Panel presses DPW over missed trench patching
The Southbridge DPW Subcommittee reviewed ADA sidewalk failures and a cost overrun on the North Street project at its September 9 meeting.
Town Council DPW Subcommittee · Meeting of September 9, 2026
SOUTHBRIDGE — The Southbridge DPW Subcommittee reviewed ADA sidewalk failures and a cost overrun on the North Street project at its September 9 meeting. A councilor identified only as Kevin said the project's bid grew from $700,500 to more than $1 million and said he was "very, very, very disappointed" with ADA compliance there. Resident Glenn Maslow told the panel he documented an unshored trench over five feet deep, missing safety cones and an unsecured open manhole on the same corridor.
DPW Director Bob presented a $5,738.04 quote from Hydro Grass of Oxford for East Main Street slope erosion control and a first-draft rewrite of the town's trench regulations, modeled on codes from six Massachusetts towns and Warren, Rhode Island. Councilor Scott called the draft "window dressing in politics" without stronger enforcement staffing. The subcommittee also discussed withholding new trench permits from utility subcontractor NUCO pending a meeting with National Grid.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,090 words
Source: the Town Council DPW Subcommittee meeting of September 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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