Southborough wastewater committee pursues MassDevelopment consultant and funding to test DIF-area feasibility

The Town of Southborough Wastewater Committee voted to approve its May 21 minutes and spent the bulk of its June 22 meeting planning a consultant-driven financial review to test whether a District Improvement Financing (DIF) area is viable and worth placing on a special town meeting warrant.

The committee, chaired by the meeting’s presiding member (referred to in the record as the chair), said the Select Board has allowed the committee to use up to $30,000 of reallocated Economic Development Committee funds to hire MassDevelopment for an initial analysis. “We actually have permission to spend up to $30,000 of that money for the consulting project with MassDevelopment,” the chair said during the discussion.

Why it matters: the group is trying to lock in an assessed-value benchmark as of Jan. 1, 2026, which could influence the fiscal calculus for a DIF-area vote at a fall special town meeting. The chair said Town Counsel advised that the DIF area can be voted separately from a full DIF plan, giving the committee flexibility to establish the geographic area sooner and obtain earlier assessed-value data.

What the consultant would do: committee members and MassDevelopment’s staff described a scope that begins with parcel-level screening along Route 9 in the proposed DIF area to estimate development potential if sewer service were available. Amanda Newmiller, identified in the discussion as MassDevelopment’s development coordinator, and committee members said the firm may not complete a full financial analysis in the immediate short window but could produce feasibility estimates and a project proposal.

Timing and paperwork: members repeatedly noted a tight timeline. The chair said the group needs the contract paperwork completed quickly so funds can be obligated before a June 30 deadline; otherwise the matter may be delayed. The committee discussed two contingency approaches: (1) deputize two members to finalize the scope and sign a contract quickly, or (2) hold a short special committee meeting after MassDevelopment proposes a consultant and a fee schedule.

Scope and outreach: the committee agreed it will lead public education and outreach internally rather than pay an outside consultant to perform that work. Members said they already have mapping, slides and earlier, informal estimates prepared by a former member, Al Hamilton, and those materials will inform the consultant’s scope of work. “We just need the financial analysis to say, ‘Yes, this would work,’” one member said.

AI site-scoring prototype: committee members also reviewed a pro bono first pass of a parcel scoring tool produced by an outside AI team. The prototype applies filters such as soil type and conservation restrictions to narrow viable sites. Members described the tool as a useful starting point that requires local verification and refinement by planners and conservation staff before use.

Next steps and meeting schedule: Claire (committee member) agreed to draft an initial scope of services to send to MassDevelopment. If a consultant is available who can complete the work quickly and for less than the $30,000 ceiling, the committee said it will call a short special meeting to approve a contract. The group also tentatively set its next regular meeting for Thursday, July 23.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved the May 21 minutes as amended (motion seconded; roll-call approval recorded) and later approved a motion to adjourn by roll call.

What remains unresolved: whether MassDevelopment can staff a consultant quickly enough to meet the June 30 paperwork deadline, the final scope and fee for the work, and whether the committee will recommend placing a DIF-area article on the Oct. 17 special town meeting warrant. Committee members said they will prepare materials for an education effort should the financial analysis support advancing to town meeting.

The meeting adjourned following the votes and scheduling discussion.