May 4–10, 2026

The Select Board voted unanimously to award the Neary School building feasibility study architectural contract to Tappe Architects upon recommendation from the building committee. The board also authorized the Department of Public Works to utilize bottom-line budget transfers and voted to request a $24,900 Reserve Fund transfer to address DEP-mandated landfill environmental monitoring and residential well sampling. In addition, members paid tribute to outgoing board member Al Hamilton during his final meeting.

• Board announcements and farewell to Al Hamilton

  Governance & committees. Watch at 1:51

  The chair highlighted upcoming community events and acknowledged departing town officials, with board members sharing extended tributes to member Al Hamilton on his final meeting after years of town service. A member also outlined town activities planned for Mental Health Awareness Month.

  • Regional WooSox night scheduled for May 22 for regional towns including Southborough.
  • Select Board members praised Al Hamilton for his extensive public service, including work on the Advisory Committee, Affordable Housing Trust, and Regional Emergency Communications Center.
  • Mental Health Awareness Month activities include a Celebration of Wellness event at the Community House on May 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

  Outcome: Information shared; no formal action required.

• Neary School feasibility study architect selection

  Schools. Watch at 13:20 Neary School building project · 16 meetings

  The Elementary School Building Committee reported on its evaluation of five proposals submitted for designer services on the Neary School feasibility study. After interviewing three finalists, the committee recommended Tappe Architects due to their community engagement strategy and school design expertise, and the board voted to award the contract.

  • Five proposals were received and three firms were interviewed: Arrowstreet, RGB Architects, and Tappe Architects.
  • The committee unanimously favored Tappe Architects after an extensive evaluation and deliberation process.
  • Board members discussed ensuring community transparency and engagement throughout the feasibility process.

  Outcome: Voted unanimously to accept the committee recommendation, award the contract to Tappe Architects, and authorize contract negotiations.

  Why it matters: Selecting the designer advances the feasibility phase for modernizing or rebuilding the Neary Elementary School, a major capital investment for the town.

• DPW budget overages and landfill monitoring funding

  Environment & conservation. Watch at 26:26 Southborough landfill environmental assessment · 4 meetings

  Department of Public Works Superintendent Bill Cundiff detailed department budget deficits driven by staffing vacancies, overtime, severe winter snow and ice expenses exceeding $170,000, and mandated landfill testing. The board approved bottom-line spending and voted to seek a $24,900 Reserve Fund transfer to fund private well testing and environmental risk assessment required by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

  • DPW experienced a $15,800 salary deficit due to unfilled vacancies and overtime, as well as an approximately $170,000 snow and ice overage.
  • A 1,4-dioxane hit in a landfill monitoring well prompted the state DEP to mandate risk assessments and sampling of two adjacent private drinking wells.
  • Initial drinking well tests showed no exceedances of drinking water standards, but DEP is seeking ongoing PFAS monitoring.
  • Consultant PAR submitted a $24,900 contract amendment for the landfill and private well assessment work.
  • The town may consider a Fall Town Meeting article to extend municipal water service lines to the two neighboring homes to eliminate perpetual private well testing.

  Outcome: Voted unanimously to approve DPW bottom-line spending and to request a $24,900 Reserve Fund transfer from the Advisory Committee for the PAR contract amendment.

  Why it matters: Environmental monitoring protects residential drinking water quality near the closed landfill, while reserve fund transfers and budget adjustments keep public works operations solvent through the fiscal year.

Votes

Next steps and dates mentioned

• next month: Final environmental assessment report on the landfill from consultant PAR expected
• fall Town Meeting: Potential warrant article to fund municipal water service line extension to residences near the landfill

The Southborough Zoning Board of Appeals met on May 6, 2026, to consider two residential zoning applications and review comprehensive permit conditions for a major Chapter 40B development. The board continued a variance request for a two-car garage at 22 Newton Street and a special permit hearing for 34 Turnpike Road to June 10. The board then conducted an in-depth review of the draft decision, conditions, and waiver requests for the 32-unit rental townhouse project at 250 Turnpike Road and 9 Parkerville Road, voting unanimously to accept the conditions with minor amendments.

• 22 Newton Street variance hearing

  Zoning & development. Watch at 0:23 22 Newton Street garage variance · 2 meetings

  The board opened a public hearing on a variance petition under Section 174-8.3(D)(3)(b) to construct an encroaching two-car detached garage on the side lot line in the Residence B district. Town officials and board members expressed major concerns regarding zero-foot side setbacks and a Board of Health finding that the proposed structure would obstruct vehicle and equipment access needed to repair or replace the property's septic system. Board members suggested the applicant explore alternatives, including a one-car garage, a tandem garage layout, or a recorded emergency access easement across the abutting commercial property.

  • Address: 22 Newton Street
  • Applicant seeks a variance to build a 23-foot by 23-foot two-car garage up to the property line
  • Required side setback is 20 feet for principal structures or 10 feet for accessory buildings
  • Board of Health warned the placement would block rear access for septic replacement or heavy excavation
  • The board discussed alternative tandem or narrower garage configurations with the applicant

  Outcome: Hearing continued to June 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

• 34 Turnpike Road special permit hearing

  Zoning & development. Watch at 29:50 34 Turnpike Road special permit · 2 meetings

  The board considered an application for a special permit regarding unpermitted construction and renovations at 34 Turnpike Road that exceeded previous approvals. Neither the applicant nor legal counsel attended, and staff confirmed the applicant's prior attorney had recently withdrawn from representation. Board members voiced frustration over lack of communication and unresolved Board of Health concerns about septic setbacks, deciding to give the applicant a final opportunity to appear before initiating enforcement action.

  • Address: 34 Turnpike Road
  • Applicant and legal counsel failed to appear for the scheduled hearing
  • Town staff reported the applicant's attorney recently withdrew from representation
  • Concerns include work exceeding prior renovation approvals and lack of an updated site plan showing septic system setbacks
  • Town staff will send a certified letter warning that the application must be presented on June 10 or face denial, which would trigger zoning enforcement

  Outcome: Hearing continued to June 10, 2026, at 7:15 PM.

• 250 Turnpike Road 40B comprehensive permit decision

  Housing. Watch at 42:25 250 Turnpike Road 40B development · 9 meetings

  Town special counsel presented the detailed draft comprehensive permit decision, findings of fact, conditions, and waivers for a Chapter 40B development at 250 Turnpike Road and 9 Parkerville Road. The proposed development consists of 32 rental townhouse units, including eight affordable units (25 percent) restricted to households earning up to 80 percent of area median income. The board reviewed dozens of specific conditions covering pre-construction reviews, peer engineering oversight, wetland buffer zone mitigation, traffic and school bus accommodations, stormwater management, and dual regulatory agreements to protect long-term affordability.

  • Location: 250 Turnpike Road and 9 Parkerville Road (approximately 3.5 acres)
  • Project scope: 32 rental townhouse units (24 two-bedroom and 8 three-bedroom units), with 8 designated affordable units
  • Condition 11 amended to clarify that final site plans will depict 6-foot privacy fencing on the project property rather than tying it to abutter agreements
  • Condition 73 adjusted to specify that no building permits for vertical construction will be issued prior to wastewater approvals
  • Includes a requirement for a springing local regulatory agreement to maintain affordability in perpetuity after state monitoring ends

  Outcome: The board voted unanimously to approve the comprehensive permit conditions as revised.

  Why it matters: The decision approves conditions for a 32-unit housing development, advancing the town's Chapter 40B subsidized housing inventory while establishing strict environmental and engineering oversight on Route 9.

Votes

Next steps and dates mentioned

• June 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM: Continued public hearing on 22 Newton Street variance petition
• June 10, 2026, at 7:15 PM: Continued public hearing on 34 Turnpike Road special permit petition
• June 10, 2026: Next regular Zoning Board of Appeals meeting
• July 15, 2026, and August 12, 2026: Zoning Board of Appeals summer meetings

The Board of Health reviewed ongoing neighborhood complaints regarding the Brox asphalt plant on the Marlborough border, hearing from an affected Stow Road resident and reiterating that MassDEP holds primary regulatory jurisdiction. Staff received board backing to pursue a cease-and-desist order through Town Counsel against an unlicensed bodywork establishment operating at 7 Turnpike Road. The board also received an update on strategic planning for the Greater Boroughs Partnership for Health and finalized the timeline for annual staff performance reviews.

• Greater Boroughs Partnership for Health strategic planning update

  Health & human services. Watch at 0:16

  Health department staff updated the board on the five-year strategic planning process conducted alongside consultant HRiA for the regional health collaborative. Initial key informant interviews highlighted three main themes: communication and engagement, funding sustainability, and operational programming and structure.

  • Consultant firm HRiA conducted key informant interviews across the partnership.
  • Three main priority themes were identified: engagement and communication, funding and sustainability, and programming and structure.
  • The collaborative is setting regional health department goals for the next five years.
  • Board members interested in participating in upcoming virtual working sessions were invited to notify staff.

  Outcome: Staff will coordinate attendance for any board members wishing to join upcoming planning sessions.

• Brox asphalt plant odor and noise complaints

  Health & human services. Watch at 4:46 Brox asphalt plant complaints · 2 meetings

  Staff and board members discussed long-standing complaints from Southborough residents regarding odors and early-morning noise emanating from the Brox Industries asphalt plant located across the town line in Marlborough. Town Counsel advised that the facility is outside Southborough's regulatory jurisdiction, leaving formal enforcement to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the City of Marlborough. MassDEP is organizing an on-site stakeholder meeting, which health department staff and a board member plan to attend.

  • Brox Industries operates an asphalt plant located in Marlborough near the Southborough border.
  • Southborough Town Counsel advised the board that it lacks legal jurisdiction over an out-of-town facility and Southborough noise bylaws do not apply.
  • MassDEP is currently leading the regulatory investigation and logging complaints from local residents.
  • MassDEP and Brox are coordinating an on-site meeting tentatively planned for the week following Memorial Day.
  • A board member with a background in environmental health volunteered to join the health director at the upcoming meeting.

  Outcome: The health director and a board member will attend the forthcoming multi-party meeting hosted by MassDEP.

  Why it matters: Residents in northwestern Southborough experience chemical odors and early-morning industrial noise, but local health officials must rely on state regulators to enforce environmental standards across town boundaries.

• Bodywork regulations enforcement at 7 Turnpike Road

  Health & human services. Watch at 25:10 7 Turnpike Road bodywork compliance · 3 meetings

  Health inspectors reported that an apparent massage business operating at 7 Turnpike Road has failed to apply for a town bodywork permit more than a month after being notified of new town regulations. Staff sought the board's agreement to work with Town Counsel to issue a cease-and-desist order.

  • Property location is 7 Turnpike Road.
  • Town inspectors visited the site in person after initial certified mail notifications received no response.
  • A business representative stated intentions to comply over a month ago, but no application was submitted.
  • The establishment is currently operating without a local bodyworks license.

  Outcome: The board gave consensus approval for staff to consult Town Counsel and issue a cease-and-desist order.

Public comment

• A resident of Stow Road addressed the board regarding persistent intermittent chemical and burnt-rubber odors and early-morning noise from the nearby Brox asphalt plant in Marlborough. The resident requested that the towns of Southborough and Marlborough jointly fund an independent air quality consultant to analyze emissions for potential toxins and health hazards, noting that informal complaints are widespread among neighbors who fear speaking out. 11:01

Next steps and dates mentioned

• May 29, 2026: Submission deadline for board member evaluations of the health director
• Week after Memorial Day: Tentative on-site stakeholder meeting at Brox Industries with MassDEP and town officials
• June 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM: Next Board of Health meeting
• July 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM: Board of Health meeting

The Recreation Commission reviewed community feedback gathered from the recent Touch-a-Truck event regarding proposed redesign options for Fayville Memorial Park, including a splash pad and dog park. Landscape architect consultant Activitas presented early findings on parking constraints along Central Street and at Fayville Hall. Commissioners debated how many parking spaces are required, whether to request designated park parking from the Select Board, and the timeline to finalize funding requests for Community Preservation Act money at Fall Town Meeting.

• Fayville Memorial Park design and parking study

  Parks, trails & recreation. Watch at 4:10 Fayville Memorial Park improvements · 10 meetings

  The commission met with consultant Activitas to review public feedback on the Fayville Memorial Park concept designs and evaluate parking capacity options. Discussion centered on the need for barriers around the splash pad, parent seating, and how to accommodate an estimated need of 30 to 35 parking spaces using on-street parking and Fayville Hall spaces.

  • Public feedback favored Option 2 and highlighted a desire for fencing or physical separation between the splash pad and playground, as well as more shaded seating.
  • Central Street currently fits approximately 13 parallel parking spaces, but angled parking would require excavating into the hillside.
  • Fayville Hall has 12 deeded spaces for municipal park use prior to 5:00 PM, consisting of 8 parallel spaces on Central Street and 4 designated lot spaces.
  • Commissioners debated whether to formally ask the Select Board to restrict on-street spots specifically for park use from dawn to dusk, noting potential conflicts with Southborough Historical Society events.
  • Activitas will provide high-level parking calculations and an updated feasibility memo by late May.

  Outcome: Activitas will prepare parking count estimates and the commission will review a draft letter regarding parking designations before engaging the Select Board.

  Why it matters: The project will determine future amenities, safety features, and parking availability at Fayville Memorial Park and requires Community Preservation Committee funding approval ahead of Fall Town Meeting.

Next steps and dates mentioned

• May 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM: Commission meeting with Brian regarding 9/11 memorial and Tri-Centennial updates
• May 20, 2026: Public design presentation for Fayville Memorial Park project
• May 26, 2026: Potential appearance before the Select Board regarding parking designations
• July 2026: Target deadline to finalize updated CPC funding application for Fall Town Meeting