Southbridge Council Approves $55,320 Senior Center Kitchen Contract, $875,000 Grant Application

SOUTHBRIDGE — April 13, 2026 — Southbridge council clears Senior Center kitchen contract and $875,000 grant application in unanimous votes. The Select Board voted unanimously April 13 to approve a $55,320.74 contract with Singer-Kittredge for a commercial hood at the Senior Center kitchen, funded in part by a state earmark secured by Representative Massey and in part from the capital stabilization account — a project Councilor George Chenier had pushed for more than two years. The board also unanimously approved a $875,000 CDBG FY26 Mini Entitlement grant application covering code enforcement, a transfer station feasibility study, and Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail pedestrian-bicycle bridge design. The council voted 7-1 to refer two open meeting law complaints — filed by Maureen Doyle and Gus Steves over the March 30 charter review agenda item — to KP Law attorney Lauren Goldberg for a formal response to the Attorney General by April 22; Councilor Dow cast the lone dissenting vote, questioning the cost. A $278,800 emergency transfer from sewer retained earnings to replace boilers at the Wastewater Treatment Plant was also approved unanimously.