Westborough committee to work with recreation on 250th events, will study fireworks and drone options

Town of Westborough — The Economic Development Committee on Monday agreed to explore how the committee can participate in the town's 250th-anniversary observances, including adding period reenactments, additional stage programming and a possible parade linked to the town's established block party.

Jen Kirkland, the town's recreation director, outlined how the annual block party at Bay State Commons typically runs and what the department could provide. "We have a band that comes," Kirkland said, and the event commonly includes bounce houses, pony rides, hay rides, an interactive race-car track, about "8 to 10 food vendors" and more than 20 community tables. She said the department aims to keep the night family-friendly and not pressure attendees to buy items on site.

Committee members moved to "explore further with Jen Kirkland" how the committee might take part in Fourth of July/250th activities and to coordinate with police and fire on street closures and safety. The motion was seconded and committee members indicated assent; later in the meeting a member asked that the minutes record that Carla voted and the board described the motion as unanimous.

The committee also authorized a separate study into public-display options for the anniversary. Gary Kelly asked the group to investigate both a traditional fireworks display and drone-show alternatives, and committee members discussed trade-offs including cost, procurement rules, safety, accessibility and rain-date complications. Members noted previous fireworks costs in the town context when weighing options: a past display was recalled as running in the low tens of thousands of dollars (committee discussion referenced roughly $30,000 as an earlier estimate), but participants said exact current pricing needs to be gathered.

Laura Crawford, the town's economic development coordinator, told members the EDC has convened a small-business planning group to align summer programming with larger regional draws such as Mass 250, the World Cup and Tall Ships events. "We'd like to have a calendar," Crawford said, and she described working with the MetroWest Visitors Bureau to amplify town events and encourage hotel guests to eat and shop in Westborough.

Next steps the committee recorded: volunteers will collect vendor estimates and availability for fireworks and drone shows and return price and procurement guidance to staff ahead of a future meeting; the committee also agreed to identify a small working group to coordinate programming with the recreation department, the Historical Commission and veterans' groups. The committee set a follow-up working session for next Monday at 5:00 p.m.

The committee approved amended minutes and adjourned for the evening.