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Planning staff responds to transparency concerns, announces MassTrails grant application and downtown meetings
Summary
Planning staff denied allegations of withholding records about the BWALT project, said the department applied to MassTrails for $400,000 with a $100,000 cash match, and announced a June 11 public meeting on the downtown plan including traffic projections to 2035 and possible zoning changes.
At the April meeting of the Town of Westborough Planning Board, planning staff addressed recent accusations that staff withheld information on the Blackstone/Walpole Alternate Trail (BWALT) project and provided updates on downtown planning work and grant activity.
Planning staff said they had provided numerous public records responses and that documents taken out of context can be misinterpreted. "We share what we have," staff said, adding that records do not include context and that the department welcomes constructive dialogue. Board members voiced support for staff and urged improved public engagement.
Staff also confirmed the department submitted a MassTrails grant application in February seeking $400,000 for the next stage of design for Section 2 of the BWALT, with a proposed $100,000 cash match. Staff noted MassTrails allows in‑kind match but chose a cash match for this design phase.
On downtown planning, staff scheduled a public meeting for June 11 at 6 p.m. in the Great Hall and said the consultant will present a second "triangle" design concept. Traffic analyses project conditions to 2035 and the downtown zoning work will consider uses and dimensional controls; one proposal discussed would prevent new gas stations downtown while allowing existing uses to remain unless abandoned for two years.
The board did not take final policy votes on BWALT or downtown zoning at this meeting; staff asked board members to help promote the June outreach and said DPW has been participating in data collection such as traffic counts and drone surveys.
