Harrington: Electronic Voting Could Help TM Turnout

Selectmen form ad hoc committee.

Switching to electronic voting at town meeting "could help our attendance," Town Moderator Joe Harrington has told selectmen. Selectmen have established an ad hoc committee to study whether voting electronically at town meeting makes sense for Westborough, and to report back to the board. The committee will consist of five to seven members: Harrington, Selectman Denny Drewry, Town Clerk Nancy Yendriga, an advisory finance committee member, with one-to-three at-large members whom Harrington will recommend to selectmen. Last month, the board agreed to form a group to explore trying electronic voting at the October town meeting. This spring, Barrette, Drewry, Yendriga and Advisory Finance Committee Chairman Edward Behn attended Wayland’s town…

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Csharris

7:04 am on Tuesday, May 21, 2013

No ...I have served the town in many ways ranging from president of little league, high school boosters and school committee member for 9 years....it's time for others to step up to the plate.   more ›

Non-Union Employees' Vacation Policy Changed

The accrual date now is the employee's anniversary date.

Westborough's town offices might soon have fewer absences in May and June. Selectmen on Tuesday night agreed to move non-union employees' vacation accrual date to the employee's anniversary date, from July 1, when the fiscal year starts. Assistant Town Manager/Human Resources Director Kristi Williams proposed the change to section 5.3 of Westborough's Personnel Policies and Employee Handbook. The policy affects 40 employees, and the change is consistent with four labor contracts signed this year, Williams said. Previously, the non-union employees lost unused vacation time on July 1, resulting in "a lot of vacations" at once, she said. Selectmen Vice Chairman George Barrette called the change "a great idea." “Unfortunately, by the end of …

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Town Offices' Temporary Move to Town Sites Possible

The Forbes Municipal Building is among the buildings under consideration.

Westborough Municipal Building Committee members are "really pushing" to move the Westborough Town Hall offices into town-owned buildings during the 14-month town hall renovation project, selectmen Vice Chairman George Barrette said Tuesday night. Using town buildings would benefit Westborough on cost, and “also makes a big difference for Mark Stockman," the MIS/GIS director, Barrette said. Barrette serves on the municipal building committee. “The Forbes Municipal Building is already wired," Barrette said, and the committee is looking to use the gymnasium there, as well as the upstairs auditorium. Westborough “might lose that gym, because I’ve got to put cubicles there,” Barrette said. “There’s another couple of buildings that might work …

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Westborough Refinancing Debt

Town gets a long-term interest rate of 1.66 percent, Malloy says.

Westborough will save about $280,000 in interest annually over 11 years through refinancing debt, Town Manager Jim Malloy says. Westborough is refinancing debt that’s at a 4.4 percent interest rate now, Malloy told selectmen Tuesday night. The interest rate for the remaining 11 years will be 1.66 percent. Over the 11 years, Westborough will see a “pure interest savings” of about $182,000 in water and sewer funds, and $2.9 million in the general fund, Malloy said.  “For us to be getting long-term borrowing rates at 1.66 percent is phenomenal,” he said. “I told our fiscal adviser, ‘I like meeting with you. Our meetings are always so happy.’” he added.

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Wondering When Town Hall Project Starts?

Westborough Patch asked the municipal building committee chairman.

Early Fall Start for Town Hall Project Possible

Voters approved the funding at last Saturday's annual town meeting.

Westborough Town Hall renovations could start in the early fall, Municipal Building Committee Chairman Bob Brown said Wednesday. Voters at last Saturday's annual town meeting approved the borrowing of $7,354,063 for the project. Brown said the architect is finishing the design of the 14-month project. Officials hope to go out to bid around August, he said. The town offices must be housed elsewhere during the work due to mold, asbestos and other issues, Town Manager Jim Malloy has said. Brown said the temporary space has not been determined. "It's a matter of finding the proper space close to the center of town," he said. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our…

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Stephen Faris

12:06 pm on Monday, March 25, 2013

Folks, I have been investigating putting spending questions on the ballot. It turns out several towns are already pursuing this idea. Below is an article: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/editorials/x1665847191/Editorial-Put-local-questions-on-high-turnout-ballots As we have seen in the Town Hall and Fire Station projects, a small number of voters are causing big problems for our taxes…   more ›

Town Boards Seek Members

Learn how to help out in Westborough.

Interested in volunteering in Westborough? Selectmen said Tuesday night there are the following vacancies: conservation commission, two non-voting associates; historical commission, one member and two non-voting associates; open space preservation committee, two members; and personnel board, one member. Residents interested in serving should send a letter of interest and a resume to Paula Covino at pcovino@town.westborough.ma.us.

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Total Exterior Renovation of Town Hall Proposed

Funding to be sought at March 16 annual town meeting.

Westborough Town Hall’s exterior would be totally renovated under plans that voters will decide at the March 16 annual town meeting. A small, rear addition with an entrance and new handicapped accessible restrooms also is proposed. Town officials are discussing acquiring “a little leg” of the former Westborough Baptist Church site, now owned by Shriver Nursing Service, to enable this, architect Brian Humes says. Humes and the municipal building committee presented the designs to selectmen last week. The draft annual town meeting warrant includes a funding request estimate of $6,624,252. Town Manager Jim Malloy said he expects a higher figure to reach voters, as “with the improving economy, there’s been an escalation in cost estimates.” …

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Stephen Faris

10:53 am on Saturday, March 23, 2013

Folks, I am doing an independent evaluation of the following: 1) Details on how this Architect Firm was selected. 2) Review the detailed public information available The cost of the Fire Station and Town Hall are not known precisely. I will be monitoring who gets the contracts and why? Steve   more ›

Town Boards Seek Members

Interested residents should submit a letter of interest, and a resume.

Interested in volunteering in Westborough? Selectmen said Tuesday night there are the following vacancies: conservation commission, two non-voting associates; historical commission, one member and two non-voting associates; open space preservation committee, two members; and personnel board, one member. Residents interested in serving should send a letter of interest and a resume to Paula Covino at pcovino@town.westborough.ma.us.

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Selectmen Getting Fire Station Plans Soon

The municipal building committee also will present town hall renovation plans.

Plans for the new Westborough Fire Station and to renovate Westborough Town Hall will reach selectmen in two weeks. The municipal building committee will present both plans to the board at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at town hall, according to a public notice filed at town hall this week. The committee met with the design review board on both projects last month. A town hall renovation proposal will reach voters at the March 16 annual town meeting, Selectman and Municipal Building Committee member George Barrette said last month. Voters at the Oct. 15 special town meeting appropriated $11,208,000 to design and build the new fire station next to the current Milk Street facility, which will be demolished. The advisory finance committee …

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