
Southborough Town Administrator Jean Kitchen told the Board of Selectmen last night that she plans to retire when her contract is up next July. Read the full article → from Southborough town administrator announces her intention to retire

Southborough Town Administrator Jean Kitchen told the Board of Selectmen last night that she plans to retire when her contract is up next July. Read the full article → from Southborough town administrator announces her intention to retire
At their meeting on Wednesday, the K-8 School Committee unanimously ratified a new 3-year contract for secretaries and support professionals after several months of negotiation. The details of the contract are similar to those approved by other school unions earlier this year. Read the full article → from K-8 school committee approves new union contract for secretaries
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government (12/19 – 12/23)
At the request of town officials, Superintendent Charles Gobron this week outlined how a 1% budget cut would impact Southborough schools. In a presentation to the K-8 School Committee, Gobron said the reduction could mean the loss of as many as 11 teaching positions. Read the full article → from Gobron: Reducing budget by 1% would result in loss of up to 11 teachers

Reader Jim said he called National Grid’s main number and used their phone system’s spell-by-name feature to reach Marcy Reed, president of National Grid in Massachusetts. “I left a polite message on her voice mail advising her of the unresponsiveness of National Grid as shown on this blog, and asked her to view the blog and get this dangerous situation resolved,” he wrote in a comment on Wednesday. Read the full article → from National Grid responds to question about clearing wires – UPDATED
If you spend more money on schools do you necessarily ensure a higher-quality education for students? That’s the question posed by Selectman John Rooney at last night’s K-8 School Committee meeting. The question – and the data Rooney presented to back it up – was not well received by the School Committee. Read the full article → from MWDN: Southborough school board rips selectman after he questions spending
Generally when I attend a Board of Selectmen meeting, I report back to you on the big stuff they talk about – things like the Swap Shop and the search for a new fire chief. But there are a lot of smaller decisions and discussions that happen at the meetings too. Read the full article → from Short takes from the Board of Selectmen meeting: December 6, 2011
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government (12/12 – 12/16)

A change in the union contract for DPW workers means more notice will be required to hold a Monday burial at Southborough’s Rural Cemetery. It’s a move one local funeral director said was insensitive to grieving families. Read the full article → from Selectmen approve new cemetery policies, increase notification times and fees
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government (12/5 – 12/9)

The proposed closure of the Swap Shop has been a rallying point for many in town, including some of our youngest residents. Yesterday a group of Neary fifth-graders submitted a petition with more than 300 signatures in support of keeping the Swap Shop open. Read the full article → from Neary students sign petition to save the Swap Shop
The Swap Shop has received a stay of execution. Selectman Bill Boland announced moments ago that he has ordered the shop to remain open until January 7, 2012. The Board of Selectmen will host a discussion about the Swap Shop at their regular meeting on January 3, 2012. Read the full article → from Breaking news: Swap Shop closure has been delayed until January 7

Southborough residents had plenty of ire for National Grid during the last two power outages, but that didn’t translate into attendance at a public hearing on the utility last night at Trottier. Only a handful of residents turned out to hear National Grid talk about their storm response. Read the full article → from Few residents show up to National Grid hearing

Unless the Board of Selectmen steps in to intervene, Southborough’s beloved Swap Shop is scheduled to close for good on Thursday. As of Tuesday night, Chairman Bill Boland said he had not decided whether to instruct the DPW to keep the shop open. Read the full article → from Swap Shop scheduled to close on Thursday. Will it?