After public criticism, Westborough Select Board backs MassTrails grant for BWALT section 2, 4–1

After prolonged public comment and debate about route alternatives, wetlands constraints, public engagement and grant matching funds, the Westborough Select Board on April 8 voted 4–1 to support the town's MassTrails grant application for Section 2 of the Boston–Worcester Air Line Trail (BWALT).

Residents at open forum and several board members pressed for more information about the application and the project's finances. Joanne Arimini told the board earlier in the meeting that Planning Director Jenny Gingras had presented "inaccurate and untruthful information regarding BWALT" at a prior meeting; other residents supplied specific concerns about shifting cost figures and matching-fund sources.

Town staff described two meetings with the wastewater treatment plant board and said discussions produced an alternate trail alignment intended to avoid conflicts with planned plant expansion and the solar array footprint. Staff cautioned that some northern routing options would run afoul of a wetlands threshold that would require state-level approvals and that designers would need to evaluate elevations, floodplain and easement feasibility.

On project finance, staff said the MassTrails application lists a total Section 2 project value of $500,000, a requested grant of $400,000 and a $100,000 local match. Staff reported $35,000 in existing funds available and said the town would request $65,000 from the Community Preservation Committee at a future town meeting, contingent on the grant award. Staff and consultant GM2 told the board the grant, if awarded, would support design work through 100% design and submission to MassDOT's TIP process for construction funding.

Select Board members repeatedly asked for more robust public engagement and clearer accounting of prior expenditures; staff agreed to additional community meetings and to provide a timeline and updated budget numbers. The motion the board passed included language that, if the grant is awarded, the town manager will return to the Select Board for authorization before executing any grant agreement.

In closing remarks the chair confronted public accusations about staff transparency, saying on the record that the board "does not agree with comments made recently that assert that the town staff is lying or intentionally choosing not to be transparent" while promising improved communication and development-team coordination going forward.

Vote: motion to support the MassTrails Section 2 grant application and require return for execution passed 4–1 (one member opposed, citing need for more information), with follow-up items on public engagement, a project timeline, and accounting of matching funds and prior expenses.