Here is a selection of the committee and board meetings for the week along with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government
On Saturday, at a meeting with low turnout and big financial asks, Southborough Town officials had resounding success. Annual Town Meeting (ATM) voters passed every Article put forward by the Town without any amendments. The only Article that didn’t pass was a Citizen’s Petition that officials didn’t support.
Approved requests included borrowing authorization for Trottier Middle School’s roof and the $25M for a 5-year road and sidewalk improvements plan. To move forward, those two projects will still need Annual Town Election voters’ support next month. Read the full article → from ATM passes everything Town officials asked for (and nothing it didn’t)
The Town’s legislative branch, Town Meeting, will convene a week from Saturday to approve spending, possibly increase budgets, amend local bylaws, and “advise” officials.
I’ll be digging into some of the Warrant Articles leading up to Annual Town Meeting. For now, I’m providing a general overview, including the hot topics on the Warrant most likely to spark debate. Read the full article → from Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting at-a-glance
The Advisory Committee asked me to share with readers its report/letter to voters for tomorrow morning’s Annual Town Meeting. Read the full article → from Advisory Report on projected 4.6% tax increase & Town Meeting Articles
Two Southborough teen submitted a Citizen’s Petition Article seeking to ban non-reusable plastic bags (with some exceptions).
At a presentation last month, Select Board members applauded their efforts. But they encouraged the girls to go back to the drawing board. As written, the Article is vague and lacks penalties or enforcement mechanisms for violating the bylaw. Read the full article → from Article 34: Citizen Petition on Plastic Bag Ban
The Warrant for tomorrow’s Town Meeting includes five zoning Articles. I’ve recently covered two of them. Today, I’m focusing on the three remaining proposed bylaw revisions. Read the full article → from More Zoning Articles at Town Meeting
At Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting, voters will consider creating a new finance committee. Citizen Petition Article 33 is intended to provide independent oversight of the Town’s financial practices. The Article proposes establishing a committee charged with reviewing accounting procedures, purchasing compliance, and contract oversight. Read the full article → from Article 33: Citizen Petition for independent Finance Committee
The Select Board is proposing the Town make a big investments in a strategy change to repair and extend the life of more Town roads, beyond simply patching potholes and cracks. Read the full article → from Article 13: $25M for Roads & Sidewalks (Updated)
Is there an Article headed to Annual Town Meeting this Saturday that you know you would like to propose an amendment to?
Town Clerk Jim Hegarty is asking voters to plan ahead and complete and submit an amendment form in advance. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting: Amending Articles
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: The debt we never talk about.
The Towns of Northborough and Southborough are organizing a volunteer fair for next month. It’s a chance for tweens/teens in grades 6-12 to learn about volunteer opportunities.
It’s also a chance for area non-profits, community groups and other organizations to promote their volunteer opportunities. Read the full article → from Youth Volunteer Fair — May 12
The Attorney General’s office issued its finding on the Town’s bylaws allowing, but limiting, the by-right use of Accessory Dwelling Units. The version overwhelmingly passed by Town Meeting voters last fall is only “partially” approved as complying with state laws. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting Article 29: Expanding by-right ADU use (Updated)
Here is a selection of the committee and board meetings for the week along with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government
As I’ve shared in the past, Southborough Recreation is pursuing a project to make major improvements to Fayville Park.
Next week, the Rec Commission is seeking to get more community engagement and feedback on the proposal. Read the full article → from Community invited to engage in discussions about Fayville Park (Updated)