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Trails committee schedules bench assembly nights, discusses dedicated plaques and additional benches
Summary
The committee set two work nights (May 15 and May 22) to assemble and place four benches, discussed locations and an accessible bench that needs reassembly, and considered a bench-dedication program tied to the town tricentennial and Rotary donations.
The Town of Southborough Trails Committee set two work sessions — May 15 and May 22 at 5:30 p.m. — to assemble and install benches and related equipment, and discussed dedicating benches with small plaques as part of fundraising and community engagement.
Committee members said four benches are available and mostly assembled; one accessible bench was disassembled because of an assembly issue and needs reassembly. The committee agreed to hold two evening work parties at the shed to tighten screws, assemble a gorilla cart and move benches to selected spots along the trails.
“We have 4 benches. And, again, I think we might have said that if we had enough budget left in our budget, we could maybe buy a couple more,” a Trails Committee member said during the meeting. The group scheduled assembly nights for May 15 and May 22 at 5:30 p.m. and agreed to meet at the shed.
Committee members walked through candidate locations on a shared map, including two viewpoints along the Burrows Loop and a site near the Burnett House that overlooks the reservoir. Members emphasized avoiding locations that impede mowing and confirmed that at least one bench was intended for the accessible section of the Sudbury Trail.
The committee discussed enriching bench installations by allowing dedications or donor plaques. Members noted the vendor that supplied the benches can add small plaques and that local groups, including the Rotary Club, have expressed interest in donations and dedications. The committee also discussed whether to coordinate dedications with Southborough’s tricentennial planning for 2027 to potentially secure additional funding or public interest.
No formal vote was taken to purchase additional benches or accept donations during the meeting; members said they will draft an outreach plan and consider launching a call for bench dedications on local channels.
Background: the committee said benches are sized and light enough to be transported by car in multiple trips; they plan assembly and siting work during the scheduled evenings and will return to the committee with final placement and any requests for additional funds.
