The Board of Selectmen earlier this week signed off on a new set of rules and regulations for the Transfer Station. They left the price of a sticker alone at $175, but approved a number of other changes recommended by Department of Public Works Superintendent Karen Galligan. Here’s a rundown of what’s new. Read the full article → from New fees and policies at the Transfer Station
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously last night to impose a voluntary odd/even water restriction starting immediately and running through September 22. Under the ban, outside water use is restricted based on your house number, so odd-numbered houses use water on odd-numbered days, and even-numbered houses use water on even-numbered days. Read the full article → from Voluntary odd/even water ban now in effect
An increase in the cost of a Transfer Station sticker has been an annual event for several years now. Last night Selectmen decided to hold the fee at its current rate of $175, but there was little consensus on the board about how the Transfer Station should operate and be funded in the future. Read the full article → from No increase in sticker fee, but changes for the Transfer Station could be on the way
In a surprise move at last night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Zoning Board of Appeals member Regina McAuliffe withdrew her application for reappointment to the board. Her withdrawal paved the way for selectmen to appoint Southborough businessman David Eagle as a new permanent member of the ZBA. Read the full article → from McAuliffe steps aside, selectmen appoint Eagle to zoning board
A collection of surplus equipment from Southborough’s Department of Public Works will hit the auction block later this week. DPW Superintendent Karen Galligan said the equipment, which includes several vehicles and lawn mowers, is no longer used. Read the full article → from Southborough DPW equipment to be sold at public auction on June 30
When the Planning Board meets tonight, it will continue its discussion of a proposed overhaul to Southborough’s zoning bylaws. Tonight the focus will be on changes to the bylaws that govern open space requirements in residential subdivisions. They’re changes not everyone agrees with. Read the full article → from Planning Board continues public hearing on zoning changes – TONIGHT
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government (6/25/12 – 6/29/12)
When news broke earlier this year that another monkey had died at the Harvard-owned New England Primate Research Center on Parmenter Road – the fourth such death at the facility in less than two years – many of you asked how much our town knows about what goes on in the research center and how it’s run. Read the full article → from MWDN: Health board chief details visit to primate center in Southborough
A reader contacted me last last week asking if I knew the source of a “horrific smell” emanating from the area of Route 30 on the west end of town. “Smells like someone’s septic exploded,” she wrote. Read the full article → from MWDN: Three large septic systems failing in Southborough
The recent decision by a Worcester court to deny an appeal by the owners of Gulbankian Farms, has prompted quite a few of you to speak out in support of the Gulbankian family here on the blog. The Gulbankians had appealed a decision last year by the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals that required them to make improvements to their Mt. Vickery Road property in order to continue to operate multiple businesses on the lot. Read the full article → from Zoning board chairman responds to criticism over Gulbankians decision
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government (6/18/12 – 6/22/12)
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