My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com. Read the full article → from Letter: What Is “Plan B”?
Southborough Taxes
What tax increases are we facing with, and without, the Neary Building Project?
A look at the numbers to help inform voters before Monday night's Annual Town Meeting
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?
Town Meeting: Advisory explains projected 7.36% Tax increase
The committee's report for Annual Town Meeting on Monday night addresses budget challenges.
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
Clarifying Neary School Building Project Meeting Schedule
Between changing messages from the Town over meeting locations, and an error in a post I ran this morning, the public may be confused about when and where some of this week’s meetings on the big building project are taking place. Read the full article → from Clarifying Neary School Building Project Meeting Schedule
Neary School Building Project Overview & Update (Updated – Again)
Upcoming presentations and forums, a financial update, pitched benefits, and an alternative floated by opponents
The Neary Building Committee will be holding more presentations and forums to answer voters’ questions about the big project to build a new four grade school.
I’m sharing that information along with updates on the project, including touted benefits and organized opposition. Read the full article → from Neary School Building Project Overview & Update (Updated – Again)
Town Meeting to ask for 7.7% 7.5% increase for 2026 taxes (Updated- Again)
A look at this year's budget drivers: public safety staffing, employee health insurance, and school budgets
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)
Letter: Southborough at the Cross Roads – Part 2
My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com.
The following letter is from Al Hamilton, a member of the Select Board. Read the full article → from Letter: Southborough at the Cross Roads – Part 2
Update on Town Budget Summit and Schools’ Budgets & Buses
Last week, I updated that the Budget Summit planned for this past Saturday was being postponed. The meeting has been rescheduled to February 8th. I’m sharing those details along with an update on the situation that prompted the change. Read the full article → from Update on Town Budget Summit and Schools’ Budgets & Buses
Home property tax bills going up higher than predicted — Again (Updated)
In a bit of Deja Vu, Town officials' initial tax forecasts didn't foresee the shift in Residential vs Commercial real estate value assessments.
Last week, the Select Board agreed to approve a single tax classification. Read the full article → from Home property tax bills going up higher than predicted — Again (Updated)
Letter: Southborough at the Crossroads
My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com.
The following letter is from Al Hamilton, a member of the Select Board. Read the full article → from Letter: Southborough at the Crossroads
STM Article 14: Full Time EDC Coordinator (Updated)
At their joint August 27th meeting, the Select Board Chair warned the Advisory Committee that Southborough is “bleeding businesses”. Referring to the situation as an emergency, she advocated for the Town to invest in a solution. Read the full article → from STM Article 14: Full Time EDC Coordinator (Updated)
Annual Town Meeting votes No on budget decrease, Yes on specific increase
Voters opposed a resident's call to reduce the overall budget by 1% and agreed to another resident's call to fund more emergency communications dispatchers.
On Saturday, Town Meeting voters shot down one resident’s pitch to shave 1% off the overall budget. Soon after, they agreed with another resident’s push to improve public safety by increasing the budget to hire two more dispatchers. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting votes No on budget decrease, Yes on specific increase
Advisory’s report for Town Meeting and the FY25 Budget
This year's tax forecast is below inflation, but that's partially based on one-time funding sources like federal ARPA funds. Advisory warns that the Town could be forced to deal with a ballot override or big service cuts in two years.
The Advisory Committee has issued it’s report to Annual Town Meeting, along with detailed information on this year’s budgets. It includes an explanation for their budget recommendations, plus the reasons behind some key Articles they voted to support or not support.
The report also comes with some financial forecasts and warnings. The most notable is a forecast that the Town seems to be headed towards needing a Proposition 2 ½ Override within a few years. Read the full article → from Advisory’s report for Town Meeting and the FY25 Budget
Residents may be looking at a big tax increase.
Unique drivers this year (including Schools & Public Safety)
It looks like the Town is facing a bigger than usual challenge this year in trying to rein budget increases in. Big drivers for tax increases this year aren’t the same one we have seen in the past couple of years. Read the full article → from Residents may be looking at a big tax increase.