Highlights from last week’s competitions and what’s on tap this week in Algonquin Regional High School varsity sports.
Read the full article →
The week in ARHS sports
The week in government
Planning hearing; Elementary School Building Committee on selecting study consultant; Regional School Committee on School Choice and new graduation requirement; ZBA hearings; and more
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
ATM passes everything Town officials asked for (and nothing it didn’t)
A recap on what voters approved — including two Articles now headed to ballot questions this May.
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)
Events this week (Updated)
Town Meeting, Kickin’ it for Kasey, Wellness Fair, Gospel Concert, Cutler Jazz Festival, Wellness Week, TLT: The Value of Trees, Nature Story Time, Virtual Cooking, Story Time with Glory, and much more
Here are highlights of what’s happening around (or related to) our town this weekend through next. Read the full article → from Events this week (Updated)
Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting at-a-glance
Basic details and quick links for info about the Budgets, Zoning Articles, Trottier roof, $25M for road & sidewalks, preparing to amend Articles, and more
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
Advisory Report on projected 4.6% tax increase & Town Meeting Articles
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
Article 34: Citizen Petition on Plastic Bag Ban
Select Board advised teen sponsors to postpone the vaguely worded effort and work on a future proposal with more specifics.
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
More Zoning Articles at Town Meeting
Zoning Articles seek to allow Tricentennial Signs, and fix errors in bylaws (MBTA Communities dimension restrictions, and outdated references to a defunct committee)
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
Article 33: Citizen Petition for independent Finance Committee
Voters at Saturday's Annual Town Meeting will be asked to create a committee to help oversee and audit Town finances.
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
Article 13: $25M for Roads & Sidewalks (Updated)
If Town Meeting approves the Article, it will be the biggest borrowing request ever passed. Officials (mostly) support the Road Plan as necessary to improve crumbling roads and get back on track.
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)
On the market this week in Southborough
What went on and off the market this week. Read the full article → from On the market this week in Southborough
Annual Town Meeting: Amending Articles
If you have a pre-planned motion to amend, submitting a form in advance will help the meeting run smoother and faster.
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
NECC’s 5K for Autism – May 9
Support the annual Walk/Run for Autism. Sign up and start raising funds.
The Southborough based New England Center for Children’s annual 5K Walk/Run for Autism is next month. Read the full article → from NECC’s 5K for Autism – May 9
Letter: The debt we never talk about.
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.