Southborough leaders explore Route 9 wastewater plant to attract businesses, shore up tax base

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. — Select Board members Al Hamilton and Sam Stivers briefed the Southborough Board of Health on Jan. 22 about a town-led exploration of a wastewater treatment system for the Route 9 commercial corridor, a project they say could unlock new commercial development and reduce pressure on residential taxpayers.

Hamilton told the board the town’s mix of residential to commercial property value — historically about 80/20 — has shifted and that rebuilding commercial valuation to restore that ratio would require roughly $150 million in commercial, industrial and retail (CIP) development. “If we built a wastewater system, it would make the town more attractive to a variety of businesses,” Hamilton said, noting restaurants and certain manufacturing and biotech firms often cannot operate effectively on septic systems.

The discussion centered on three near-term technical and policy topics: likely scale and disposal options, potential regional partners and operators, and how to pay for further study and eventual construction. Hamilton said prior studies estimate short- to medium-term flows in the Route 9 area at about 500,000 to 1,000,000 gallons per day and that disposal is most likely to be a ground…