[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6094326,"mediaKeyId","2844437-063b307befbe19251c93fa6e24e50534","parentId",2844437,"title","Officials present updated Neary school financing figures; MSBA recommendation expected April 30","audioSeconds",261,"startMs",3669000,"endMs",3930000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844437-063b307befbe19251c93fa6e24e50534&start=3669&end=3930","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844437-063b307befbe19251c93fa6e24e50534/thumbnail_3669000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094326/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Officials-present-updated-Neary-school-financing-figures-MSBA-recommendation-expected-April-30","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094326-21b9eb9f1d9073002a7df1cf4c5ff304/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207342&Signature=BTkYaSm0lHS-1kfS1P6z70VXiKK1Qkzee6QQQpeYkSJj9wVh8LH2a8xsfmwuJ1pjfQlRdBoPCgpOwRzqxTGw4o3sUsHYd4Q0T0rNrTtYACL5WpYVCUOGiBXJIWj63SJ3oJwNWphkEoQ6U3C8cPn-X0MvEjUJ-kwCTrkJpoJ7hKHzqd5dloPF7QnQSFvB03TX8ik9~qVQ8t1ekhvebmkbhk03mRR~E6UZWKG6n4UsYHAMwMLr-z6nim-dt2nJq0VB4qgttve2-b3sNcOzjGWU1ChoXBWScKfx8RYiozF4cmikD9JKC-dLjc08mFYgAd-iwxsAX7mulHJQvXKIWEpnUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Southborough, MA","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","The Select Board received a progress report on the Neary school building project and recent financial updates on April 1. According to the presentation, the town’s current estimate for the total project cost is approximately $109,000,000, and staff said the Massachusetts School Building Authority has recommended a grant of $35,279,000 to the MSBA board for final approval. Town staff said the amount the town would bond is approximately $68,000,000; the MSBA board is scheduled to vote April 30 on the recommendation presented by staff.

Presenters said the projected tax impact per average home was discussed in prior briefings and that the estimate has fallen since earlier presentations. In the April 1 discussion staff compared current debt projections to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) guidelines and said that, even after the Neary project debt is added, the town’s projected general‑fund debt would remain below the DOR guideline of 5 percent of equalized valuation. Staff showed an example calculation: with an equalized value near $3.8 billion, a 5 percent DOR guideline would be about $190 million, and the town’s projected debt under the current plan would be about $94 million, leaving capacity under the guideline.

Officials told the board they continue to seek ways to reduce project costs and will present more detailed materials at a joint forum on Thursday and plan to take a warrant vote at the Select Board meeting on April 15. The MSBA decision on April 30 will determine whether the recommended grant amount is finalized; that decision will influence timing for a town warrant and subsequent bonding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Southborough: Select Board Meeting 4/1/25","oneSentenceSummary","Select Board members received updated fiscal figures for the Neary school project: town staff said the estimated total project cost is about $109 million with an MSBA recommended grant of $35,279,000 and a projected town bond of roughly $68 million; the MSBA board is scheduled to vote April 30.","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},6094330,"Officials outline logistics for annual and special town meetings, electronic voting and May election deadlines",3020,1425000,4445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844437-063b307befbe19251c93fa6e24e50534&start=1425&end=4445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844437-063b307befbe19251c93fa6e24e50534/thumbnail_1425000.jpg","/articles/6094330/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Officials-outline-logistics-for-annual-and-special-town-meetings-electronic-voting-and-May-election-deadlines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094330-7aa81edadec9e15bc6922a531bb82369/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207342&Signature=Q64Kn5FejbdxDZLhzWlwwN3uU74Z4r3Uuf6~4c48ZQEBUsX-TWKKidLbQXmUa1q6LbAS-BjifhfuljcWrbzaCZcu3vLS7SNwgOgMStMm7CBkWCRC9VfDPpgPL5xHJOD7SSqFd3l2uJNcLPuXOZNBHO39CgHQ6iFkcx-2W9wp7Aqy3OqF113272RSzAt-PbmRMWycqw6vfS-yeMM0K4Rq8vCVvH~J5dVC88A~R6jIBVhhvaXa3tLdgwEbfrm~rW1tflBTBLCUk4ZeFPu99XHjS1fGQ~EuFUBNn9bFtUCARch9xcrEdgx-BvhPDOIN0yn~8jJCjF6UUOUJpF5LnTqgBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town officials and staff used the Select Board meeting on April 1 to review logistics for the upcoming annual town meeting, a separate large special town meeting at Algonquin Regional High School, and the town election in May.

Jim (staff member overseeing town meetings) briefed the board on the annual meeting’s check‑in and voter accommodations and then described plans for a larger special town meeting to be held at Algonquin because Algonquin offers substantially more parking than Trottier. Jim told the board the special meeting will open at 9:00 a.m. with check‑in starting at 7:30 a.m., and that the town will stage check‑in with separate tables for ID scanning, wristbands and clicker distribution to speed ingress. He said the town expects a large turnout and has arranged for custodial support, on‑site vans to ferry attendees from remote lots, additional police traffic detail, and an audio‑visual vendor to run livestreaming and projection. Jim said Algonquin has roughly 695 legal parking spaces and that additional overflow locations and shuttle vans are planned if needed.

Paul Cimino and Jim reviewed the electronic voting (clicker) system the town will use. The vendor will program separate receivers so clickers issued for the cafeteria (orange lanyards) work only in that room; that prevents signals from bleeding between spaces, Jim said. Paul emphasized the distinction between having the technology available and choosing to use it every time: “it is not something that is we are defaulting to,” he said, adding that the town plans to trial the system at the upcoming meeting and will use it selectively where it adds value.

John (staff member handling elections) reviewed ballots and mail‑ballot procedures for the May election. He said anyone can request a vote‑by‑mail ballot; the application deadline for a mailed ballot is five business days before the election (he cited May 6 for the May 13 election). He said the town cannot print ballots until the deadline for candidates to withdraw passes (he cited 5:01 p.m. on April 11 as the moment he will release print instructions to the vendor) and that he expects the town to mail ballots around April 22 after printing and testing. Mailed ballots must be received by the town by 8:00 a.m. on election day; John urged voters to return ballots early because last‑minute dropoffs can delay poll closing procedures.

Officials also confirmed a simplified approach to child care at the special meeting: a parent may bring a child and must remain with that child in a supervised room or sit with the child in the cafeteria; preregistration is not required. The town’s IT and A/V vendors will livestream both meetings on the town website and on government channels. Officials said they will continue to publish updates on the town blog and social media and encouraged carpooling to ease parking pressures for the special meeting.","Town staff and volunteers reviewed plans for the upcoming annual town meeting, a larger special town meeting planned at Algonquin Regional High School, the town election and expanded use of electronic clicker voting; officials emphasized a staged check‑in process, child‑care arrangements and ballot mailing deadlines.",{"_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},6094335,"Select Board appoints Peg Leonard as Southborough senior‑center director, effective April 14",380,922000,1302000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844437-063b307befbe19251c93fa6e24e50534&start=922&end=1302","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844437-063b307befbe19251c93fa6e24e50534/thumbnail_922000.jpg","/articles/6094335/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-appoints-Peg-Leonard-as-Southborough-seniorcenter-director-effective-April-14","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094335-b079dc3c2e0f30e4ae68ef2e49bf7861/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207342&Signature=UwYr9ns3JqPVBMv42CcVjcQhIPaM17N0xXT4sre1V0N8~4HhSdqMM4Rpf5VB-r5YHkv4Ip2YF-TE-7fB5G2mNzsn1lVwgOYkgmdCwvXaZXHVwOlJ6feMiasyD-6duXmD8xLq-qBaRdxy7qC5P8WcL4W2Y2nhvN7BLNlp7KbrsiLw3yUtKb~ae85wyrg7XQFnDpheglfdS1wR~-GYRWzOLI69GMF~xbzv4Y1HGK5v2Z~osD2d1lz9lpIFNW~b1AY0DDaVl4IgNEQ08-BgHUA3XCCBweeaelnrcsNRAgxg~kUdRK-C0NNN1X2aC~dOaAxpLUkqDCjbtNOxNcGcqzGpww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Southborough Select Board voted April 1 to appoint Peg Leonard as director of the Southborough Senior Center, with an effective date of Monday, April 14, 2025. Leonard, who has worked at the senior center since February 2008 as program manager, told the board she plans to modernize the registration system and expand counseling and outreach services for younger seniors and family caregivers.

Board members thanked outgoing director Pam, who retires April 11, and expressed unanimous support for Leonard’s appointment. Leonard said she has 17 years of programming experience at the center and described priorities for the early months in the new role: “I would like to bring maybe more modern technology in as far as our registration program,” and to strengthen counseling and outreach for people juggling caregiving responsibilities.

The board’s action was a formal appointment vote. The town administrator and finance staff had interviewed Leonard as part of the recruitment process; the Select Board completed the final step at the April 1 meeting. The town will begin recruiting to fill Leonard’s program manager position after she assumes the director role.","The Select Board voted to appoint Peg Leonard as director of the Southborough Senior Center effective April 14; Leonard told the board she plans to modernize registration and expand outreach to younger seniors and caregivers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6094340,"Select Board approves beer-and-wine license for Southborough driving-range business",665,217000,882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2844437-063b307befbe19251c93fa6e24e50534&start=217&end=882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2844437-063b307befbe19251c93fa6e24e50534/thumbnail_217000.jpg","/articles/6094340/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-approves-beer-and-wine-license-for-Southborough-driving-range-business","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094340-de4c4c79cf94506cfc3dae015d1c822e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207342&Signature=kccQL3gDEU4oZRZxGJTnv4r4Y7MgVc6gxIBJ5FjnNst3jGGn9pIJ4fGM~ar-692~E-wcGeCb1CBxIFdw-XSD-2K-aKLMO63dLwEWFmUJrjsgAAZjrTgh7MmHof36MRzZXEWiaFi9KZGvWB44AUw6KH0aOGRDloPP1ZnrM6SYylAsImtbWTaJHo7IidgTcLcyx4hnIQydwjVZ-4q4BM0ngNLtlMXiSrPENZAYXP5XBIAaAsqt83nAq1N87Rpbz-MTe39dE278JhcMW4bbetVCsHFazNVVeJ9iQVjsIgKbL--SXoFaWxKkFlvulxcJFCR0irBEM8P10Mvhb-VDXJCBrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Southborough Select Board on April 1 approved a general on‑premise wine and malt beverage license for the Southborough Golf Practice and Learning Center, 22 Turnpike Road. The owner and manager, Mike Hightower, described plans to sell beer, seltzers and canned wine on a small patio and in the facility’s hitting bays. The license approval by the Select Board is subject to final review by the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

Hightower, who said he purchased the facility in March 2024 and works as a golf‑course superintendent and athletic‑field manager, told the board he is adding a TrackMan ball‑tracking system and wants to make the range “a little bit more social.” He said: “I kind of thought that having the ability to offer a beer or a seltzer or something would kind of further make, you know, golf’s a very social sport.”

Under Hightower’s plan alcohol would be sold from a pro‑shop window and consumed on a roughly 600‑square‑foot patio and in both covered and uncovered hitting bays. Hightower told the board he will staff servers who are trained to check IDs and monitor service, and that the property has a locked storage area for inventory. He also described a camera system and a large monitor in the pro shop to let staff view the hitting area in real time. The public notice filed with the town described the property as an 18.2‑acre parcel with an 800‑square‑foot studio, a 15,000‑square‑foot teeing ground, a 500‑square‑foot patio for 12 seats and a 700‑square‑foot pro shop.

Board members asked about supervision and safety in uncovered areas; Hightower said he will have a server monitoring the bays, that all servers will be tip‑certified, and that 12 cameras cover the hitting area. A board member noted Hightower has installed netting and poles to reduce the risk of stray balls reaching the patio.

The Select Board first closed the public hearing and then voted to approve the requested license. Board members reminded Hightower that the license also requires the town to file with and receive approval from the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission before sales begin.

If approved by the ABCC, the license will allow the business to sell wine and malt beverages on the premises; the Select Board did not approve any on‑ or off‑premise full‑alcohol licenses at the meeting.","The Southborough Select Board voted to approve a general on‑premise wine and malt beverage license for the Southborough Golf Practice and Learning Center at 22 Turnpike Road; the license still requires final approval from the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Officials present updated Neary school financing figures; MSBA recommendation expected April 30

Officials outline logistics for annual and special town meetings, electronic voting and May election deadlines

Select Board appoints Peg Leonard as Southborough senior‑center director, effective April 14

Select Board approves beer-and-wine license for Southborough driving-range business