[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6085703,"mediaKeyId","2902328-485d231f20761bace3ec383f968de2db","parentId",2902328,"title","Town Meeting approves budgets, contracts and capital items; multiple zoning and project articles fail or are postponed","audioSeconds",4498,"startMs",2703000,"endMs",7201000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902328-485d231f20761bace3ec383f968de2db&start=2703&end=7201","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902328-485d231f20761bace3ec383f968de2db/thumbnail_2703000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085703/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Town-Meeting-approves-budgets-contracts-and-capital-items-multiple-zoning-and-project-articles-fail-or-are-postponed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085703-a5beda3def3e40aca8e73e111817db05/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448127&Signature=XzF0GrGKpnqFeTmxL6eVGnbQxFJOA6WYBHJIKZ3chq1Ow~p-QxNnBTm1A2rSSRx3-yD3PfhendkCHrmGYcgPnl~SxDRDCyrl4Nik8g5EvEe-n6eJs6A9y9BMBTfCpe37GYxgG~gnr9tp39lcgife1hXGN0o0oK6psO3vQqKqSCD997p3G3m9MoFmsNOlRnPVt8ZNc~seuXrQZ3Zvdt8BWTUnrq7IVVLgsNoznbiA6KQV5ZyE7yu4ZmWeytRA~ErHme-mkxloIhzM3qM386HStKWQ4OkdHCnWBJPEDHjPgkdc7Febx3nNN-ylfW7YBupjBc17Ry26go3jot5Ig8RM1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Southborough, MA","date","2025-04-09T00:00:00Z","article","Southborough voters moved through a packed warrant at the 2025 annual town meeting, approving operating budgets, select appropriations and several capital items while rejecting or postponing several zoning and petitioned articles after extended public debate.

The town cleared a multi‑part budget package after the consent‑list process and several holds. Moderator Paul Cimino and Town Clerk Jim Hegarty ran the votes and the meeting disposed of most unheld budget lines by a voice/hand count with subsequent held items taken separately. The meeting approved the wrap‑up appropriation moving forward the FY26 spending plan.

Collective bargaining and personnel actions: Select board representative Andrew Dennington presented Article 5, which funded the first‑year costs for recently ratified collective bargaining agreements with four town unions. The article included the following appropriations and descriptions presented on the floor:
• $29,832 to fund the DPW agreement;
• $295,545 for the police agreement (including a market adjustment effective 07/01/2025 aimed at improving recruitment and retention);
• $75,727 for the firefighters union; and
• $82,028 for dispatch.
Dennington told the hall the police contract included a 7% market adjustment effective July 1, 2025 and dispatch included retention bonuses tied to an anticipated regional dispatch transition; the motion to fund the contracts carried.

Budget and capital votes: The meeting approved the town’s FY26 budget package (Article 6) after multiple holds and a set of line‑item votes. Separately, voters approved Article 7 to appropriate water enterprise fund operations and Article 10 (non‑borrowing capital items). The meeting also approved Article 13, authorizing the town to seek an interest‑free loan from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to replace aging water main on Lindbergh Road (a two‑thirds vote required and achieved). Article 14 — borrowing to repair critical culverts on Willow Street and John Mitchell Street — passed on a two‑thirds vote after proponents described flood‑closure risks to truck traffic and local business access.

Other actions and outcomes:
• Article 9, a request to close out borrowing for Breakneck Hill cleanup work, was moved to indefinite postponement after conservation and stewardship committee members said restoration details and costs remained to be finalized.
• Article 15 (authorization to lease specified capital equipment as a capital lease) passed.
• Article 26, a Community Preservation appropriation to restore the iron railing and granite posts around the town common, passed.
• Article 27 transferred $532,014 from CPC reserves to the newly formed Affordable Housing Trust; town meeting approved the transfer to allow the trust to act on time‑sensitive acquisitions and initiatives.
• Zoning Articles 29 (rules for special ADUs >900 sq ft) and 28 (zoning updates to align with recent state ADU law) were extensively debated: Article 29 failed on a two‑thirds vote and Article 28 was subsequently indefinitely postponed.
• Article 30 (allowing shared commercial parking under planning board review, with restrictions) passed.
• Article 33 (technical change to senior tax work‑off eligibility and process) passed.
• Article 36 (authorize trust fund investments under a prudent‑investor standard) passed.
• A citizen petition (Article 37) seeking a town study of the Breakneck Hill cleanup and related accountability measures did not carry.

Why this matters: Voters approved the budgets and several capital and borrowing measures that set services, staffing and infrastructure priorities for the coming fiscal year, while rejecting or delaying several regulatory and petitioned items that generated substantial public debate.

What’s next: Town staff will implement the appropriated budgets and capital projects; planning and zoning boards will review the failed/postponed zoning proposals and may return revised articles to a future town meeting. The select board and Affordable Housing Trust will report on funds transferred and any acquisitions or programs created using CPC money.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Southborough: Annual Town Meeting 4/7/25","oneSentenceSummary","Southborough voters moved through a packed warrant at the 2025 annual town meeting, approving operating budgets, select appropriations and several capital items while rejecting or postponing several zoning and petitioned articles after extended public debate.","taxTitle","Town of Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",56453,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085707,"Southborough Library returns $150,000 set aside for planning after state construction grant denial; staff report on programs",270,241000,511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902328-485d231f20761bace3ec383f968de2db&start=241&end=511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902328-485d231f20761bace3ec383f968de2db/thumbnail_241000.jpg","/articles/6085707/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Southborough-Library-returns-150000-set-aside-for-planning-after-state-construction-grant-denial-staff-report-on-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085707-4428756626720af6f25b4a78ca9c6051/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448127&Signature=ZPNItLqB0mPRNPQSWeMWIAFWvjIN-Un5UsI8~Z5i~9ZwT6Dj2O43zvcbdh5Og-JLE7ll12L1fedg8JYQTZlP0kYE1YRQ1DJ3oiLKFOEarPKmR8M7D33eKc6jx2xfUWw7qTuSwTR3DxcUHYT2lh3aHj2PILL7Uax-ETlV3OZ34bOX7W65AS52u-O1~M~QbY5zOpOaLWHICX1nhmo0l4DLS8GYkcQCytkxtqpHpIC6pRnGbqDkGVN3lKRT1asdUMARE4xs42sFgaB7pE94ySrF~Ooxo7~gJ5IE1lwP3IXfDqcPhLewOe4BnBTepYhqGaRM7a5a-KEhCfFSUSsbV5RNCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Southborough Library Director Ryan Donovan told the annual town meeting that the library was not selected for a Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program grant and therefore will return $150,000 previously appropriated for planning and design work.

“This year we are turning back tonight the amount of $150,000 that was allocated for the planning and design,” Donovan said. He added that the library will continue to seek future opportunities to expand library space.

Donovan outlined recent usage trends at the library: in fiscal year 2024 the library offered 251 children’s programs ranging from baby and toddler story times to a week‑long graphic‑novel camp for 8‑ to 12‑year‑olds, and attendance for programs across ages remained strong. He also said digital circulation rose, citing increased use of the Libby and Hoopla platforms as well as strong use of JSTOR and Consumer Reports among the library’s electronic resources.

Donovan invited residents to upcoming events — including Art in Bloom and the library’s Candidates Night — and noted the Friends of the Library fundraising and events calendar for the spring and early summer.

Why this matters: The return of $150,000 reduces the town’s near‑term planning spend for a library building project and signals the library will need to rely on other grant cycles or local funding if the project moves forward.

What’s next: Donovan said staff and supporters intend to continue pursuing expansion opportunities and reminded residents of upcoming library events and fundraisers.","Library Director Ryan Donovan said the library will return $150,000 previously allocated for planning and design after the Town was not selected for the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. Donovan also gave a summary of programming trends and digital usage increases.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6085710,"Southborough voters test electronic clickers; town technology committee fields questions about security and rollout",3540,72000,3612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902328-485d231f20761bace3ec383f968de2db&start=72&end=3612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902328-485d231f20761bace3ec383f968de2db/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6085710/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Southborough-voters-test-electronic-clickers-town-technology-committee-fields-questions-about-security-and-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085710-594e2b099571d9bee6bd457798f189a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448127&Signature=EtfV6rAC~l223QEwDfKtgddrs~nFLyDovYHrvY9psdlN1RTTmz8dWtJswRZI-YzxU8JJHnUswa09tdkiXGXKWaEaQC8tCJBH3KcPbeg3EXGGBPB7jPrS-GtGlGt4nR0-NTR67FSpMkhPNx-10b11Cjln4-gwZz8~gMsiM1vtADvLIOvcsg-Kgh8xafYqz76Lur0cGCIExi5JmjniVYkf1oYAgYA3itOJt3mFsdonthzpr1ebmdupNxf37QoEe-OIpY1pDEO9k0~Eazoqrr0uzHjSir-h2QRasa3RhYBYt6T8Z~XaD7KJbhrfRjybVRse1-9OkzNazRPoSuBIFGza~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Municipal Technology Committee presented a short report at the start of the Southborough annual town meeting and invited residents with technology and IT experience to volunteer with the panel.

The session quickly moved from the committee’s work to a detailed public discussion about the municipality’s new electronic voting clickers after the town clerk and moderator used the devices for trial votes and then in several live votes during the meeting.

Committee chair Matthew Propst, who introduced the municipal tech update, said the committee has been working with the town information-technology staff on “improving networking, hardware and software, and improving training support among the various different departments.” He also said the committee had reviewed the voting hardware and “we did indeed actually look at this. We actually … reviewed, read the manuals, looked into which Wi‑Fi signals are being used in here, which channels can be are available, verify that many other towns are using these clickers, verify the security certifications … So, yes, we have looked at these. These things are secure and the municipal technology committee is in favor of it.”

Town Clerk Jim Hegarty explained the check‑in and distribution process for the clickers and defended the vendor testing and controls, saying the devices were logged to check‑in slips and handled by multiple staff. “Each one of you was checked in, you were given a slip of paper and that was brought over to a table where 2 different people took that one slip of paper, wrote the clicker number in the back of it and then 2 different people observed you giving 1 clicker,” Hegarty said.

Despite committee and clerk assurances, residents at microphones raised concerns about testing, transparency and reliability after earlier unsuccessful trials. Will Warren, who held budget line 154 for questioning, said he reviewed municipal tech minutes and had not seen reference to the clicker procurement and asked why the tech committee had not certified them earlier. Other speakers — including longtime town meeting attendees — urged clearer public documentation and an extended vote window to avoid dropped or late click responses. One resident urged additional testing with longer open vote windows to account for the number of devices in the room.

Moderator Paul Cimino said the devices would continue to be used selectively at town meeting and asked the clerk and vendor to leave further testing windows open longer when the hall used the clickers. The clerk and vendor acknowledged a timing issue when a large number of votes came in simultaneously and said they would lengthen windows for any future votes to reduce miscounts. Cimino told the hall he would not re‑open or re‑count a completed vote simply because some devices did not show an “OK” indicator, but he authorized additional spot checks and a vendor test when issues were reported.

Why this matters: The town’s move to electronic voting is intended to speed votes and reduce the time needed to take complex counts at large town meetings. Town officials framed the devices as a tool for close votes, but residents pressed for public confidence in a system that distributes hardware to hundreds of voters and resolves ties or tight margins.

What’s next: Town officials said they will lengthen vote windows, document devices distributed and returned more visibly, and the Municipal Technology Committee said it will add the devices to its minutes and record of committee reviews so future voters can see the technical checks that preceded wider use.","At the Town of Southborough annual town meeting the Municipal Technology Committee briefly presented its work and recruited volunteers; much of the meeting’s discussion focused on the new electronic voting clickers, with residents, moderators and committee members debating testing, security and whether to rely on the devices for close votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town Meeting approves budgets, contracts and capital items; multiple zoning and project articles fail or are postponed

Southborough Library returns $150,000 set aside for planning after state construction grant denial; staff report on programs

Southborough voters test electronic clickers; town technology committee fields questions about security and rollout