Through a Citizen’s Petition, Voters were asked to stop the Economic Development Comittee from taking on the IDC’s old mantle, and the additional authority that purportedly came with it. Read the full article → from Town Meeting rescinds the Industrial Development Commission; EDC stuck in ad-hoc status for now
It appears that the Town Moderator led Main Street opponents to believe that they would be allowed to ask voters to present their case at Town Meeting before a vote on Article 4. Read the full article → from Moderator had indicated to Main St opponents he would accept motion to combine articles
As I posted earlier, Town Meeting voters stripped the Zoning Board of Appeals of its ability to grant Use Variances. Read the full article → from Use Variance removal and plans to codify dependable bylaws for good development (Updated)
Last night, Southborough held the Special Town Meeting I’ve been warning you about forever. Judging by the tone and actions of voters, the main attraction was the Use Variance bylaw.
Close to 10% of Southborough’s registered voters turned up at Trottier Middle School to make their voices heard. But there is controversy over whether that happened or some voices were unfairly muted. Read the full article → from Voters turnout to approve Main St, reject Use Variance, and gate Flagg Rd; Controversy over Moderator’s calls
Southborough Recreation informs me that they successfully recruited more babysitters. That means they have re-opened registration for babysitting at tonight’s Special Town Meeting. Read the full article → from Bring the kids to Town Meeting tonight – but please register first
I have more updates related to the Special Town Meeting. Read the full article → from Town Meeting news: Seeking babysitters, plus more on Main St and Flagg Road
This is a post I publish every year before Town Meeting. If you’re on the fence about whether to attend Southborough’s Annual Town Meeting on Monday evening, here are seven reasons why you should. Read the full article → from Are you heading to Town Meeting on Tuesday? (Babysitting provided)
Last night, Town officials walked residents through the Main Street Reconstruction project and answered questions. They explained why the road requires deep repairs to its sub base. They defined the alternatives. And they tried to debunk the idea that there may be lower cost alternatives not acknowledged.
Most commenters spoke on behalf of the project and the need to rally support. But one provided another preview of challenges that supporters face on Tuesday night. Read the full article → from Main Street debate continues; Vote on Tuesday night requires 2/3 to pass
Next Tuesday night’s Special Town Meeting isn’t just about Main Street. One of the Articles on the Warrant asks residents to remove Use Variance language from the Town’s zoning code. Read the full article → from Town Meeting: Article 6 seeks to put zoning use decisions back in the hands of voters
One week from today, Town Meeting voters will be asked to decide on the future of Main Street. Article 4 asks residents to approve easements for the Town’s project under a state-funded TIP plan. Article 5 asks residents to urge selectmen to drop the TIP plan and instead construct the road to Town’s basic standards.
Last week, the Town finally defined what that choice would be. Read the full article → from Town defines Main St alternative (estimated $4.7M project) – Public forums this week, vote next week
The Board of Selectmen voted 3-1 to force the developer and MassDOT to figure out a solution to Park Central egress/access. If they don’t, the board plans to prohibit the development’s access to Flagg Road. Read the full article → from Selectmen: No Park Central access to Flagg Road unless developer/state come up with a plan to solve access/egress issues
Next week, the Town is holding two forums to again pitch the Main Street Reconstruction project to residents. It’s a chance for residents to learn about the project and ask questions. Read the full article → from Main Street forums next week – get questions answered before Special Town Meeting (and register for cheap babysitting)
Monday night’s Planning Board agenda includes three items related to Park Central Read the full article → from Use Variance: Hearings on Article to strip ZBA of granting rights; Vote on Inspector’s decision
Last week, the Board of Selectmen reviewed the Citizen’s Petition on Main Street Reconstruction. The petition asks Town Meeting voters to push for a locally funded Main Street repair project.
In discussion, both a petitioner and selectmen agreed that understanding the price of a local project was critical. But they couldn’t seem to agree about whose job it is define what an alternative project would look like. Without that, no real cost estimate can be determined. Read the full article → from Who’s responsible for defining a Main Street alternative?