Southborough residents urge independent testing as board says Brocks complaints are outside its jurisdiction

Lucette Natalforto, a Southborough resident, told the Town of Southborough Board of Health on May 5 that intermittent odors and noise from the Brocks asphalt plant have troubled three families on Still Road for years and often cause headaches, nausea and itchy eyes. “It smells like burnt rubber,” Natalforto said, adding that residents want independent testing to determine whether substances released could be harmful over time.

Taylor, a staff presenter, said the town has received recurring complaints and that the regional environmental office referred to in the transcript as "DE" is leading an investigation. Taylor said the contractor conducting the Greater Boroughs Partnership interviews identified engagement, funding and programming as priorities; she also summarized Brocks-related complaints and the agency involvement.

Board members reiterated legal limits on local enforcement. One member said Town counsel advised the board that Southborough's noise bylaw applies only when noise originates within town boundaries and that the board likely lacks authority if the impact originates in Marlborough. “We're not allowed to lead the charge on this,” the chair said, noting the board can play a supporting role by attending joint meetings and providing historical background.

Natalforto asked the board and Marlborough to consider jointly hiring an independent environmental consultant or air-quality lab to analyze what Brocks's processes emit, and suggested costs could be split between the two towns. She said DE has previously fined Brocks and that periodic fixes (filters) did not permanently solve an intermittent problem.

Board staff said the regional DE office is working with Brocks to schedule an in-person site meeting after Memorial Day to review complaints and that staff will participate to provide context. A member noted that only one staff representative should attend in person to avoid triggering a separate public-meeting posting requirement.

The board did not take a formal enforcement action at the meeting; instead, members agreed to support residents by participating in the DE-arranged meeting and to continue relaying information to the regional office. The regional office and Brocks will set the meeting date and notify residents and town staff.

What happens next: the regional DE office is coordinating a site meeting with Brocks and Marlborough; Southborough staff and a board member said they intend to attend to provide background and to collect additional information. The board encouraged residents to continue documenting incidents with time, date and descriptions for DE's investigative record.