Town wayfinding plan presented to Westborough committee; no immediate changes to school signs

Fred Linairo, identified in the meeting as the town’s community development director, presented a wayfinding and branding campaign funded by state‑earmarked funds. The design package shows a town logo and a dominant "ranger red" color intended for directional signs placed around town as replacements when existing signs are renewed.

Linairo said the program is meant to provide consistent signage and wayfinding, not to force replacement of existing school signs: "We're not asking the school to make any changes to the signs," he told the committee. The administration is seeking feedback from boards and committees that have jurisdiction over specific locations.

Committee members praised the concept as helpful for visitors and residents. One member noted the brick sign at the high school was a class gift and urged the committee to consult the original donor before any change. Linairo said he was not asking to replace that sign now and suggested any change would be phased in if and when replacement circumstances arise.

Linairo noted the town has some grant money (roughly $70,000 referenced) for directional signage but said those first dollars will likely go toward wayfinding rather than individual building plaques. He identified Hastings as a plausible first site for replacement as that parking/driveway project is considered.

Next steps: administration will circulate design samples for committee feedback and coordinate jurisdictional review with school and town boards.