Table of Contents
🗳️ Key Decisions & Votes
✅ August 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes Approved
— Approved as presented by unanimous vote, 5-0
✅ ANR Plan Endorsed for 62 & 66 Brookfield Road
— Lot line adjustment removes .58 acres (Parcel A) from 66 Brookfield Road and combines with 62 Brookfield Road, owned by William H. Hoenig and family. Vote: 5-0
✅ Waiver of Site Plan Approved for 208 Main Street - Altamoda
— Hair salon renovation and 300 sq. ft. rear addition approved with conditions. Gino Bifano and Lina Bifano will enclose existing front porch and add rear addition for handicap accessibility. Vote: 6-0
✅ Support for Douty Road Land Donation
— Board voted to support acceptance of 222-acre donation off Douty Road at Special Town Meeting. Property will be used for municipal purposes including recreation and conservation. Vote: 6-0
💬 Major Discussion: Altamoda Hair Salon Renovation
Gino Bifano and Lina Bifano presented their plans to renovate the former hair salon at 208 Main Street, which they purchased in 2023. The couple is relocating their business to the property and proposed significant interior and exterior improvements.
Town Planner Jean Bubon explained the renovation scope to the Board:
Enclosing an existing front porch
Adding a 300 sq. ft. addition to the rear of the building
Creating a handicap accessible bathroom
Expanding the reception area for client comfort
Maintaining the existing apartment and office space on the property
The Septic System Issue
The primary complication during plan review centered on wastewater. The property was never connected to Town sewer, and Bubon noted that "no variance records could be located by the Board of Health to allow them to remain on the septic system." However, the property did pass Title 5 inspection when it was sold.
The Bifanos have met with the Health Agent, who Bubon said "feels confident that they can work out an agreement with the Board of Health to allow them to use the septic system for a period of time so the applicant can get their renovations done and then work out a transition plan."
Board Member David Bourbeau asked about the second floor use, confirming the existing apartment will remain.
The Board unanimously approved the waiver with conditions, allowing the project to move forward.
🏗️ Community Impact
🏗️ Development Updates
Convenient MD is targeting a November completion date for their facility.
The Little Rest Stop will be opening soon at 25 Brookfield Road, the former Old Village Grill location.
Tree removal will begin soon on Podunk Road, with payment already submitted to the Town per conditions of approval.
📋 Upcoming Projects
Two new projects are on the horizon for the November 10th meeting:
8 School Street - STL8, LLC proposes a new building for two artist studios (currently in peer review)
29-31 Brookfield Road - New gaming retail operation with sales and game nights, replacing the former pizza house
🌳 Major Land Donation
A "very generous donation" of 222 acres off Douty Road will appear on the warrant for the November 17th Special Town Meeting. Board Member Sue Waters asked if the land is feasible for recreation, and Bubon confirmed it is, noting "it has some nice fields since it used to be a farm, some of it is wetlands which is best protected as habitat protection."
Board Member David Bourbeau asked if there were any stipulations to the donation. Bubon stated there are none—it is being donated for municipal purposes to include recreation and conservation.
🔍 Quick Recap
✅ Approved meeting minutes from August 11, 2025
✅ Endorsed lot line adjustment combining .58 acres from 66 Brookfield Road with 62 Brookfield Road
✅ Granted site plan waiver for Altamoda hair salon at 208 Main Street to renovate and add 300 sq. ft.
✅ Voted to support acceptance of 222-acre land donation off Douty Road at Special Town Meeting
✅ Received updates on Convenient MD completion, Little Rest Stop opening, and Podunk Road tree removal
🗓️ Upcoming Meetings & Follow-Ups
📅 Finance Committee Meeting — October 22, 2025 (evening) | TBD
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📅 Planning Board Meeting — November 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM | Center Office Building
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📅 Special Town Meeting — November 17, 2025 | TBD
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🗂️ Resources
✍️ Written by The Town Minute — making town government easier to follow, one meeting at a time.
Disclaimer
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.
