Planning board raises concerns after budget would split administrative assistant time with Board of Health

The Town of Westborough Planning Board spent a substantial portion of its March 18 meeting pressing town staff about a budget change that would assign half of the planning administrative assistant’s time to the Board of Health.

Chair Hazel Nurse said the reassignment "came somewhat of a surprise" and that the planning department needs full-time administrative coverage to answer developer and public questions and to support planning projects and meetings. "I am very distressed about this," Nurse said, adding that losing half of the administrative assistant’s time "is going to affect how we deal with the public."

Multiple board members echoed those concerns, warning that reduced front-desk availability could create a perception of unresponsiveness and undercut planning work. One member noted the move could be framed as an efficiency cut but cautioned it risks becoming permanent if care is not taken to track service impacts.

Town staff (Christie) said the change resulted from budget reductions negotiated with unions and described it as one of several difficult cuts across departments; she said cross-training and other administrative positions in the community development area provide some coverage and that the change was not intended to be permanent. "This is probably, the most difficult cut," Christie said, while acknowledging other departments also saw reductions.

The planning board agreed to monitor service levels closely and suggested tracking impacts so the board could consider requesting an appropriation or other remedies at town meeting if needed.

No formal vote on the staffing change was taken by the planning board; rather members requested follow-up and a possible statement to the select board or finance committee if adverse service impacts appear.