Before getting into this week’s town updates, we want to pause for Memorial Day.

Today is a day to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice is the reason communities like ours can gather, debate, vote, serve, and build a better town together.

This summary is based on the May 11 Planning Board and May 18 Select Board meeting recordings. Official meeting minutes are still pending approval.

The biggest takeaways: the library accessibility project moved forward, a public hearing is coming for the Route 20/Route 131 roundabout design, the Housing Production Plan is heading back to the Planning Board in June, fire officials warned that dry conditions can return quickly, and the town continues preparing for summer events and the 250th celebration.

At the May 11 Planning Board meeting, the board held a public hearing for site plan approval at the Joshua Hyde Public Library, located at 306 Main Street.

The project is focused on accessibility improvements, including a new outdoor deck and ramp system that will provide access to the lower levels of the library and create an accessible outdoor program space.

Town staff explained that the library has had issues with the elevator, including patrons becoming stuck on different levels. The new deck and ramp would provide an emergency egress option if the elevator fails, while also giving the library a flat, ADA-compliant outdoor space for programming.

The project also includes rear door improvements, a concrete walkway designed to meet ADA slope requirements, landscaping around the deck, and preservation of the mature elm tree near the rear of the building.

The Planning Board approved the site plan with conditions.

▶ Watch: Library Public Hearing

The town announced that MassDOT’s public hearing for the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 131 is scheduled for:

Tuesday, June 16 at 6 p.m.
Veterans Hall, Town Hall
▶ Add to Calendar

The hearing will cover the 25% design plan, and the public will have an opportunity to comment.

The town’s Housing Production Plan is also moving toward the next step.

According to the Planning Board update, the final draft was expected to be ready for Housing Trust review on May 28. The plan is scheduled to come before the Planning Board at its June 8 meeting, which will be a public forum.

The Planning Board must accept the plan before it goes to the Select Board for approval and then to the state.

The Planning Board also discussed next steps for the Barrett Farm property.

The town received the property as a gift, and Town Meeting approved funding to develop a conceptual master plan. A future visioning session is expected to include the Planning Board, Open Space Committee, Recreation Committee, Select Board, Trails Committee, abutters, and other interested residents.

The goal is to develop a master vision before work begins on the property.

The Open Space Committee presented the town’s 2025 Open Space and Recreation Plan.

The committee encouraged the Planning Board to use the plan as a tool when considering future development, especially around water protection, trail connections, walkability, storm water management, trees, and preservation of Sturbridge’s rural character.

One major theme was connectivity: trails, sidewalks, bike paths, conservation land, recreation areas, neighborhoods, and commercial areas should be looked at as part of a larger town wide network.

The committee also emphasized the importance of protecting water resources, reviewing storm water rules, encouraging low-impact development, and expanding tree planting where possible.

At the May 18 Select Board meeting, the Police Department presented reports for February, March, and April.

Calls for service increased from 1,695 in February to 1,956 in March and 2,192 in April.

The Police Chief explained that earlier lower numbers in some categories were tied to staffing turnover and field training. When new officers are in field training, two officers may be assigned to one cruiser, temporarily reducing self-initiated activity such as traffic stops, business checks, and house checks.

The Chief said those numbers should rise again as newer officers complete training and return to independent patrol.

▶ Watch: Police Report Discussion

A Select Board member raised concerns about repeated crashes in the area between Walmart and Extra Mart.

The Police Chief said many crashes in that corridor involve vehicles entering or exiting businesses, turning into businesses, or situations where one lane stops to let a vehicle out while another lane does not see what is happening.

The discussion also referenced a Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission traffic safety survey, where residents can submit specific concerns about roads, intersections, or corridors.

CLICK HERE FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY SURVEY

The Select Board also approved the appointment of a full-time firefighter/paramedic with the Sturbridge Fire Department.

The board accepted a $300 donation from the Sturbridge Lions Club to the Fire Department Rescue Squad.

The Planning Board announced that there are still openings on town boards and committees, including the Historical Commission and Design Review Committee.

Residents may want to watch for several upcoming items:

The Town Minute is an independent publication not affiliated with the Town of Sturbridge or any municipal office. While we strive for accuracy, errors or omissions may occur. For official and complete records, please refer to the Town’s approved meeting minutes or watch the official meeting recordings on the Town’s website.