October 12–18, 2026

The Tricentennial Committee met to coordinate multiple projects celebrating Southborough's upcoming 300th anniversary in 2027. Members reviewed progress on a New Year's Day drone light show, confirmed an antique fire engine muster, and discussed expanding Summer Nights into a large music festival. The committee also received an update on the commemorative brick sales campaign and evaluated the route and format for future town parades.

• Historical music research for 2027 celebrations

  Other. Watch at 30:25

  Guest researcher Juliana Perez presented preliminary findings on historic Southborough music, composers, and performers, including ties to Fay School and regional glee clubs. She is working to locate original sheet music from town history to organize a historic chamber music performance for the 300th anniversary. Committee members offered resources including the Southborough Historical Commission, local historians, and town records.

  • Perez shared research on historic figures including Sarah Shattuck Prentice and former Fay School headmasters.
  • Goal is to recover authentic local sheet music to stage a period-style chamber music performance.
  • The committee recommended contacting the interim town clerk, former town clerk Jim Hegarty, and local historian Sally Waters.

  Outcome: Perez will draft an information request for the committee to circulate via town media.

• Utility pole banners and History in Bloom daffodil planting

  Roads, water & infrastructure. Watch at 1:00:28

  The chair reported on ongoing coordination with utility companies to install celebratory banners on utility poles. The committee also discussed partnering with the Southborough Gardeners to plant over 100 daffodil bulbs in town center locations for spring blooming.

  • Banner locations have been reduced from 87 to 67 poles, with a goal of capping at 50 poles to avoid additional utility inspection fees.
  • Southborough Gardeners have more than 100 daffodil bulbs ready to plant.
  • Town staff and the Department of Public Works are reviewing planting locations near the Town House flagpole to avoid interference with landscaping and protect bulbs from squirrels.

  Outcome: Town administration is continuing paperwork with utilities, and DPW staff will advise on planting sites.

• Summer Nights 2027 music festival planning

  Parks, trails & recreation. Watch at 1:10:58

  The committee discussed expanding the annual Summer Nights event into a large-scale music festival on Saturday, August 21, 2027. Plans include multiple stages, an afternoon start, food trucks, and a variety of musical genres featuring performers with town connections.

  • Target date set for Saturday, August 21, 2027, at the Neary School grounds.
  • Organizers are finalizing an agreement with a headlining act and planning an afternoon contra dance.
  • A grant application is being submitted to fund accessibility features including a hospitality tent and shuttle services.

  Outcome: Organizers are finalizing stage specifications and will coordinate layout with police, fire, and recreation departments.

• First Night and First Day 2027: drone show and winter activities

  Parks, trails & recreation. Watch at 1:23:58

  The committee reviewed plans for New Year's Day celebrations kicking off the tricentennial year on January 1, 2027. A contract has been executed for a 200-drone light show, while logistical challenges prompted reevaluating a proposed community bonfire and horse-drawn hayrides.

  • A contract was signed with vendor Firefly for a 15-minute, 200-drone show at 5:00 PM on January 1, 2027.
  • Drones will launch from St. Mark's field with viewing designated at Woodward School and Town House parking lots.
  • The drone show will include 20 visual formations, including two winning student art designs from Trottier Middle School due November 17.
  • A traditional horse-drawn hay wagon quote exceeded $5,000, prompting the committee to consider tractor wagons instead.
  • Concerns regarding field damage and underground wiring at Woodward School may push the bonfire to a separate January date at Finn School.

  Outcome: Staff and committee leaders will conduct a site walk on Friday to inspect potential bonfire locations and refine event timing.

  Why it matters: This major community kickoff event will establish town celebration activities and requires logistical coordination across schools, public safety, and public property.

• Antique Fireman's Muster

  Other. Watch at 1:49:20

  Organizers reported on preparations for an antique hand tub pumping muster scheduled for 2027. Eight antique fire pumping apparatus teams have confirmed participation, with expectations of 16 to 20 teams competing.

  • Southborough's two historic hand tubs are currently undergoing restoration for competition.
  • Sirloin Catering food truck and two live music acts have been booked.
  • The muster working group confirmed its allocated budget is $25,000, not $35,000.
  • A field layout map will be presented at the November meeting.

  Outcome: Organizers will prepare site and parking layouts for the next committee meeting.

• Town incorporation ceremony and commemorative brick fundraiser

  Governance & committees. Watch at 2:00:53

  The committee discussed a draft framework for the official Town Incorporation Day ceremony and received a status report on commemorative brick sales for the Old Burial Ground walkway.

  • Postcards promoting brick sales were mailed to 3,847 households, and additional cards are being placed in public facilities.
  • Brick orders will be finalized in mid-November for manufacturing over the winter and installation in early spring.
  • A 3-page draft outline for Incorporation Day will be reviewed with the town administrator before presentation to the Select Board.
  • The committee plans to deliver a formal update to the Select Board on December 3, 2024.

  Outcome: Committee leaders will meet with the town administrator after Special Town Meeting to review ceremony plans.

• Heritage Day recap and future parade planning

  Other. Watch at 2:11:41

  Members debriefed the recent Heritage Day parade and evaluated options to increase spectator attendance for future parades. The committee noted that the 2025 parade will move to Sunday afternoon due to the Jewish holiday calendar, and discussed options for managing the parade route and staging areas.

  • The 2025 Heritage Day parade is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, October 12, 2025, to respect Yom Kippur.
  • Members discussed concerns that past parades had more participants marching than spectators watching.
  • Options explored include staging cannons at Sharp Field, adjusting parade length, and securing college marching bands.

  Outcome: The parade working group will review route options and coordinate with public safety officials.

Routine business (2 items)

• Routine business

  Governance & committees. Watch at 40:50

  The committee reviewed, corrected, and approved meeting minutes from previous sessions.

  • Approved August 12, 2024 meeting minutes as amended.
  • Approved September 16, 2024 meeting minutes as amended.

  Outcome: Both sets of meeting minutes were approved by roll call vote.

• Voices from the Grave and History Makers projects

  Other. Watch at 1:19:42

  Working group members shared brief status reports on cemetery history programming and the launch of the History Makers initiative.

  • Committee members plan to observe a cemetery tour in Worcester to help design Southborough's Voices from the Grave event.
  • The History Makers nomination form launched online to recognize notable current and former Southborough residents.
  • Nominations cover contributions in science, civics, volunteering, business, and other fields.

  Outcome: Members will promote History Makers nomination forms through town channels.

Next steps and dates mentioned

• October 18, 2024: Submission of grant application for Summer Nights festival accessibility features
• October 18, 2024: Site walk with recreation staff to evaluate bonfire locations
• November 17, 2024: Deadline for Trottier student artwork submissions for drone show designs
• Mid-November 2024: Deadline to place commemorative brick orders for spring installation
• November 20, 2024: Next Tricentennial Committee meeting
• December 3, 2024: Tricentennial Committee update presentation to the Select Board

Note on the recording: The video recording title labels the meeting date as 10/14/26; however, internal meeting discussions confirm it took place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, immediately following Heritage Day and ahead of the October 19, 2024 Special Town Meeting.

The Golf Committee voted to fund Audubon International membership dues and authorized up to $4,500 from its revolving account to cover a consultant bid for golf course environmental certification. Members also prepared their presentation and advocacy plan for an upcoming Special Town Meeting article seeking additional Community Preservation Act funds for the course irrigation system. Committee members agreed not to pursue floor amendments to alter the article and arranged logistics for resident outreach and meeting attendance.

• Audubon certification dues and consultant funding

  Environment & conservation. Watch at 0:15

  The committee discussed bringing the golf course into good standing with Audubon International and hiring a consultant to complete the environmental certification process. A single proposal from Conservation Works came in at $18,400, which exceeds the existing Community Preservation Act allocation by approximately $4,500. The committee voted to pay past dues and authorize up to $4,500 from its revolving fund to make up the difference while seeking opportunities to negotiate the final scope.

  • Membership dues of $500 are owed for the past year, with another $500 due in November.
  • Three firms were solicited for the Audubon certification scope; two declined and Conservation Works submitted a proposal of $18,400.
  • The proposal exceeded available CPA funds by approximately $4,500.
  • Committee members authorized up to $4,500 from the revolving fund to cover the balance.

  Outcome: Approved $500 in dues and up to $4,500 from the revolving fund for consultant costs.

• Special Town Meeting preparation for irrigation funding article

  Parks, trails & recreation. Watch at 9:34

  The committee coordinated plans for Special Town Meeting on October 17 regarding a warrant article that extends the sunset clause on $550,000 in previously allocated CPA funds and requests roughly $350,000 in new CPA funding, plus $100,000 from the revolving fund, to complete the golf course irrigation project. Members considered whether to ask the Community Preservation Committee to amend or split the article if it faces opposition, but agreed by consensus to keep the article intact and present a united case. The committee also organized informational flyers, poster displays, and resident testimonials.

  • The warrant article addresses the expiration of $550,000 approved in 2024 and requests approximately $350,000 in additional CPA funding plus $100,000 from the revolving fund.
  • Town Moderator Paul Cimino informed committee members that projector slides would not be permitted for general floor speakers.
  • Members decided against asking the Community Preservation Committee to sponsor a fallback floor amendment.
  • The committee arranged to set up an informational table with flyers and posters outside the meeting hall.
  • Members planned to recruit golfers, league members, and long-time residents to speak in favor.

  Outcome: Agreed to proceed with the warrant article as written without seeking floor amendments.

  Why it matters: The outcome of the Town Meeting vote will determine whether the town proceeds with the full golf course irrigation system and whether previously appropriated CPA funds expire.

Routine business (1 item)

• Routine business

  Governance & committees. Watch at 48:05

  The committee approved meeting minutes with a minor spelling correction, set a tentative date for its next regular meeting in November, and adjourned.

  • Prior meeting minutes were approved subject to a minor editorial change.
  • The next regular meeting was tentatively scheduled for November 10, 2026.

  Outcome: Minutes approved and future meeting scheduled.

Votes

Next steps and dates mentioned

• Saturday, October 17 at 9:30 AM: Pre-Town Meeting Golf Committee gathering
• Saturday, October 17 at 10:00 AM: Special Town Meeting
• Tuesday, November 10: Next regular Golf Committee meeting

The Board of Health met on October 13, 2026, and approved a septic variance for a residential conversion at 66 Breakneck Hill Road, contingent upon Conservation Commission review. Staff shared updates on successful ongoing seasonal flu vaccination clinics across schools and town departments. The board also set upcoming meeting dates and scheduled a follow-up meeting to review the department operating budget after a posting delay.

• Flu clinic updates

  Health & human services. Watch at 1:18

  Staff reported on the progress of local influenza vaccination clinics. After three weeks of clinics, supplies are running low, with final sessions scheduled for schools, daycares, and town public safety personnel.

  • Three weeks of successful flu clinics completed.
  • Remaining clinics planned for two schools and two daycares.
  • Vaccinations underway for police and fire department shifts.

  Outcome: Information only; clinics will continue as scheduled.

• Septic variance for 66 Breakneck Hill Road

  Environment & conservation. Watch at 2:22

  The board reviewed a variance request for 66 Breakneck Hill Road to upgrade and expand a septic system from 330 gallons per day to 440 gallons per day as part of converting the property from commercial to residential use. The applicant proposed an 85-foot setback from bordering wetlands where 100 feet is standard, representing an improvement over the existing 79-foot setback. The board voted to approve the variance with an upgraded nitrogen-reducing treatment unit, contingent on Conservation Commission approval.

  • Property is converting from commercial use to a four-bedroom single-family residence.
  • System capacity increases from 330 gallons per day to 440 gallons per day.
  • Requested wetland setback variance of 85 feet instead of 100 feet, which moves the leach field further from the wetland than the existing 79-foot setback.
  • Project adds an extra foot of groundwater separation, increasing from 4 feet to 5 feet.
  • A Singulair 960 DN nitrogen-reducing treatment tank will replace the standard septic tank.

  Outcome: Approved unanimously, contingent on Conservation Commission review.

Routine business (2 items)

• Routine business

  Governance & committees. Watch at 0:36

  The board approved the meeting minutes from September 15, 2026.

  • Minutes from September 15, 2026 approved without edits.

  Outcome: Approved.

• Future meeting schedule and budget discussion

  Governance & committees. Watch at 16:17

  Staff noted that the department budget item was not posted in time for this agenda and needed to be rescheduled. Board members coordinated their availability for a short budget meeting and finalized their late autumn meeting dates.

  • Budget vote meeting set for Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 AM.
  • November regular meeting set for November 17 at 11:00 AM.
  • December regular meeting set for December 15 at 9:30 AM.

  Outcome: Future meeting dates agreed upon.

Votes

Next steps and dates mentioned

• October 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM: Special Board of Health meeting to vote on the department budget
• November 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM: Regular Board of Health meeting
• December 15, 2026 at 9:30 AM: Regular Board of Health meeting