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Roxbury selectmen ask Marlborough to consider dissolution amid staffing shortfalls
Summary
Selectmen from Roxbury told Marlborough on April 22 that Roxbury faces a staffing crisis and asked whether dissolution and merger into Marlborough is an option; both towns would need town‑meeting approval and a legislative act, and Marlborough agreed to continue discussions and gauge resident interest.
Selectmen from Roxbury joined Marlborough’s Board of Selectmen on April 22 to ask whether Roxbury could dissolve and become part of Marlborough, citing persistent vacancies on Roxbury boards and overwhelming duties for a very small town.
Selectman Mark Funk and Lucius Parshall said Roxbury is at a "crisis level," that they had circulated notices and a newsletter but still lacked volunteers to fill committees, and that they had gathered preliminary information ahead of the meeting. They told Marlborough officials that any dissolution would require authorization by town meeting in both communities and an act of the state legislature.
Marlborough Chairman Paight asked whether Roxbury had reached out to residents to recruit volunteers; Funk and Parshall said they had used the annual report and a newsletter. The discussion covered staffing, budgets and infrastructure; both sides said more work would be needed to gauge resident interest and to map how a dissolution and merger would function. No formal vote or agreement was reached; Roxbury and Marlborough agreed to continue discussions.
The Roxbury representatives and a Marlborough participant left the meeting before its close. Marlborough officials recorded no formal action on the request at this session.
