A quick note before this week’s update

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Now, here is what happened in Sturbridge this week.

A proposed concept for the Douty Road property is scheduled to be presented July 29 at 6:00 p.m.

Town officials said engineers used feedback from the first public session to develop the plan.

The town administrator said the concept incorporates many of the ideas raised by residents while attempting to preserve the feel of the property and work with its geography and topography.

The plan had not yet been publicly released because the consultants were still completing final adjustments.

▶ Watch the Douty Road update

📅 Add the Douty Road presentation to Google Calendar

▶ Watch the Route 49 announcement

▶ View the official MassDOT hearing notice

MassDOT will hold a live virtual design public hearing on Wednesday, August 12, at 7:00 p.m. to present plans and collect public feedback on safety improvements at three intersections along Route 49.

The project includes:

MassDOT identified the Putnam Road intersection as a safety priority and said the proposed roundabout is intended to reduce the severity and frequency of crashes.

Although the roundabout is likely to receive the most attention, the project extends beyond that single intersection and affects Route 49 in Sturbridge, Charlton, and East Brookfield.

The August hearing will present the project design and allow residents and regular users of the corridor to ask questions or submit comments.

📅 Add the Route 49 virtual design hearing to Google Calendar

▶ Attend through MassDOT’s Highway Division events page

The biggest long-term discussion of the night centered on the future of Sturbridge’s landfill.

Town officials estimate that the landfill has approximately seven years of remaining capacity. The closure process itself could take three to four years, meaning the town cannot wait until the landfill is nearly full to decide what comes next.

The Select Board voted to authorize the town administrator to establish a review group with the Board of Health.

The group will begin looking at two related questions:

Possible long-term options discussed included a transfer station, private curbside collection arranged by individual households, or some form of town-supported collection program.

No decision was made on those options.

The first step is expected to be a staff-driven review involving representatives from public works, health, conservation, town administration, and the Select Board and Board of Health.

Town officials said public input will become increasingly important once the conversation moves from the technical closure process to changes that would directly affect residents.

In plain English: the landfill is not closing immediately, but the town’s current trash system cannot continue forever. Sturbridge is beginning the planning process now because any replacement will take years to study, fund, and implement.

Officials also want to avoid spending money on improvements that may later need to be removed or redone as part of the closure.

▶ Watch the landfill discussion

The Select Board approved $762,747.25 in Chapter 90 funding for a townwide pavement-preservation project.

The contract was awarded to Seal Coating Inc., doing business as Indus.

Pavement preservation is different from completely rebuilding or repaving a road. It generally involves treatments intended to extend the life of pavement that is still in serviceable condition.

Town officials said the preservation contract is only one part of this year’s road program. Additional paving work is also expected.

Only one company submitted a bid for the preservation contract. Officials said the work is specialized and that the size or type of project can limit the number of bidders.

▶ Watch the pavement-preservation vote

Sturbridge is preparing to test a new addiction-recovery service that could provide immediate help to residents and families trying to find treatment.

The six-week pilot will be operated by Guided Addiction Access Points, also called GAAP.

The organization uses recovery coaches to help people navigate treatment options, find available beds, and determine what to do immediately after an overdose, police encounter, intervention, or request for help.

The program would expand beyond emergency calls handled by police.

A Sturbridge resident could contact the service directly and say that they need help for themselves or a family member. Someone preparing for an intervention could also call in advance to ask what options would be available if the person agrees to enter treatment.

Police said there were 14 calls for service between June 16 and July 16 where this type of support may have been useful. Three calls involved the same person, and two involved a juvenile using substances.

Town officials also discussed the difficulty of following up when a substance-related call involves someone temporarily staying at a local hotel. Even when that person is not a permanent Sturbridge resident, officials said connecting them with treatment can benefit the wider community.

The pilot is expected to begin around the end of July. GAAP will provide the initial six weeks as a trial, allowing the town to evaluate demand and results before considering a longer agreement.

Any future paid arrangement would still need to follow the town’s procurement requirements.

Information about the program is expected to be distributed at the library, hotels, coffee shops, and other locations where someone could privately pick up a flyer.

▶ Watch the addiction-recovery update

The town’s opioid-support group is also offering four $500 awards for graduating Sturbridge residents continuing into college or technical education.

Eligible students may have graduated from Tantasqua, Bay Path, a homeschool program, or another qualifying program, provided they are Sturbridge residents entering post-secondary education or technical training.

Applicants must write an essay about the effects of addiction and possible ways to improve or address the issue.

Essays are due August 20. The awards may be used for books or, for students entering technical programs, required tools.

Recipients are expected to be announced August 31.

▶ Watch the scholarship announcement

The Select Board approved a beer-and-wine license for Iron Club LLC, a new indoor golf-simulator business under construction at 365 Main Street.

Owner Greg Pettis described the business as an additional recreational option for Sturbridge residents, families, and visitors.

The Building Department said Iron Club recently passed its framing inspection and is moving into the finishing stage.

Pettis said the business is targeting a soft opening around September.

▶ Watch the commercial-project update

The Building Department gave an update on several active projects.

Construction continues on a new commercial building at 660 Main Street. An application has been submitted for the interior tenant fit-out, and work is underway to make the building weather-tight.

Newberry Estates has started its second phase of construction.

A new eye-care facility on Hall Road received its occupancy permit.

Construction is also underway on a new dental office at 57 Main Street, Suite 2.

The board approved hawker and peddler licenses for representatives of Power Home Remodeling.

The representatives said they expect to conduct door-to-door outreach from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

They were reminded to display identification and honor posted “No Soliciting” signs.

The Sturbridge Conservation Department is collecting public feedback as the town develops a master plan for Plimpton Community Forest.

The short survey asks residents to share priorities for the property’s future, including recreation, conservation, stewardship, and public access.

Town officials said the responses will help shape planning for both current and future generations.

The survey is expected to take about five minutes and will remain open through Friday, August 14, 2026.

Take the survey:
Complete the Plimpton Community Forest survey

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

This summary is based on the July 20, 2026, Select Board meeting transcript. Official meeting minutes are still pending approval.

The Town Minute breaks down Sturbridge’s public meetings, town plans, major votes, and local decisions in plain English — so residents can understand what’s happening without having to sit through every meeting themselves.

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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.