The Mass Supreme Court will consider arguments about the constitutionality of the Southborough Select Board’s Comment Policy. Four friends of the court briefs have been filed weighing in on questions related to a resident’s 2020 lawsuit against the Board. Read the full article → from Amicus Briefs filed with Mass Supreme Court on Select Board comment policy
Government
Flu Clinic tomorrow
Walk-ins on a First come, first served basis
The Southborough Health Department is holding its annual flu clinic tomorrow at the Southborough Senior Center. Today, the Dept shared that walk-in appointments will be available in the afternoon — on a first come, first served basis. Read the full article → from Flu Clinic tomorrow
TM debate over flags in the Old Burial Ground
Constitutional free speech issue? Cancel culture gone too far? Inappropriate forum for debate?
At the end of the long night, the majority of Special Town Meeting voters opposed a non-binding Citizen Petition Article. Read the full article → from TM debate over flags in the Old Burial Ground
The week in government
Planning Board; Select Board on Tax Classification and Pocket Park; Regional School Committee 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
Voters opposed Tree Protection bylaw
Residents voiced concerns that Planning's proposed bylaw could interfere with homeowners' rights.
On Thursday night, residents questioned the process laid out by a proposed Tree Protection bylaw. Voters expressed concern that red tape would cause issue for homeowners. After 1½ hours of discussions, the Article was shot down by a clear majority. Read the full article → from Voters opposed Tree Protection bylaw
Taxes and “completing Pocket Park” – Tuesday
The Select Board's agenda for next week includes two items that will be of great interest to some readers.
On Tuesday, the Select Board will host the annual Tax Classification Hearing and discuss next steps for resuming construction on the St. Mark’s Street and Park project.
(Given the interest some readers have on those topics, I wanted to give advance notice.) Read the full article → from Taxes and “completing Pocket Park” – Tuesday
Special Town Meeting Recap
A quick summary of the votes at Thursday night's meeting.
Tonight’s Special Town Meeting was a late one. For now, I’m giving a quick recap of the results. Read the full article → from Special Town Meeting Recap
Special Town Meeting Tonight
An updated look at what voters will be asked to decide at tonight's Town Meeting
There have been some updates worth highlighting since I gave an overview of the Warrant three weeks ago. So, here is my updated look at what voters will be asked to decide. Read the full article → from Special Town Meeting Tonight
Avoid a spike in winter electric bills
With NGrid winter supplier rates spiking, the Town is reminding residents of the Community Aggregate alternative options
The Town is warning residents about an upcoming National Grid rate spike and reminding of the the discount option available through our aggregate utility program. Read the full article → from Avoid a spike in winter electric bills
Citizen Petition Article: Old Burial Ground Flags policy
At Special Town Meeting, voters will weigh in on the (non-binding) request to remove all flags from the Old Burial Ground except for the official U.S. flag (and grave markers)
One of the Articles that Special Town Meeting voters will decide this Thursday night is whether to urge the Select Board to limit the flags in the Old Burial Ground to the American flag. Read the full article → from Citizen Petition Article: Old Burial Ground Flags policy
The week in government (Updated)
School Committee; Special Town Meeting and prep
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 (Updated)
Tax outlook bleak again (Updated)
The Select Board voted to use more ARPA funds to reduce the impact of Special Town Meeting.
That won't stop tax bills from increasing higher than predicted, driven by home values that continued to skyrocket beyond expectations.
Although the Town hasn’t yet set next year’s tax rate, the Select Board is predicting that residents will be paying an average of 5.89% more in taxes year. Read the full article → from Tax outlook bleak again (Updated)
St. Mark’s triangle update: Announced “land swap” and indefinitely postponed forum (Updated)
The public forum has been indefinitely postponed. The following week, the Select Board will discuss next steps on the St. Mark's "triangle", including potentially moving ahead with construction before bringing a land ownership swap to Annual Town Meeting
St. Mark’s School has agreed to swap parcels of the St. Mark’s “triangle” to allow for the project to proceed with a “pocket park”, relocated intersection, and parking for the school’s sports fields.
In related news — there was an a second announcement about the previously scheduled and rescheduled St. Mark’s Street Working Group’s Public forum. It is now postponed again. Read the full article → from St. Mark’s triangle update: Announced “land swap” and indefinitely postponed forum (Updated)
Town pursuing heavy truck exclusion on Flagg
The Select Board voted to seek an HCVE on Flagg Road while maintaining the existing one on Main Street
The Select Board voted to ask Mass Dept of Transportation to add an HCVE/HVE* to Flagg Road. The Town will seek to add the restriction without lifting any existing truck exclusions, including the one on Main Street. Read the full article → from Town pursuing heavy truck exclusion on Flagg