Southbridge Panel Backs Town Accountant Reappointment, Approves Consultant Treasury Contract

Select Board · Meeting of July 14, 2026

Southbridge's General Government Subcommittee unanimously recommended extending town accountant Christine Russell's appointment through June 2029 and approved a short-term consultant contract with Muni to cover treasury-collector services through January 31, 2027. Town Manager Jack told the three-member panel that Russell, who took the accountant role in February 2023, is now the most experienced member of the finance department and that this fiscal year marked the first time in three years the town closed its books on June 30 and opened them July 1. Russell told the subcommittee she expects to complete a two-part municipal finance certification in approximately two years.

On the treasury contract, the manager acknowledged the consultant model is "costly" but said outreach through the Massachusetts Municipal Association and town websites has produced no qualified permanent candidates, and that the town is now weighing hiring the Collins Center to run a formal search. The Ortiz appointment to the General Government Subcommittee passed 2-1 after the chair explained a series of back-and-forth application changes by the candidate; all other items passed unanimously.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,006 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.