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special town meeting fall 2025

Fall Town Meeting Article 1 Update

An update on the zoning Article that would allow Costco to apply for a Special Permit in Southborough, and smaller retailers to apply for permits on abutting properties.

by Beth Melo on

The Southborough Select Board has been working to drum up excitement and turnout for the Special Town Meeting this Monday night. Their primary focus is getting voters to approve a zoning change they promote as allowing an economic boon for the Town. To allow Costco to apply for a Special Permit to build a store at the old EMC/Dell campus, 2/3 of participating voters will need to approve Article 1. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting Article 1 Update

Letter from Advisory to Town Meeting Voters

The committee asked me to share with readers its report for the Special Town Meeting on Monday

by Beth Melo on

This Monday night, Southborough voters are invited to participate in a Special Town Meeting to vote on 10 Articles. For each Town Meeting, the Advisory Committee is charged with writing a report for voters to aid them in their decision making. The committee asked me to share that with readers in advance. Read the full article → from Letter from Advisory to Town Meeting Voters

Updated Primer on Monday night’s Special Town Meeting (Updated)

Here's a look at what voters are being asked to approve at the meeting, including updated motions, news, and context.

by Beth Melo on

Special Town Meeting is coming up in four days. Here’s my overview of what’s up for a vote. (And details on attending.) Read the full article → from Updated Primer on Monday night’s Special Town Meeting (Updated)

Letter: Vote “No” on the Local Government Takeover Article “The Creation Of Governance Committee” (Updated)

by guest on

[Ed note: 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 Karen Hanlon Shimkus.] Read the full article → from Letter: Vote “No” on the Local Government Takeover Article “The Creation Of Governance Committee” (Updated)

Forum on proposed Costco project — next Thursday

by Beth Melo on

The Select Board is inviting the public to join them at a Public Forum with a Q&A on the proposed project to bring a Costco to the old EMC campus behind Madison Place.

Unlike recent public meetings and hearings on the zoning amendments proposed by Atlantic, this evening will focus on the project the new zoning is intended to make possible. Read the full article → from Forum on proposed Costco project — next Thursday

Fall Town Meeting Update: Planning & Advisory supportive of IP Zoning change for EMC/Costco parcel

Most Planning Board and Advisory Committee members voiced support for the updated version of a proposed zoning bylaw that could allow building a Costco on a singled out parcel in the Industrial Park Zone. Just don't call it "spot zoning".

by Beth Melo on

Monday night, an attorney for Capital Group Properties, which owns the Park Central parcel north of Route 9, argued that a proposed amendment to Industrial Park zoning is illegal “spot zoning”.

Planning Board members disagreed, siding with the developer (Atlantic Management) who is proposing the zoning change. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting Update: Planning & Advisory supportive of IP Zoning change for EMC/Costco parcel

Update on School Building Research & Neary Roof Replacement (Updated)

by Beth Melo on

I know many readers want to know about the steps Town and school officials are making to handle school building issues in the wake of voters rejecting the Neary Building Project last spring. So, it’s time for an update. Read the full article → from Update on School Building Research & Neary Roof Replacement (Updated)

Letter: Select Board asks residents to support zoning Warrant Article at Special Town Meeting

by guest on

[Ed note: 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 the Southborough Select Board.] Read the full article → from Letter: Select Board asks residents to support zoning Warrant Article at Special Town Meeting

AHT withdrew offer on Atwood parcel

Special Town Meeting Article will focus only addressing site contamination — including a temporary safety measure

by Beth Melo on

On Tuesday night, the Chair of the Affordable Housing Trust announced their formal withdrawal of their offer on the old Atwood Water Tower Parcel.

The Select Board will be bringing forward an amended funding request to the Fall Town Meeting for the next stages of addressing contamination on the Town-owned property. But voters won’t be asked to consider a deal to allow the Trust to purchase the site. (At least not this fall.)  Read the full article → from AHT withdrew offer on Atwood parcel

Fall Town Meeting Update: IP Zoning changes focus on bringing Costco to town (Updated-again)

The Article proposed by Atlantic Management would allow the popular chain to apply for a special permit to open a store on an old EMC parcel. Planning is working to limit other IP parcels eligible for the new use. And the Select Board is touting the economic boon.

by Beth Melo on

A representative for the owner of the old EMC parcel seeking a new zoning use revealed the big fish they’re trying to land. According to Atlantic Management’s attorney, they are in negotiations with Costco.

The retailer was revealed during Monday night’s Planning Board hearing during an explanation for the developer’s urgency in trying to add “Highway Major Retail” as a use in the Industrial Park (IP) zone. At their meeting last night, the Select Board emphasized the revenue that a “magnet” store like Costco could bring into Southborough. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting Update: IP Zoning changes focus on bringing Costco to town (Updated-again)

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