
In attendance will be members of the Drafting Committee for Town Manager Legislation, which has been crafting the proposal since last summer.
We encourage all voters to come out and ask questions so they can make an informed decision at our April 9 Town Meeting, said Jane Smith, chair of the Library Board of Trustees.
Under the proposed legislation, a Town Manager appointed by the Board of Selectmen would have broad powers over the personnel and budgets of most town departments, with the exception of the School Department. Regardless of which side you are on, this proposal represents a significant change for Southborough, and we want to present the public with a neutral forum where they can ask questions and listen to answers, Smith explained.
If approved at April Town Meeting, the special legislation would move to the state Legislature for approval and then back to the town for approval at an election.
The public forum will take place upstairs in the Library, from 7 to 9 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
This event will be taped and shown on Southborough Access TV. Check www.sborotv.org for the schedule.
For more information, contact the Jane Smith, chair of Library Trustees at 508.485.6033.
You can get a copy of the latest draft of the proposal on the drafting committee’s website. Also check out this post for an interesting – and informative – discussion on the pros and cons of the proposal.
