The Annual Town Meeting for Northborough, Massachusetts, held on May 1, 2025, focused on addressing significant infrastructure issues in the Assabet Hill neighborhood. The meeting's agenda included a detailed discussion on the need for engineering services to repair drainage, roadways, and sidewalks in the area, which has been plagued by systemic failures leading to sinkholes and other hazards.

The discussion began with a report on the current state of the neighborhood's infrastructure. Officials highlighted that the drainage system has experienced numerous localized failures, resulting in large sinkholes, some as big as Volkswagen cars. The underlying cause was identified as poor construction methods from the mid-1990s, which have led to significant roadway settlement and sidewalk issues. The engineering services requested aim to develop plans and specifications for necessary repairs, as well as a construction cost estimate for future funding requests.

The appropriations committee and financial planning committee both voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 25, which seeks to allocate $100,000 for these engineering services. This funding is crucial for addressing the extensive defects identified in a report from early 2020, which documented the need for approximately 1,200 feet of pipe replacement or repair.

During the meeting, residents expressed concerns about the previous construction quality and questioned the need for additional engineering, given the extensive work already completed. Town officials clarified that the complexity and extent of the defects necessitate a thorough engineering approach before any construction can begin. They emphasized that addressing the drainage issues is essential before any roadway reconstruction can take place.

Residents also raised questions about accountability for the original construction and how the town plans to prevent similar issues in future developments. Town officials assured attendees that current construction projects undergo rigorous inspections, and any future large subdivisions would be closely monitored by professional engineers.

The meeting concluded with a call for a vote on the appropriation, underscoring the town's commitment to improving infrastructure and ensuring the safety and quality of life for residents in the Assabet Hill neighborhood.