Highway Surveyor, Road Commissioner, Superintendents of Streets and Public Works:

In 1727 and 1728 two Surveyors of Highways were elected. From 1729 to 1807 there were four surveyors. In 1737 the title of the office was “Surveyors or Collectors for Highways”, and in 1739 became “Surveyors and Collectors”. As early as 1729 the geographical distribution of population was reflected in the election of surveyors for the “west corner, south, east, and north parts” of the town. The town was redistricted for highway purposes in 1808, resulting in the election of eight surveyors and the same number in 1809. In 1810 a ninth surveyor was elected consequent to the addition of a new district in the west end. In 1811 the town was redistricted into ten districts, and from that year until 1837 ten surveyors were elected annually. As a result of redistricting in 1837, thirteen surveyors were elected annually from 1838 to 1841. The same procedure undertaken in 1842 resulted in the election of twelve surveyors, at which number the office remained until 1853, and likewise from 1854 to 1862 there were thirteen. From 1863 to 1871 three surveyors were elected, usually after having been nominated by a committee of three.

The town having accepted the provisions of Chapter 158, Acts of 1871, three “Road Commissioners” were elected in 1872 for terms of one, two, and three years respectively, and one commissioner was elected for a term of three years annually thereafter until 1875. In 1876 the town rescinded its action of 1872, and elected thirteen highway surveyors. This practice was followed until 1880, although in that year the surveyors were appointed by the selectmen. In 1881 the highway district system was officially abolished and the selectmen were instructed to appoint highway surveyors at their discretion; they appointed seven. In 1882 three surveyors were elected by ballot, having been previously nominated by a committee of three. In 1883 seven surveyors were chosen in the same manner. In 1884 the town having accepted the provisions of Chapter 27 of the Public Statutes, three “Road Commissioners” were elected for terms of one, two, and three years respectively, and one commissioner for a term of three years annually thereafter until 1900.

In 1900 the town accepted the provisions of Chapter 374, Acts of 1895, providing for the election of a single highway surveyor, and from 1901 to 1925 one highway surveyor was elected annually for a year term. In the latter year the town voted to discontinue the office of highway surveyor, and beginning in 1926, a “Superintendent of Streets” was appointed by the selectmen annually for a term of one year. This position was later renamed “Highway Superintendent” and in 1991 it became known as the “Superintendent of Public Works” when the Southborough Department of Public Works was created by an act of legislature (Ch. 447, Acts 1991).

Today the Department of Public Works is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Town's infrastructure. This includes the Town's roadways, water system, transfer station, cemeteries, recreation fields, playgrounds, and public grounds including schools.

(Inventory of City and Town Archives of Massachusetts: Southborough, 1942, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Historical Records Survey files 1936-1942, SC1/167X, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA.)