In 2016, a group of residents sought to have Leo Bartolini removed from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Some also supported a filing with the State Ethics Commission accusing the official of wrongdoing. Now, the still-standing ZBA member is asking for the Town to reimburse him for over $12K in related legal fees. Read the full article → from ZBA’s Bartolini seeking reimbursement of Legal defense fees; BOS discuss/vote on Tues (Updated)
Based on two filed Citizen Petitions, a Special Town Meeting has been called for next month. For any other residents looking to get items on the Warrant the time to act is now. Read the full article → from Special Town Meeting: May 22nd, 3 planned Articles, Warrant unfinalized (Updated)
A passionate letter to the editor states that Town officials “gutted” the Town Code “without public knowledge”. The letter also shed light on reasoning behind a recent Open Meeting Law Complaint against the Board of Selectmen.
It shouldn’t be a surprise to readers that both accusations connect to the highly-controversial Park Central development. Read the full article → from Town officials respond to recent accusations (Updated)
Readers pointed me to a discussion about potential solutions to Park Central road issues at a BOS meeting in 2016. It was seen as supporting rumors that Town officals have been floating the idea of building a road through a private owner’s land for longer than was acknowledged last week. Read the full article → from Town Admin responds to proof that potential road through L’Abri has been “going on long”
Recent not-in-public government meetings with the Park Central developer on a potential new project by the at the site has raised some suspicions and ire. Read the full article → from Resident raises concerns about closed door meetings on a new Park Central project
When Public Works Planning Board Chair presented the findings on the Water Tank report, he made clear that the board believed Fairview Hill is the best site for a new water tower. But with public pressure to pursue Park Central as an alternative site, he left the ball in the selectmen’s court. Read the full article → from Public Works Planning Report to selectmen: Fairview is best site for water tank; pursuing Park Central is an alternative to consider
Another appeal has been filed on Park Central. This time, developer Bill Depietri is asking the court to overrule a Zoning Board of Appeals decision. Read the full article → from Park Central developer asks court to deem Site Plan constructively approved; alleges unfair process
A developer’s motion for sanctions against the Southborough Planning Board succeeded this week. Read the full article → from Court approves sanctions against Planning Board for withdrawn Park Central appeal
Recently, a story I posted included information that the Conservation Commission denied Park Central’s application. Apparently, that was premature. But it became fact last Thursday. Read the full article → from ConCom officially denies Park Central “Order of Conditions”
Last week, I posted a story that included a 2nd hand recap of controversy over a potential water tower at Fairview Hill. The Chair of the Public Works Planning Board reached out to me to set the record straight. Read the full article → from Public Works Planning qualifies Fairview Hill best site for Water Tower but recommends “due diligence” considering Park Central as alternative
This week, the Zoning Board of Appeals ruled on appeals by the Park Central developer. The board rejected the developer’s claim that the project was “constructively approved”. But they also ruled against the Planning Board by reversing its decision. Read the full article → from ZBA on Park Central appeal: Approval denied, Planning ruling reversed, Site Plan Review goes back to Planning
The Park Central appeals scheduled to be heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals tonight were continued/postponed. This time the delay was caused by a member of the ZBA who was unable to appear. Read the full article → from Park Central developer’s appeal postponed again
Board of Selectmen members ruled that Leo Bartolini will keep his seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals. The vote was contingent on Bartolini recusing himself from any Park Central proceedings until conflict of interest issues are resolved. Read the full article → from Selectmen rule: Bartolini to remain on ZBA if recused from Park Central (until conflicts resolved)
[Editor’s Note: Because of my clear failure to do what I intended when I wrote this story, I have written a new story that clearly lays out my opinion: Opinion: Rooney’s resignation is based on his ethical stance (not a result of the complaint).] Selectman John Rooney has submitted his notice to the Town. The resignation letter is on the heels of an ethics violation complaint filed against him and fellow board member Bonnie Phaneuf. But Rooney isn’t stepping down until the spring of 2018. And he is citing very different reasons. Read the full article → from Ethics complaint filed against 2 selectmen; one resigning (next spring), citing a planned stand against recall Articles (Updated-again)