At the Southborough School Committee meeting earlier this month, Superintendent Charles Gobron presented a preliminary version of the operating budget for fiscal year 2010. Totaling $16.4 million, the budget does not include capital requests like computer equipment and major maintenance projects. While a final version of capital requests won’t be available until next month, Gobron Read the full article → from Preliminary capital requests for the schools
Government
Fire Department reminds you to keep vertical vents clear
Photo from the Southborough Fire Department. In case you missed it, we had a lot of snow this weekend. While you’re out shoveling your driveway and walkways, the Southborough Fire Department urges you to clear outside vents of snow and ice. Many appliances vent horizontally out the side of your house, including gas and oil Read the full article → from Fire Department reminds you to keep vertical vents clear
EMC gets approval from Westborough Planning Board
EMC is one step closer to building a 10-builing, 445-acre complex on the Southborough/Westborough border having secured the approval of the Westborough Planning Board last week. EMC got approval from Southborough’s Planning Board earlier this year. Discussions between EMC and the towns have stretched years and at times have been contentious. Southborough went to land Read the full article → from EMC gets approval from Westborough Planning Board
Did the ZBA go too far?
The Planning Board last week questioned whether the Zoning Board of Appeals overstepped its jurisdiction on a proposed development at 40 Southville Road. The Capital Group, a Southborough-based real estate development company, went to the ZBA seeking a variance for the setback on an 8,000-square-foot, office/warehouse complex they plan to build on Southville Road. They Read the full article → from Did the ZBA go too far?
Southborough native graduates from Firefighting Academy
Graduate Jason Neal (center) with Lieutenant Christian Dano, Neal’s mother Beverly, wife Nikki, and Fire Chief John Mauro. Southborough Firefighter and EMT Jason Neal graduated last week from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. The ceremony took place at Assabet. Neal grew up in Southborough and continues to live in town with his wife Nikki. He was Read the full article → from Southborough native graduates from Firefighting Academy
The week in town government
Here’s where I would normally give you a rundown of the public meetings scheduled for the week, except this week there is nothing. Not a single department meeting. Not a single committee meeting. Nothing. And just to set your expectations, there’s nothing scheduled for next week either. Try to contain your disappointment. Read the full article → from The week in town government
Advisory to create two sets of budgets for Town Meeting
In a letter to Town Moderator David Coombs, Advisory Committee chairman John Butler said the committee has decided to prepare two sets of budgets for Town Meeting this year instead of the usual one. One set of budgets will be the recommended set which likely will be level service budgets. Since level service budgets typically Read the full article → from Advisory to create two sets of budgets for Town Meeting
Marlborough Road resident asked to stop water flow
Wet basements and soggy backyards are a fact of life for many in Southborough, but for one Marlboro Road resident, the solution to his water problem has become a public safety problem. In a public hearing on Tuesday night that lasted more than an hour, Southborough safety officials told the Board of Selectmen that water Read the full article → from Marlborough Road resident asked to stop water flow
Light blight on Main Street
You know when you’re at a party and and you have a conversation with someone who has a bit of spinach stuck in their teeth, and the spinach is all you can focus on, no matter how interesting the conversation might be? That’s how I feel when I drive down Main Street, except instead of Read the full article → from Light blight on Main Street
Free mental health screening from Southborough Youth & Family Services
The holidays can be stressful, especially in this economy. If you’re suffering from persistent anxiety or sadness, consider taking an online self-assessment offered by Southborough Youth & Family Services. It’s free and completely anonymous. The assessment consists of a self-administered questionnaire. At the end you get an immediate result that can be printed and taken Read the full article → from Free mental health screening from Southborough Youth & Family Services
Failing equipment at Police Station to be replaced
The Police Department’s communications console requires almost daily maintenance. (Photo from the Southborough Police Department) The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night authorized up to $12,000 to replace failing equipment in the Southborough Police Station. The money will be used to replace smoke detectors as well as a dispatch console. The selectmen also approved an Read the full article → from Failing equipment at Police Station to be replaced
Going wireless on Main Street
I have to admit, I never paid much attention to the crisscross of wires above Main Street, they were just part of the landscape. But what if they weren’t? What if instead of telephone poles, the road was lined with trees, grass borders, and unobstructed sidewalks? That’s the vision the Main Street Council laid out Read the full article → from Going wireless on Main Street
Winter parking ban in effect
With snow in the forecast on the ground, now seems like a good time to remind you that a winter parking ban is in effect. From December 1, 2008 through March 15, 2009, there is no overnight parking on any public way regardless of whether it’s snowing. Overnight means midnight to 6:00 am. During snowstorms, Read the full article → from Winter parking ban in effect
Draft of the town warrant available
A draft of the fical year 2010 town warrant is posted on the Advisory Committee’s website. Town meeting isn’t until April, so I’m sure the warrant will go through significant revision between now and then. Still, it’s an interesting first peek. Some notable items include: Article 8: Building a new police station and demolishing the Read the full article → from Draft of the town warrant available