Commission Chair Kevin Miller updated the Southborough Historical Commission on several ongoing preservation and administrative matters on Jan. 14, including the 21 Highland future-use committee, cemetery maintenance and oversight, a Community Preservation Committee application for the town water tower, and the commission’s fiscal 2026 budget request.

21 Highland and public engagement: Miller said the 21 Highland Future Use Committee had met in November and December and that public outreach is expected to increase late January and February. He said the commission plans a public forum to gather input from residents within roughly a one-mile radius of 21 Highland about desired uses for the building.

Cemeteries and proposed commission: Miller and others reported on a December meeting convened by Select Board member Marguerite Landry that included Department of Public Works head Bill Cundiff and DPW staff. Miller said the meeting focused on maintenance issues at the Old Burial Ground and the town’s rural cemetery, including tree trimming, headstone damage and procedures for removals and repairs. Miller said Mr. Cundiff “is very much interested in having a cemetery commission actually reconstituted,” and that the town would need a warrant article and formal votes to create such a body. Commissioners discussed whether the Historical Commission should request a seat on a reconstituted cemetery commission; Miller said he did not ask for one at this time but would support doing so if members felt it necessary.

Water tower CPC application: Miller said Ben Smith, the CPC chair, asked the commission to check historic accuracy for the water-tower roof prior to CPC final action. Miller said CPC was prepared to consider higher costs to ensure the roof met historic guidelines and that staff would consult on whether the original roof material was cedar shakes rather than asphalt shingles. The commission will further discuss materials and seek input from DPW.

FY2026 budget request and funding context: Vice Chair Annie Pfaff described the commission’s FY2026 budget request of $4,250, submitted in December. She said the request is a substantive increase from the commission’s recent $1,000 annual budgets and that the intent is to restore capacity for projects such as signage, pole mounting for historic markers, and photo scanning. Miller summarized historical budget figures presented at the meeting, noting that the commission had larger budgets in earlier years and that the FY2026 request is intended to return the commission to pre‑COVID spending levels (as adjusted for inflation). Commissioners agreed they would be prepared to explain the increase to Advisory and at Town Meeting if asked.

Archival storage and donations: Miller reported that local historian Michael Wysong offered archival boxes and temporary storage assistance as the Historical Society relocates. Wysong also donated two original architectural drawings for Town Hall to the town clerk. Miller said the commission welcomes digital scanning and shared copies but still intends to pursue separate town storage for the commission’s collection to reduce the risk of housing all copies at a single site.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to continue outreach on 21 Highland, coordinate with DPW and CPC on the water-tower historic roofing, pursue storage options for archival material and be prepared to justify the FY2026 budget request during Advisory and Town Meeting reviews.