The Town Minute is an independent publication and is not affiliated with the Town of Sturbridge or any municipal office. We use AI to assist in summarizing public meeting minutes and recordings. Official source documents and meeting recordings are linked in or below this post when available. While we strive for accuracy, errors or omissions may occur. This content is intended as a public-friendly summary, not an official record. For official and complete records, please refer to the Town’s approved meeting minutes and official meeting recordings on the Town’s website.

Before getting into the February 17 recap, one timely update for residents: a candidate meet-and-greet is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at 6:30 PM at the Sturbridge Senior Center. Each 2026 candidate will have a chance to speak and answer questions from the audience.
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✅ Opted Out of Vote by Mail for April 2026 Local Election (LINK TO PUBLIC HEARING VIDEO)
— Approved 4-0 following public hearing; voters may still use absentee ballots in person or by mail for the April 13, 2026 town election

✅ Patrick Kackley Appointed Full-Time Police Officer (LINK TO VIDEO)
— Approved 4-0 at $39.16/hour effective February 18, 2026 with three-year officer benefits

✅ Jean Bubon's Retirement Accepted (LINK TO VIDEO)
— Town Planner since November 2005 will retire August 11, 2026, allowing six-month transition period; Board gave standing ovation

✅ Library Elevator Modernization Contract Authorized (LINK TO VIDEO)
— Approved 4-0 for Town Administrator to contract with NV5 Design Services for $69,450 for Joshua Hyde Public Library project

✅ Frisbie's Dairy Barn Licensed (LINK TO VIDEO)
— Common Victualler license approved 4-0 for 195 Charlton Road location

✅ Multiple Board Appointments Approved
— Stephanie LaChappelle to Tourist Association, Annie Thompson Cantara and Lauren O'Donnell to Special Events Committee, Janet Garon reappointed to Board of Registrars, Anthony Crane reappointed as Moth Inspector (all 4-0)

The evening's longest discussion centered on a presentation by engineering firm Tighe & Bond revealing the scale of infrastructure challenges facing Sturbridge's aging water and sewer systems.

The Asset Management Plan identified $13,522,000 in water infrastructure repairs and $23,025,000 in sewer infrastructure needs. Portions of both systems are 40 years old or older and in critical condition.

The Tighe & Bond team—including April Locke, Project Engineer, Abbi McNomee, Project Engineer, and Kayla Hebert, Project Manager—outlined a data-driven approach to:

The Water and Sewer Financial Model spreadsheet was included in the Board's materials, providing a roadmap for addressing these critical infrastructure needs.

📋 Planning Department Highlights (LINK TO VIDEO)
Town Planner Jean Bubon presented her final six-month report, noting staff support for 39 meetings including Planning Board (12), Zoning Board of Appeals (5), Design Review Committee (7), Historic Commission (7), and Affordable Housing Trust (7) meetings, plus grant work and special projects.

🏛️ Historic Survey Phase 3 Complete (LINK TO VIDEO)
The Historic Commission Community-Wide History Survey Phase 3, completed in collaboration with Easton Architects, will be incorporated into the State MACRIS database and made available on the Town website soon; RFP for Phase 4 is underway.

🚦 Noble Energy Traffic Signal Near Approval (LINK TO VIDEO)
The Noble Energy project at 195 Charlton Road is nearing final MassDOT approval for traffic signal installation.

🏡 Housing Lottery Awards (LINK TO VIDEO)
The Affordable Housing Trust recently conducted a lottery awarding two $100,000 grants to eligible families at closing; April Griffin led the effort.

⚡ New Solar and Battery Bylaw in Development (LINK TO VIDEO)
A Solar, Wind, and Battery Storage Bylaw is being developed with technical assistance from Ron Barron, Manager of Land Use and Zoning at Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC).

🎨 Clerk Mary Dowling praised the Trails and Frost Committee for Americana-themed ice sculptures at Riverlands, featuring the Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, and more.

✅ Hillary Murray's resignation as Part-Time Police Officer accepted effective February 4, 2026 (4-0)

✅ St. Anne-St. Patrick Parish seeking clarity on Town's responsibility for 100-foot roadway section containing water line to tank; matter requires document review and future public discussion

✅ Anna Burns' Eagle Scout telescope pedestal project at Heins Farm conditionally approved, with Fiske Hill Road alternative if needed (4-0)

📅 Meet the 2026 Candidates — March 12, 2026 | 6:30 PM | Sturbridge Senior Center
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📄 Official Meeting Minutes

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✍️ Written by The Town Minute — making town government easier to follow, one meeting at a time.

The Town Minute is an independent publication and is not affiliated with the Town of Sturbridge or any municipal office. We use AI to assist in summarizing public meeting minutes and recordings. Official source documents and meeting recordings are linked in or below this post when available. While we strive for accuracy, errors or omissions may occur. This content is intended as a public-friendly summary, not an official record. For official and complete records, please refer to the Town’s approved meeting minutes and official meeting recordings on the Town’s website.