Where it stands as of Wed, Sep 23
The 2026 Southborough Satisfaction Survey is currently open to residents and running through November 30. The Municipal Technology Committee streamlined the questions and added sections on affordable housing and Council on Aging services to address drop-off rates seen in previous years. Following outreach at community events earlier in the month, the survey remains active online.
- For Municipal Technology Committee Organizing and conducting the 2026 survey, focusing on streamlined questions and expanded community outreach to boost response and completion rates.
- For Affordable Housing Trust Drafted and submitted recommendations on housing questions, clarifying terminology around development types and locations for inclusion in the survey.
Next: Survey closes on November 30, 2026.
Coming up
- Satisfaction Survey close date
Votes
| Date | Board | Motion | Result | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal Technology Committee | Appoint Paul Probst as a volunteer consultant to assist with survey data analysis 2026 Town Satisfaction Survey | Passed5-0 | 10:49 |
Every time it came up newest first
-
Town satisfaction survey housing questions review
The trust reviewed draft survey questions on affordable housing prepared for the Municipal Technology Committee's townwide satisfaction survey. Members discussed clarifying question wording, replacing confusing architectural terms, and adjusting demographic categories.
- Trustees recommended replacing 'two-to-three story higher density developments' with simpler phrasing like 'two-to-three story developments'.
- Members recommended clarifying 'workforce housing' to specify housing affordable for middle-income workers, including town employees and young families.
- Question 68 was recommended to ask about housing in the downtown area rather than near the transfer station.
- Trustees asked that multiple-choice questions clearly state 'check all that apply'.
Outcome: Comments and revisions will be submitted to the chair of the Municipal Technology Committee.
-
· Municipal Technology Committee
2026 Southborough Satisfaction Survey design and outreach
The committee reviewed the draft 2026 Southborough Satisfaction Survey, targeted to run from October 1 through November 30, 2026. A volunteer consultant presented drop-off analytics from the 2025 survey showing completion dropped from 284 starts to 154 completions, prompting discussion on shortening the survey, streamlining repetitive department rating matrices, and adding sections for affordable housing and the Senior Center/Council on Aging. Outreach plans were established to distribute flyers and links at schools, the Community Garage Sale, and Heritage Day.
- Survey period is scheduled to run from October 1 to November 30, 2026.
- 2025 survey had 284 people start the survey, with 154 completing the entire survey.
- The committee agreed to condense question matrices where resident satisfaction scores have historically shown little variance.
- New draft sections include affordable housing development preferences and Council on Aging/Senior Center service utilization.
- Survey promotion will utilize sboro.org web forwarding, town electronic message boards, school emails, flyers at the October 3-4 Community Garage Sale, and a table at Heritage Day on October 12.
Outcome: Survey questions will be consolidated and streamlined prior to launch; outreach tasks were assigned to members.
-
Municipal Technology Committee survey results and strategy
The Municipal Technology Committee presented the results of its 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey and town employee business process survey. Community ratings remained largely positive for public safety, library services, and quality of life, but lower for street maintenance, transparency, and value for tax dollars. The committee proposed a 90-day action plan focusing on land use and permitting diagnostics, website enhancements, and DPW service request tools.
- 284 residents responded to the 2025 survey wave
- Over 85 percent satisfaction with town safety, fire, EMS, and library services
- Public feedback highlighted concerns with road conditions and tax value
- Recommended four initial pilot areas including DPW service ticketing and transfer station permitting
Outcome: Board endorsed the prioritization framework and agreed to designate liaisons and department heads for each project track.
-
· Municipal Technology Committee
2025 town semi-annual survey results and trend analysis
The committee reviewed an in-depth analysis of Southborough's 2025 town survey covering 284 resident respondents and tracking four-year sentiment trends across town services. Public safety services received the highest satisfaction ratings, while town leadership, transparency, and public works maintenance received lower scores. Members discussed ways to increase participation for future surveys, including outreach at schools, community events, and the commuter rail station.
- A total of 284 residents responded to the 2025 survey, a decline from 468 respondents in 2024 and 510 in 2022.
- Fire/EMS (91%) and police services received the highest satisfaction marks across all town departments.
- Town leadership received an 18% satisfaction rating for governance and 23% for value received for taxes and fees.
- Public Works street maintenance received 16% satisfaction, with respondents requesting full repaving over persistent patchwork.
- The committee plans to launch the next survey in October and present the 2025 findings to the Select Board next week.
Outcome: Survey findings will be distributed to committee liaisons and presented to the Select Board.
-
Annual community survey housing questions
The board discussed submitting questions to the town's annual community survey conducted by the Municipal Technology Committee. Members agreed to focus on housing typologies, demographic needs such as senior and municipal workforce housing, and potential locations along Route 9, downtown, or near the MBTA station. The board decided to exclude questions regarding a real estate transfer fee, determining the topic requires extensive public education first.
- Questions will cover housing styles including single-family homes, townhomes, cottages, multi-family units, and accessory dwelling units.
- Survey options will assess community needs for 55-plus residents, municipal employees, and downsizing opportunities.
- Geographic preference options will include Route 9, downtown, MBTA transit areas, and dispersed neighborhood sites.
- Members decided against surveying on a real estate transfer fee to avoid negative sentiment prior to formal public outreach.
- The chair will draft the proposed questions and circulate them for individual member review.
Outcome: The chair will draft specific survey questions and gather member feedback to finalize the submission.
-
· Municipal Technology Committee
Five-year strategic plan and 2026 resident survey
The committee discussed steps to finalize its five-year strategic plan and prepare for the 2026 town resident survey targeted for October. A member of the Select Board encouraged the committee to align its priorities with the Select Board annual goals to improve chances of municipal funding.
- A consultant analyzing previous survey sentiment and business process optimization nominations will present findings at the August meeting.
- The committee plans to launch the 2026 resident survey in October and will request custom questions from town departments.
- A member of the Select Board suggested presenting a streamlined version of the five-year strategic plan at the September 2 Select Board meeting.
- Aligning committee priorities with adopted Select Board goals could provide access to town funding without relying solely on Town Meeting warrant articles.
Outcome: The chair will request a presentation slot on the Select Board September 2 agenda and circulate the Select Board goals to committee members.
-
· Municipal Technology Committee
Town survey analysis and volunteer appointment
The committee reviewed progress on analyzing town survey data across departments and voted to appoint a volunteer data analyst. Members also decided to schedule the 2026 annual town survey for October to align with department budget planning.
- Chair Matt Probst reported that per-department analysis of the 2025 survey remains underway.
- Paul Probst, a college junior studying data science and the chair's son, offered to volunteer as a data analyst consultant.
- The committee voted unanimously to appoint Paul Probst as a volunteer consultant.
- Members agreed to distribute the next town survey in October 2026, avoiding holiday and back-to-school conflicts while providing timely data for fiscal year 2028 budget requests.
Outcome: Appointed Paul Probst as a volunteer data analyst consultant by a 5-0 vote.