The Select Board voted to skip having a Special Town Meeting this year. Members felt none of the potential Articles committees proposed was compelling enough to invest the effort in putting one on. Read the full article → from Select Board votes against calling a Fall Town Meeting (Updated)
Government
Select Board FY24 Goals (& Public Safety Dispatch next steps)
The board's goals for this year include next steps for regionalizing Dispatch. Chiefs announce they will recommend internal investments.
This summer, the Select Board came up with the list of issues/tasks they are looking to tackle or make headway on this year.
I’m combining them in a series of posts by goal categories. This one includes next steps to deal with Fire and Police Dispatch issues, plus six other items. Read the full article → from Select Board FY24 Goals (& Public Safety Dispatch next steps)
The week in government
Public Accessibility Committee, Board of Health, and more
Here is a selection of the committee and board meetings for the week along with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government
Comments for Turnpike Road 40Bs due mid-August (Updated)
250 Turnpike Road has now filed for eligibilty. The Select Board will hold a forum for public comment prior to submitting the Town's letter. The Planning Board is seeking a legal opinion on 120 Turnpike Road.
The deadline for public comment to MassHousing on the 120 Turnpike Road 40B has been extended to the same date that comments for the newly filed 250 Turnpike Road eligibility application are due.
Here’s my update on the new application, next steps, and the public discussions on both properties this week — from full throated support to questions about the legal buildability. Read the full article → from Comments for Turnpike Road 40Bs due mid-August (Updated)
Changes to Transfer Station permit fees and process
'23 Stickers expire mid-September and '24 ones are available. Changes this year include a discounted fee for seniors (instead of free) and some process improvements.
Southborough’s DPW began selling the 2024 Transfer Station permits/stickers this month. Here are the details on this year’s changes. The biggest news is that Southborough residents over 65 years old will no longer automatically have free access to the Transfer Station. Read the full article → from Changes to Transfer Station permit fees and process
Select Board adopts new Public Comment Policy
The most recently adopted policy is similar to one the board appears to have forgotten they adopted just before the Town election.
The Select Board officially rescinded their 2017 Public Comment policy and adopted a new one. During the discussions, it appeared members forgot they had already adopted a replacement policy. Read the full article → from Select Board adopts new Public Comment Policy
Flag Policy compromise
The Revolutionary War flags will be displayed at specific times of the year, outside of the Old Burial Ground.
Last month, the Select Board voted to revise its Flag Policy with another compromise. Read the full article → from Flag Policy compromise
Update on proposed new 40B projects
Ferris Development seeking site eligibility approval for 120 Turnpike Rd. Comments at June meeting were more critical of to-be-filed 250 Turnpike Rd project
A month ago, Town officials heard a presentation on two 40B projects that Ferris Development plans to pursue. An application for site eligibility has been submitted for one with public feedback due by the end of July.
Here are my highlights of the June discussion and the updated status. Read the full article → from Update on proposed new 40B projects
The week in government
Planning on Fayville Hall site plan; Joint tree hearing; Select Board new Public Comment policy; boards on comments for proposed 40B at 120 Turnpike Road; and more
Here is a selection of the committee and board meetings for the week along with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government
St. Mark’s Street Park continues to divide officials (Updated)
Select Board and Planning members debate process and whether officials have broken their word.
Town Counsel has advised the Select Board that the park plans don’t require Site Plan Review by the Planning Board. At their most recent Planning Board meeting, members rebuked the Select Board. Read the full article → from St. Mark’s Street Park continues to divide officials (Updated)
Celebrating Parks & Rec month (Updated)
Southborough is offering Free/Discounted fun throughout July
This week, Southborough Recreation announced special free and discounted outdoor events being offered in July. Read the full article → from Celebrating Parks & Rec month (Updated)
The week in government
Here is a selection of the committee and board meetings for the week along with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government
Letter: Modify residential to commercial/industrial tax rate ratio
The following letter to the editor is from resident Carl Guyer to present data and explain why he continues to advocate for property tax-rates to be split (with a lower rate for residential properties than commercial/industrial properties). Read the full article → from Letter: Modify residential to commercial/industrial tax rate ratio
The week in government
Planning Board hearing on Fayville Hall; Public Forum on process for anyone interested in applying for Community Preservation Act funding; St Mark's Street Park Working Group on naming park
Here is a selection of the committee and board meetings for the week along with my selected highlights from the agendas. Read the full article → from The week in government