Last night voters wrapped up 2014 Annual Town Meeting business. It’s not a surprise that emotions were running high on the night that several citizen petitions were addressed. Still, which articles sparked controversy may be a surprise to some of you. Read the full article → from Town Meeting wrap up: Main St committee petition loses by 3 votes, Gulbankians zoning passes and residents nix moves towards Town Manager (Updated)
As you probably know by now, one of the Warrant Articles up for vote at Wednesday’s Town Meeting is the rezoning of the Gulbankian property at 40 Mount Vickery Road. (If you aren’t aware or need a refresher on this zoning issue, click here for past coverage.)
In preparation for the vote, the family has produced a following video to let voters know who they are. Read the full article → from Gulbankian Farms: Meet the family and read the petition
Recent conversations have made me realize that some residents don’t understand the power a single voter has at town meeting. Last year, each person who showed up represented 38 registered voters. That 2.6% decide whether to approve a budget or reduce it. So if there’s a budget you care about be there to support it. Read the full article → from Vote for what you care about or someone else will
This week, a joint statement was issued from the Town of Southborough and the Gulbankian family explaining their mediated solution. The terms of agreement focus on resolving neighbor complaints about the bus lot. Read the full article → from Town and Gulbankian family joint statement on settlement: 10% fine and buses will go
Residents at Annual Town Meeting will be given the chance to “effect a resolution” on an issue that has been plaguing the Town for years. But it’s not the compromise that most of us expected to vote on this April. Read the full article → from BOS: Gulbankians resolution lies with voters; Barn Hollow proceeding unresolved; Town meeting postponed – April 16th & 17th
As reported in August, the Gulbankian family is appealing the $126,000 fine levied against the property owners. Recently, family’s attorney has amended their appeal with an additional claim. Read the full article → from MWDN: Gulbankians lawyer claims Southborough’s ticketing process illegal
The Metrowest Daily News reported on Gulbankians heading back to court (sure to trigger some comments), a change in position for the Southborough Planning Board (for short term – if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em), and improved school safety strategies (empowering staff and students). Read the full article → from MWDN round-up: Gulbankians, zoning update, and school safety strategy
The Metrowest Daily News reports that the Gulbankians’ lawyer faced off with Town Counsel Aldo Cipriano at the Thursday night Planning Board Meeting. Read the full article → from MWDN: Gulbankians plan to continue legal battle
In an ongoing legal battle, the Gulbankian family is in the news again. According to The Metrowest Daily News, the family received a letter from the town enforcing $126,000 in fines accrued for zoning violations. Read the full article → from MWDN: Gulbankians fined $126,600 for violations
The Metrowest Daily News reports today the Gulbankian family has decided to close the machine shop it operates on its Mt. Vickery Road property after battling the town over zoning issues for the past three years. Read the full article → from MWDN: Gulbankians to shutter machine shop in Southborough
The Gulbankian family may get some unexpected assistance in their ongoing zoning battle with the town. The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night agreed to talk with the town’s lawyer to find out if there is any way they can intervene. Read the full article → from Selectmen consider getting involved in Gulbankian zoning issue
Saying they felt “duped” by the family, the Zoning Board of Appeals last night denied a request by the Gulbankian family to modify conditions imposed in a 2011 ruling. The family had asked the board to remove the requirement to pave a portion of their Mt. Vickery Road property and install a drainage system, saying the changes were expensive and unnecessary. Read the full article → from Zoning board denies request by Gulbankian family to modify conditions
The Gulbankian family has until the end of the month to complete a list of repairs to its Mt. Vickery Road businesses that were ordered by the town in 2011, but in a recent filing the family has asked the Zoning Board of Appeals to remove the two most costly repairs. Read the full article → from MWDN: Gulbankians to ask Southborough to take back orders for costly work
The Metrowest Daily News reports today the Zoning Board of Appeals appears inclined to grant the Gulbankian family more time to make improvements to their property that were ordered by the board in 2011 after complaints from neighbors and a lengthy hearing process. Read the full article → from MWDN: Southborough likely to grant Gulbankians time to complete work