Shrewsbury Select Board defers solid waste rate vote, approves World Cup bar-hours pilot

SHREWSBURY -- June 9, 2026, Shrewsbury Select Board defers a 10 percent solid waste bag fee increase and opts in to a World Cup liquor license extension. The board unanimously voted Tuesday to approve two home rule petitions, one allowing digital legal notices in place of print newspaper publication, the other raising income and asset limits for property tax abatements, both authorized by the 2026 Annual Town Meeting and now headed to the town's legislative delegation. Town Manager Kevin Mizekar proposed raising pay-as-you-throw bag prices to $1.38 (small) and $2.59 (large) starting July 1, targeting roughly $1.586 million in FY27 bag revenue against a $3.374 million program budget, but board member Greg Richards pressed for more data on declining bag consumption trends and recycling contamination costs before the board acts; the item was continued to the next meeting. The board also voted unanimously to opt in to a temporary state pilot, effective immediately through July 31, allowing Shrewsbury's on-site alcohol licensees to extend operating hours by one hour in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Town Manager and Chief of Police granted authority to immediately revoke the extension for any violation.