Southborough’s Building Commissioner, Casey Burlingame, has resigned. Read the full article → from Southborough will need to recruit a new Building Commissioner (Updated)
Government
Town Meeting rejects ARHS Capital Stabilization fund (Updated)
At Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting, voters and officials debated the merits of three proposed stabilization funds for public schools. Two overwhelmingly passed. One failed by a large margin. Read the full article → from Town Meeting rejects ARHS Capital Stabilization fund (Updated)
Town Election Update: Three official races (Updated)
The May ballot will include a race for the Select Board and two races for the Regional School Committee
(That means that if you decide to throw your hat in the ring, you wouldn’t have to run against someone already in the seat.) Read the full article → from Town Election Update: Three official races (Updated)
Annual Town Meeting votes No on budget decrease, Yes on specific increase
Voters opposed a resident's call to reduce the overall budget by 1% and agreed to another resident's call to fund more emergency communications dispatchers.
On Saturday, Town Meeting voters shot down one resident’s pitch to shave 1% off the overall budget. Soon after, they agreed with another resident’s push to improve public safety by increasing the budget to hire two more dispatchers. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting votes No on budget decrease, Yes on specific increase
Awards Roundup
Six members of our community were recently honored for work with school nurses, sportsmanship, exceptional public health volunteerism, and library service
Over the past week, six community members received special honors. I’m rounding them up into one post. Read the full article → from Awards Roundup
Letter: Town Meeting – We Need To Do Better
My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com. Read the full article → from Letter: Town Meeting – We Need To Do Better
The week in government
SHOPC on Northboro Rd parcels, Conservation Commission hearings and more
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
Annual Town Meeting recap
Investments in Emergency Communications, a potential Library expansion, the golf course, accessible trails, and more.
Yesterday, a small percentage of Southborough voters agreed to fund improving public safety, pursuing a Library expansion project, investing in Town recreational assets, stabilizing special education budget impacts, preserving the Town’s history and seed money for Tricentennial celebrations. They also enabled pursuit of a solar project at Trottier and agreed to clean up zoning language.
They even weighed in on the Patriot’s decision to fire Bill Belichick! Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting recap
Annual Town Meeting 2024 at-a-glance
What's up for a vote with links to related coverage
Southborough’s Annual Town Meeting, will convene tomorrow to approve spending, amend local bylaws, and “advise” officials. All registered voters are able (and encouraged) to participate.
Here is the list of Articles to be voted on with links to more information for those who want more details. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting 2024 at-a-glance
CPA Projects & Voting Threshold headed to Town Meeting (Updated)
Funding is sought to preserve historic records, improve Peninsula Trail accessibility, and make irrigation more efficient. And a resident is seeking to make a change related to the CPA.
Among the many Articles headed to Annual Town Meeting are three seeking funding from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. Project proponents are seeking to restore and preserve historic Town records, complete the Peninsula Trail project (with better ADA accessibility), and improve the efficiency of watering the Town’s golf course. And one Citizen’s Petition Article will ask voters to support changing the Town’s bylaw related to CPA votes. Read the full article → from CPA Projects & Voting Threshold headed to Town Meeting (Updated)
School Articles at Annual Town Meeting (Updated)
Solar project at Trottier Middle School, and Stabilization Funds for Southborough SpEd costs and Regional high schools' capital needs
Public schools that serve Southborough will have four special Articles on the Warrant at Annual Town Meeting (in addition to the usual budgets and administrative Articles). Town officials support two, are split on one, and oppose another. Read the full article → from School Articles at Annual Town Meeting (Updated)
Town Survey Results (and a request for help)
MTC is asking for a volunteer data scientist/engineer to help analyze results and trends
Results from the Town’s comprehensive survey were tallied and posted in time to help inform officials and voters before this Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting. And now, MTC is putting out a related call for help. Read the full article → from Town Survey Results (and a request for help)
Town seeking to replace Public Works Planning Board through ATM Articles 33 & 34
At Annual Town Meeting, officials will ask voters to support two Articles with two shared goals. If successful in getting support from Town Meeting and the state, they would replace the Public Works Planning Board (PWPB) with a Public Works Advisory Committee (PWAC), and change how the Tree Warden position and responsibilities are handled. Read the full article → from Town seeking to replace Public Works Planning Board through ATM Articles 33 & 34
Dispatcher Staffing & Budget up for debate at Town Meeting on Saturday
A Citizen Petitioner will urge voters to increase the budget for public safety emergency communications. The Select Board and Advisory will pitch a plan to study staffing and bring recommendations to Fall Town Meeting.
One of the more controversial items at last year’s Town Meeting is back on the Warrant again this year in a different form.
Citizen’s Petitions are asking voters to increase the Town’s recommended budget to bolster the public safety dispatcher staff. Read the full article → from Dispatcher Staffing & Budget up for debate at Town Meeting on Saturday