Both the Southborough Police Department and the Fire Department recently got word that grants they applied for have been approved. Read the full article → from Town receives over $110K in grants for public safety
Government
School Buildings Update
A recap of Tuesday night's presentation and the data the Select Board will be considering when deciding next steps on maintentance and any projects for the K-8 school buildings.

On Tuesday night, the Select Board heard the final report from the PreK-8 School Building Committee. The committee gave them a lot of data to reflect on when the board decides what next steps to take.
Here’s my high level overview of the picture presented and highlights from the meeting. Read the full article → from School Buildings Update
Updated PreK-8 School Building Committee docs for tonight’s report

The PreK-8 School Building Committee has updated and added documents for its presentation to the Select Board tonight. This is expected to be the committee’s final report. Read the full article → from Updated PreK-8 School Building Committee docs for tonight’s report
Deer hunting season open: SOLF posts notices and State advises wearing Blaze Orange

With Deer Hunting open, I’m sharing SOLF”s news, MassDCR’s info, and the state’s warnings that hikers should take caution. Read the full article → from Deer hunting season open: SOLF posts notices and State advises wearing Blaze Orange
Letter: Vote “No” on the Local Government Takeover Article “The Creation Of Governance Committee” (Updated)
[Ed note: My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com.
The following letter is from Karen Hanlon Shimkus.] Read the full article → from Letter: Vote “No” on the Local Government Takeover Article “The Creation Of Governance Committee” (Updated)
The week in government
Select Board on Atwood Parcel restoration, PreK-8 School Building Committee Final Report, and finalizing Special Town Meeting Warrant; School Committee; Forum on Costco Project; 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
PreK-8 School Building Committee shares documents for Tuesday’s meeting (Updated – again)

As I’ve previously posted, the PreK-8 School Building Committee is scheduled to present its findings to the Select Board this Tuesday.
They have a lot of data to share, and a member reached out to get started. Read the full article → from PreK-8 School Building Committee shares documents for Tuesday’s meeting (Updated – again)
Forum on proposed Costco project — next Thursday

The Select Board is inviting the public to join them at a Public Forum with a Q&A on the proposed project to bring a Costco to the old EMC campus behind Madison Place.
Unlike recent public meetings and hearings on the zoning amendments proposed by Atlantic, this evening will focus on the project the new zoning is intended to make possible. Read the full article → from Forum on proposed Costco project — next Thursday
Fall Town Meeting Update: Planning & Advisory supportive of IP Zoning change for EMC/Costco parcel
Most Planning Board and Advisory Committee members voiced support for the updated version of a proposed zoning bylaw that could allow building a Costco on a singled out parcel in the Industrial Park Zone. Just don't call it "spot zoning".

Monday night, an attorney for Capital Group Properties, which owns the Park Central parcel north of Route 9, argued that a proposed amendment to Industrial Park zoning is illegal “spot zoning”.
Planning Board members disagreed, siding with the developer (Atlantic Management) who is proposing the zoning change. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting Update: Planning & Advisory supportive of IP Zoning change for EMC/Costco parcel
The week in government
Planning Board on Zoning Bylaw Articles; PreK-8 School Building Committee; Joint Advisory & Select Board Meeting on Special Town Meeting Articles; Conservation Commission; 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
Suicide Prevention Training & Shelf Help — Tuesday

This Tuesday is the last day of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Southborough Youth & Family Services is offering two related free programs at the library that night.
The community can sign up to participate in a Suicide Prevention Training session. Or, you can join them for September’s “Shelf Help” Book Discussion. Read the full article → from Suicide Prevention Training & Shelf Help — Tuesday
Register for Flu Clinics: ARHS Drive Thru on Oct 4 & Senior Flu on Oct 8

The Greater Boroughs Partnership for Health will hold a Drive Thru Flu Clinic for Southborough and two other towns a week from Saturday. Days later, the Southborough Health Department will be holding its annual flu vaccine clinic for residents ages 65+. Registration is open for both events. Read the full article → from Register for Flu Clinics: ARHS Drive Thru on Oct 4 & Senior Flu on Oct 8
Update on School Building Research & Neary Roof Replacement (Updated)

I know many readers want to know about the steps Town and school officials are making to handle school building issues in the wake of voters rejecting the Neary Building Project last spring. So, it’s time for an update. Read the full article → from Update on School Building Research & Neary Roof Replacement (Updated)
Town brings back a former Building Commissioner

On Friday morning, the Select Board approved an employment agreement for a new Building Commissioner. Mark Robidoux will return to his former role working for the Town of Southborough almost seven years after he left. Read the full article → from Town brings back a former Building Commissioner