Region – As homeowners prepare to awaken their lawns after a long winter, there is one unwelcome sign of spring in the air – water bans. Many local communities, including Marlborough, Shrewsbury, and Westborough, have already initiated mandatory water restrictions. And unless Mother Nature cooperates, it appears that it might be a long, dry, spring [...]
Shrewsbury –In October 2012 voters denied a plan that would have approved funds for a 43,000-square library renovation and expansion that would have been combined with monies from a state library grant. Proponents are now hoping that a scaled-down proposal will meet the approval of voters this year. After the project was scaled down to [...]
Northborough/Southborough – Ever since the 2006 completion of the Algonquin Regional High School renovation/reconstruction project, Northborough and Southborough have been going back and forth about how much each town should receive of the $36 million in state reimbursement funds. Given two approaches – one based on the regional contract’s cost break-down, which depends on relative [...]
Marlborough – Although Marlborough residents and officials have agreed since 2002 that the city needs a new senior center, agreeing on its location is proving to be difficult. To keep costs down, a city-owned property is preferred. Mayor Arthur Vigeant recently proposed building the center on a small portion – less than 3 percent – [...]
Northborough – It appears that baseball has gotten to be a very competitive game in Northborough…both on and off the field. Although there are only about 50 to 60 players who would qualify by age, there are two organizations competing for those players – the longstanding Northborough Baseball and Softball Association (NBSA) and a new [...]
Northborough – Just like surrounding towns, Northborough is struggling to raise tax revenue without raising property tax rates. At a recent Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Administrator John Coderre suggested instituting the increase in hotel and meals tax that the state approved as an option several years ago. At that time, some nearby municipalities adopted [...]
Shrewsbury – Despite attempts to control infestation in the area along the Worcester-Shrewsbury line over the past several years, the Asian Longhorned Beetle has managed to move into new areas in Shrewsbury, including town property located at the edge of St. John’s High School’s athletic fields. The beetle infestation has already resulted in significant local [...]
Westborough – Although Westborough’s chemical health policy has been in place for several years, some School Committee members spoke out against it at a recent meeting. Their opposition centered around the fact that their children could be punished merely by being present where drugs or alcohol were being used. Although no one can deny the [...]
Shrewsbury – A shortfall in funds for fiscal year 2014 has led to cuts totaling $90,000 from the town’s school budget. To bridge the gap, school officials have been seeking sponsors – businesses and individuals – to fund budget items. In response, Central One Federal Credit Union has stepped forward in a big way by [...]
Shrewsbury – It’s not unusual for school administrators and town officials to disagree on the budget numbers associated with running the schools. Although there is often a differential, it’s usually close enough that things can be settled with a few compromises. But, as Shrewsbury prepares its fiscal year (FY) 2014 budget, Superintendent of Schools Dr. [...]