There may not be any water to splash around in, but Recreation Director Doreen Ferguson still hopes to create a new place for Southborough kids to play. Read the full article → from UPDATED: Splash pad down the drain, but playground proposal remains
When the question of whether to reimburse four town employees for legal fees incurred during an investigation into remarks made at Pizzeria Uno in 2009 first came before the Board of Selectmen last June, then Selectwoman Bonnie Phaneuf declined to take a position on the issue saying it would be up to Town Meeting to decide. Read the full article → from MWDN: Former Southborough selectman challenges legal bills
Town Meeting starts a week from today. There has been no shortage of discussion on this blog and around town about many of the issues voters will get a say on next Monday. Operating budgets have been the center of discussion, but there are other articles that voters will be asked to weigh in on. Read the full article → from Countdown to town meeting: What do you want to know?
At town meeting next Monday, the Advisory Committee will present a set of budgets to voters. So will the Board of Selectmen. Both sets call for a tax increase somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 percent. But turns out those won’t be the only options for voters. There will also be a third set of budgets presented — a set that calls for no tax increase. Read the full article → from Advisory Committee member to present minority report at Town Meeting
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government
That’s been a hot topic on this blog and elsewhere recently as the town continues to look for ways to trim municipal and school budgets. Read the full article → from Should teachers and town employees get raises next year?
Selectman Bill Boland will hold office hours at the Senior Center on Saturday morning. It’s a chance for residents to meet informally with Boland in advance of town meeting. Read the full article → from Selectman to hold office hours at the Senior Center on Saturday
Superintendent Charles Gobron told parents and seniors at a series of budget forums last week that the schools have done all they can to trim the K-8 budget, and they don’t plan to make any more cuts in advance of town meeting. It’s a message he reiterated to selectmen last night. Read the full article → from Superintendent says he’ll leave it up to voters
Town Meeting is less than two weeks away. We’ve talked about many of the issues that will be on the warrant, but certainly not all of them. For those of you who want to start doing your homework, the complete warrant has been posted on the the town website. Read the full article → from Town meeting warrant and annual report now available
Southborough takes in about 20 percent of its tax revenue from businesses. The Metrowest Daily News reports that figure is on the low side compared to some neighboring towns in which businesses make up 40 to 50 percent of the tax base. Read the full article → from MWDN: Southborough residents look to revive economic development panel
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government
On the warrant next month, Town Meeting voters will get to decide whether or not to reimburse town employees the $14K they spent in legal fees during a town-led investigation of alleged remarks made at an after-hours gathering at Pizzeria Uno. Read the full article → from POLL: Should town employees be reimbursed for legal fees?
From the sounds of it, there were some fireworks at last night’s Advisory Committee meeting over the issue of whether to reimburse legal fees for town employees involved in the so-called Southborough Eight investigation last year. Read the full article → from MWDN: Board backs reimbursing acquitted Southborough employees’ legal fees
In this tough budget year, much of the town’s fiscal attention has turned toward the schools. With somewhere in the neighborhood of 67% of taxpayer dollars going to fund the K-8, Algonquin, and Assabet budgets, town officials have said it will be up to the schools to keep the tax burden low this year. Read the full article → from School budget forums to be held this week