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
Government
The week in government
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government
Should teachers and town employees get raises next year?
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 to hold office hours at the Senior Center on Saturday
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 says he’ll leave it up to voters
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 warrant and annual report now available
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
MWDN: Southborough residents look to revive economic development panel
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
The week in government
A list of department and committee meetings for the week. Read the full article → from The week in government
POLL: Should town employees be reimbursed for legal fees?
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?
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