Southborough wastewater panel reviews Route 9 sewer grant application; $300,000 requested

The Town of Southborough Wastewater Committee on May 28 reviewed a grant application seeking $300,000 to fund preliminary design and hydrogeologic studies for a decentralized sewer system along Route 9, with the town prepared to provide a $100,000 match for a total project cost of $400,000.

The proposal covers a large Route 9 corridor planning area and would pay for site screening, refined flow estimates, a wastewater layout to accommodate future build-out scenarios and hydrogeologic testing. “We seek funding for preliminary design and hydrogeologic studies to implement a sewer system along Route 9 in Southborough,” Committee member Alan Hamilton read during the meeting.

The application frames the project as an economic-development priority tied to the town’s 2021 master plan and multiple recent studies, including a 2023 Route 9 corridor feasibility assessment and a 2024 wastewater management action plan. Committee members said the corridor’s lack of sewer infrastructure hinders commercial and mixed-use redevelopment and contributes to an imbalanced tax base; speakers cited a shift from an historic 80/20 commercial-to-residential tax split to about 83.7/16.3.

Committee members reviewed the project scope and schedule the application proposes: about 1.5 years of planning work if funded, with roughly six months of initial planning and site screening followed by 12 months of hydrogeologic study and deliverables. The committee discussed starting preliminary design in October or November 2025 and targeting preliminary-design completion in June 2027, with final design and construction to follow pending funding and approvals.

The project area and candidate sites: the application describes roughly 72 parcels and an approximate project area of 735 acres along Route 9, and identifies a primary, town‑owned target site adjacent to the Department of Public Works/transfer station and within about 200 yards of Route 9. Committee members also discussed larger counts of undeveloped acreage in the corridor (one speaker said the total area could exceed 300 acres when additional parcels such as ParkCentral and the Dell property are counted).

Environmental and regulatory constraints were noted. The proximity of the Sudbury Reservoir and areas with poor subsurface conditions are listed in the application as factors that limit some disposal options and require hydrogeologic work. The application also asks applicants to confirm MBTA‑community compliance; speakers discussed the Town’s MBTA‑related overlay zoning and the potential for transit‑oriented, higher‑density housing near Southborough Station on the Framingham–Worcester commuter line.

Funding and partners: the committee confirmed a request of $300,000 from the grant program with a $100,000 town match (25% of the $400,000 total). Members said private developers and property owners — including Atlantic Management and individual developers who have submitted letters of support — are potential partners for later phases, though no private commitments were recorded in the meeting. Committee members also said they will circulate letters of support already drafted by some developers and seek additional letters from local officials and stakeholders.

Sustainability and reuse options appeared as preliminary items to study. Committee members asked that hydrogeologic and design work evaluate potential reuse of treated effluent for irrigation (for example, the town golf course) and explore whether effluent could support green heating/cooling or other beneficial reuses. Members emphasized such options are exploratory and would be evaluated in later design phases.

Next steps and meeting process: the committee did not vote on the application at the May 28 meeting. Members directed staff to circulate the edited application and related materials and asked that the final draft be shared with Leah (Economic Development Committee/EDC) so regional grant numbers align. Anna, the staff member who presented the application, was asked to email the current version; Committee member Alan Hamilton agreed to forward it to Leah. The committee scheduled an in-person meeting the following evening to consider voting on the application.

No formal vote occurred during the May 28 meeting. Committee members agreed to finalize text, confirm supporting letters, and confirm numeric estimates with planning and regional partners before taking a formal action.