Southbridge Subcommittee Unanimously Backs 11 Percent Curbside Budget Cut

SOUTHBRIDGE -- May 14, 2026, Southbridge subcommittee clears five items including an 11 percent cut to the curbside enterprise budget and a new airport diner lease. The Joint General Government Subcommittee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend a $2,649,957 FY27 curbside enterprise budget to the Town Council, down from the prior year, with Town Manager Jovan Andrew declaring "absolutely no rate increase this year" for the roughly 5,600 subscriber units currently paying $150 annually. Solid Waste Agent Director Maritza, in her first public presentation, traced subscriber enrollment from a peak of 5,943 units in the fourth quarter of FY24 through declines tied to last year's rate increase from $115 to $150, and outlined a proposed sticker program for non-subscribers to access yard-waste drop-off at a gated, staffed DPW facility on a limited weekly schedule. The subcommittee also unanimously recommended a two-year airport diner lease with Airport Seafood and Grill LLC at $1,000 per month and a bylaw amendment establishing a Library Revolving Fund to retain copy, printing, and hotspot fees, the library reported depositing $5,072.55 into the general fund as of April 9, generating $3,072.55 above its $2,000 budget line. The full Town Council rate hearing is set for June 1.