Select and Planning boards agree to pause environmentally sensitive segment of BWALT Section 2

At a joint meeting Tuesday, the Westborough Select Board and Planning Board agreed to pause further development of a central, environmentally sensitive portion of the Boston–Worcester Alternate Trail (BWALT) Section 2, citing a failed MassTrails grant application, preliminary wetland findings, and uncertainty about the wastewater-treatment-plant expansion footprint.

Planning Director Jenny Gingers told the boards staff recommends strategic sequencing: advance the most feasible portions now while pausing the section that would require more extensive environmental coordination and an alternatives analysis. She said other projects — the Fisher Street Corridor (a MassDOT Safe Routes to School project with construction expected in 2028) and BWALT Section 1 work tied to the Otis Street Corridor — will maintain interim connectivity.

Board members and planning officials said the long-term BWALT alignment is unchanged. Select Board members noted that pausing the most complex portion did not reduce mobility objectives and would protect future infrastructure options, including potential wastewater-plant expansion. Members also discussed how advancing adjacent projects could strengthen future grant applications.

Both boards took identical formal action: the Select Board voted 5–0 to pause the portion of Section 2 from Otis Street to Milk Street and to continue work on other areas of Section 2; the Planning Board then adopted the same motion, 4–0. Staff will return with a scope and funding plan to address wetlands permitting, alternatives analysis, and environmental mitigation before resuming work on the paused segment.

What happens next: staff will continue design and grant-seeking for feasible segments, pursue environmental coordination for the paused area, and bring recommendations on alternatives and funding to the planning board and select board for future decisions.