Southbridge Subcommittee Unanimously Backs 11 Percent Curbside Budget Cut

SOUTHBRIDGE — May 14, 2026 — Southbridge subcommittee clears five items including an 11 percent cut to the curbside enterprise budget and a new airport diner lease. The Joint General Government Subcommittee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend a $2,649,957 FY27 curbside enterprise budget to the Town Council — down from the prior year — with Town Manager Jovan Andrew declaring "absolutely no rate increase this year" for the roughly 5,600 subscriber units currently paying $150 annually. Solid Waste Agent Director Maritza, in her first public presentation, traced subscriber enrollment from a peak of 5,943 units in the fourth quarter of FY24 through declines tied to last year's rate increase from $115 to $150, and outlined a proposed sticker program for non-subscribers to access yard-waste drop-off at a gated, staffed DPW facility on a limited weekly schedule. The subcommittee also unanimously recommended a two-year airport diner lease with Airport Seafood and Grill LLC at $1,000 per month and a bylaw amendment establishing a Library Revolving Fund to retain copy, printing, and hotspot fees — the library reported depositing $5,072.55 into the general fund as of April 9, generating $3,072.55 above its $2,000 budget line. The full Town Council rate hearing is set for June 1.