Assessors sign 2027 tax warrants; Southbridge boards weigh $440,000 in transfers, wetlands remediation, and later bar hours

The only action confirmed in official minutes over the past two weeks came June 24, when the Board of Assessors signed the 2027 Preliminary Real Estate Warrant, the 2027 Preliminary Personal Property Warrant, and the 2027 Notice of Commitment. The board also accepted previous minutes and held a taxpayer forum and an open forum; no substantive policy decisions were recorded. All other meetings listed below are agenda-only, meaning minutes have not yet been published and outcomes are not confirmed.

Assessors sign 2027 tax warrants

On June 24, the Board of Assessors signed the 2027 Preliminary Real Estate Warrant, the 2027 Preliminary Personal Property Warrant, and the 2027 Notice of Commitment. These documents are part of the town's annual property tax commitment process. The meeting also included a taxpayer forum and an open forum.

Subcommittee agendas target over $440,000 in transfers

Several subcommittees met June 25 on agendas that, if approved by the full Town Council, would move significant funds:

• **General Government Subcommittee:** Reviewed a $357,342.20 transfer from salary accounts to the Stabilization Fund, $79,500 for Police Department data processing and equipment maintenance, and $47,100 from Council Reserve for solid waste, gas, and heating fuel. The agenda also included appointing Madeline Bonadies as Municipal Hearing Officer and reappointing Layne D. Wandelear to the Liquor Licensing Board.
• **DPW Subcommittee:** Reviewed a $189,500 appropriation from Sewer Retained Earnings for prior invoices to Jacobs, a $187,000 sewer transfer to the compost account, a $49,000 transfer from salary to overtime for snow and ice, and a $10,000 transfer from water capital reserve to equipment maintenance. Contract extensions for the River Crane Street Phase 1 construction project to July 31, 2026, were also on the agenda.
• **Education & Human Services Subcommittee:** Considered establishing a Community Gardens Fund, accepting a $9,000 Summer 2026 ASOST grant, a YMCA pool usage agreement, and yoga proposals of $2,500 for weekly chair yoga and $1,250 for bi-weekly Chair Yoga Bingo in Spanish.
• **Planning & Development Subcommittee:** Reviewed a $4,800 agreement with ZenCity for planning software, a scope increase for North Street construction to add ADA ramps and a crosswalk, and CDBG grant extensions.
• **Retirement Board:** Agenda included a vote on a warrant totaling $855,118.55, retirements of Suzanne Putis (10.17 years service) and Joseph Losavio (11.58 years service) from Bay Path Vocational High School, and a transfer of deductions for Michelle Hill (23.5 total years) to Hampden County Regional.
• **Southbridge Housing Authority:** Scheduled to vote on a $46,996.00 bid from AALANCO Service Corp. for an AHU replacement.

Town Council agenda lists large transfers and contracts

The June 29 Town Council agenda included confirming appointments, approving the $357,342.20 transfer to the Stabilization Fund, the $189,500 appropriation for prior Jacobs sewer invoices, River Crane Street Phase I contract extensions, and establishing the Community Gardens Fund. Minutes are not yet published.

Other boards and commissions

• **Historical Commission (June 23):** Reviewed a request to nominate 126 Morris Street to the National Register of Historic Places and discussed a working demolition delay by-law.
• **Jacob Edwards Library Trustees (June 23):** Discussed a Municipal ADA Improvement Grant elevator update, a Local History Room special project, an MOU with the Friends of the Library, and meeting room policy research.
• **Conservation Commission (June 25):** Held a public hearing on CAAR Development, LLC wetlands remediation and a subdivision plan for 107 & 111 Highfield Drive and 376 Pleasant Street, with enforcement discussion for 87 Golf Street and updates on 18-30 Mill Street and Dudley River Road.
• **Liquor Licensing Board (June 25):** Discussed a temporary state pilot program that would extend bar closing hours to 3:00 a.m.
• **Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Board (June 30):** Reviewed right-of-way tree marking, the municipal tree inventory, and tree ordinance examples.
• **Insurance Advisory Committee (July 1):** Discussed a retire vision rider, a dental plan benefit increase, and a school employee deduction schedule.
• **Bylaw Review Committee (July 2):** Reviewed revisions to sections 3-107 and 3-306 and Chapter 5 Finance.

Coming up

• **July 6, Town Council (reorganization):** Swearing-in of councilors-elect, election of a permanent chairperson and vice-chairperson, and a vote to confirm reappointment of Sharon Morrissette as Recording Clerk.
• **July 6, Town Council (regular):** Confirm appointments including Madeline Bonadies as municipal hearing officer; votes on the $9,000 Summer ASOST Grant, a $75,500 Police Department transfer, the $357,342.20 transfer to the Stabilization Fund, and the River Crane Street Phase 1 contract extension.
• **July 7, CMMPO (virtual):** Public hearing on Proposed 2026-2030 TIP Amendment #9, covering a $10,121,005 Worcester intersection project and a $4,594,106 Oxford bridge replacement. Comment deadline July 8 at 4:30 p.m.
• **July 8, Planning Board:** Public hearing on a special permit application from Greg Cumings for a restaurant at 276 South Street (Map 49, Lot 127); also an Approval Not Required plan for 70 Foster Street and continued Zoning Bylaw review.
• **July 9, Conservation Commission:** Continued public hearing on CAAR Development, LLC wetlands violation and subdivision.
• **July 9, Zoning Board of Appeals:** Public hearing on a variance application by Andrew McCullough to reduce a side setback at 2 Meadowbrook Road (Map 54, Lot 91), owned by the June A. Ford Irrevocable Trust.
• **July 16, WRTA Advisory Board:** Routine procedural meeting with minutes approval, public comment, and an administrator's report.

Earlier weeks

• week of 2026-06-29 — Assessors sign FY27 preliminary tax warrants; subcommittees weigh sewer payment, budget transfers

Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.