Southbridge subcommittee moves $362,000 in federal grant funds to housing rehab

Select Board · Meeting of June 25, 2026

Southbridge subcommittee redirects $362,000 in federal grant funds and expands North Street ADA work. The Joint Planning and Development Subcommittee voted unanimously Thursday to allow the town manager to shift roughly $362,000 within the FY22-23 Community Development Block Grant program — moving money out of a stalled commercial rehabilitation account and into housing rehabilitation, where 11 applications are waiting — with a September 30, 2026 state deadline driving urgency. Town Planner Peg told the subcommittee that two large commercial projects had been pulled from consideration: a bid to paint the Flatiron Building at 208 Hamilton Street grew to include cornice work that risked roofing liability, and a roof project associated with Councilor Dow was deemed insufficiently visible to qualify as reducing slum and blight.

The subcommittee also approved a scope expansion on the North Street construction project to add 12 to 15 ADA sidewalk pads, improved driveway aprons, and a painted crosswalk between the Center of Hope and the Italian Club, using CDBG FY24 funds, with quotes due July 16. Councilor Shen, a wheelchair user, pressed the board on whether ADA ramps serve their purpose when utility poles block the sidewalk, prompting the town manager to acknowledge an ongoing dispute with National Grid over pole placement.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,113 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of June 25, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.