Southbridge Council Raises Mill Street Brownfields Grant Request to $4 Million

Select Board · Meeting of February 9, 2026

Southbridge Town Council unanimously raised its EPA Brownfields grant request to $4 million for the hazardous-materials cleanup of 18-30 Mill Street, a structurally failed historic building slated for demolition. Economic Development Director Peg Dean requested the amendment from the original $2.7 million ask, telling the council she had worked with grant consultants Ted Tetro and Mike Julian and determined requesting the program's full ceiling amount was the prudent course in case demolition bids run high. Town Manager Jack Jovan said the town has already spent nearly $1 million on the tax-title property and does not expect any future sale of the cleared lot to recoup the cost.

The council also accepted an $850,000 CDBG FY25 award for housing and commercial rehab, approved a $43,520 change order to the Quinebaug Valley Rail Trail EDA contract, and heard emotional public testimony from two 301 Main Street tenants, Beth Shackett and Kristen Resigu, who alleged years of mold, pest infestations, and heat failures by landlord White Paper Strategies. Councilor Chenier warned the council that corporate rental property neglect and understaffed local inspections are converging into "a rental disaster" for the community.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of February 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.