You may be able to watch Board of Selectmen meetings live on public access television from the comfort of you home, but if you want to ask questions or register a comment on any of the items discussed, you’ll have to get up off your couch and head to the Town House. That’s because the board last week nixed a plan to accept input via email during their meetings. Read the full article → from Selectmen won’t accept email comments during meetings
Government
Decision on zoning board reappointment postponed to June 26
The Board of Selectmen last week deliberated for nearly an hour on whether to reappoint Zoning Board of Appeals member Regina McAuliffe to another 5-year term. The board ultimately decided to defer its decision until other candidates for the position could be interviewed. Read the full article → from Decision on zoning board reappointment postponed to June 26
The week in government (6/4/12 – 6/8/12)
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government (6/4/12 – 6/8/12)
Route 85 bridge work near Hopkinton border to start Friday
Several of you have inquired about road signs near the intersection of Cordaville and Southville Roads announcing a new construction project. I asked DPW Superintendent Karen Galligan what it’s all about, and she tells me it’s the start of a bridge project that’s expected to continue for the next two years. Read the full article → from Route 85 bridge work near Hopkinton border to start Friday
Selectmen consider more changes to zoning board
When the Board of Selectman last June voted not to reappoint Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Sam Stivers to another five year term amid complaints about how the board treated applicants, they put the rest of the board on notice, saying future reappointments would face similar scrutiny. Last night they held true to that promise in considering the reappointment of member Regina McAuliffe. Read the full article → from Selectmen consider more changes to zoning board
Selectman wants to open up meetings to email comments (with POLL)
Back in January, the Board of Selectmen started broadcasting their meetings live on public access television. Selectman John Rooney said at the time he would like a way to make the experience a bit more interactive for the viewing public. As his first act as the board’s new chairman last week, he proposed a way to do just that. Read the full article → from Selectman wants to open up meetings to email comments (with POLL)
The week in government (5/28/12 – 6/1/12)
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government (5/28/12 – 6/1/12)
Selectmen lukewarm on new Town House flagpole proposal
As you may (or may not) know, the flagpole in front of the Town House is not a flagpole at all. It’s actually a cell tower disguised to look like a flagpole. The town worked out that clever arrangement with AT&T more than a decade ago when the old flagpole needed to be replaced. In exchange for using the pole to house wireless antennae, the town gets about $26K in rent each year. Read the full article → from Selectmen lukewarm on new Town House flagpole proposal
Changing of the guard on the Board of Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen has a new chairman. Historically, the board rotates the position with the selectman in the final year of his or her elected term getting control of the gavel. This year that honor falls to Selectman John Rooney, and last night his fellow board members unanimously elected him chairman. Read the full article → from Changing of the guard on the Board of Selectmen
Rep. Dykema to hold office hours in Southborough on Friday
State Representative Carolyn Dykema will hold office hours at the new Red Barn Coffee (20 Turnpike Road) on Friday, and she invites Southborough residents to stop by. It’s your chance to meet Dykema and discuss anything that might be on your mind. Dykema will be at Red Barn from 8:00 to 9:00 am. Read the full article → from Rep. Dykema to hold office hours in Southborough on Friday
The week in government (5/21/12 – 5/25/12)
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government (5/21/12 – 5/25/12)
Selectmen approve expanded town administrator job description, appoint screening committee
With Town Administrator Jean Kitchen retiring at the end of next month, the Board of Selectmen said they must move quickly to find a replacement. At a meeting last week they put their stamp of approval on a new job description – one that expands the role of the town administrator – and appointed members to a committee charged with screening applicants. Read the full article → from Selectmen approve expanded town administrator job description, appoint screening committee
Developer proposes $360K gift to offset 40B impact
The developer of the proposed Madison Place apartment complex, a 40B project to be located off Route 9 near Crystal Pond Road, has agreed to pay the town $360K to help offset the impact the development will have on the town, Zoning Board of Appeals member Leo Bartolini Jr. told selectmen last week. The sum was reached after negotiations between developer Bob Moss and the ZBA. Read the full article → from Developer proposes $360K gift to offset 40B impact
Turnout at town elections was about average
For reason we can debate in the comments, town elections in Southborough don’t have a particularly big draw. At Monday’s election, only 21% of the town’s voting population cast a ballot. Historically speaking that’s about average. Read the full article → from Turnout at town elections was about average