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EDC flags large-building energy reporting and tourism opportunities ahead of Westborough’s 250th

Town of Westborough Economic Development Committee · November 5, 2025
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Summary

Staff reported that large buildings (20,000+ sq ft) will be required to report energy usage and that the town should coordinate early with utilities and property owners; the EDC also discussed tourism outreach tied to regional events and a new 250th committee with a small transferred budget.

Lara briefed the committee on an energy‑reporting meeting she and sustainability coordinator Lila attended in Burlington. Per the briefing, large buildings (20,000 square feet or more) will be required to report energy usage; Lara said reports are captured by utilities and fed to state reporting (transcript referenced "DOREs"). She emphasized reporting is an initial step and that municipalities should consider next steps toward reducing energy use, as well as capital planning to support efficiency, HVAC improvements, electrification and demand‑response programs.

Committee members noted practical constraints: the need to align building owners and users on investments and the potential for utility queuing and infrastructure upgrades in growth areas such as Flanders and Connector Road. Lara suggested inviting Sustainable Westborough to speak to the EDC next month about opt‑in stretch codes and community solar opportunities; Lila, the town’s sustainability coordinator, was identified as a contact.

Separately, Lara recapped a tourism meeting hosted by the DoubleTree and a conversation with the MetroWest/Boston Visitors Bureau. The bureau offered ideas for walking tours, seasonal promotion and ways for Westborough to capture spillover from sports events (World Cup/FIFA). The select board will appoint a 250th committee; transcript indicated around $30,000 from a dissolved spirit committee was transferred by town meeting to fund the new committee. The EDC discussed transportation/logistics challenges for moving visitors from hotels to downtown and fan zones.

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