Southbridge Panel Presses DPW On Trench Bylaw
The Southbridge DPW Subcommittee pressed for enforcement of the town's 25-year-old trench-opening bylaw after members said utility contractors have left sidewalks and pavement unrepaired for years.
Town Council DPW Subcommittee · Meeting of August 17, 2026
SOUTHBRIDGE — The Southbridge DPW Subcommittee pressed for enforcement of the town's 25-year-old trench-opening bylaw after members said utility contractors have left sidewalks and pavement unrepaired for years. Councilor Klein said a Central Street dig was "already in violation" on its first day and that the town has "close to $20 million worth of old projects going on," adding that "there's no oversight, and there's no enforcement." DPW Director Bob said this year's Chapter 90 allocation was about $750,000 to $752,000, with roughly $1 million more banked from prior years. Members discussed raising the required repair-joining distance from 50 to 150 feet and found National Grid's paving subcontractor working without a license.
The subcommittee set August 31 as the deadline for written recommendations, with a goal of bringing a document to the full council "to vote on to recommend to council by September 9th."
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,101 words
Source: the Town Council DPW Subcommittee meeting of August 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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