Southbridge Subcommittee Delays Police and Fire Hiring Until March Budget Review

Select Board · Meeting of February 18, 2026

Southbridge's joint public safety subcommittee unanimously postponed three police and fire appointments Wednesday, pushing the decision to March 3 while the town refines its fiscal year 2027 budget. The Protections of Persons and Properties Subcommittee, meeting with Town Council members including Councilors Chenier, Kelly, Daniels, Ortiz, and Dow, voted to delay hiring two firefighters and one police officer despite pleas from the Fire Chief and Police Chief that candidates were vetted and ready. The Fire Chief warned that a delay past April 6 would miss the fire academy application window, while the Police Chief said a street-ready female officer candidate could be "gobbled up" by a neighboring town within days.

Town Manager Jack said health insurance costs came in at 9.5 percent rather than a feared 15 percent increase, and he pledged a clearer budget picture within two weeks. The board also unanimously approved four fire department account transfers totaling $6,800 for building repairs, copier supplies, and EMS training materials, accepted a $500 donation for the fire station building fund, and authorized a Medicare reimbursement program expected to return roughly $155,000 to the town.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of February 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.