This summary is based on recent meeting transcripts pulled from the town’s meeting recordings. Official meeting minutes are still pending approval.

The biggest takeaways: MassDOT’s Route 20/Route 131 roundabout project is still in the design stage, but the public hearing gave residents a clearer look at what could change. The Select Board also approved Sturbridge’s updated Housing Production Plan for state submission, awarded a paving contract for a little over $1 million, and handled several smaller town updates. Separately, the Conservation Commission pushed back on unauthorized tree removal near Walker Pond and continued several environmental items for future meetings.

MassDOT held a public design hearing on June 16 for the proposed Route 20/Route 131 roundabout project.

The project is still at the 25% design stage, meaning the design is not final. But the hearing gave residents a detailed look at the preferred concept, why it was chosen, and what questions still need to be worked through.

▶ Watch the roundabout project overview

The project area covers Route 20 from just west of Burger King to the jughandle near the State Police barracks, and extends south on Route 131 toward the Hampton Inn.

MassDOT and its design consultant said the project is meant to improve safety, reduce crashes, slow vehicle speeds, and make the area work better for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

According to the presentation, the preferred design would:

Replace the existing Route 20/Route 131 signal with a roundabout.

Remove the existing traffic signal at Route 20 and Fairgrounds Road.

Limit Fairgrounds Road and the Sturbridge Host Hotel driveway to right-turn-only movements onto Route 20 westbound.

Prohibit left turns out of New Boston Road onto Route 20 eastbound.

Add shared-use paths, pedestrian crossings, flashing beacons, and other pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.

Relocate the “Welcome to Sturbridge” sign into the center of the roundabout.

A major topic was safety near New Boston Road. Several speakers raised concerns about vehicle speeds coming off I-84 and continuing west on Route 20, especially for drivers trying to turn across traffic.

The design team said the plan includes roadway changes meant to improve sight distance and slow traffic, but residents and town officials continued to press for more attention to speed control, signage, and safety at New Boston Road.

The design team also said crash data from 2015 through 2021 showed 148 reported collisions within the project limits, including many injury-related crashes. Because that figure came from the meeting presentation and transcript, residents should refer to the official MassDOT materials for the full crash-data breakdown.

There were also questions about construction timing, property impacts, truck movements through the roundabout, pedestrian crossings, landscaping, and whether the project would create more traffic at the Stallion Hill Road jughandle.

MassDOT said construction is currently scheduled to begin in spring 2028 and is expected to take two construction seasons. The work would be done in four phases, with traffic generally maintained, although temporary lane closures and police details may be used. Business and abutter access is expected to be maintained during construction, along with ADA-compliant pedestrian access.

At its June 15 meeting, the Select Board voted to approve Sturbridge’s updated Housing Production Plan for submission to the state.

▶ Watch the housing plan presentation

The plan was recommended by the Affordable Housing Trust and Planning Board. Town Planner Jean Bubon said the last Housing Production Plan expired in March 2026, and the town has been working on the new version since January with housing consultant Karen Sunnarborg.

The process included a community survey, public forum, stakeholder interviews, housing needs analysis, and strategy development.

The plan matters because it gives the town a framework for how to guide housing decisions, especially under Chapter 40B.

Under the plan, the town’s annual housing production target is tied to its year-round housing stock. The consultant said 20 qualifying affordable units would equal 0.5% of Sturbridge’s year-round housing stock and could give the town one year of “safe harbor.” Producing 40 qualifying units would equal 1% and could provide two years of safe harbor.

In plain English, safe harbor can give a town more control over certain 40B comprehensive permit applications during that period.

The consultant said qualifying units generally need to be deed-restricted as affordable and targeted to households earning at or below 80% of area median income. For a three-person household, the 2026 figure cited during the meeting was $94,850.

The plan’s priorities include rental housing, first-time homeownership opportunities, downsizing options, and smaller-scale housing approaches. Strategies discussed included:

Creating an ad hoc group to help coordinate implementation.

Continuing to support and capitalize the Affordable Housing Trust.

Exploring Chapter 40Y starter-home zoning.

Revisiting a cottage housing bylaw.

Using the Local Initiative Program, sometimes described as “friendly 40B,” when a project aligns with town priorities.

Encouraging infill and redevelopment rather than focusing on undeveloped greenfields.

Why it matters: housing has become one of Sturbridge’s biggest long-term planning issues. This plan does not approve a specific development by itself, but it sets the policy direction the town can use when reviewing future housing proposals.

The Select Board awarded the townwide full-depth reclamation and paving contract to Mass Broken Stone Company for a little over $1 million, according to the meeting discussion.

DPW Director Heather Blakeley said several of the roads are in poor condition and may not make it through another winter without work.

The contract covers almost two miles of paving. The town said the bid came in well below the original estimate, which had been closer to $2 million.

Town officials said residents will be notified once the contract paperwork is complete and schedules are available. Some roads may require closures or detours while the work is underway.

The board also handled several smaller updates, approvals, or continuances.

The Select Board approved a $57,000 agreement with Barrett Planning Group for the next phase of historic preservation and survey work, running from June 15, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The work is part of the town’s ongoing effort to document historic and archaeological resources.

The Select Board approved the appointment of Laurel Ives as a full-time police dispatcher, effective June 16, 2026, at $24.24 per hour.

The town announced that the 250th parade is scheduled for June 27, beginning at 10 a.m. The parade route is expected to run from Stallion Hill to just past the Town Common, with the festival beginning later that day.

DPW said the Cedar Street sidewalk project is moving along, with concrete sidewalk work underway. The project was expected to wrap up before or shortly after July 4, depending on conditions.

Water and sewer officials said the wastewater plant is performing well after prior CBOD issues, but also discussed future regulatory and cost pressures, including PFAS and water supply concerns. That topic may deserve a separate future article.

Residents may want to watch for several follow-up items:

MassDOT’s next design steps for the Route 20/Route 131 roundabout, including any changes based on public comments.

The town’s submission of the Housing Production Plan to the state for approval.

The final schedule and detour information for the town wide paving contract.

Additional updates on water, sewer, PFAS, and long-term infrastructure costs.

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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.