Town Administrator Jean Kitchen told selectmen last week that a change in medical plans for retirees could save the town nearly $170K per year. In the face of a $1.1M budget shortfall, selectmen said they were interested in learning more about the proposal. Read the full article → from UPDATED: Selectmen consider moving to Medicare for town retirees
Government
The week in government
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government
It’s not just about the schools: Selectmen also ask churches to step up their donations
As you’ve probably heard, Southborough selectmen have been making a push lately to convince tax-exempt nonprofits in town like St. Mark’s and Fay School to increase the amount of their voluntary payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) contributions. Selectman John Rooney said this week that the effort is not limited toe the educational institutions. Later this month he intends to ask Southborough’s churches to increase their PILOT contributoins, as well. Read the full article → from It’s not just about the schools: Selectmen also ask churches to step up their donations
Gobron: Trottier roof will require ‘very expensive’ repairs
Snow and ice build up on the Trottier roof last week caused structural damage to the building that will be very expensive to repair, Superintendent Charles Gobron told the K-8 School Committee last night. Read the full article → from Gobron: Trottier roof will require ‘very expensive’ repairs
Two candidates pull nomination papers in the race for selectman
Voters love choices, and this year it looks they’ll have one in the race for selectman. Two candidates have pulled nomination papers to run for election in May. Read the full article → from Two candidates pull nomination papers in the race for selectman
Selectmen talk PILOT donations with state rep
Payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) contributions – voluntary donations made to the town by tax-exempt nonprofit institutions – has been a hot topic on the blog this past week. Last night John Rooney and his fellow selectmen reiterated their stance on PILOT contributions: It’s all about fairness. Read the full article → from Selectmen talk PILOT donations with state rep
Bonnie Phaneuf unexpectedly resigns from the Board of Selectmen
After nine years on the Board of Selectmen, Bonnie Phaneuf announced last night that she will resign effective immediately. It’s an announcement not many of us saw coming, including the other two selectmen who shared the table with her. Read the full article → from Bonnie Phaneuf unexpectedly resigns from the Board of Selectmen
Breaking news: Selectwoman Phaneuf has resigned
Bonnie Phaneuf announced tonight that she will resign from the Board of Selectmen effective immediately. “This will be my last meeting,” she said. Read the full article → from Breaking news: Selectwoman Phaneuf has resigned
TONIGHT: CSX to meet with Westborough Conservation Commission
I just received word that CSX will meet with the Westborough Conservation Commission tonight about their proposed chemical transfer station on Walkup Drive, about a mile from the Southborough border. It’s a project that has some in Southborough concerned. Read the full article → from TONIGHT: CSX to meet with Westborough Conservation Commission
Residents submit warrant article to reimburse ‘Southborough Eight’ legal fees
Two Southborough residents have submitted a warrant article to reimburse more than $14K in legal fees incurred by town employees during the so-called Southborough Eight investigation. Read the full article → from Residents submit warrant article to reimburse ‘Southborough Eight’ legal fees
UPDATED: The week in government
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from UPDATED: The week in government
MWDN: AG declines to investigate Southborough Open Meeting complaint
The state attorney general has declined to investigate multiple alleged Open Meeting Law violations against the town, saying that the complaint was filed too late. Read the full article → from MWDN: AG declines to investigate Southborough Open Meeting complaint
Southborough gets $85K grant to replace firefighting equipment
Fire Chief John Mauro Jr. will tell you self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) are “literally the lifeline” of firefighters responding to any number of hazardous situations. He’ll also tell you many of Southborough’s SCBAs no longer meet current safety standards. But that’s about to change. Read the full article → from Southborough gets $85K grant to replace firefighting equipment
Rooney asks St. Mark’s and Fay to contribute more
Selectman John Rooney thinks it’s time for the non-profits in town to step up. With the backing of the Board of Selectmen, Rooney recently asked both St. Mark’s and Fay School to increase their payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) donations to help cover the cost of town services they use, and to compensate for the loss of property tax revenue on residential property owned by the schools. Read the full article → from Rooney asks St. Mark’s and Fay to contribute more