Most of you probably know that the schools take up a good chunk of the town budget. But what about other services like public safety or public works or human services? Town Finance Director Brian Ballantine put together a handy chart to help Selectmen — and taxpayers — understand where the money goes. Read the full article → from Visualizing where your tax dollars go
Government
Two things that could impact Southborough’s budget (and not for the better)
I was out of town last week, so I didn’t attend the Board of Selectmen meeting, but the Metrowest Daily News reports selectmen discussed two items that could have a big impact on the town’s budget. Here’s a recap in case you missed the stories in the MWDN. Read the full article → from Two things that could impact Southborough’s budget (and not for the better)
The week in government
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government
Mark your calendar: Annual Town Meeting starts April 11
This is your official reminder to mark your calendar and get your babysitters lined up for Southborough’s annual town meeting. It will start on Monday, April 11 at 7:00 pm at the Trottier Auditorium. Read the full article → from Mark your calendar: Annual Town Meeting starts April 11
Town meeting voters to consider a change in government
At town meeting this year voters will decide whether to continue the process begun by the Town Government Study Committee in 2007 to create a Town Manager government for Southborough. The proposal also includes changing from the current three person Board of Selectmen to a five person board. All of Southborough’s neighboring towns have already made this change. Read the full article → from Town meeting voters to consider a change in government
MWDN: Selectmen ask schools to cut $2M from budget
At their meeting last night, the Board of Selectmen asked the schools to make deep cuts to help minimize the tax increase for residents. Read the full article → from MWDN: Selectmen ask schools to cut $2M from budget
Residents want to make downtown a historic district
Would you like to see a National Register Historic District sign when you drive through downtown Southborough? Main Street resident Ray Hokinson would. He has been emailing neighbors and meeting with town officials in an effort to create a village center historic district. Read the full article → from Residents want to make downtown a historic district
Westborough selectmen postpone CSX discussion
For those of you following the approval process in Westborough for the proposed CSX chemical transfer station, here’s the latest. Read the full article → from Westborough selectmen postpone CSX discussion
The week in government
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government
Modest increase in regional school budget, but big increase in Southborough’s assessment
The Regional School Committee unanimously approved a $17.6M budget at their meeting on Wednesday night. While the budget is a slim 0.55% increase over last year, Southborough’s portion of the bill will increase by nearly $400K — a 6.87% increase over last year. Read the full article → from Modest increase in regional school budget, but big increase in Southborough’s assessment
Dykema honored by veterans group
Today, Representative Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) was honored to receive the Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association (MA VSOA) Read the full article → from Dykema honored by veterans group
CPA funds: To spend or not to spend, that is the question for voters
Each year at town meeting, voters dole out thousands of dollars collected under the Community Preservation Act to projects that range from historical preservation to open space acquisition to affordable housing. Selectman John Rooney suggested this might be the year for voters to hold some of that cash in reserve. Read the full article → from CPA funds: To spend or not to spend, that is the question for voters
Frost heave damages railroad crossing
A frost heave disrupted pavement at the railroad crossing on Main Street in downtown Southborough earlier this month. Fire Chief John Mauro Jr. said he noticed the problem on a Sunday morning and called the CSX dispatcher. Read the full article → from Frost heave damages railroad crossing
Would you support a tax increase next year?
Finance Director Brian Ballantine presented one version of a balanced budget to the Board of Selectmen last night. It was balanced thanks to $233K in cuts to town departments and $841 in cuts to the schools, but it was a budget that would still result in a 4.36% tax increase next year. That’s something Selectman John Rooney said he cannot support. Read the full article → from Would you support a tax increase next year?