There are just a handful of meetings this week. Here’s the schedule. Monday, August 17 No meetings scheduled Tuesday, August 18 No meetings scheduled Wednesday, August 19 Board of Health, 6:30 pm @ Board of Health Office, Cordaville Hall Zoning Advisory Committee, 7:30 pm @ Upper Hall, Cordaville Hall Thursday, August 20 Community Preservation Committee, Read the full article → from The week in government
Government
When should the Transfer Station be open?
In the open thread this week, there was a discussion about which days the Transfer Station should be open. Many of you lobbied for additional weekend time, namely Sundays. After their meeting on Tuesday, I asked the selectmen what they thought of the idea. Not surprisingly, the issue comes down to money. Chairman Sal Giorlandino Read the full article → from When should the Transfer Station be open?
Firefighters recognized for their years of service
At the Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday night, Fire Chief John Mauro Jr. handed out service award pins to members of his crew in recognition of their time with the department. He also got to keep one for himself for his 35 years of service. Those with 20 or more years of service are Read the full article → from Firefighters recognized for their years of service
Committee formed to research PILOT donations
The Boston Globe today has an article on PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) donations by nonprofits, and it focuses largely on Southborough. Of note, here’s a quote from a Fay School spokeswoman that I’m sure you’ll appreciate: The Fay School feels an obligation to be a good citizen of Southborough. To meet that obligation, Read the full article → from Committee formed to research PILOT donations
Southborough has a new ambulance
At town meeting in 2008, voters allocated $175,000 for a new ambulance, and it has finally arrived. Ambulance 28 is a shiny new 2009 Ford/Horton model. Fire Chief John Mauro Jr. said the department did “considerable research” before settling on that model. The new ambulance will replace an older 1999 model in the fleet. You Read the full article → from Southborough has a new ambulance
No additional taxes for Southborough establishments
After a brief and controversy-free discussion, selectmen last night decided not to support an increase in local meal and hospitality taxes. That means the issue won’t show up on the warrant at the fall town meeting. Proprietors of a couple Southborough establishments showed up at the meeting, including Kevin Gill who owns Owen O’Leary’s and Read the full article → from No additional taxes for Southborough establishments
Northboro Road bridge may need repairs
The wooden planks on the bridge that crosses the railroad tracks at Northboro Road (map) are popping up. And that’s not a good thing. Town Engineer John Woodsmall tells me the bridge is owned and maintained by the Mass Highway Department. Occasionally the planks that make up the bridge deck pop up and have to Read the full article → from Northboro Road bridge may need repairs
The week in government
Your meetings for the week. Of note, selectmen will get an update from the Police Chief Search Committee on Tuesday night. Selectmen will also consider whether they want to put increases to the local meals and/or hospitality tax before town meeting voters next month. New state legislation allows towns to increase the meals tax by Read the full article → from The week in government
Options for the new police station to get more exploration
Reader Shubu Mukherjee recently commented on a story about the new police station, “I think this is great that we have so many passionate people working for the town’s interests.” That passion was in no short supply last night as the the Municipal Facilities Committee and Historical Commission met jointly at the request of the Read the full article → from Options for the new police station to get more exploration
Southborough has a new police officer
Later this month, the Southborough Police Department will welcome it’s newest member, Officer Kieth Nichols. Nichols, a four-year veteran of the Barre Police Department, was unanimously appointed by the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday. In addition to working full-time for Barre, Nichols has served as a reserve police officer in Southborough for the past five Read the full article → from Southborough has a new police officer
Should town meeting be held on a Saturday?
In the run-up to the annual town meeting last April, the Advisory Council discussed ways to increase participation at the meeting. One of the things they considered was whether town meeting should be held on a single Saturday instead of across multiple evenings during the week. Advantages are you get the meeting over with in Read the full article → from Should town meeting be held on a Saturday?
Selectmen call for collaboration on plans for new police station
“Are we closer to the goal of getting a new public safety building?” That’s what Chairman Sal Giorlandino wanted to know at last week’s selectmen meeting. The answer isn’t entirely clear. The Municipal Facilities Committee and the Historical Commission have been working independently on two very different options for a new police station. The facilities Read the full article → from Selectmen call for collaboration on plans for new police station
Is the time right for tigher restrictions on door-to-door solicitors?
There aren’t many rules a solicitor has to abide by when knocking on doors in Southborough — our bylaws on solicitation are pretty weak. A few years ago town meeting voters were asked to approve a stronger bylaw, but the article failed by just a few votes. Now the Southborough Police Department hopes the time is Read the full article → from Is the time right for tigher restrictions on door-to-door solicitors?
Selectmen meeting broadcast on public access channel
Last week’s marathon Board of Selectmen meeting was broadcast several times this weekend — anyone catch it? — and will be broadcast a few more times this week on Charter channel 12 and Verizon channel 37. Here’s the schedule: Monday at 1.00 pm Tuesday at 2:30 pm Wednesday at 9:00 am Read the full article → from Selectmen meeting broadcast on public access channel