I’m sharing some news, and related history, that I wish I’d had in time to share last week. But for those still in the mood to celebrate the semiquincentennial . . Read the full article → from Town gifted handprinted replica of Declaration of Independence
On Tuesday night, the Stewardship Committee’s chair publicly expressed their frustration that the Select Board reneged on a promise to readdress this week an issue it created three weeks ago.
Apparently, the board plans to now wait until their August 11th meeting to discuss whether to adjust Stewardships charge to allow a longtime member to continue her service. Read the full article → from Select Board puts off dealing with Stewardship Committee problem it created (Updated)
Last night, the Select Board unanimously voted to increase the permit fees for the Transfer Station Stickers for the coming season, which starts on September 15th. The biggest percentage increase was to the still-steeply-discounted stickers for residents ages 65+. Read the full article → from Transfer Station fees going up and rules re-examined (Updated)
Southborough Youth & Family Services (SYFS) is moving from one historic, former school building in town, to another even older historic school building. The move is part of a shuffling use for the Town’s historic buildings. Read the full article → from SYFS relocating to historic Flagg School building
Here is a selection of the committee and board meetings for the week along with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government (Updated)
A high-interest retail project is taking important steps and looking for key approvals this summer. That includes decisions by both Town and state officials. Read the full article → from Costco Update: ZBA Hearing opens this month
On Monday, the Board of Health announced that a sample of mosquitos from Southborough were tested positive for West Nile Virus. (The mosquitos were apparently collected last Friday, June 26th.)
Our town was the fifth Massachusetts towns to have positive findings this summer. But the entire commonwealth is still designated by health officials as “low risk” for contracting the arbovirus. (At this point, there have been no human, or even animal, cases reported in the state.) Read the full article → from BOH warns about avoiding West Nile Virus Risks
[Ed note: My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com.
The following letter is from Carl Guyer.] Read the full article → from Letter: Commercial Development and Residential Tax Relief: Are They the Same Thing?
In a 3-2 vote on Monday, the Select Board approved spending $105K to provide the Southborough Police Department with a drone (and bundled technology and support) for 5 years.
The majority of the board prioritized getting the tech into the SPD’s hands quicker. The dissenters had prioritized potential savings ($30K or greater) and following the board’s preferred financial process that allows Town Meeting to weigh in on how taxes should be spent. Read the full article → from Select Board approves police drone purchase (Updated)
Here is a selection of the committee and board meetings for the week along with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government
Last week, the Select Board voted on dates for the fall Special and spring Annual Town Meetings. Both will take place on Saturdays.
While voters should mark their calendars, they should also stay tuned. It’s very possible that an extra Special Town Meeting (date TBD) will be organized to vote on a Neary School building project. Read the full article → from Town Meeting Save-the-Dates
This spring, when the DPW asked voters to approve borrowing $22.26M for road maintenance projects over the next five years, the pitched plan included the major rehab of four roads this year. One of them was Pine Hill Road.
Last Thursday, the Town issued a public notice and update on the Pine Hill Rd project. Read the full article → from Update on major road plan & Pine Hill Road reconstruction
Here is a selection of the committee and board meetings for the week along with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government (Updated-again)
This week, the Select Board appears to have cut the legs out from under another committee formed by Town Meeting without first bringing a proposed change to voters.
The board unanimously voted to not reappoint Freddie Gillespie to the Open Space Preservation Commission (OSPC). Gillespie has served on the OSPC for 24 years and chaired it for the past 9.
The decision will leave the committee (with two other vacancies) without a quorum after June 30th. Read the full article → from Select Board rejects longtime chair of Open Space Preservation Commission (Updated)