Stewardship Committee structure and merger proposal | southborough.infohttps://southborough.info/issues/stewardship-committee-structure/2026-10-15T23:35:55-04:00Select Board, Tue, Aug 11: Stewardship Committee charge amendment and appointmenthttps://southborough.info/topics/YVXhyk05YQ8/102026-08-11T12:00:00ZThe board reconsidered an appointment to the Southborough Stewardship Committee following previous procedural questions. Because the committee's existing charge designated one seat for an Open Space Committee representative and that committee was no longer represented by the applicant, the board voted 4-1 to amend the committee charge to convert the seat into a fourth at-large position. The board then unanimously appointed Freddie Gillespie to the at-large seat. Outcome: Amended the committee charge 4-1 and appointed Freddie Gillespie 5-0.Stewardship Committee, Tue, Aug 4: Select Board meeting preparation and committee structurehttps://southborough.info/topics/odCLG9N4LBk/12026-08-04T12:00:00ZThe committee discussed an upcoming August 11 Select Board agenda item concerning committee appointments and potential proposals to combine the Stewardship Committee with the Open Space Preservation Commission. Members expressed a unified stance that the Stewardship Committee should remain a distinct, ad-hoc entity focused strictly on maintenance and land management of Breakneck Hill and the Town Forest. The committee reaffirmed its support for appointing an experienced former member to an at-large seat. Outcome: Committee members agreed to attend the August 11 Select Board meeting to advocate for maintaining their current mission and structure.Conservation Commission, Thu, Jun 25: Stewardship Committee membership and Select Board communicationhttps://southborough.info/topics/IrDN9mU1ybM/82026-06-25T12:00:00ZStewardship Committee chair Joyce Greenleaf addressed the commission regarding the Select Board's decision not to reappoint Freddie Gillespie to the Open Space Preservation Commission, which caused Gillespie to lose her designated seat on Stewardship. Stewardship members requested that the Conservation Commission urge the Select Board to convert the seat to an at-large position, reappoint Gillespie, and oppose merging Open Space and Stewardship. Commissioners expressed strong support and voted to send a formal letter to the Select Board. Outcome: Voted 5-0 to send a letter of support to the Select Board advocating for Gillespie's reappointment and preserving committee independence.Planning Board, Mon, Jun 22: Routine business and tribute to Freddie Gillespiehttps://southborough.info/topics/6H4R-9hc3ew/92026-06-22T12:00:00ZThe board approved the meeting minutes of June 1, 2026. The chair and members then paid tribute to Freddie Gillespie for her 26 years of service to the town and collaboration with the Planning Board after the Select Board opted not to reappoint her to the Open Space Preservation Commission. Outcome: Minutes approved; tribute deliveredSelect Board, Tue, Jun 16: Committee reappointments: Historical, Open Space, and Stewardshiphttps://southborough.info/topics/mCf5Dw5Wi6c/72026-06-16T12:00:00ZThe board addressed held committee reappointments. Kelly O'Brien declined reappointment to the Historical Commission due to relocating, which the board formally rejected 0-5. For Freddie Gillespie, the chair and members raised concerns over board consolidation goals and procedural issues from Town Meeting and developer meetings, leading the board to deny her reappointment to the Open Space Preservation Commission on a 0-5 vote despite public support. Her appointment to the Stewardship Committee was tabled pending structural clarification. Outcome: O'Brien appointment failed 0-5; Gillespie OSPC appointment failed 0-5; Gillespie Stewardship appointment tabled