5 Things: Town Raises Water & Sewer Rates, Taylor School to Host Cake Bake, Property Tax Payment Reminder & More

Editor's note: Five Things You Need To Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. If you know of something happening in town that did not make our list, please add it in the comment section!

1. Wintry Mix of Rain, Snow in Foxborough Tuesday

Today’s weather in Foxborough, according to the National Weather Service based in Taunton, calls for a slight chance of snow showers, freezing rain, and sleet before 11 a.m., then a slight chance of rain showers and sleet between 11 a.m. and noon. Patchy fog between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 34. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Tuesday night: A chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 40 by 5 a.m. Light and variable wind becoming south around 6 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

2. Water & Sewer Commissioners Raise Rates

Despite severe water quality issues and hundreds of angry and concerned residents, Foxborough's Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to increase the town's water rates 6 percent and sewer rates 7.5 percent.

"If we didn't have to raise the rates we wouldn't be raising the rates," Commissioner Michael Stanton told concerned residents Kevin Weinfeld and Rich Feeley of Mayfair Realty & Development, who attended Monday's rate increase hearing at the town's Water Department Office.

Weinfeld and Feeley told commissioners the water quality at their residential communities on Ledgeville Road and Chestnut Street is unacceptable and hurting their business.

"We have residents saying we are going to move out," Weinfeld said. "Not just out of [Mayfair properties] but out of Foxborough."

Commissioners heard the complaints and concerns regarding the town's water quality but continued to stress the point that there's no quick fix to the issue.

"If there was a quick fix, believe me, we would do it," Stanton said.

The problem is said to be an expensive one as the town will ultimately have to replace the old section of the system in the Chestnut and Mechanic Street area that is mainly responsible for the brown water.

Furthermore, the commissioners maintained their position of not providing residents rebates for brown water, despite the rate increases.

For more information on the brown water issue in town, click here.

Foxborough Patch will update this story with complete coverage of Monday's rate increase hearing. Sign up for Patch's free, online newsletter to receive the updated story in the inbox of your e-mail.

3. Taylor School’s 5th Annual Cake Bake

All Foxborough children are welcome to attend Taylor Elementary School’s Cake Bake on Tuesday in the cafeteria.

Children bake and decorate a cake at home and bring it to Taylor at 6 p.m. to be judged by the elementary school’s panel of local cake bakers. Judges will award cakes with winning category ribbons for many categories (tallest cake, most colorful cake, best use of sprinkles and so many more) while the children are entertained by Tad/Mr. DJ with a variety of games and dances. Then ribbon winners will be read and contestant can try their own cakes. Fun family night for all. $5 to attend. All proceeds benefit the Taylor Family Fund.

4. Third Quarter Property Taxes Due Friday

Foxborough’s third quarter property taxes are due by end of the day Friday, Feb. 1. The town is offering a convenient, safe and secure, online, payment option for your property taxes - click here. Otherwise stop by Foxborough Town Hall by Friday to drop off your payment.

5. Patriot Place Events:

Here’s what’s happening around Patriot Place today:

• 11 a.m. - Storytime at Showcase Cinema de Lux: Meet Arthur at Kids Club Storytime Tuesday.
• Town Night at Winter Skate: Residents of Walpole may simply show proof of residency at the counter and $2 of your admission will be donated back to your town’s recreation department. Click here for more information.