Southbridge
Upcoming
Town Council
This is a reorganizational meeting to swear in councilors-elect, elect a permanent chairperson and vice-chairperson, adopt a seating arrangement, and confirm reappointment of the recording clerk. No substantive policy decisions are on the agenda.
- Swearing-in of councilors-elect
- Election of permanent chairperson and vice-chairperson
- Adoption of permanent seating arrangement
- Vote to confirm reappointment of Sharon Morrissette as Recording Clerk
Town Council
The Southbridge Town Council will confirm several municipal appointments and reappointments, including the municipal hearing officer and members of the Planning Board and Council on Aging. The meeting also includes numerous votes to approve FY26 budget transfers for various town departments, including the Police, Water, and Sewer departments, as well as contracts for construction and community programs.
- Confirm appointment of Madeline Bonadies as municipal hearing officer
- Approve $9,000 Summer ASOST Grant for July-August program
- Approve $75,500 Police Department transfer for data processing
- Approve $357,342.20 Town Manager transfer to Stabilization Fund
- Approve contract extension for River Crane Street Phase 1 construction
Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization
The Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization is holding a virtual public hearing to review Proposed TIP Amendment #9. This amendment adjusts federal funding allocations and project timelines for regional highway and transit projects. Residents can comment on a $10.1 million intersection improvement in Worcester and a $4.6 million bridge replacement in Oxford before the July 8 deadline.
- Public hearing on Proposed 2026-2030 TIP Amendment #9
- Project #608961: Chandler Street and May Street intersection improvements in Worcester ($10,121,005 total)
- Project #605323: Leicester Road bridge replacement over French River in Oxford ($4,594,106 total)
- Funding shifts including $4.17M in Carbon Reduction Program grants and $3.28M reduction in STBG funds
- Comment deadline: July 8, 2026, at 4:30 PM via email or Zoom
Planning Board
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing to consider a special permit application. The request is to allow the operation of a restaurant at a specific location on South Street.
- Special permit application for a restaurant at 276 South Street (Map 49, Lot 127)
Planning Board
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a special permit application from Greg Cumings to allow a restaurant at 276 South Street. The board will also consider an Approval Not Required (ANR) plan for 70 Foster Street and continue its review of the Zoning Bylaw.
- Special permit hearing for restaurant at 276 South Street
- Approval Not Required for 70 Foster Street
- Zoning Bylaw review ongoing
Conservation Commission
The Commission will continue a public hearing regarding wetlands violation remediation and a proposed subdivision by CAAR Development, LLC. Members will also receive updates on projects at 87 Golf Street, 18-30 Mill Street, and Dudley River Road.
- Public Hearing: CAAR Development, LLC wetlands violation and subdivision (107 & 111 Highfield Drive and 376 Pleasant Street)
- Update on 87 Golf Street
- Update on 18-30 Mill Street
- Update on Dudley River Road DEP action
- Review of proposed rules and regulations
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on a variance application by Andrew McCullough to reduce a side setback for a residential building at 2 Meadowbrook Road. The board will also vote on approving minutes from the previous meeting and receive a staff update.
- Variance application for side setback reduction at 2 Meadowbrook Road (Map 54, Lot 91)
- Owner: June A. Ford Irrevocable Trust
- Approval of minutes from May 7, 2026
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Southbridge Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider a variance application from Andrew McCullough to reduce the side setback for a residential building at 2 Meadowbrook Road. The property is owned by the June A. Ford Irrevocable Trust.
- Variance application by Andrew McCullough for side setback reduction at 2 Meadowbrook Road (Map 54, Lot 91)
Worcester Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board
This meeting is largely procedural: approval of previous minutes, public comment, and an administrator's report. No major decisions or financial items are listed on the agenda.
Public Pole Hearings
The Town Manager will hold public hearings regarding petitions from National Grid. The company seeks permission to install or relocate utility poles and wires for infrastructure extensions on Ellis Road and West Street.
- Ellis Rd: Install 1 pole and relocate 1 pole for primary line extension
- West St: Install 1 pole for new feeder infrastructure
Last 30 days
Bylaw Review Committee
The Bylaw Review Committee will discuss proposed revisions to sections 3-107 and 3-306, as well as Chapter 5 Finance. The meeting is primarily procedural.
- Review revision to section 3-107 Filing of Minutes
- Review revision to section 3-306
- Review Bylaw chapter 5 Finance
- Review tasks for next meeting
- Vote to approve minutes (if available)
Insurance Advisory Committee
The Insurance Advisory Committee will discuss and possibly vote on a retire vision rider, a dental plan benefit increase, and a school employee deduction schedule for 2021/2022.
- Retire Vision Rider
- Dental Plan Benefit Increase
- School 21/22 Employee Deduction Schedule
Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Board
The board is reviewing progress on right-of-way tree marking and the municipal tree inventory. Members will also discuss potential new tree ordinances and the responsibilities of a Tree Warden.
- Right-of-Way (ROW) tree marking progress
- Municipal tree inventory update
- Review of tree ordinance/bylaw examples
- Arbor Day planning for Eastford Road School and Trinity Academy
Town Council
The Town Council will confirm multiple appointments, approve numerous fund transfers including $357,342 to the Stabilization Fund and $189,500 for prior sewer invoices, and extend contracts for the River Crane Street Phase I construction. They will also authorize agreements for pool programming, pest control, and community gardens fund.
- Transfer of $357,342.20 to Stabilization Fund from various accounts
- Appropriation of $189,500 from Sewer Retained Earnings for prior Jacobs invoices
- Contract extensions for River Crane Street Phase I to July 31, 2026
- Establishment of Community Gardens Fund
- Appointments to boards and commissions
Southbridge Housing Authority
The Southbridge Housing Authority will review financial reports, accounts payable, and program updates. The board is scheduled to vote on approving a bid for an AHU replacement and writing off vacated tenant accounts.
- Approval of AALANCO Service Corp. bid for $46,996.00
- Approval of wage match
- Review of accounts payable and receivable
- Vacancy review
- Program updates for Section 8 and other housing programs
Retirement Board
The Southbridge Retirement Board will consider approving a warrant totaling $855,118.55 for retiree payroll, payroll end checks, and accounts payable. They will also vote on the superannuation retirements of two Bay Path Vocational High School employees and several refunds and transfers of accumulated deductions.
- Vote to approve warrant W062026 for $855,118.55
- Vote to approve retirement of Suzanne Putis (Bay Path, 10.17 years service)
- Vote to approve retirement of Joseph Losavio (Bay Path, 11.58 years service)
- Vote to approve transfer of deductions for Michelle Hill (23.5 total years to Hampden County Regional)
- Administrator's FY 2027 COLA & evaluation discussion
Planning & Development Subcommittee
The subcommittee will review and recommend several board appointments and grant amendments to the Town Council. Key discussions include expanding the North Street construction scope to add ADA ramps and a crosswalk, and approving a $4,800 agreement with ZenCity for planning software. The group will also handle extensions for federal CDBG grant contracts and recommend new members to local boards.
- Agreement with ZenCity for Civil Space storyboard software ($4,800)
- Scope increase for North Street construction to include ADA ramps and a crosswalk
- Amendment and extension of CDBG FY22-23 grant to reallocate remaining funds
- Extension of CDBG FY24 contract to July 31, 2026
- Recommendations for appointments to the Planning Board and Economic Development Commission
Liquor Licensing Board
The Southbridge Liquor Licensing Board will discuss a temporary pilot program from the state of Massachusetts that would extend bar closing hours to 3:00 a.m. The board will also consider one-day liquor licenses and hear updates from the liquor agent. Approval of minutes from the previous meeting and scheduling of the next meeting are also on the agenda.
- Discussion of temporary pilot to extend bar closing to 3:00 a.m.
- Consideration of one-day liquor licenses
- Liquor agent updates
- Approval of meeting minutes from May 21, 2026
- Board member discussion and next meeting date
General Government Subcommittee
The General Government Subcommittee will review several municipal budget transfer requests and two official appointments. The body is deciding whether to recommend these items to the full Town Council for final approval.
- Appointment of Madeline Bonadies as Municipal Hearing Officer
- Re-appointment of Layne D. Wandelear to the Liquor Licensing Board
- Transfer of $357,342.20 from salary accounts to the Stabilization Fund
- Transfer of $79,500 for Police Department data processing and equipment maintenance
- Transfer of $47,100 from Council Reserve for solid waste, gas, and heating fuel
Education & Human Services Subcommittee
The Joint Education and Human Services Subcommittee will review several appointments to the Council on Aging and Board of Health, discuss creating a new Community Gardens Fund to accept donations, and consider a $9,000 summer grant. A handful of small budget transfers, a YMCA pool usage agreement, and proposals for yoga classes at the Senior Center are also on the agenda.
- Establishment of Community Gardens Fund to receive and spend donations
- Acceptance of $9,000 Summer 2026 ASOST grant for after-school programs
- Approval of usage agreement with Tri-Community YMCA for summer pool programming
- Yoga proposals: $2,500 for weekly chair yoga and $1,250 for bi-weekly Chair Yoga Bingo in Spanish
- Small budget transfers: $100 (Community Center), $750 (Health Dept), $150 (Recreation), $129 (Recreation/COA)
Department of Public Works Subcommittee
The DPW Subcommittee will review multiple budget transfers and a payment from sewer retained earnings. Key items include a $189,500 payment to Jacobs for prior year invoices and a $187,000 transfer to the compost account. The committee will also consider contract extensions for the River Crane Street Phase 1 construction project to be completed by July 31, 2026.
- Review $49,000 transfer from salary to overtime for snow and ice
- Review $10,000 transfer from water capital reserve to equipment maintenance
- Review $189,500 appropriation from Sewer Retained Earnings for prior invoices to Jacobs
- Review $187,000 sewer transfer to compost account from operations, collection, and reserve
- Approve contract extensions for Mass Works grant and AF Amorello for River Crane Street Phase 1
Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing regarding a subdivision plan and wetlands violation remediation. Members will also discuss enforcement steps for a property on Golf Street and receive updates on Mill Street and Dudley River Road.
- Public hearing: CAAR Development, LLC (107 & 111 Highfield Drive and 376 Pleasant Street)
- Enforcement discussion: 87 Golf Street
- Status update: 18-30 Mill Street
- DEP action update: Dudley River Road
- Review of proposed rules and regulations
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will review and sign the Warrant and Notice of Commitment for 2027 preliminary real estate and personal property taxes. They will also discuss and sign any abatement reports and hold taxpayer forums. The meeting includes approval of prior minutes and new business.
- Sign Warrant & Notice of Commitment for 2027 Prelims (real estate and personal property)
- Review and sign Abatement report(s), if any
- Open Taxpayer forum and Board Open Forum
Jacob Edwards Library Board of Trustees
The Board will review financial reports and updates on the Municipal ADA Improvement Grant for an elevator. Discussions include a special project for the Local History Room and updated policies regarding meeting rooms.
- ADA PDF compliance and town accessibility
- Local History Room special project
- MOU with the Friends of the Library
- Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program elevator update
- Meeting room policy research
Historical Commission
The Historical Commission will consider a request from John DeAngelis to nominate 126 Morris Street to the National Register of Historic Places. The commission may also discuss a working demolition delay by-law and hold a commission forum.
- Review request to nominate 126 Morris Street to National Register
- Discussion of working demolition delay by-law