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?
Government
MWDN: Board backs reimbursing acquitted Southborough employees’ 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
School budget forums to be held this week
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
Two contested races in Southborough this year
Yesterday was the deadline for candidates to register for town elections in May. As anticipated, Southborough voters will have a choice in the race for Selectmen between Daniel Kolenda and Jeffrey Rosenberg. Read the full article → from Two contested races in Southborough this year
Rep. Levy to hold office hours in Southborough on Friday
State Representative Steven Levy, who represents Southborough precinct 1, will hold office hours at Mauro’s Village Cafe (2 Main Street) on Friday, March 25. Read the full article → from Rep. Levy to hold office hours in Southborough on Friday
Selectmen back off Medicare plan, but increase retiree contribution
Voicing concern over the impact it would have on seniors, selectmen last week decided not to move ahead with a plan to require town retirees to adopt Medicare. Read the full article → from Selectmen back off Medicare plan, but increase retiree contribution
The week in govenment
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in govenment
Rep. Dykema to hold office hours in Southborough on Monday
Here’s your chance to share your opinions — and a cup of coffee — with State Representative Carolyn Dykema. Read the full article → from Rep. Dykema to hold office hours in Southborough on Monday
Tuesday is the last day to register to vote before Town Meeting
You’re going to Town Meeting, right? Only registered voters get in the door, so if you’re not already registered to vote in Southborough, Tuesday is your last day to do so. Read the full article → from Tuesday is the last day to register to vote before Town Meeting
Selectmen share budget concerns with legislators
Southborough’s three state legislators told selectmen something last night they already knew: it’s going to be a tough budget year. Read the full article → from Selectmen share budget concerns with legislators
Good question: Is there money in the budget to fix our roads?
In this week’s open thread, commenter Papa Rosa pondered what effect the current budget crunch will have on much-needed road repairs. In particular, he asked what roads are slated to be repaved this year. I talked with DPW Superintendent Karen Galligan to find out. Read the full article → from Good question: Is there money in the budget to fix our roads?
Selectmen balance budget, but want more reductions
Selectmen last night approved a balanced budget, but said they want to see it reduced even further to minimize the tax increase on residents. The $46M budget they approved would mean a tax increase of approximately 4.5% next year. Read the full article → from Selectmen balance budget, but want more reductions
With deadline approaching, candidate field shaping up; still only one contested race
The deadline to pull nomination papers for town elections in May is fast approaching — it’s Friday, March 18 — and the candidate field is starting to take shape. Read the full article → from With deadline approaching, candidate field shaping up; still only one contested race
Budgets – where to now?
Town meeting is four weeks from tonight, and depending on who you listen to, we’re anywhere from $230K to $300K over the “cap” — that’s the magic number we need to come in under if we want to avoid a Prop 2-1/2 override vote. Read the full article → from Budgets – where to now?