Towns across the state are looking at ways to save money by consolidating services, but Southborough has passed on an opportunity to share a building inspector and will instead hire a full-time one. With longtime building inspector Peter Johnson set to retire next month, the Board of Selectmen explored the option of sharing Ashland’s current Read the full article → from Southborough decides not to share building inspector
Government
Southborough loses $53K in local aid
Last week Governor Deval Patrick said he would cut $128 million in local aid to cities and towns to make up for a mid-year budget shortfall. Today we learned the details. Southborough will lose $53K in funding from the state. That’s about 10% of our local aid package. The cut is in line with what Read the full article → from Southborough loses $53K in local aid
Southborough Democrats to elect convention delegates
Southborough Democrats will hold a caucus on Saturday to elect delegates to the 2009 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, which will be held in Springfield in June. At the convention, delegates will work together to adopt a party platform. All registered Democrats in Southborough are welcome to attend the caucus on Saturday. It will take place at Read the full article → from Southborough Democrats to elect convention delegates
Selectmen make cuts, ask for caution in spending
Southborough municipal employees won’t be going to Office Depot anytime soon. At a special meeting last night, Board of Selectmen Chairman Bill Boland told town department heads not to spend money unless absolutely necessary. And that includes everything from overtime and travel to pens and stationery. Overruns expected this year Boland said he expects the Read the full article → from Selectmen make cuts, ask for caution in spending
How to run for office in Southborough
If you’re reading this blog (and hooray that so many of you are!), you’re obviously interested in the myriad issues facing our town right now. But wouldn’t you like to do something more than just read about it? Wouldn’t you like to become a more active participant in the decisions that will shape the future Read the full article → from How to run for office in Southborough
It’s going to cost more to send your kid to school next year
And I’m not just talking about your rising property taxes. Governor Patrick may have spared schools from the latest round of budget cuts, but that doesn’t mean the school district is going to have an easy time making ends meet. And one strategy they intend to use is passing along some of the rising expense Read the full article → from It’s going to cost more to send your kid to school next year
What impact will local aid cuts have on Southborough?
See the woman in the front row on the left? That’s Southborough’s Assistant Town Administrator Vanessa Hale looking none too happy. And with good reason. Hale attended the municipal conference last week at which Governor Deval Patrick announced massive cuts in local aid to cities and towns. Patrick said he will cut $128 million for Read the full article → from What impact will local aid cuts have on Southborough?
The week in town government
There aren’t a lot of meetings scheduled for this week, but the ones that are scheduled are all meaty (meety?). The Advisory Committee takes on the tough topic of budgets, the Planning Board looks at traffic on Route 9, the ZBA talks about Woodland Meadows, and the Conservation Commission considers EMC. I don’t know what Read the full article → from The week in town government
How much those snow plows cost you
The Boston Globe recently posted a comparison of how much towns paid for snow removal in 2008. For Southborough it was $287K, which works out to about $30 per town resident. The state average is $29 per person, so we’re not too far off the mark. By comparison, Northborough residents pay the equivalent of $20 Read the full article → from How much those snow plows cost you
Poll: What do you think of Southborough property taxes?
I’ve heard plenty of talk about property taxes around town lately. Some say they’re too high, others think they’re comparable with area towns. I haven’t heard anyone say they’re too low, but I suppose it’s possible. Sounds like a good topic for the next My Southborough poll. You’ll find it off to the right in Read the full article → from Poll: What do you think of Southborough property taxes?
Algonquin principal finalists announced
Linda Murdock is looking to graduate. The current principal at Trottier Middle School hopes to become the new principal at Algonquin. Murdock is one of two finalists for the position announced at last night’s regional school committee meeting. The other finalist is Thomas Mead, assistant principal at Andover High School. A decision is expected by Read the full article → from Algonquin principal finalists announced
Should the police station be torn down?
That’s a question both the Municipal Facilities Committee and the Historical Commission are asking, but their answers are at different ends of the spectrum. There are currently two plans on the table for a new police station, one calls for the existing building to be demolished and replaced, the other is a renovation of the Read the full article → from Should the police station be torn down?
Southborough’s snow removal budget depleted
Winter may be only half over, but Southborough has already burned through its entire snow removal budget. The Board of Selectmen last night approved an additional $88K to see the town through the rest of the season. The amount budgeted for snow removal this winter was $229K. That money was all gone even before the Read the full article → from Southborough’s snow removal budget depleted
A couple of chances to talk with your legislators
The economy and transportation are hot topics this year, and your elected officials want to hear from you. Here are two upcoming opportunities to voice your opinions: Panel Discussion with the Corridor Nine Legislators Thursday, January 22 7:15 – 9:30 am Doubletree Inn, Westborough The discussion will focus on the economy. Southborough representatives Jamie Eldridge, Read the full article → from A couple of chances to talk with your legislators