The Southborough Police Department issued a press release on an incident yesterday evening. It involved a manhunt that was ultimately abandoned when officers had to respond to another emergency call. Read the full article → from SPD announces abandoned search. Chief answers questions about staffing issues
Updated (3/26/25 10:19 am): Since initially posting this story, I discovered that the Town has posted new budget documents. I’ve updated the story to reflect new figures.
At the Annual Town Meeting in just under two weeks, the Select Board is expected to ask voters to pass a budget that would create an estimated 7.47% increase in homeowner’s tax bills next year. It’s the largest spike since this blog has been covering Southborough Town government. Read the full article → from Town Meeting to ask for 7.7% 7.5% increase for 2026 taxes (Updated- Again)
On Monday night, one of the public opponents who helped pressure the Select Board to withdraw from the Metrowest RECC in 2023, made the board’s case for rejoining it. Voters supported the plan. Read the full article → from Town Meeting gives thumbs up for joining a Metrowest RECC (Updated)
According to Police Chief Ryan Newell, the Southborough Police Department has a staffing crisis. The SPD has lost eight officers in the last 21 months. And his second in command has an “overwhelming” workload.
To help alleviate the issues, voters will be asked to support funding a new Lieutenant position. Read the full article → from STM Article 16: Adding a new SPD Lieutenant (Updated – again)
At the upcoming, Special Town Meeting, the Select Board will take the unusual step of asking voters to cast a non-binding vote to advise them. The Article will ask voters to “recommend” the board pursue regionalizing public safety dispatch services. Read the full article → from 911 Regionalization Article headed to Special Town Meeting (Updated)
From January to March of 2024, the Southborough Police Department issued 1,022 speeding citations. Many residents are wondering if that is enough to protect the roadways. Read the full article → from Residents voice concern over speeding (Updated)
It looks like the Town is facing a bigger than usual challenge this year in trying to rein budget increases in. Big drivers for tax increases this year aren’t the same one we have seen in the past couple of years. Read the full article → from Residents may be looking at a big tax increase.
Following up on guidance by Town Meeting, the Select Board took a new vote on whether to remain in or withdraw from an agreement with Westborough and Grafton to form a regional public safety dispatch center. Read the full article → from Select Board withdraws from Dispatch IMA
On Saturday, voters who stuck around long enough to hear the last few Citizen Petition Articles informed Select Board members that they weren’t happy with plans for regionalizing emergency communications. Read the full article → from ATM Voters disfavor Regionalization of Public Safety Dispatch
This letter to the editor from the Southborough Police and Fire Chiefs explains why they “strongly support the transition to a Regional Emergency Communications Center”. Read the full article → from Letter: Fire and Police Chief on Regionalizing Public Safety Dispatch
Southborough Police are investigating an incident of an apparently kicked (but not kicked-in) front door. It’s one of the many updates I’m sharing related to the SPD.
Another item I should highlight is tonight’s Select Board vote on an agreement to work with 3 other Towns to establish a public safety Regional Dispatch Center for in Westborough. Read the full article → from Police Alert & Updates
The public is invited to “learn about and discuss” the potential for replacing Southborough’s dispatch service with a shared regional service. Read the full article → from Regional Dispatch Public Forum
I’m rounding up Town news items related to Police and Fire Departments. Read the full article → from Public Safety Updates (Updated)
On tonight’s Select Board agenda is follow up on a staffing request made by the Chief of Southboough Police earlier this month. Read the full article → from Police seeking approval to hire additional full time Dispatcher