Select Board backs WRTA mobility-management partnership and approves several town actions
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Summary
At its May 13 meeting the Town of Westborough Select Board unanimously supported a WRTA mobility‑management partnership to replace portions of the Council on Aging van service and approved a series of local actions including downtown signage, farmers market vendor rules, waste‑contract amendments and budget transfers.
The Select Board of the Town of Westborough met on May 13 and voted 5–0 to support implementation of a Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) mobility‑management program that will partner with the Westborough Council on Aging (COA) to provide paratransit van service beginning July 1, 2025. The board also approved several other routine and project items, including outreach signage for a downtown public meeting and an expanded farmers market vendor allowance for off‑premises packaged alcohol sales.
The WRTA program approved by the board will place two WRTA‑branded paratransit vans in Westborough, operate them through a shared dispatch model run by WRTA, and have drivers hired by the town. WRTA presented the model as fare‑free through June 30, 2026; Nick Burnham, director of operations and planning for WRTA, said, “All of our rides… are fare free through, 06/30/2026.” The service is designed to preserve in‑town errands while expanding scheduled medical trips outside Westborough to Shrewsbury, Northborough and Worcester.
Why it matters: Select board members repeatedly cited seniors’ transportation as an urgent need; the WRTA model is intended to increase access to medical care while freeing senior center staff from daily scheduling. WRTA and COA staff said early outreach and registration events will begin the week of June 23 to prepare riders for a July 1 start.
Other outcomes from the meeting:
- Downtown outreach signage approved: The planning office received permission to place sandwich‑board and yard signs on town property to advertise a June 11 public meeting about downtown improvements. The board authorized the town manager to approve any additional placements.
- Farmers market alcohol sales: The board approved off‑premises packaged alcohol sales by approved vendors at the Westborough Farmers Market for the 2025 season, with the requirement that approved alcohol vendors be colocated near the market manager’s tent and placement be signed off by the police chief.
- Waste contract and operational actions: The board authorized a one‑year extension to the Harvey’s/Waste Connections contract with an amendment removing a compactor‑conveyor requirement, approved adding a substitute waste‑management program coordinator, and agreed to participate in multi‑town negotiations on a successor waste‑disposal agreement (see separate coverage for details).
- Budget transfers: The board approved transfers including $14,000 from Select Board wages to Central Purchasing for postage and $55,000 from Police salaries to Police expenses to fund new‑hire start‑up costs.
What’s next: Staff will conduct outreach events and preregistration for the WRTA program on June 9 and June 16; the board asked that performance metrics and rider satisfaction be tracked in the first year. The community center phase‑1 funding decision was delayed; staff will return with completed appraisal/survey work, possible sponsorships and a capital‑plan update before a funding request no earlier than the spring 2026 town meeting.
Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes in meeting): - Motion to support implementation of the WRTA mobility‑management program and authorize the town manager to execute documents: passed 5–0. - Motion setting the community center Phase‑1 funding target to no earlier than Spring 2026 (as amended): passed 5–0. - Motion approving placement of downtown improvement signage on town property and formats presented: passed 5–0. - Motion to approve Memorial Day poppy display (dates amended to include Memorial Day period): passed 5–0. - Motion to allow approved farmers‑market vendors to sell packaged alcohol (off‑premises), with police approval and colocated vendor placement: passed 5–0. - Motion authorizing the town manager to finalize and send a one‑year extension to Harvey’s/Waste Connections and amend contract equipment requirements: passed 5–0. - Motion to add a substitute waste management program coordinator classification: passed 5–0. - Motion to participate in multi‑community negotiations for a successor waste‑disposal agreement and contribute to legal fees: passed 5–0. - Budget transfers (as presented): passed 5–0.
The board adjourned after routine minutes and reports. For details about the WRTA agreement, the waste‑management contract changes and the community center timeline, see the related articles.
