This letter to the editor is from Co-chairs of the Algonquin Athletic Complex Committee explains the “GonkPlex” project to enhance the school’s outdoor athletic facilities and asks voters to support the Articles at Town Meeting. Read the full article → from Letter: Please Support Much-Needed Algonquin Athletic Complex Upgrades
Government
Annual Town Meeting: Saturday, March 25
Info Sessions for newbies (tonight and Saturday); An overview of the Warrant
The Town’s legislative branch, Town Meeting, will convene in ten days to approve spending, amend local bylaws, and “advise” officials.
For anyone who is new to Town Meeting (or looking for clarification on process), the Town Moderator is holding two Info Sessions this week, starting tonight. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting: Saturday, March 25
Election Update
5 potential Select Board Candidates, 2-way race for Planning Board; Deadline to pull papers is Friday
Two more candidates have pulled papers to compete for offices in Southborough’s election this spring. Read the full article → from Election Update
Candidate’s Letter: Al Hamilton for Select Board
[This spring, Southborough voters will be able to choose among five candidates for two seats on the Select Board. To help you make that decision, each candidate is invited to submit one letter to readers promoting their campaign.] Read the full article → from Candidate’s Letter: Al Hamilton for Select Board
The week in government (Updated)
Planning Board Hearings; Regional School Committee Budget Hearing and vote on GonkPlex project
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 (Updated)
Election Update: Select Board race becoming competitive; Pull papers by the 17th (Updated)
Two more candidates have pulled papers to run for the Select Board this spring. Read the full article → from Election Update: Select Board race becoming competitive; Pull papers by the 17th (Updated)
Responses to SJC Ruling on Select Board comment policy
Attorneys, a plaintiff, and the ACLU are among those speaking out in reaction to this week's decision by the Mass Supreme Judicial Court on Southborough's public meeting comment policy
Today, I received a press release from the Mass chapter of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). They are advising how towns should address this week’s ruling by the state’s Supreme Judicial Court that Southborough’s comment policy is “unconstitutional” Read the full article → from Responses to SJC Ruling on Select Board comment policy
Select Board comment policy “unconstitutional” according to SJC
The Mass Supreme Judicial Court made a declaration on the Town's policy and remanded Barron v Kolenda back to court for review of a plausible civil rights violation.
In a case that has made national news (and is likely to again), the state’s Supreme Court ruled that Southborough’s public comment policy created by the Select Board is “unconstitutional” in Massachusetts. Read the full article → from Select Board comment policy “unconstitutional” according to SJC
School Committees to vote on recommended calendar changes
Two revised calendars will be on the table this Wednesday with a potential changes to how religious holidays will be handled next year.
The Combined School Committees are scheduled this Wednesday to discuss, and potentially vote on, the school calendar for ’23-’24. Read the full article → from School Committees to vote on recommended calendar changes
The week in government
Select Board on Citizen Petition Articles, Combined School Committees on '23-'24 Calendar, School Committee on Extended Day tuition, 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
Election Update
Two running for Select Board; Two more officials not running for re-election
One more candidate pulled papers for the Select Board, and two more Town officials reached out to me to let me know that they won’t be running for re-election this spring. Read the full article → from Election Update
Park Central eligible for 40B with guidance
The Town posted the Project Eligibility finding letter from MassHousing
Acknowledging the many concerns raised by Town officials and residents about the proposed Park Central project, MassHousing’s Counsel indicates that those should be addressed through the permitting process. Read the full article → from Park Central eligible for 40B with guidance
Election Update: Changing faces on Select Board impacting other races (Updated)
Two Select Board members will run for different seats this spring and a new candidate has pulled papers; Race forming for School Committee
A two-term member of the Select Board has announced that she won’t be running for re-election this spring. Lisa Braccio will still be on the ballot, but as a candidate for the Planning Board.
That means anyone interested in running for the Board won’t have to go up against two incumbents. However, there is already one new candidate in the potential running and another incumbent. Read the full article → from Election Update: Changing faces on Select Board impacting other races (Updated)
Public Dispatch Regionalization Update
Two weeks ago, the Select Board approved entering the agreement to form a Regional Dispatch Center with Westborough and Grafton on a remediated former superfund site*. Read the full article → from Public Dispatch Regionalization Update