Currently, all non-essential outdoor water uses are prohibited until further notice. To keep your plants happy and comply with the ban you can make use of rain barrels. But what exactly does this ban cover and what are the exceptions? Outdoor Water Use Restrictions, Permitted Uses and Uses Not Subject to Mandatory Restrictions Non - essential outdoor water uses that are subject to mandatory restrictions include: • Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems• Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety• Washing of exterior …

A $133 million budget for next year would increase taxes by less than $70 for the average household, according to city officials. “We are probably looking at approximately less than 2 percent increase in property tax," said Mayor Arthur Vigeant of the budget that was proposed to the City Council. That budget represents a 4.89 percent increase over the previous year, but because of increased state funds and anticipated revenues residential taxes will increase by an estimated 1.57 percent. That results in an estimated tax rate from $15 per $1,000 to $15.23 per $1,000. What that means for the …

With the primary for the special senate election upon us, we have gathered the polling and voting information you need. Knowing where to vote begins with determining your voting ward and precinct. In Marlborough, voting locations are broking down by wards and in some cases precincts. Voting will run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. WARD ONE: Prec. 1 and 2  Francis J. Kane School, 520 Farm Rd. WARD TWO: Prec. 1 and 2 Francis J. Kane School, 520 Farm Rd. WARD THREE: Prec. 1 
Masonic Hall, 8 Newton St, Rear WARD THREE: Prec. 2 Raymond J. Richer School, 80 Foley Rd, Room 103 WARD FOUR: Prec. 1 and 2 Boys & …

With nearly 200 injured and three killed in the Boston Marathon bombings, people in Marlborough, New England and across the nation are wondering what they can do to help. The American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts has opened a disaster operation center and is asking locals to notify loved ones of their whereabouts on its website. Here's a quick list of what you can do to help, courtesy of The Huffington Post: The Red Cross says the best way to help right now is to get in touch with loved ones through its Safe And Well Listings. The organization is not asking for blood donations at this …

The 18th annual Marlboro Lions Annual Father-Daughter Dance will be held this Friday, April 12, at the Marlborough High School Cafeteria. Tickets can be purchased for $7.00 each from Bouvier’s Pharmacy, Main Street Café and Sergio’s Restaurant. DJ Dave Cormier will provide the music and John Sahaigian will take formal pictures. Light refreshments will be served and activities begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. The dance has turned into one of the clubs most popular fundraisers, with 500 tickets being sold this year. Daughters from age three and up are welcome to come with their fathers. "…

The School Committee has spoken and the last day of school will be Monday, June 24. “Hopefully we are finished for snow,” said Interim Superintendent Steven Dlott. It was snow that was on the mind of School Committee Member Mark Hediger who asked whether it wouldn't make more sense to hold off on a final day of school until the area was definitely clear of more snow. Other committee members pointed out that people like to be able to plan their vacations while Dlott pointed out that storms can come along at unexpected times. Two of the six "snow" days the district has clocked this year were …

This Saturday, Ghiloni Park will play host to hundreds of children seeking out roughly 25,000 plastic eggs. The yearly event is put on by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Marlboro Aerie #3565 along with the Marlborough Recreation department. The dash for eggs begins at noon sharp so people are encouraged to get there early.

When one area resident went to gather together goods to donate to the Community Cupboard in Marlborough at 255 Main Street, they were curious what items are needed right now. Some items are at a critical need at the food pantry that serves to bolster local resident's cupboards. Among those are: Canned Low Sodium Beef Stew (Very High Need) Low Sodium Canned Stews, Vegetables and Fruits Canned Corn Jelly and Jams Canned Spaghettios, Ravioli and Beefaroni Canned Fruit Cocktail Crackers (Any Variety) These are some of the needed items, but the Community Cupboard provides a rounded package to …

With Mayor Vigeant having already pulled papers to run for re-election and races for City Council and School Committee positions, one reader wanted to know how to get involved and begin running for a position. The first step is pulling papers for the position you are interested in. Those papers are available now at the City Clerk's Office in City Hall. But pulling the papers does not mean you are ready to campaign. You must obtain 50 signatures of registered voters in the city and return those signed papers so that they can be reviewed by city officials. The Races are: Mayor for two year term…

Court Street next to Sorento's is safe to pass down until repairs to the Sorento's building are undertaken. What has come down is down," said Building Commissioner Michael Mendoza who previously explained the hole in the wall was caused by the age of the structure, not an accident. "Everything has been reinforced and life is good right now." The street had initially been closed as bricks began to separate from the wall, but all of that is done and the building has been reinforced. Barring a major incident, such as a hurricane, drivers do not have to worry about driving past the building, said…

Communication and a formal agreement form the basis for a good working relationship between Marlborough's Schools and the Police Department, according to Police Chief Mark Leonard. “Most of the incidents are relatively minor ... each thing is somewhat unique," he said before explaining that police will investigate whether the incident warrants a criminal complaint and the school will deal with the matter through their channels. The schools and the police department have a formal contract, that the District Attorney's Office also weighs in on, in order to lay out the exact relationship between…

As the weather hits a balmy 40 plus degrees during the day, one reader was concerned about what happens to all the salt and other chemicals in the snow as it melts. “It all filters out through the system," said the City's General Foreman of Streets Kenneth Calder of the snow that melts into the city's storm drains. That water goes through a filtration process built into the storm drain system before it is diverted into any waterway, he said. Much of the other melting snow has much of the chemicals naturally filtered out of it as it melts directly into the ground, rather than into any waterway…

An inquisitive reader has asked Patch whether there will be trash collection tomorrow. The answer is yes. Department of Public Works Commissioner Ronald LaFreniere has said that the snow should come late enough in the day that crews will be able to get the solid waste collected before the storm hits. So get your trash to the curb by 7 a.m. tomorrow morning as you hunker down to wait out the storm.

The official word is that age alone is the culprit for a hole in the side of the Sorento's building. “Over time things weaken," said Building Commissioner Michael Mendoza who explained that the mortar used to hold bricks together can turn into sand with time. “What happens between the surface of the bricks on the other side of the wall you really can’t get to.” That is the cause of the hole in the wall which has shut down half the seating in the restaurant as well as a section of Court Street. The hole has been in the wall since last week and is currently covered by a tarp. “We have the …

A reader recently asked us what a lift was being used for around City Hall. Window trim was being repaired from the outside of the building along the second floor. The trim is mostly for aesthetics, however it does have some insulating properties, according to officials.

One reader wanted to know exactly where the 225 apartment unit "Brookview Village" and the mixed use "Forest Park" were going to be located. The 225 apartment units recently approved for "Brookview Village" will be located off of Boston Post Road West at the intersection with Ames Street. An area of land that is now covered with trees across the street from the Panera Bread Plaza will be made into four apartment buildings. This location is near exit 24 off of Route 495. This location has prompted some city councilors to call for the need for an additional fire station. In September, the …

The Festival of Trees, put on by the Marlborough Historical Society at the Royal Plaza Trade Center begins tonight and runs through Sunday. The festival kicks off tonight at 5 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Saturday the festival runs from 10 a.m.  to 9 p.m. and Sunday the hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival features: 100+ Decorated Artificial Christmas Trees Aisle of Wreaths Centerpieces Candyland Santa’s Workshop NorthPole Playland Minature Victorian Village & Train Gingerbread Village Dickens Village Entertainment Stage Breakfast with Santa Silver Bells Tea Santa Claus Crafters There …

On Oct. 23, the Marlborough School Committee voted to retain the services of Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA) to conduct the search for the district’s next superintendent. The consultant's bid for the search was $22,500. In the proposal to the committee, the company estimates additional consultant expenses would cost $2,500. The additional expenses relating to search advertisement and interview expenses. Travel expenses of the candidates and committee will be the committee's responsibility. The question came up after the $2.6 million increase to the current year's school budget was …

A family style pub by the name of Bolton Street Tavern will be moving into the former Piccadilly Pub location on Bolton Street. The owner's of Morse Tavern in Natick, John and Sharon Stounaras, have put in papers with the Board of Health to transform the former Picadilly Pub. The location has already had work being done to the roof and exterior by the new owner. "He’s doing the whole place over inside," said Board of Health Director Robert Landry. The entire interior of the building will be redone, with completion in the middle of February into April, he said. The owners have put in for a …

Winter is here and that means snow plows need to get around town to clear the roads.  Towns across the MetroWest region have all come up with their own ways to keep cars off the road for plowing you can find the information for your town below along with several nearby towns. Marlborough: The city's overnight parking ban goes into effect on Dec. 1 and will continue through March 15, 2013. On-street parking is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night. Vehicles violating the ban are subject to a $10 penalty. Vehicles that interfere with snow or ice removal operations are subject to towing …