As is often the case, a subject that sparked controversy at Annual Town Meeting wasn’t one I was expecting.
A funding request for a $1.4M upgrade to security systems for Southborough’s PreK-8 public schools prompted questions, a motion to amend, and many public comments. Read the full article → from Town Meeting debates school security spending
Rotary is encouraging the community to make plans to help with the annual “Earth Day” street clean up event. Read the full article → from Earth Day Clean Up — April 25th
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
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: Comment on Town Budget
Highlights from last week’s competitions and what’s on tap this week in Algonquin Regional High School varsity sports. Read the full article → from The week in ARHS sports
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)
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)
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)