Above: Sign up quickly to take part in the Senior Center’s special events, including the annual St. Patty’s bash and bus trips (images cropped from Facebook including top right by Killeeshil Music and bottom right by Peabody Essex Museum)

The Southborough Senior Center opens registration this Friday for upcoming programs. Here’s what they have in store for early spring.

Given that most programs fill up, you’ll want to take an advance look at what you want to sign up for. (Scroll to the bottom for more info on registration.)*

It’s worth reading the full newsletter, which includes additional program details, like what’s for lunch, plus tips and info relevant to seniors. 

My highlights below are just to make it easy to quickly see what programs/services available in March & April.

Social Clubs for Men and Ladies

Before I get to the programs that require registration, I’m spotlighting a new social club at the center. They just spawned one more.

These three programs welcome new members to drop-in without advance signup:

Wizards
Fridays, 9:00 am

This new group, is a spinoff to the popular Dull Men’s Club and meets immediately prior. They’ll “generally discuss subjects relating to science and technology”. The promo quips:

If discussing new (and old) technology with like minded guys gets your brain cells humming you owe it to yourself to check out this new interest group. No academic referral required.

Dull Men’s Club
Fridays, 10:00 am

Casual social club for senior men. New members are always welcome to drop in. (Read more about the group here.)

Spicy Ladies Club
Tuesdays, March 17th & April 21st, 11:00 am

If you haven’t yet checked out the monthly social club for women, the meetings are promoted as including:

a variety of activities, such as guest speakers, introductory speeches to get to know one another, recipe exchanges, and engaging group discussions. The group is a welcoming space to share ideas, meet new people, and offer mutual support through diverse activities.

For more information, you can contact Leena Dasgupta at ldasgupt@gmail.com.

Bus Trips

Wright’s Farm Restaurant
Thursday, March 26th, 10:30 am – approx. 5:00 pm

This must be a popular trip, since the center is bringing folks back for the third time in the past few years! Sign up to “enjoy a meal surrounded by friends or new friends in a comfortable and relaxed setting”. The restaurant includes a cash bar, plus a gift shop that attendees will have a 20% off coupon for. On the return, attendees will stop at Wright’s Dairy Farm & Bakery.  ($15 Suggested Donation, details on page 9)

Peabody Essex Museum
Thursday, April 16th, 8:15 am – approx. 4:00 pm

Visit the art museum that “features a world-renowned collection of over 840,000 works of art and culture, spanning maritime, American, Asian, Oceanic, and African art.” Event includes a one-hour guided tour and a lunch (that must be pre-ordered).  ($30 Suggested Donation, details on page 9)

Parties & Luncheons

St. Patrick’s Day Party
Wednesday, March 18th, 12:00 pm

Southborough residents will get priority registration for the annual, traditional Irish luncheon (with an alternative meal choice). Be sure to dress in green and put on your dancing shoes — this year’s entertainers are The Killeeshil Band. ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 1)

Lunch & Learn: MOLST
Tuesday, March 24th, 12:30 pm

Presentation on the Medical Orders for LifeSustaining Treatment (MOLST) form to document and safeguard healthcare preferences. (Free, details on page 8)

Blue Plate Specials
Mondays, March 30th & April 27th, 12:00 pm

Gather to enjoy a social lunch with catered meals ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 6)

Musical Baseball Show
Wednesday, April 1st, 12:30 pm

After lunch, singer-songwriter (and former sportswriter) Howie Newman will sing baseball songs, offer up baseball trivia and tell stories about his days as a sportswriter on the Red Sox beat ($6 Suggested Donation, details on page 6)

Joys of Nature: New England Animals in Spring
Wednesday, April 15th,12:30 pm

Joy Marzolf returns. This time her presentation (following lunch) will feature live, visiting animals. ($6, Suggested Donation, details on page 9)

Special Programs at the Center

Not every program includes lunch. Here are the other special guests and presentations planned.

Watching “The Americas” Documentary
Tuesdays, March 3rd, 10th, April 7th, 14th, 10:00 – 10:45 am

The senior center will continue screening episodes of the nature series narrated by Tom Hanks. The series explores the wildlife and landscapes of North and South America. (Free, details on page 6)

Hydroponic Gardening
Tuesday, March 31st, 10:00 am

Come and learn about a fun and simple method to grow plants indoors in small spaces with little effort. (Free, details on page 6)

Learn about SCAMS
Wednesday, April 8th, 9:30am

Presentation by the DA’s Community Outreach Coordinator on avoiding falling for active scams and tactics scammers use to get your money, access your personal information, or get you to click malicious links. (Free, details on page 12)

Tina Bemis Workshop
Tuesday, April 14thn 1:00pm

The nursery owner will return to lead a Spring Color Bowl Workshop. (Suggested donation $15, on page 12)

Intergenerational Programs

Rummikub with High School Student
Saturdays, March 14th & April 4th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Local students will teach and lead the game (Free, details on page 6)

Ceramic Mini Flower Pot
Offsite at the Southborough Library, Saturday, March 21st, 10:30 – 11:30 am

Paint with young adults (Free, details on page 6)

Center-Run Favorites

These regularly offered monthly programs require pre-registration.

Bingo
Wednesday, April 29th, 1:00 pm

Bingo and prizes. Tickets are sold promptly starting at 1:00 pm and snacks provided at break time. (Details on page 9)

Movie Matinee

The Thursday Murder Club – starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie (PG-13; 2 hrs)
Wednesday, March 11th, noon movie 

A comic caper about four retirees passionate about solving cold cases.(The movie is free, but attendees can also come early at noon for lunch. Bring your own or register to purchase one for $6 Suggested Donation. Details on page 3)

Song Sung Blue – starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson (PG-13; 2 hrs 13 min)
Wednesday, April 22nd, noon movie 

A “heartfelt” musical biopic inspired by a documentary about a Neil Diamond tribute band. (The movie is free, but attendees can also come early at noon for lunch. Bring your own or register to purchase one for $6 Suggested Donation. Details on page 3)

Adult Coloring & Lunch
Tuesdays, March 31st & April 28th,12:00 pm

The event begins with lunch, followed by coloring while chatting. All supplies will be available or feel free to bring your own ($3 Suggested Donation with lunch included. Details on page 3)

Fitness Classes

The center offers the following weekly and semi-weekly classes. Signup is for the two month session  (Suggested Donation — $3 per day unless otherwise noted, details on page__)

• Stretch — Mondays at 10:15 am (except for Patriots Day, April 20th)
• Strength Class — Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8:30 am 
• Advanced Tai Chi — Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:45 am
• Chair Yoga — Thursdays at 12:30 pm
• CrossFit for Senior Fitness — Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00 – 10:45 am (at CrossFit Tilt, 12 Southville Road)
  • This guided 16 class exercise program designed for seniors and modifiable for all fitness levels will run March 10th through April 30th. It is subsidized to offer a discount ($5 per class, $80 total)

[Note: For Medical Insurance reimbursement, see Peg Leonard at the end of your yearly enrollment period to have the form signed.]

Scheduled Services and Resources

The Senior Center regularly offers free services and resources for Southborough Seniors.

Nurses Clinic
Fridays 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (and at Colonial Gardens: Friday, April 3rd, 2:00pm)

For a list of the services they offer (including wellness checks, screenings, nurse assessments, Q&A, and much more), click here. (For the Nurse’s tips on Stroke warnings, details on page 8)

Legal Advice
Wednesdays, March 11th & April 8th (15 minute sessions)

Elder Law Attorney Christine Boutin offers free consultation over the phone. Call the senior center to book a time slot between 10:00 – 10:45 am. (Details on page 10)

Fat Daddy’s Produce Bus
Wednesdays, March 11th & April 22nd, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

The “small family owned ‘hydroponic farm'” will be selling chemical/pesticide-free organic lettuce, herbs, greens, microgreens, mushrooms, and baked goods at wholesale costs. (Farmers Market coupons accepted, details on page 9)

Technology Help
Tuesdays, March 24th & April 21st (one hour time slots)

A local tech services company will answer seniors’ questions about smartphones, e-readers, laptops, tablets, Alexa, zoom and more. Sign up for a time slot (starting at 10:00 am) and bring your device with you. (Details on page 3)

Ongoing Services

Appointments need to be booked for these, but the services aren’t limited to specific dates.

Outreach Services

The center’s Outreach Coordinator (Raeleen Gallivan) works with Southborough Seniors and their caregivers, to provide advocacy and support, and help with applications. That includes help applying for heating bill assistance. (For details on the types of support she can provide, see page 8).

Medicare Assistance

The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone on Medicare) Coordinator assigned to support Southborough seniors can offer help answer Medicare questions.  (Details on page 12)

Pen Pals with Local Adults

This is a new, potential opportunity. (Read about it under “Intergeneration Programs” on page 6)

Sow Seed Indoors

Seeds and starter kits are available. (See bottom of page 6)

Interactive Groups and Drop-in Games

Below are activity-based groups that don’t require pre-registration.

Book Club
Wednesdays, March 11th & April 18th, 11:00 am

March selection — The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
April selection — Thunderstruck by Erik Larson

Dull Men’s Club
Fridays, 10:00 am

Casual social club for senior men. New members are always welcome to drop in. (Read more about the group here.)

Walking Group (Depending on Weather Conditions)
Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30 am (except for Patriots Day, April 20th)

Walkers generally go for an hour. The location is a loop, so feel free to join late (or leave early/late). (No fee.)

Mondays are at Trottier Middle School’s (49 Parkerville Road) outdoor track. Wednesdays are at Southborough’s Rural Cemetery (11 Cordaville Road, next to the Senior Center).

Knitting & Quilting Club
Mondays, 1:00 pm (except for Patriots Day, April 20th)

Chat with others while working on your projects.

Genealogy Club
Thursdays, March 19th & April 16th, 2:30pm

Group for people interested in learning more about their own family history and genealogy. Members share their own experiences and helps each other with research, (sometimes with special discussion topics or presenters).

Drop-in Games

• Rummikub — Most Mondays, 11:00 am (except for March 2nd & April 6th & 20th)
• Bridge — Tuesdays at 12:00 pm
• Mah Jongg — Thursdays at 10:00 am
• Canasta (Hand & Foot) — Fridays at 10:00 am
• Billiards — Daily from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm (except for on “large program dates” – see calendar in newsletter)

Newsletter Inserts

The newsletter also includes info about Tax relief for Southborough real estate tax bills, the senior tax workoff program, and some fun facts and reminders from the Town Clerk. (Those are in the last two pages of the linked newsletter.)

*Registration

See pages 1&2 of the newsletter for registration & cancellation details, but here are some of the highlights.

In-person registrations are using a form and must include payment.

Phone registration (508-229-4453) can’t be done over voicemail — you must connect with someone live. Payment for programs needs to be made within one week after signing up to avoid being removed from the list.

Because the programs tend to have waitlists, residents are asked to cancel if their plans change. For full refunds, bus trips must be cancelled two weeks in advance and other events one week in advance.

The post Sign up this Friday for Senior Center programs appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: The library is hosting a program for those who want to learn more about a religious observance practiced by friends, neighbors, or classmates/colleagues. (image of cropped flyer)

For the two weeks, many members of our community have been observing Ramadan. In the midst of the Muslim “holy month”, the Southborough Library is hosting an encore educational program* for curious members of the public.

The library promotes:

Please join educator Shehla Eledroos on this informational and informative program on the history and practice of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting. Ms. Eledroos will share a presentation on Ramadan, along with bringing some related objects and answering questions. This event is appropriate for children and open to all ages.

The free program will take place this Saturday, March 7th from 11:00 to 11:45 am at the library, on the main floor.

*The library hosted a similar event last year.

The post What is Ramadan? Learn more this Saturday appeared first on My Southborough.

I got the early morning wake up call from the schools. There will be a 2 hour delay for Southborough public schools and Algonquin Regional High School today.

Of course, this means that morning preschool is cancelled and the Senior Center will be closed.

For those of you keeping track – this is the second snow delay this school year (on top of four cancellations).

In the past, Superintendent Gregory Martineau posted information about the school’s process for determining when to delay or cancel school. His message noted:

While our goal is to remain in session, the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. . . Like weather forecasting, the school-closing decision process is not a perfect science.

You can read the FAQs on how and when the decision is made here.

(Photo by Susan Fitzgerald)

The post School delayed 2 hrs appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: Art on the Trails organizers are asking artists to start thinking about what they will contribute to install near the trails for the 10th annual summerlong exhibition at Beals Preserve. (images cropped from announcement 2017 flyer, and 2023 photo by Beth Melo)*

If like me, you’re getting a bit sick of the never-ending snow, you may want to take this chance to visualize the lush green Beals Preserve in summertime.

Organizers for the 2026 Art on the Trails exhibit have already opened up the submission window for their “Call for Art”.

It’s the 10th annual event, at Southborough Open Land Foundation’s Beals Preserve. And the milestone seems to have organizers reflecting on time.

This year’s theme is “Time in the Landscape”. 

As explained on the Art on the Trails website, organizers are asking applicants:

to consider the land as an active witness to change and memory. Artists are encouraged to respond to questions such as:

• How does the land remember?
• What histories are embedded in soil, stone, trees, and water?
• How do seasons, climate, and natural cycles shape place over time?
• What traces do people leave behind as they move through the landscape?

The juror for this year’s exhibition is Lisa Barthelson — a  multidisciplinary artist and three-time exhibitor in the show. You can learn more about her here (and see her contribution to last summer’s exhibit, #10 in the photo gallery “Frenzied Returns”, here.)

For the 6th year, accepted artists will receive a $100 stipend. (They can also use the exhibit to sell their installations, with 25% of the fees to be donated to SOLF.)

As always, submissions must adhere to their “Leave No Trace” policy. The art on the SOLF preserve must leave no permanent trace to the environment and be installed without harm to surrounding trees or vegetation.

The window for submissions is open through midnight on April 15th (with no extensions). Selections will be announced on May 5th. Works will be installed by artists on June 13th to be on display through September 13th. (The trails are generally open to the public from dawn to dusk.)

Those interested in potentially applying can request a guided tour of the site.

If you’re feeling inspired, or think you know someone who might be, you can check out the website here and the full submission guidelines here. (You can also look at past coverage and photos on the blog here.)

Each year, the exhibit is also used to inspire poetry for a chapbook. Stay tuned for news on a Call for Poetry later this summer.

Once again, the outdoor exhibit is made possible through support from the Southborough Community Fund, SOLF, the Southborough Cultural Arts Council, and the Mass Cultural Council, along with local business sponsors.

Updated (3/4/26 8:13 am): When I posted yesterday Facebook was down. Today, it’s back up, and I realized the credit for the original photo linked to a Facebook post that appears to no longer be available. So, I replaced the images.

The post Art on the Trails opens its 10th Anniversary “Call for Art” appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: Take a look at the rainbow of tax relief programs the Town offers. (image cropped from flyer)

A new document issued by the Office of the Assessors demonstrating the many options for Southborough homeowners to get a break on their real estate property taxes.

The document was prepared as an insert for the Southborough Senior Center’s newsletter. But it covers categories that reach beyond seniors. And since I so often hear from residents frustrated about the increasing burden of Southborough taxes, I wanted to spotlight it in a separate post for readers.

(Before you complain in the comments — I realize that some of these exemptions are small compared to the full tax bill over four quarters. But it’s better than nothing!)

To get relief on taxes, residents:

must satisfy requirements relating to age or status, domicile, ownership, income and assets as of July 1 of the tax year, and provide supporting documentation

Even those who qualified in past years need to reapply each year. And this year’s application deadline is April 1st.

Click here to open the pdf, or click on the pic below right to enlarge.

Most of the programs offer tax exemptions (discounts). Those programs are available for qualifying:

• Widows/Widowers
• Veterans (plus their spouses/widows/widowers and Gold Star Parents)
• Legally Blind residents
• Seniors aged 65+
• Residents experiencing “Hardship”

There is also the annual “senior workoff” program for residents. For that program the options opens up five years earlier for ages 60+. That program is the exception to the Apply by April 1st on the flyer. A separate insert in the Senior Center’s newsletter explains that this year’s application doesn’t become available until April 1st and the applications won’t be accepted until April 7th. Click here to open the insert with details.

Two other programs offer deferrals — delaying making payments, with a low interest.

For Hardship Deferrals, those are time capped at 3 years. But for seniors ages 65+ who make less than $45K per household, that can be until they sell their property or “pass away”. (Although, you do need to apply each year to continue qualifying.)

In Southborough, the interest on Senior Deferrals is 2%. (There are some limits on how much can be deferred vs your proportional ownership share of the property value. So you’d need to confer with Town officials about the details.)

To learn more about any of the tax relief programs and if you or a loved one qualify, contact the Board of Assessors at 508-485-0720.

And if you do qualify for aid based on hardship, there may be other support you qualify for. To learn more about the Needs-Based support available through the Town, visit Southborough Youth & Family Services’ dedicated page here.

The post Property Tax Relief — Apply by April 1st appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: ARHS Athletics has been posting updates on teams still in the state tourneys. At this point, that’s just one. (images edited from ARHS Athletics’ Instagram)

Two more Algonquin teams fell out of the state playoffs on Friday night. That leaves one Titans team still standing — the Girls Hockey co-op that includes players from Hudson, Marlborough, Nashoba, Clinton and AMSA.

Before getting into their success and next game, I’ll catch readers up on the teams that aren’t moving on.

Both ARHS Basketball teams were underdogs entering the MIAA Division 1 Round of 32 on Friday night.

The #25 Boy’s Basketball went up against #8 Malden Catholic. The Titans lost to the Lancers 54–74. An hour after the Boys hit the court, the #23 Girls Basketball challenged #10 Billerica. They lost by a narrower margin, 42–50.

I don’t have any details to share, since it looks like none of the papers or sports websites covered either game. But, for the Boys, the Lancer’s Athletic dept proudly posted the below highlights reel from the winners’ perspective:

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Malden Catholic Athletics (@malden_catholic_athletics)

The odds looked better for ARHS when Girls Hockey faced off against the Lancers on Sunday. The #3 Titans, with only one loss this season, hosted #14 Malden Catholic in the Sweet 16 at New England Sports Center.

According to the Boston Globe’s coverage, the game started out surprisingly rough for the Titans. Malden gained an early lead and maintained it:

until the waning moments of the third period. With desperation setting in, [Emily Kazmierczak] managed to finagle the puck into the net to force overtime, where goaltender Addy Cagan made a collection of remarkable saves.

The story began by recounting Kazmiercaki’s game-winning second goal:

With her Algonquin team shorthanded three minutes into double overtime, the puck found the freshman’s stick. After muscling past two defenders, she sniped it into the top of the twine to give the third-seeded Titans a hard-fought 2-1 win. . . 

“I don’t really remember most of it. It was crazy,” said Kazmierczak.

Read the full story here. And check out the team’s joy below in the pics posted to Instagram by photographer Jeff Slovin: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Jeff Slovin Photography (@jeffslovinphoto)

Algonquin will still be the top dog in the Elite Eight scheduled for tomorrow night against #6 Methuen. But they (and fans) will have to travel for the game. That’s 5:00 pm on March 4th at the Chelmsford Forum in North Billerica. Tickets are available here.

If the Titans prevail and the semi-finals are scheduled for this week, I’ll post an update in advance. Otherwise, stay tuned for an update on Monday.

The post ARHS Post-Season Update appeared first on My Southborough.

Start cleaning out your closets (or basement/garage). Southborough Recreation is coordinating a “Spring Youth Sports Equipment Swap” next week.

Although it’s regular youth league season isn’t spring, and basketballs aren’t featured on the flyer, they are included in the event. (Just don’t plan to swap out equipment for snow/ice related sports!)

Rec promotes that the event is in partnership with Southborough Youth Soccer, Lacrosse, Basketball, and Baseball/Softball Associations.

The free shopping event will be held on Sunday, March 15th from 9:00 am to noon. But there’s work to be done in advance. So Rec is seeking volunteers and promoting the window for donations.

From March 9–13, the public will be able to drop off “gently used youth sports equipment” at the Rec Dept. That’s at 21 Highland St (the South Union building).

Volunteers are sought to help sort items on the 14th, and assist on the day of the event. A Facebook post from Rec encourages middle school and high school students to sign up. You can register for a shift here.

The post Free Spring Youth Sports Equipment Swap appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: Town Meeting voters overwhelmingly approved borrowing $4.5M to replace Neary School’s failing roof this summer. (images cropped from flyers)

Voters at tonight’s Special Town Meeting on the future of Southborough Schools overwhelmingly voted to fund replacing Neary School’s roof. They also voted to spend $175K to study two options for potential renovation projects for school improvements.

As for the studies on potential alternative renovations to expand Finn School or Finn and Trottier Middle School, the overwhelming majority voted No.

Notably only about ⅓ of the number of voters who attended the Special Town Meeting on the New Neary Project last spring showed up to tonight’s meeting. Without big crowds, check in was quick, and the meeting began on time, shortly after 6:00 pm. And, despite complicated Articles, business was completed in less than two hours.

With permission from voters, Select Board Chair Andrew Dennington and Superintendent Greg Martineau spent about 15 minutes explaining the four Articles up front. That included the Select Board’s and School Committee’s positions and reasoning. (You can see their slides here. [Editor’s Note: Despite what I learned and updated this morning, the Select Board’s slides weren’t revised.])

Immediately following the presentations, Beth Wittcoff (the former PreK-8 Building Study Committee Chair) made a motion to amend language in Article 1. Her change focused on the 2nd of two building study options the Article asked to be funded:

Option 2: A plan to address the deferred maintenance items and necessary improvements to extend the practical life of the current Neary School by 15 years. Said plan shall include the following items: (a) a new or repaired roof; (b) ADA compliance; (c) removal and/or containment of asbestos; (d) a fire suppression system; (e) maintenance and component replacement of HVAC system; (f) pointing and repair of exterior brick and concrete. Option 2 shall target a cost that does not exceed $15,000,000.00 less the cost of the roof and/or ADA compliance Option 2 will be code compliant. if otherwise appropriated; or to do or act anything in relation thereto.

She added the phrase “to meet minimum code compliance”.

Unfortunately, it took about 15 minutes to get the motion on the screen. At that point, Wittcoff argued for a full renovation of Neary and objected to Option 2’s limitations. Select Board member Al Hamilton countered that based on birthrate trends, he believes that the Town may not need a new school beyond another 15 years. That is why he pushed to include the cost assessment of a less expensive, shorter term option for voters to consider.

John Butler highlighted that lack of options was one of the arguments made by voters who struck down the New Neary project last May. He argued that for the Town to be able to move forward with getting a building project funded, it need to present voters with options to choose from.

Mark Davis (a former Neary Building Committee and PreK-8 Building Study Committee member) argued in favor of Wittcoff’s motion. He asserted that the itemized costs under Option 1 would give the Town full details to pull the items. There was no need for a focused study.

Advisory Committee member Andrew Pfaff later pointed out that the change would actually reduce the amount of work done under Option 2 making it a cheaper option. Advisory member Howard Rose agreed with Pfaff. He also rebutted Davis’ comment, noting that the point of Option 2 was to give the consultant direction for putting together a lower budget version “without going overboard”.

By a vote of hands, a clear majority of voters struck down the motion to amend. Soon after, that was followed by a majority vote in favor of Article 1.

For Articles 2 and 3, the majorities of the Select Board and Advisory Committee (and unanimous School Committee) argued against spending on the studies and pointed to issues on the sites that made the feasibility of projects questionable. In the minority, Select Board member Tim Fling and Advisory’s Erik Glaser, who both also served on the PreK-8 Building Study Committee, spoke in favor of studying the projects that the committee had identified as potential building solutions. They advocated for giving voters more options.

In votes by electronic “clicker”, the vast majority opposed funding the studies. Article 2 (to study small expansions at Finn and Trottier) failed 66 to 332. Article 3 to study a larger expansion of Finn failed 75 to 332.

Unlike the prior Articles, which were moved “as written in the Warrant”, Article 4 was modified. The motion made was $2.35M less than the Warrant Article, and no longer included studies and ADA work. Instead it simply asked:

that the Town will vote to borrow and appropriate the sum of $4,500,000 for the purpose of funding costs associated with the replacement or repair of the roof at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School.

School Committee Chair Chelsea Malinowski wanted to ask the room if they needed the presentation on Neary’s roof. Moderator Paul Cimino said he would give voters a chance to comment and ask questions, then come back to her if she wanted to have the presentation before the vote. (That didn’t prove necessary. No one questioned the roof condition.)

There were questions about why the motion was changed and the impact. Cimino explained that the Warrant is the topic of the Article, but the motion is the wording actually voted on. (And no vote was needed on an amendment, because the revised wording was presented as their original motion.) The Select Board, School Committee, and Advisory confirmed their strong unanimous support for the Article as moved.

Officials explained that the ADA language and money had only been included in the Warrant version in case Article 1 failed. They had always planned to make a motion limited to the roof replacement if Article 1 passed.

The ADA work will be studied under Article 1, and would be incorporated into a renovation project. Malinowski confirmed that even if the work is “triggered” as required by the roof expense, the Town has three years and can show the state that they are taking the necessary steps. She also highlighted that if ADA compliance was tackled before a renovation work, it would have to be redone during renovations.

Elyse Ocnos was concerned about the impact of the roof project taking place this summer “when school is closed”. She noted that parents have already been paying to register kids in Southborough Extended Day Program’s summer camp held at Neary each summer. Asst. Superintendent of Operations Keith Lavoie reassured that the camp will be relocated to another Southborough school. He promised that it wouldn’t interrupt the SEDP summer programming.

Upon questioning by Butler, Select Board member Kathy Cook confirmed that the $4.5M borrowing for the roof will be on the ballot to ask voters to approve a debt-exclusion. Butler later followed up to ask the impact of that vote failing. He noted that the motion wasn’t worded to make the borrowing “subject” to the ballot passing. He didn’t know if the Town could later fit that under the levy cap. Town Counsel stated that the Town would only be able to fund the amount that it could squeeze in under the cap.

It’s unclear how that would work, since the ballot vote is in May — too late to adjust the budget for the Annual Town Meeting that is held in April. However, Cook made clear that given the dire need to replace the roof, the Select Board didn’t believe they’ll have a problem getting the simple majority vote needed in the election.

Amanda Rosenberg wanted to know the plan and associated costs if the Article fails and the roof fails. Malinowski responded that if the roof blew off they would be in crisis mode. They would probably add modulars to the other schools until a permanent solution was found. That would cost $1M per year.

No one argued against funding the expense. The electronic vote in favor of replacing the roof passed 377 to 33.

Updated (3/4/26 8:20 am): Town Clerk Jim Hegarty shared official details on the voter turnout. 429 voters registered. That includes 70 in the gym with their children and some voters that checked in after 8 pm. (The total number is 36% of the 1,178 voters that participated in the STM last May on the proposed school building project.)

He also noted that the Town plans to deal with the issue of clickers too easily detaching from their lanyards, by “permanently bonding” the plastic clasps.

The post Special Town Meeting votes for Neary roof & studies; No studies for Finn/Trottier renovations <i>(Updated)</i> appeared first on My Southborough.

Here are the posted open, public Southborough committee and board meetings for this week* along with my selected highlights from the agendas.

As always, be aware that changes to the meeting schedule (and agendas) are known to happen throughout the week. For an updated list of meetings, visit the Town website.

These days, most (but not all) meetings, can be participated in, watched live, and replayed from home.)**

Monday, March 2, 2026

• Council on Aging Meeting, 10:00 am @ Southborough Senior Center (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Updates on March & April programs, filling Program Manager position, MySenior Center & website revision, and group/club reports
• Pre-Special Town Meetings @ Trottier Middle School
  • Select Board Meeting, 5:15 pm @ Room 129 (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Prep for STM
  • Southborough School Committee Meeting, 5:15 pm @ Room 131 (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Prep for STM
• Special Town Meeting, 6:00 pm @ Trottier Middle School (Warrant) Click here for more details.

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

• Select Board Meeting, 6:00 pm @ Town House Hearing Room and zoom (agenda with packet) Agenda Highlights: STM outcome and potential building committee; Budget from Stae Senator & State Rep; Taxation Aid Committee interview; Council on Aging update; FY27 Budget; Annual Town Meeting Warrant; Vote on level of interest in 39 Meeting House Ln
  • Southborough School Committee Meeting, 6:00 pm @ Select Board Meeting (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Timeline and next steps based on outcome of Special Town Meeting, including potential vote on a Building Committee and Charge
• Municipal Technology Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm @ zoom only (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Annual Town Meeting Articles related to tech (Police Taser program, IP zoning for Data Centers and Battery Energy Storage, Tech budget, and Electronic voting); status of Meeting Room tech; 5 year plan; surveys

Thursday, March 5, 2026

• Scholarship Advisory Committee Meeting, 6:00 pm @ Town House Hearing Room (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Balances; fundraising; timeline for 2026 scholarships; awards criteria
• Historical Commission Meeting, 7:00 pm @ zoom only (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Planning for sponsored talk on Knox Trail; Messaging re National Register District and the Historical House Sign Program; Updates on Town Common fencing project, Rural Cemetery Water Tower project, and Tricentennial Committee

*I don’t list meetings that are only closed Executive Sessions unless the agenda indicates the possibility of some action in an open public session at the opening or closing of the meeting.

**Details on watching meetings remotely:

• Town Committee/Board Meetings:
  • If in-person meetings don’t also advertise a zoom option, assume that it won’t be broadcast or captured on video.
  • To remotely participate in meetings that allow zoom, click here.
  • To live stream (or view later) remote or hybrid meetings (even those covered by Southborough Access Media) over the internet, use the Town’s YouTube Channel for Remote Meetings. (The meetings covered by SAM can also be streamed on their website here, and eventually on SAM’s YouTube Channel.)
  • Cable Access — Southborough Access Media broadcasts the regular evening meetings for the Select Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals that take place in the Town House Hearing Room. (Those meetings will still allow zoom participation.) View SAM’s live and replayed broadcasts via their Government cable access channel (Verizon-37 and Charter-194).
• School Committee Meetings:
  • Subcommittee meetings and some special meetings are only available to attend/view live (in person or by “webinar”) with no later rebroadcast.
  • Regular Southborough School Committee meetings are generally broadcast live by Southborough Access Media here and on Verizon-37 and Charter-192. (Video replays are also usually made available through their YouTube channel within a couple of days.)
  • Regular Regional School Committee meetings (or Combined meetings based at Algonquin) are live broadcast by Northborough Cable Access here and YouTube channel, and on Southborough’s Education Channel (Verizon-29 and Charter-194). The meetings are also eventually rebroadcast and available on demand through NCAT’s VideoOnDemand player and YouTube (though that can take several days).

Updated (3/2/26 4:44 pm) The Historical Commission Chair reached out with the agenda for their Thursday meeting, issued today, but not yet showing on the Town website.

The post The week in government <i>(Updated)</i> appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: Volunteers have organized ways to make it easier for busy voters and families to participate in the Special Town Meeting on Neary School’s roof and studies on potential future school building projects. (images cropped from flyers)

Tomorrow night, voters have consequential decisions to make about the short term and long term future of Southborough’s schools and expenses that impact short term and long term budgets.

I received information about efforts of some community members to make it easier for the public to show up to vote tomorrow. That includes two Special Town Meeting dinner specials and a cozy “Chill Zone” for kids being set up in the gym where families can participate in the meeting.

I also received two more Letters to the Editor from residents seeking to sway voters’ opinions. And I got the Advisory Committee’s official report to voters.

Advisory’s report also alerted me that I got a detail wrong in my summary of the Levy Balance situation at the bottom of Friday’s post. So I updated those details here. 

So here is my updated overview of all things Special Town Meeting.

Scroll down for info on the Chill Zone for families and the Meal Deals.

STM Quick Overview and Links

The Monday, March 2nd meeting is scheduled to open at Trottier Middle School at 6:00 pm.

If turnout is as big as anticipated, parking will be an issue. So voters are encouraged to carpool. But you can also park down the hill at Neary School and walk up. Just give yourself enough time (and dress appropriately).

• More meeting details are on the Town’s website here.
  • My Town Meeting explainer for voters who are confused about how Town Meetings work is here.
• Official Presentations and reports:
  • Advisory Committee’s report to voters is here.
  • Presentations by the Select Board and School Committee (along with some context from me) are here.
  • More details from the School Committee are here.
• My overview of the Articles on the Warrant is here.
• Related Letters to the Editor are linked below:
  • Vote YES on Special Town Meeting Articles 1 & 4, NO on 2 & 3 by Beth Wittcoff
  • Stop Feeding the Alligator by Karen Hanlon Shimkus
  • Understanding Neary School: How we got to where we are by Kelly Conklin
  • Explanation for proposed $15M cap on Neary renovations (following up on letter below) by Al Hamilton & Tim Fling:
  • Proposal for addressing Neary School issues by Al Hamilton
  • Continued Concerns about the Neary Project by Amelia Braun

The above letters are in addition to letters that were written before the May Special Town Meeting. Many of those letters addressed issues that overlap the current situation. But they were focused on supporting or opposing the prior proposal that is no longer on the table (a brand new 4-grade school building at Neary.)

‘Chill Zone’ in the Gym at Special Town Meeting

As I’ve previously posted, registered voters who bring children under 18 years old with them will be sent to the gym. In that room, they will have the full ability to see presentations, make comments, ask questions, vote, etc. 

The room will have 300 chairs and some round tables at the back for kids to use. A community flyer from anonymous organizers also promotes a special area to make things more comfortable for the kids:

Adults can situate their family in a “chill zone” area for the evening. Children are encouraged to bring a pillow, a blanket, a book, coloring books, a quiet game, and/or an iPad.

Children can wear their pajamas and slippers -the idea is to foster calm, cozy, bedtime vibes.

The flyer also reiterates that “Childcare is NOT provided at Town Meeting.” and “Parents/Caregivers are responsible for their children at all times.”

Another reminder in the flyer is that, unlike the auditorium, Families are welcome to bring dinner and/or snacks into the gym. 

And for those who want to take advantage of that, two specials are also being promoted. . .

Special Town Meeting Meal Deals

The flyer promotes:

Two Southborough restaurants want to help get dinner on your plate on “Monday, March 2nd, 2026! Dine-in at one of the following local spots before going to Town Meeting OR pick-up your order and bring your family’s dinner to Trottier!

Note: For this Town Meeting, food is allowed in the Trottier gym but not allowed in the Trottier auditorium Food deliveries to Trottier Middle School are not allowed.

Read more on the deals offered by Southborough restaurants Owen O’Leary’s and Southborough House of Pizza in the flyer above right.

Updated (3/2/26 11:39 am): I was informed that the data was inaccurate/outdated in one slide in the posted presentation for the Select Board. Slide 8 on the impact that the costs of Articles 1-3 would have on the Levy Balance will be updated for tonight’s meeting. I don’t have a new slide, but I was able to get the updated figures and make revised calculations for the impact of voting scenarios on the levy balance. You can read the info at the bottom of the updated post here.

The post Special Town Meeting-at-a-Glance <i>(Updated)</i> appeared first on My Southborough.