June 15–21, 2026

At its June 16, 2026 meeting, the Select Board filled a Library Board of Trustees vacancy and denied reappointment of long-serving member Freddie Gillespie to the Open Space Preservation Commission following extended debate over past procedural disagreements. The board approved $30,000 in bottom-line spending from the Economic Development Committee budget for a wastewater district improvement study, while stripping a $105,000 police drone request from departmental spending. Members also reviewed a downtown wayfinding plan, received a 2027 Tricentennial update, scheduled the Fall Special Town Meeting for October 17, 2026, and set the 2027 Annual Town Meeting for March 20, 2027.

• Costco special act liquor license update

  Other. Watch at 22:08 Costco special act liquor license

  The town administrator updated the board on special legislation pending at the State House to authorize an additional off-premises liquor license for Costco. House legal counsel drafted refined language giving the town two years to award the license and a three-year sunset if it goes unused, with a legislative hearing scheduled for June 23.

  • Hearing scheduled before House committee June 23 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Town Administrator and Chair to submit written testimony supporting the bill
  • Legislation grants two years to issue license, with three-year reversion to state if dormant

  Outcome: Discussed; board agreed to submit a letter of support

• Police Department bottom-line spending and drone request

  Public safety. Watch at 31:26 Police Department drone program · 4 meetings

  Police Chief Ryan Newell requested permission to use $118,000 in department and dispatch salary surplus from unfilled positions for equipment, repairs, and a five-year American-made drone program priced at $105,000. Board members supported safety gear such as AED batteries, medical bags, and cruiser ballistic plates, but objected to funding a major drone purchase through year-end operational transfers instead of vetting it through the Capital Committee and Town Meeting.

  • Police and dispatch surplus exceeded six figures due to vacant positions and grant funding
  • American-made drone system costs $105,000 under a five-year program with hardware refreshes
  • Board approved operational items including AED batteries and ballistic vests but removed drone

  Outcome: Approved 5-0 without the drone purchase

  Why it matters: Ensures town equipment purchases over capital thresholds follow formal capital vetting and Town Meeting appropriation procedures rather than reallocating salary savings.

• Downtown Southborough Wayfinding Plan presentation

  Roads, water & infrastructure. Watch at 46:06 Downtown Southborough Wayfinding Plan · 2 meetings

  Whitney Burdge of Stantec presented the draft Downtown Southborough Wayfinding Plan funded through a state Massachusetts Downtown Initiative grant. The plan inventories 45 existing signs, categorizes directional, gateway, and informational sign typologies, and proposes a phased implementation schedule. Board members and the Historical Commission chair suggested adding omitted historic locations such as the Community House and Burnett House, while noting public preference for simpler designs.

  • Study inventoried 45 existing downtown signs across state, town, and private ownership
  • Proposed typologies include vehicular directional, pedestrian directional, and gateway signs
  • Town will seek Phase 2 One Stop grant funding in October to develop fabrication specs
  • Board will revisit sign designs and destination lists at its July 7 meeting

  Outcome: Presentation received; board to review next steps on July 7, 2026

• Tricentennial Committee update and banner proposal

  Roads, water & infrastructure. Watch at 1:17:55 Tricentennial commemorative street banners · 9 meetings

  Tricentennial Committee Chair Don Morris and Vice Chair Patty Fiore presented an update on preparations for Southborough's 300th anniversary in 2027. Following Town Meeting approval of a sign bylaw amendment, the committee plans to install 50 decorative street banners on utility poles from August 1, 2026 through January 31, 2028, at an estimated cost of $3,500 to $5,000. Other planned activities include a January 2027 drone show, a parade, a cemetery walking tour, a summer 2027 music spectacular, tree plantings, and a brick fundraiser.

  • Town Meeting authorized light pole banners to remain up through January 31, 2028
  • Proposal calls for 50 banners across Main Street, Fayville, Cordaville, and Southville
  • Committee has raised over $205,000 in pledges, donations, and brick sales toward events
  • Committee seeks town volunteers to fill two committee vacancies and help run working groups

  Outcome: Discussed; town administration to coordinate pole permissions with National Grid and Verizon

• Committee reappointments: Historical, Open Space, and Stewardship

  Governance & committees. Watch at 1:47:27 Stewardship Committee structure and merger proposal · 5 meetings

  The 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.

  • Kelly O'Brien moving out of Southborough; reappointment rejected 0-5
  • Freddie Gillespie denied reappointment to Open Space Preservation Commission 0-5
  • Board members cited committee consolidation efforts and past procedural conflicts
  • Public commenters urged reappointment, praising Gillespie's extensive conservation achievements
  • Stewardship Committee reappointment tabled to the next meeting

  Outcome: O'Brien appointment failed 0-5; Gillespie OSPC appointment failed 0-5; Gillespie Stewardship appointment tabled

  Why it matters: Removes a long-serving conservation leader from the Open Space Preservation Commission and signals Select Board scrutiny over committee alignment and town governance reform.

• Wastewater Study Committee DIF financial analysis funding

  Roads, water & infrastructure. Watch at 2:38:40 Route 9 wastewater infrastructure plan · 9 meetings

  The Wastewater Study Committee requested $30,000 in bottom-line spending from the Economic Development Committee's unused budget to engage MassDevelopment consultants. The consultants will conduct parcel-by-parcel financial and economic projections to support a District Improvement Financing (DIF) article along the Route 9 corridor at Fall Special Town Meeting.

  • $30,000 reallocated from Economic Development Committee salary and services surplus
  • MassDevelopment consultants to project incremental property tax revenues along Route 9
  • Intended to support defining a DIF district at the Fall Special Town Meeting
  • Approved 4-1 with member Andrew Pfaff dissenting over circumventing Town Meeting appropriation

  Outcome: Passed 4-1

  Why it matters: Commits $30,000 toward economic modeling for a potential wastewater infrastructure financing district along Route 9, which could fund sewer construction using future tax growth.

• Fall Special Town Meeting and 2027 Annual Town Meeting dates

  Town Meeting & elections. Watch at 2:47:40

  The board evaluated calendar conflicts and school facility availability to establish meeting dates. Members approved scheduling the Fall Special Town Meeting for Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM, and the 2027 Annual Town Meeting for Saturday, March 20, 2027, at 10:00 AM.

  • Fall Special Town Meeting set for Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM
  • Annual Town Meeting set for Saturday, March 20, 2027, at 10:00 AM
  • Board prioritized Saturdays to accommodate families, avoid school-night bedtimes, and assist seniors

  Outcome: Passed 5-0

  Why it matters: Sets the dates and weekend daytime schedule for residents to debate town bylaws, appropriations, and major committee warrant articles.

Routine business (5 items)

• National Grid pole petition on Parkerville Road

  Roads, water & infrastructure. Watch at 7:33 Parkerville Road utility pole petition · 5 meetings

  The board continued a public hearing regarding National Grid petition WR31279067 for a new pole on Parkerville Road. National Grid and town representatives reached a compromise with an abutting property owner to relocate the proposed pole roughly 1,000 feet further up the road toward the schools.

  • Petition WR31279067 on Parkerville Road
  • Pole relocated approximately 1,000 feet to an open area with no direct abutters

  Outcome: Approved 5-0; public hearing closed 5-0

• Joint appointment to Library Board of Trustees

  Library, arts & community. Watch at 10:40

  The Select Board met jointly with the Library Board of Trustees to fill a vacancy created by the departure of Marguerite. Molly Schofield, a volunteer with the Friends of the Southborough Library, was nominated and appointed to serve through the May 2027 town election.

  • Fills unexpired term of former trustee Marguerite through May 2027
  • Trustees board consists of six members under state law

  Outcome: Approved 5-0 by Select Board and unanimously by Library Trustees

• Routine business

  Governance & committees. Watch at 24:16

  The board approved consent agenda items, accepted a $102,500 donation from St. Mark's School for a police vehicle and general fund, approved the annual employment contract renewal for Mark Robidoux with a 3 percent salary increase, approved amended meeting minutes, and voted to enter executive session.

  • Accepted $102,500 donation from St. Mark's School
  • Approved employment contract renewal for Mark Robidoux for FY27
  • Approved meeting minutes for May 29, June 2, and June 8, 2026
  • Voted to enter executive session regarding union negotiations and minutes

  Outcome: Approved

• Select Board office hours format

  Governance & committees. Watch at 2:31:18

  Board members reviewed the effectiveness of their weekly office hours, noting near-zero attendance at Town House sessions. Members agreed to move away from rigid weekday evening sessions in town hall and instead set up informational tables at public community events or offer remote Zoom availability.

  • Member Tim Flang reported having zero attendees at recent office hours
  • Board consensus to transition to event-based outreach and occasional hybrid or Zoom sessions

  Outcome: Board agreed to reformat office hours around town events

• Select Board appointment to Affordable Housing Trust

  Housing. Watch at 2:59:34

  Following the departure of Al Hamilton from the Select Board, the board appointed member Sam Stivers to serve as the Select Board representative on the Affordable Housing Trust for a one-year term.

  • Fills required Select Board seat on the Affordable Housing Trust
  • One-year term expiring June 30, 2027

  Outcome: Passed 5-0

Votes

Public comment

• A resident asked for clarification regarding the term STWO in board goal setting, which the board clarified stands for Senior Tax Work-Off. 21:40
• The chair of the Historical Commission provided feedback on the wayfinding plan, urging the inclusion of omitted locations such as the Community House, Town Common, Rural Cemetery, and Burnett House, and noting that current historic district signs are readable and well-regarded. 1:05:02
• Freddie Gillespie defended her track record and past initiatives, explaining that her Town Meeting knotweed amendment arose from sudden new legal and environmental data and apologizing for any procedural friction, while highlighting ongoing conservation projects. 2:00:52
• The chair of the Stewardship Committee spoke in favor of reappointing Freddie Gillespie, noting her deep volunteer commitment, expertise, and essential role in active habitat restoration and meadow management projects. 2:15:10
• A resident of Southville Road praised Freddie Gillespie's expertise and community dedication, urging the board to retain experienced volunteers and avoid personal disagreements. 2:19:18

Next steps and dates mentioned

• June 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM: Legislative hearing on Costco special act liquor license bill
• July 7, 2026: Select Board meeting to discuss wayfinding plan next steps and warrant items
• October 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM: Fall Special Town Meeting
• March 20, 2027 at 10:00 AM: Annual Town Meeting

In a brief special open meeting following an executive session, the Southborough School Committee voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with the Southborough Teachers Association for Unit C. The bargaining unit includes school administrative assistants and educational support professionals. Officials commended the collaborative bargaining process and noted the agreement will be made public once ratified by both sides.

• Southborough Teachers Association Unit C contract approval

  Schools. Watch at 0:26 Southborough Teachers Association Unit C contract

  The School Committee reconvened into open session to consider approval of a three-year contract negotiated with the Southborough Teachers Association for Unit C. District administration reported that negotiations were highly collaborative and productive.

  • Covers Unit C administrative assistants and educational support professionals
  • Three-year contract term
  • Previously reviewed and voted on in executive session
  • Document will be made public after ratification by both parties

  Outcome: Approved unanimously by roll call vote (5-0)

  Why it matters: The contract determines compensation, working conditions, and terms of employment for school support staff who work directly with students and school offices.

Routine business (1 item)

• Routine business

  Schools. Watch at 2:33

  The committee conducted procedural business to conclude the special meeting.

  • Adjourned at 2:02 PM by unanimous roll call vote

  Outcome: Approved

Votes

The Southborough Elementary School Building Committee convened with newly contracted design firm Tappé Architects to initiate work on a revised approach for the Neary Elementary School project. Members and the architects reviewed lessons from the failed prior MSBA proposal, emphasizing the need for a menu of tiered renovation options, early engagement with other town committees, and transparent community communication. The architects indicated that the October 17 Special Town Meeting is likely too soon for a comprehensive funding vote and recommended using it for an informational update ahead of the 2025 Annual Town Meeting.

• Neary School project kickoff and strategy with Tappé Architects

  Schools. Watch at 0:27 Neary School building project · 16 meetings

  The committee held an introductory work session with Tappé Architects following the execution of their contract to study renovation options for Neary Elementary School. Members detailed past project challenges, urging architects to prepare multiple flexible options and avoid past issues regarding limited community consensus. The team also addressed building condition challenges, site constraints, and the expected cadence of future meetings.

  • Tappé Architects executed their contract within the past two weeks and are reviewing past MSBA project files and drawings.
  • Members stressed avoiding a single take-it-or-leave-it option, recommending a menu ranging from code-compliant repairs to broader educational renovations.
  • A member highlighted site and structural concerns, including the adjacent landfill, unflagged wetlands, and poor fill soils near the building.
  • Architects noted the scheduled October 17 Special Town Meeting is tight for a full funding package and suggested an informational presentation instead, eyeing a potential spring vote.
  • Tappé plans a light schematic design approach allowing cost estimates across multiple renovation tiers.

  Outcome: Tappé Architects will draft a project work plan, roadmap, and schedule to present at the next meeting.

  Why it matters: The study will determine the scope and cost of future school renovations and directly impacts local taxes, school facilities, and Town Meeting warrant articles.

Routine business (1 item)

• Routine business

  Schools. Watch at 53:02

  The committee opened the floor for any unscheduled business, held a brief public comment period with no attendees speaking, and adjourned the meeting.

  • No public comments were offered.

  Outcome: Meeting adjourned by roll-call vote at 7:56 PM.

Next steps and dates mentioned

• July 8, 2024 at 7:00 PM: Next Elementary School Building Committee meeting to review work plan and schedule
• October 17, 2024: Special Town Meeting

Note on the recording: The video title lists the date as 6/17/26, but the recording timestamp confirms the meeting occurred on June 17, 2024.