As we head into the holiday season, more residents than ever may be struggling to make ends meet for themselves or their families. As the Town prepares to launch its new season of the “Holiday Giving Drive”, residents who need the extra help are encouraged to apply soon. Below are the details on how to do that this year.
And for any readers interested in supporting the drive, it’s not too soon. (Scroll down for those details.) Read the full article → from Apply for “Holiday Giving Program” Help
To raise funds for Southborough’s 300th anniversary celebrations in two years, the Tricentennial Committee has been selling engraved bricks. The fundraiser will end mid-November in order to get the bricks laid in time for the celebrations. Read the full article → from Tricentennial Brick Fundraiser is wrapping up
After getting news from the state on promised funding, I’m updating readers on the proposed Fay Park CPA project Read the full article → from Fay Park Project: Southborough receives state grant to co-fund park upgrades
The State Election is in six days. But many voters are already casting their ballots in advance. If you’re planning to mail one in or vote early, time is running out.
I’m reminding voters about those details, and that there are a whole lot of ballot questions you need to make your mind up about before heading to the polls on Tuesday.
Here’s my overview of what’s on Southborough’s ballots, where to find more details to help you fill in your choices, and how you can cast the ballots once you’re ready. Read the full article → from Early Voting ends Friday (Updated)
I’m following up on an inaccurate statement made at the recent Special Town Meeting about what’s allowed under current zoning bylaws for two-family homes.
And, I’m updating readers on the Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision of how to handle the defeat of their proposed bylaw change. Read the full article → from Two-Family Zoning Update
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)
Above: Town Meeting approved funding the final piece in the Trails Comittee’s work to bridge a gap in the town and regional trail system. (images edited from flyer) Today, I’m wrapping up my coverage of last weekend’s Special Town Meeting. My main focus is looking at voters’ decision increase funding for a footbridge on the Read the full article → from Wrapping Up Special Town Meeting Articles 4-8
The majority of Special Town Meeting voters disagreed with Advisory and other critics of Article 3. Voters approved investing close to $1M in CPA funding to replace the failing irrigation system at the Town-owned 9 hole golf course. I’m recapping the debate. Read the full article → from STM voters agreed to invest more into fixing golf course irrigation
If you’ve been looking forward to Household Hazardous Waste Day to clean out your garage/shed, prepare to load up your car/truck and head to the Transfer Station in two days. But note the event limitations. Read the full article → from Household Hazardous Waste Day is Saturday
Above: SYFS announced its completed relocated from the southside to downtown, and is promoting a survey on youth substance abuse. (images edited from logos and Google maps and flyer) Southborough Youth & Family Services recently moved into their new (but very old) home. The Town agency is also promoting another substance abuse survey that they Read the full article → from SYFS news: New office and a Parent/Caregiver survey request
[Editor’s Note: As you’ll see in my recap, this story involves my own actions — in the form of an amendment I proposed but failed to convince other voters to pass.]
At Saturday’s Special Town Meeting, voters overwhelmingly supported converting the position of Town Clerk from elected to an appointed job that reports the Select Board.
Town Meeting voters first rejected a proposed amendment (by me) to ratify the change through the next Town election. The passage of Article 1 authorized the Select Board to petition the state legislature to enact the change. Read the full article → from Town Clerk may be shifted to an appointed position without going to the Town ballot
Costco’s traffic analysis presentation to the Planning Board was postponed by two weeks. Read the full article → from Costco Traffic Presentation pushed to November 2nd
On Saturday morning, a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, with support from the Planning Board, tried and failed to convince Special Town Meeting voters to rewrite residential zoning bylaws. The zoning change would have added a special permitted use for new development of two-family homes. Read the full article → from Zoning change for new 2-family homes fails to muster enough support (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 (Updated-Again)