That’s been a hot topic on this blog and elsewhere recently as the town continues to look for ways to trim municipal and school budgets. Read the full article → from Should teachers and town employees get raises next year?
town-meeting-2011
Town meeting warrant and annual report now available
Town Meeting is less than two weeks away. We’ve talked about many of the issues that will be on the warrant, but certainly not all of them. For those of you who want to start doing your homework, the complete warrant has been posted on the the town website. Read the full article → from Town meeting warrant and annual report now available
MWDN: Board backs reimbursing acquitted Southborough employees’ legal fees
From the sounds of it, there were some fireworks at last night’s Advisory Committee meeting over the issue of whether to reimburse legal fees for town employees involved in the so-called Southborough Eight investigation last year. Read the full article → from MWDN: Board backs reimbursing acquitted Southborough employees’ legal fees
Superintendent touts history of belt-tightening at budget forums
“We haven’t done a very good job of publicizing all we’ve done to save money,” Superintendent Charles Gobron told a group of about 20 at the Senior Center yesterday over a lunch of pasta and salad. Read the full article → from Superintendent touts history of belt-tightening at budget forums
Selectmen back off Medicare plan, but increase retiree contribution
Voicing concern over the impact it would have on seniors, selectmen last week decided not to move ahead with a plan to require town retirees to adopt Medicare. Read the full article → from Selectmen back off Medicare plan, but increase retiree contribution
Selectmen balance budget, but want more reductions
Selectmen last night approved a balanced budget, but said they want to see it reduced even further to minimize the tax increase on residents. The $46M budget they approved would mean a tax increase of approximately 4.5% next year. Read the full article → from Selectmen balance budget, but want more reductions
Budgets – where to now?
Town meeting is four weeks from tonight, and depending on who you listen to, we’re anywhere from $230K to $300K over the “cap” — that’s the magic number we need to come in under if we want to avoid a Prop 2-1/2 override vote. Read the full article → from Budgets – where to now?
School committee trims K-8 budget request by $420K
It wasn’t the $2M in cuts the selectmen had asked for, but the K-8 School Committee last night approved a budget that was $420K lower than what they requested earlier in the budget season. Read the full article → from School committee trims K-8 budget request by $420K
Southborough officials, department heads clear the air
The Advisory Committee and Board of Selectmen met jointly last night with a number of department heads to talk budgets. The Metrowest Daily News reports they didn’t just talk about the numbers, but about the bumps in the road trying to reach a balanced budget. Read the full article → from Southborough officials, department heads clear the air
Chief: We’re playing Russian roulette with the taxpayers
Selectmen got a little bit closer to a balanced budget last night, but they’re still looking at a $1M gap. It’s a gap they said the schools may have to close, because cutting more from the municipal side would start impacting public safety. Read the full article → from Chief: We’re playing Russian roulette with the taxpayers
Visualizing where your tax dollars go
Most of you probably know that the schools take up a good chunk of the town budget. But what about other services like public safety or public works or human services? Town Finance Director Brian Ballantine put together a handy chart to help Selectmen — and taxpayers — understand where the money goes. Read the full article → from Visualizing where your tax dollars go
Two things that could impact Southborough’s budget (and not for the better)
I was out of town last week, so I didn’t attend the Board of Selectmen meeting, but the Metrowest Daily News reports selectmen discussed two items that could have a big impact on the town’s budget. Here’s a recap in case you missed the stories in the MWDN. Read the full article → from Two things that could impact Southborough’s budget (and not for the better)
Mark your calendar: Annual Town Meeting starts April 11
This is your official reminder to mark your calendar and get your babysitters lined up for Southborough’s annual town meeting. It will start on Monday, April 11 at 7:00 pm at the Trottier Auditorium. Read the full article → from Mark your calendar: Annual Town Meeting starts April 11
Town meeting voters to consider a change in government
At town meeting this year voters will decide whether to continue the process begun by the Town Government Study Committee in 2007 to create a Town Manager government for Southborough. The proposal also includes changing from the current three person Board of Selectmen to a five person board. All of Southborough’s neighboring towns have already made this change. Read the full article → from Town meeting voters to consider a change in government