A new state budget is on the desk of Governor Deval Patrick, and if he decides to sign it, it will mean a $100K reduction in local aid for Southborough in fiscal year 2010 which starts in July. Town Finance Director Brian Ballantine said Southborough expected to receive about $3.1M in local aid in the Read the full article → from Southborough could see $100K shortfall in local aid
Government
Police chief search committee set into action
Selectmen met last night with the newly-formed police chief search committee to formally kick off the search process. The committee will review all applicants and recommend finalists to selectmen who will make the final hiring decision. “We know you will take your responsibilities in interviewing candidates seriously, and that you will make a fair decision,” Read the full article → from Police chief search committee set into action
Junior Police Academy offered in July
The 10th Annual Junior Police Academy sponsored by the Southborough Police Department will be offered July 13-17. It’s open to kids ages 12 to 16. Applications are available at the police station and the school offices at Algonquin and Trottier. The cost is $40 per child and includes two t-shirts, a hat, water bottle, and Read the full article → from Junior Police Academy offered in July
How Southborough’s reverse-911 system works
There were a lot of questions about the reverse-911 system after it was used last week to alert residents to suspicious activity in town. Some folks got multiple phone calls while others got none. Interim Police Chief Jane Moran called me to explain how the system works, including what to do if you didn’t get Read the full article → from How Southborough’s reverse-911 system works
The week in town government
Here are the committee and department meetings for the week. Of note, on Tuesday evening the Board of Selectmen will meet with the Police Chief Search Committee to discuss their charge. On Wednesday evening, the Zoning Board of Appeals continues their public hearing on Woodland Meadows. Monday, June 22 Zoning Advisory Committee, 7:30 pm @ Read the full article → from The week in town government
Voluntary water ban starts Sunday
A voluntary odd/even water restriction will be in effect from June 21 to September 22. Under the ban, outside water use is restricted based on your house number, so odd-numbered houses use water on odd-numbered days, and even-numbered houses use water on even-numbered days. Southborough adopted a voluntary water ban last year, as well. According Read the full article → from Voluntary water ban starts Sunday
Selectmen address concerns about police chief search
Earlier this week selectmen put together the 7-member committee that will search for a new police chief. The committee will serve an advisory role to the Board of Selectmen. They’ll interview candidates and make recommendations on finalists, but selectmen will have final say over who is hired. One of the candidates the committee will most Read the full article → from Selectmen address concerns about police chief search
State busing cuts could mean increased class size
The Metrowest Daily News reports on the Regional School Committee meeting last night where members talked about potential state cuts to regional transportation that could end up affecting classroom services. The cuts could mean a loss of $300K in state funding for the district, a shortfall that would have to be made up somehow. Gobron Read the full article → from State busing cuts could mean increased class size
Police chief search committee named
Selectmen named the following people to the police chief search committee at their meeting last night: Desiree Aselbekian, a teacher and former school committee member Susan Dargan, current Chairwoman of the Regional School Committee and member of the Southborough School Committee Barbara Murphy, long-time human resources professional and former member of several town boards John Read the full article → from Police chief search committee named
When it comes to character, a picture is worth a thousand words
I went to the public meeting on Southborough’s community character last week expecting to hear a lot of adjectives that describe what the town of Southborough is all about. Instead I got a whole lot of photos. And turns out photos can be much more revealing than adjectives. About two dozen residents showed up for Read the full article → from When it comes to character, a picture is worth a thousand words
The week in town government
Here are the committee and department meetings for the week. Monday, June 15 No meetings scheduled Tuesday, June 16 Board of Selectmen, 6:30 pm @ Hearing Room, Town House (agenda) Assabet School Committee, 7:00 pm @ School Comm. Conf. Room, Assabet Municipal Facilities Committee, 7:00 pm @ Meeting Room, Fire Station Wednesday, June 17 Northborough-Southborough Read the full article → from The week in town government
Highlights from the annual water quality report
Water quality reports from the MWRA are in the mail and you should get your copy soon, but you can get a sneak peek online. Here are some highlights from the Southborough-specific portion of the report. If I’m reading the results correctly, the drinking water in Southborough is clean, with only low, non-actionable levels of Read the full article → from Highlights from the annual water quality report
Should the new police chief be required to live in Southborough?
There’s been much talk on the blog in the past few days about the process of finding a new police chief. Should Interim Chief Jane Moran be made an automatic finalist if she chooses to apply for the position? Should we bother to conduct a search at all when selectmen could simply opt to hire Read the full article → from Should the new police chief be required to live in Southborough?
Community preservation projects sought
Here’s a quick quiz. What do all of these projects have in common? Restoration of the Historical Society Museum (Flagg School) Microfilming of town records Renovation of the All Wars Monument Improvements to the Cordaville Triangle Park Funding of the Affordable Housing Trust Creation of wildlife viewing at Breakneck Hill conservation land The answer? They Read the full article → from Community preservation projects sought