Select Board approves National Grid pole for new commercial building at 361 Turnpike Road

The Southborough Select Board on April 28 approved a National Grid petition to install a new utility pole to serve a commercial building at 361 Turnpike Road.

At the public hearing the board read a legal notice announcing the matter and invited the utility’s representative to speak. John Rupia, identifying himself as a National Grid representative, said the new pole (443‑1) is needed to provide power to the new commercial building on the site and described its planned placement across the street from the development. "It's a new commercial building, and they need power," Rupia said during the meeting.

After a brief opportunity for members of the public and the board to ask questions, the chair moved to close the public hearing and then moved to approve the petition. The motion was seconded and approved by the board.

The notice read at the hearing gave the official details of the hearing and location: the public hearing was posted for Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in the Southborough Public Safety Building. The board did not record a roll‑call tally on the record for the pole motion; the motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps for the project are administrative: National Grid will coordinate any required permit updates and scheduling with town staff to proceed with installation.

(Topic first raised in the meeting's legal notice and National Grid presentation; the board closed the hearing and approved the petition in the same session.)