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Ballot question would require town manager to live in Southbridge; candidates discuss waiver option
Summary
A binding question on the June ballot would require the Southbridge town manager to reside in town within 12 months unless the town council grants an annual two-thirds waiver. Candidates at a forum generally supported the measure with the waiver providing flexibility.
A binding charter question that will appear on the June ballot would require the Southbridge town manager to establish residency in town within 12 months of starting employment and remain a resident during the appointment, unless the town council annually waives the requirement by a two-thirds vote.
Moderator Rich Merrill read the measure aloud to the forum audience: "The Southbridge Town Manager shall, within the next 12 months of the start of their employment, be a resident of the town of Southbridge and shall not cease to be a resident during their employment by the town. The town council may, annually, by a two thirds vote of the entire town council, not less than 6 councilors, waive this requirement."
Councilor Michael Montigny, who said he helped "spearhead" the proposal during charter-review discussions, urged support for the measure as a way to privilege local ties. "If you think that the Southbridge First model works, clearly, with Jack Jovan has been the best town manager we've had in nearly 30 years, I think that you should support this thing," Montigny said, referring to the current town manager.
Other candidates supported the residency requirement as written, noting the inclusion of an annual two-thirds waiver provides a safeguard. "I think with the provisions that it takes... and also with the piece about the two-thirds vote that it could be waived, I think that makes it a fair implementation," Town Councilor Jasmine Rivas said.
Why it matters: Residency requirements can affect recruitment for top municipal administrators and signal local-control preferences. Supporters said a local manager is more likely to be invested in the town; opponents in other contexts have argued residency mandates can limit candidate pools. The ballot question includes a built-in waiver mechanism that candidates highlighted as a safeguard.
Ending: The question will be decided by voters on June 10. Candidates at the forum largely encouraged turnout and urged voters to consider the residency provision when they cast ballots.
