Southborough Town Meeting debates personnel pay survey and water infrastructure funding

The Southborough Annual Town Meeting held on April 7, 2025, addressed several key agenda items, focusing on budgetary requests and infrastructure improvements. The meeting began with discussions surrounding Article 11, which sought approval for a project budget of $100,000. Concerns were raised regarding discrepancies between the posted information and the warrant, prompting a call for greater consistency in public communications from town officials.

Following this, Article 12 was introduced by Mr. Malinowski, proposing to accelerate a quadrennial pay class survey for non-union town employees. The request for $25,000 aimed to assess employee compensation against comparable communities. Questions arose about the necessity of the survey, particularly given the relatively short time since the last one was conducted. Mr. Malinowski defended the proposal, citing significant turnover in municipal positions and the need to address potential pay disparities. Despite the rationale presented, the motion ultimately failed to pass.

The meeting proceeded to Article 13, which proposed funding for water system infrastructure improvements on Lynn Brook Road through an interest-free loan from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Mr. Stivers highlighted that Southborough had not previously utilized this funding opportunity, making this a significant step forward. The DPW superintendent confirmed that the project would address critical infrastructure needs, specifically replacing aging pipes identified as high-priority.

Overall, the meeting reflected ongoing efforts to manage town resources effectively while addressing employee compensation and infrastructure challenges. The discussions underscored the importance of clear communication and the need for strategic planning in municipal governance.