Recently, I’ve covered criticism of how the Town has handled meeting minutes. So, it’s only fair that I highlight the transparency improvements that I discovered as well. Read the full article → from Town efforts to improve transparency around meeting minutes
A letter from the state’s Public Records Division ties together two recent stories on the blog: a rebuke of Southborough’s handling of Executive Session minutes and concerns raised about a “monster” on Town-owned Conservation Land. Read the full article → from State instructs Town it must justify exemptions to OML for records about Town-owned farm dump
I’ve learned that the meeting will be postponed one week – to Tuesday, November 26th. Read the full article → from BOS (and Library Trustee) meeting postponed to next week
A list of board and committee meetings for the week with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government: BOS postponed; Regional School Committee (Plus OML Training) – Updated
On Tuesday night, the Town Treasurer will present a plan to significantly change how residents pay for use of the Transfer Station. The goal is to move towards mostly funding the trash and recycling station through taxes. Read the full article → from Selectmen to discuss proposal to change Transfer Station funding
Flags in Southborough and across the state are flying at half staff until further notice, in honor of Worcester firefighter Lt. Jason Menard who died in a fire this morning. Read the full article → from Why flags are at half staff: November 13, 2019
The driveway for the Public Safety Building has been converted to meet drivers’ traditional expectations. I also got an update on two requests from the public the Public Safety Building Committee discussed at their meeting last week. Read the full article → from Public Safety Building Update: Driveway change implemented; Addressing requests for sidewalk and noise buffering (Updated)
The Town of Southborough announced that the Board of Selectmen will hold more office hours. Read the full article → from More Selectmen “Office Hours”: Swing by the Town House tonight and December 10th to chat
A list of board and committee meetings for the week with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government: Public Safety Building Naming Sub-Committee; School Committee MCAS presentation
In a ceremony this weekend, the access road for the Southborough Golf Club is being named “John Wilson Drive”. Read the full article → from Dedication to “John Wilson Drive” at the golf course – Sunday
An update on the town’s EEE threat status Read the full article → from EEE update: Schools lifted precautions, field curfew active in rest of town (until Monday?)
On Tuesday night, the Board of Selectmen talked through their next steps for two issues: their effort to negotiate PILOT contributions from non-profits and handling Special Municipal Empoloyees. I’m rounding up the highlights. Read the full article → from BOS on how to proceed with PILOT talks, SMEs, and Public Safety Building room naming
Southborough residents are invited to honor our country’s veterans at a Veterans Day observance on November 11. Read the full article → from Southborough’s Veterans Day observances: Town Ceremony, Rotary’s Salute, and Senior Center Celebration
Last night, the Advisory Committee made its case for asking Town Meeting to add a local tax to meals at Southborough restaurants. The Chair argued that the additional revenue would ease residents’ tax burden without hurting local businesses. Selectmen opted to wait until they hear more from restaurants in town. Read the full article → from BOS wants to hear more before taking a position on meal taxes