Here’s my look at questions and issues related to using Town Meeting clickers at the April 7th meeting, the history of adopting clickers, and the plans for using them again in a few weeks. Read the full article → from Town Meeting questions over “Clickers”
About 4% of Southborough voters participated in making decisions on Town budgets, spending, authorizations, zoning and more at Monday’s Annual Town Meeting. Here are my highlights from the Discussions and Debates. Read the full article → from Town Meeting Approved Most of the Town’s Financial Requests
At last night’s Annual Town Meeting, voters rejected a proposal to update bylaws for special permits for Accessory Apartments. In response, the Planning Board pulled a related Article on oversight of uses that the state now allows by-right. Read the full article → from ADU Bylaw changes fail to pass Town Meeting
All registered Southborough voters are encouraged to act as the Town’s legislature in the meeting opening tonight (Monday, April 7th) at 6:30 pm. Here’s what you need to know. Read the full article → from Tonight’s Annual Town Meeting At-A-Glance
On Monday night, voters are being asked to approve budgets and spending Articles that impact taxes for next year and beyond. Before voting on Monday, I wanted to better understand the Town’s financial outlook and what it will mean both with and without the building project. I’m sharing with readers what I learned. Read the full article → from What tax increases are we facing with, and without, the Neary Building Project?
On Monday night, Town Meeting will be asked to approve up to $121,000 to restore a historic “fence”. Select Board members publicly worried about the reaction of voters upset about rising property taxes. But, they stressed that the money for the proposed CPA project doesn’t directly impact tax bills.
A separate CPA Article follows through on a recent push to move funds dedicated to Affordable Housing to a Trust Fund that will allow the Town to react more quickly when opportunities arise. Read the full article → from ATM CPA Articles: $121K for Town Common fence; Transferring affordable housing funds
For each Annual Town Meeting, the Southborough Advisory Committee is required to submit a report to voters. It includes their recommendation for the Town Budget and other spending Articles. (They also opine on other Articles on the Warrant.) Read the full article → from Town Meeting: Advisory explains projected 7.36% Tax increase
All registered Southborough voters are encouraged to participate in Annual Town Meeting this Monday, April 7th, 6:30 pm at Trottier Middle School.
A new 3 question survey this morning is asking the public, will they? And if not, why?
In this post, I’ll cover the survey, an overview of what Town Meeting is (for unfamiliar voters), this year’s logistics, and what’s on the ATM Warrant. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting on Monday night: Town asks “Will you attend?” & promotes details
The Southborough Police Department issued a press release on an incident yesterday evening. It involved a manhunt that was ultimately abandoned when officers had to respond to another emergency call. Read the full article → from SPD announces abandoned search. Chief answers questions about staffing issues
At Monday’s Annual Town Meeting, voters will be asked to amend the zoning bylaws for parking in commercial districts. The proposal is to make it easier for businesses to share designated parking spaces. The change isn’t just pro-business. It’s also promoted as “environmentally friendly”. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting: Article 30 to enable more shared parking
The Planning Board pitches that the changes will remove the conflicting language and “protect the town’s interests by providing clarity in the zoning code”.
Opponents argue that the board’s proposal under Annual Town Meeting Articles 28 & 29 goes too far in adding local oversight. Read the full article → from Town Meeting Articles 28 & 29 on ADU zoning (Updated)
The Town’s legislative branch, Town Meeting, will convene a week from Monday to approve spending, amend local bylaws, and “advise” officials. Read the full article → from Overview of April 7th Annual Town Meeting
Updated (3/26/25 10:19 am): Since initially posting this story, I discovered that the Town has posted new budget documents. I’ve updated the story to reflect new figures.
At the Annual Town Meeting in just under two weeks, the Select Board is expected to ask voters to pass a budget that would create an estimated 7.47% increase in homeowner’s tax bills next year. It’s the largest spike since this blog has been covering Southborough Town government. Read the full article → from Town Meeting to ask for 7.7% 7.5% increase for 2026 taxes (Updated- Again)
A former Conservation Commissioner who drew public attention to a toxic farm dump on Town owned Conservation Land has filed a Citizen’s Petition Article that is sure to spark debate at Annual Town Meeting. Read the full article → from Petition Article seeks to investigate “criminal, civil or unethical activity” around farm dump (Updated)