If you’re interested in running for a Southborough Town Office, the window opens tomorrow. Read the full article → from Town Election season opens Friday (Updated – Again)
Town Election season opens Friday (Updated – Again)
Government
Plans for new live-in special ed & vocational training center
A Southborough developer is launching a new nonprofit facility inside one of his existing buildings on Rte 9
This winter, the Planning Board is holding hearings on a new facility in Southborough focused on specialized education “providing life-skills instruction, vocational training, and residential accommodations for individuals with disabilities”.
No, it’s not an expansion of New England Center for Children. Read the full article → from Plans for new live-in special ed & vocational training center
Town Meeting Details & Registration Reminder (Updated – Again)
Register as a Southborough voter by Feb 20th to vote in March 2nd Special Town Meeting. Plus, more details and my primer on Town Meetings.
All Southborough voters are invited to vote at the March 2nd Special Town Meeting.
The Town Clerk asked me to remind readers — you need to register to vote in Southborough in advance to participate. I’m sharing those details, along with a primer for voters unfamiliar with how our Town Meetings work. Read the full article → from Town Meeting Details & Registration Reminder (Updated – Again)
The week in government
Planning Board hearings on zoning changes, School Committee on 2026-2027 School Calendar & revised FY27 Budget, ZBA hearing on 250 Turnpike Rd 40B, 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
Special Town Meeting Update: Progress on Warrant for Neary Roof & School Building Studies
The Select Board resolved its biggest dispute and officials are mostly unified on what to ask voters on March 2nd. The board may reconsider some of the Warrant language they approved on Tuesday night.
Town officials made a breakthrough this week related to the upcoming March 2nd Special Town Meeting (STM). After a lot of debate about “Article 1”, the thorniest issue among Select Board members was resolved on Tuesday night.
But they might not be as close to the final draft as those who watched this week’s Select Board Meeting would think. Read the full article → from Special Town Meeting Update: Progress on Warrant for Neary Roof & School Building Studies
Winter Sow Seed Pickup & Sowing Workshop – Feb 14 (Updated)
The Open Space Preservation Commission is kicking off the next stage of its annual Winter Sow Program. The timing of the first seed pickup event and sowing workshop seems fitting for nature lovers. Read the full article → from Winter Sow Seed Pickup & Sowing Workshop – Feb 14 (Updated)
Letter: Explanation for proposed $15M cap on Neary renovations
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: Explanation for proposed $15M cap on Neary renovations
Letter: Big Picture Considerations on “Proposal for Addressing Neary School Issues”
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 Karen Hanlon Shimkus. Read the full article → from Letter: Big Picture Considerations on “Proposal for Addressing Neary School Issues”
The week in government (Updated)
Select Board on Articles for upcoming Town Meetings, including final Articles for Special Town Meeting on Neary roof and school building project studies; Joint Select Board & Advisory Meeting; 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 (Updated)
Update on Neary roof and choices headed to Special Town Meeting
On Tuesday, the Select Board & School Committee will decide what options Town Meeting voters will be able to select for building project studies
Today, the Southborough School Committee heard back from its roof consultant. There was a little bit of good news — but it was mostly, unsurprising bad news about Neary School’s failing roof.
The committee plans to join the Select Board’s meeting this Tuesday night to talk through wording of Special Town Meeting Articles. And based on today’s discussion, they could decide to make significant changes for what options voters are offered on the Warrant for March 2nd. Read the full article → from Update on Neary roof and choices headed to Special Town Meeting
DPW explainers on road situation
Why the challenging work clearing snow was slow, why roads can still be slippery, when salt is/isn't effective, continuing work, and more.
DPW’s Chief William Cundiff asked me to share a message in response to the frustration they’ve heard from the public about the condition of the roads during and after this week’s snow storm. Read the full article → from DPW explainers on road situation
Costco Update: AG’s office pauses bylaw approval while looking into resident’s “spot zoning” complaint
This week, representatives for Costco and the property owners of 21 Coslin Drive updated the Planning Board on their plans to build a Costco in Southborough.
In the meeting, the board discussed a complication in the legal process. The Attorney General’s office held up its approval of the zoning bylaw revision that the project hinges on. The state is taking a closer look based on a complaint letter claiming the bylaw is illegal “spot zoning”. Read the full article → from Costco Update: AG’s office pauses bylaw approval while looking into resident’s “spot zoning” complaint
The week in government
Planning Hearings tonight on Tree Removals and new Disability Assistance & Vocational Education private school with multi-family housing (on Rte 9); School Committee on Neary Roof
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
Select Board continues to debate Neary & other school Feasibility Study Articles
The Select Board is still working out their specific asks for voters at the March 2nd Special Town Meeting. Voters will directly decide whether or not to pay to fix Neary School’s failing roof and proposed steps to addressing the future of Southborough public school buildings.
The Town Meeting is part of a multi-stage plan for short and long term solutions to dealing with the aging Neary building. Tuesday night, board members continued to clash on some details as they hash out their approach for this next big step. Read the full article → from Select Board continues to debate Neary & other school Feasibility Study Articles