A blog for locals, by a local

2026 Marathon: Madhura Gosavi for The Michael Lisnow Respite Center

by Beth Melo on

Above: A Southborough resident is using the 2026 Boston Marathon to raise funds for The Michael Lisnow Respite Center (images cropped from fundraising page and charity website)

[The Boston Marathon always includes a pack of runners from our town. Between now and Patriots Day, I’m featuring stories of resident runners donning bibs for a cause this year.]

After about 20 years of running, Southborough’s Madhura Gosavi ran in Boston’s half marathon last year to support a worthy cause. This year, she’s doubling down on her commitment.

On Monday, as part of Dell’s Boston Marathon team, Gosavi  will run her first full marathon. The team is supporting The Michael Lisnow Respite Center.

She writes:

I am deeply connected with the cause of the Respite Center which provides physical and emotional care and support to individuals with disabilities and their families. They never say no to anyone who needs care and try to figure things out for families who need help. So many families with disability individuals have gotten support through the center, and the center provides this support through all the money raised from charity programs. Boston marathon is one of their biggest fundraisers which Michael’s Miracle marathon team is raising money for.

Please help me raise funds for the Respite Center while I put my best efforts forward in crossing the Boston Marathon finish line in April 2026! Thank you!

The non-profit center is a facility in Hopkinton that:

provides emotional and physical support for individuals with disabilities and their families.

According to their website, the center’s programs include providing specialized childcare for infants and toddlers from birth to three years old who have significant disabilities. And for adults with disabilities, they offer social day programs and employment support. 

​To support Gosavi’s fundraiser, click here. To learn more about the non-profit, click here.

[Note: If you are a Southborough resident using the Marathon to raise funds/awareness for a cause, please reach out with your information. Email mysouthborough@gmail.com.]

Please stay out of Beals Preserve’s parking lot

by Beth Melo on

Southborough Open Land Foundation asked me to share an updated announcement with readers.

Previously, I posted that they have temporarily closed the parking lot at Beals Preserve. Now, they are asking for the public to also avoid even walking through the lot this spring. The announcement also clarifies that the lot closure will go on much longer than I initially realized. Read the full article → from Please stay out of Beals Preserve’s parking lot

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.

by Beth Melo on

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)

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

by Beth Melo on

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

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.

by Beth Melo on

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)

by Beth Melo on

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.

by Beth Melo on

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

  • © 2026 MySouthborough.com — All rights reserved.