Panel Votes 5-0 to Rehire Firefighter, Join Dispatch
A Southbridge subcommittee voted to recommend rehiring a firefighter and joining a regional 911 dispatch center.
Protection of Persons and Property Subcommittee · Meeting of October 1, 2026
SOUTHBRIDGE — A Southbridge subcommittee voted to recommend rehiring a firefighter and joining a regional 911 dispatch center. The Protection of Persons and Property Subcommittee voted 5-0 to back Jacob "Jake" Webb's reappointment as a full-time firefighter and 5-0 to recommend the Town Council authorize the town manager to sign an agreement joining the Central Massachusetts Regional Emergency Communication Center. Officials said the town's assessment would stay at zero for three years before phasing to a full cost near $454,000 by fiscal year 2034, while current dispatch upgrades could cost "hundreds of thousand dollars" if the town stays independent.
The police chief said Southbridge handles roughly 2,000 arrests a year and could never let its station "go dark." One councilor, questioning the agreement's appointed governing board, asked, "How is that even legal?" A separate item on hiring a collections firm for roughly $100,000 in delinquent ambulance bills drew no vote.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 1,891 words
Source: the Protection of Persons and Property Subcommittee meeting of October 1, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Members read the rest of this story and every Southbridge meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in Southbridge who follows town government? Share Townbrief Southbridge: they can sign up free.