Select Board appoints Mark Robidoux as Southborough building commissioner

The Southborough Select Board voted unanimously to appoint Mark Robidoux as the town’s building commissioner and approved an employment agreement that the board said had been reviewed by the town’s labor counsel. The appointment and contract were adopted during a special Zoom meeting called to handle the personnel matter and a related zoning-letter item.

The appointment matters because the board said the town needs a “very stable, robust” building department ahead of several large projects expected in coming years. "We're very excited that Mark Robidoux, who served as our building commissioner from 2013 through 02/2018, has applied for the current vacant building commissioner position here in Southborough, and, we're very excited to have him back," said Andrew Pfaff, Select Board member.

Robidoux told the board he looks forward to returning. "Look forward to meeting everybody in person too," he said. Board members who spoke in support noted his prior service and positive reputation; Marguerite, Select Board member, said, "Your reputation precedes you. I'm meeting you for the first time, and I'm very glad to do it." Kathy, Select Board member, and Al, Select Board member, also expressed support.

The employment agreement was circulated to the board shortly before the meeting but—according to the meeting record—an attachment intended for distribution was inadvertently omitted. The board said the substance of the contract reflected terms discussed at an earlier meeting and that Kate Federoff, the labor counsel, had reviewed the draft. The board gave members the choice to delay final approval to allow more time to read the document; a majority voted to approve the agreement during the same meeting.

A roll-call vote on the appointment recorded ayes from Dennington, Landry, Cook, Hamilton and Flynn; the board announced the motion and subsequent vote to approve the employment agreement by the same recorded method. The board discussed Robidoux’s start date; Robidoux confirmed a planned start of Oct. 27, which coincides with a special town meeting the board noted would make his first day a busy one.

Distinguishing discussion from decision: the transcript shows the board debated whether to approve the employment agreement immediately or to appoint Robidoux subject to finalizing the contract; the board chose to approve both the appointment and the employment agreement in the same meeting. Board members also credited staff and others who helped recruit Robidoux back to the position.

Next steps: the board said staff would finalize paperwork and publish the agreement as appropriate; Robidoux is expected to begin work on Oct. 27. No other formal conditions or contingencies on the appointment were recorded in the meeting minutes.