Southbridge subcommittee backs $25,000 Town Hall tower grant, rail trail upgrades

Select Board · Meeting of July 15, 2026

Southbridge's Joint Planning and Development Subcommittee unanimously recommended acceptance of a $25,000 Massachusetts Preservation Project Fund grant to investigate the Town Hall tower and produce construction documents at its July 15 meeting. Town Manager Pat told the three-member panel — Councilors Daniel, Provost, and Lazo — that a prior feasibility study estimated the tower repair alone at $10 million, though a private contractor familiar with the work put the figure closer to $2 million to $2.5 million; total Town Hall restoration was estimated at $35 million. The subcommittee also unanimously forwarded a change order to the Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail construction contract with David G.

Roach and Sons, adding pavement, a rectangular rapid flashing beacon crosswalk near the Big Y, and additional parking, all contingent on Economic Development Administration approval. A proposed appointment of Joseph Dow to the Conservation Commission was withdrawn after a member cited a charter provision and potential conflict of interest related to Dow's property near Katie Brook; his appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals was approved and forwarded to the full Town Council.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,179 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.