The Overseers of the Poor provided relief in the form of food, clothing, fuel, medicines, and sometimes money to "deserving persons”, who resided in the town of Southborough. Paupers sometimes received placements or were "disposed of to the highest bidder" at ‘pauper auctions’ where people in the town individually sponsored those in need and agreed to pay a weekly or annual sum for their care.

Prior to 1764 relief cases were handled by the selectmen, but in that year five Overseers of the Poor were elected. The office is not mentioned again until 1772, when three Overseers were elected, this number being chosen annually until 1800 with the exception of 1797, in which year the office is not mentioned and in 1799 when there were five. In 1801 and for many years thereafter the needy were “set up to the lowest bidder”. In 1827 they were “left in the hands of the selectmen”. From 1828 to 1878 three overseers were elected annually for a term of one year. In 1879 the town accepted the provisions of Chapter 186, Acts of 1877, and as a result three Overseers were elected for terms of one, two, and three years, respectively. In 1928 the Overseers of the Poor took the name “Board of Public Welfare” as required by Chapter 165 of the Acts of 1927.