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: Southborough at the Cross Roads – Part 2
Southborough Taxes
Update on Town Budget Summit and Schools’ Budgets & Buses
Last week, I updated that the Budget Summit planned for this past Saturday was being postponed. The meeting has been rescheduled to February 8th. I’m sharing those details along with an update on the situation that prompted the change. Read the full article → from Update on Town Budget Summit and Schools’ Budgets & Buses
Home property tax bills going up higher than predicted — Again (Updated)
In a bit of Deja Vu, Town officials' initial tax forecasts didn't foresee the shift in Residential vs Commercial real estate value assessments.
Last week, the Select Board agreed to approve a single tax classification. Read the full article → from Home property tax bills going up higher than predicted — Again (Updated)
Letter: Southborough at the Crossroads
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: Southborough at the Crossroads
STM Article 14: Full Time EDC Coordinator (Updated)
At their joint August 27th meeting, the Select Board Chair warned the Advisory Committee that Southborough is “bleeding businesses”. Referring to the situation as an emergency, she advocated for the Town to invest in a solution. Read the full article → from STM Article 14: Full Time EDC Coordinator (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
Advisory’s report for Town Meeting and the FY25 Budget
This year's tax forecast is below inflation, but that's partially based on one-time funding sources like federal ARPA funds. Advisory warns that the Town could be forced to deal with a ballot override or big service cuts in two years.
The Advisory Committee has issued it’s report to Annual Town Meeting, along with detailed information on this year’s budgets. It includes an explanation for their budget recommendations, plus the reasons behind some key Articles they voted to support or not support.
The report also comes with some financial forecasts and warnings. The most notable is a forecast that the Town seems to be headed towards needing a Proposition 2 ½ Override within a few years. Read the full article → from Advisory’s report for Town Meeting and the FY25 Budget
Residents may be looking at a big tax increase.
Unique drivers this year (including Schools & Public Safety)
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.
Letter: Wasted Time, Wasted Effort
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 Carl Guyer] Read the full article → from Letter: Wasted Time, Wasted Effort
Select Board’s Goals include “considering” tripling CPA surcharge on tax bills, and more (Updated)
A look at the board's "Finance" Goals for FY24
Select Board goals includes an increasing an annual surcharge on tax bills that some board members pitch could reduce residents’ overall tax burdens. “Finance” goals also cover contracting a grant writer and other administrative changes. Read the full article → from Select Board’s Goals include “considering” tripling CPA surcharge on tax bills, and more (Updated)
Letter: Modify residential to commercial/industrial tax rate ratio
The following letter to the editor is from resident Carl Guyer to present data and explain why he continues to advocate for property tax-rates to be split (with a lower rate for residential properties than commercial/industrial properties). Read the full article → from Letter: Modify residential to commercial/industrial tax rate ratio
Annual Town Meeting: Advisory Report & Budget Articles (Updated)
The Advisory Committee asked me to make its annual report to Town Meeting voters available to readers. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting: Advisory Report & Budget Articles (Updated)
2023 (single) Tax Rate Set
An update on what your next year's tax bills will show. (Plus, what to do if you think yours is wrong and how to look into deferrals and exemptions.)
Last week, the Select Board agreed to approve a single tax classification. Read the full article → from 2023 (single) Tax Rate Set
Taxes and “completing Pocket Park” – Tuesday
The Select Board's agenda for next week includes two items that will be of great interest to some readers.
On Tuesday, the Select Board will host the annual Tax Classification Hearing and discuss next steps for resuming construction on the St. Mark’s Street and Park project.
(Given the interest some readers have on those topics, I wanted to give advance notice.) Read the full article → from Taxes and “completing Pocket Park” – Tuesday