More than a year ago, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to require the Gulbankian family to make improvements to its 40 Mt. Vickery Road property after complaints from neighbors. At the time, many of you voiced strong opinions about the process – which took more than a year – as well as the outcome. The Gulbankian family appealed, but today comes word a Worcester court has upheld the decision. Read the full article → from MWDN: Southborough ZBA ruling on Gulbankian Farms upheld
Selectmen last week voted to create an ad hoc committee charged with bringing legislation to establish the position of town manager – among other changes – before voters once again. Now selectmen are looking for volunteers to join the committee. Read the full article → from Volunteers sought for new town manager legislation committee
For several years now a committee of volunteers has been working on revamping Southborough’s zoning code. They’ve considered everything from open space protection to multi-family housing and subdivisions to commercial development along Route 9. The process will culminate in a vote on the changes at a special town meeting this fall. Read the full article → from Public hearing on proposed zoning code changes – TONIGHT
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government (6/11/12 – 6/15/12)
Stonebrook Village is a development that can’t seem to get off the ground. First proposed as a 15-unit 40B affordable housing development off Oregon Road in 2008, the project got approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals in September 2010. But last August, Southborough developer William Depietri scrapped plans for the 40B saying he wanted to build an over-55 community on the property instead. Read the full article → from MWDN: Southborough senior housing project on hold
I wasn’t able to attend last night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, but the Metrowest Daily News was there and reports on an interesting development in the ongoing effort to change Southborough’s form of government. Selectmen voted last night to create an ad hoc committee that will be charged with bringing Town Manager legislation before voters once again. Read the full article → from MWDN: Southborough selectmen revive town manager effort
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
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
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)
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
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
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)
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)
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