Residents tell Westborough finance panel BWALT trail costs and funding are unclear
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Summary
Two residents told the Advisory Finance Committee on Jan. 23 that the BWALT trail project lacks transparent cost data, has spent town funds on design, and depends on uncertain grants; they urged the committee to press for full feasibility and lifecycle-cost information before further appropriations.
Residents raised sharply worded concerns about the BWALT trail project's cost, funding plan and public transparency during public comment at the Westborough Advisory Finance Committee meeting on Jan. 23, 2025.
"Grants are not free," said Joanne Aramini of 7 Meadow Road, urging committee members to ensure residents see the full feasibility study and a complete accounting of long‑term maintenance and total project costs. Aramini said the study was done during the COVID period and "doesn't reflect what our world is right now," and she criticized the practice of presenting project pieces to town meeting without showing the full project context.
Kevin Barry, who said he has researched the project back to 2012–2013, told the committee the town has already authorized articles totaling roughly $366,144 and that design work has cost about $750,000 to date. He cited the most recent estimate for Section 2 (Otis Street to Park Street), a 1.67‑mile segment, as $7,133,000 — "so that's $4,300,000 a mile," he said — and noted earlier feasibility figures were much lower. Barry warned those per‑mile numbers are well above typical rail‑trail conversions and said grant matches are not guaranteed, especially after a change in administration.
Both speakers pressed the committee to ask for clearer totals, lifecycle and maintenance costs, and a full presentation of the feasibility work. Aramini said she had submitted material to "Chairman Leslie" and asked whether the committee would seek complete documentation before recommending further town appropriations.
The Advisory Finance Committee did not take action during public comment but proceeded to its planned warrant review. Committee members said they would request additional detail from staff and invited residents to provide documentation to the committee for consideration.
Next steps: committee members signaled they will ask staff for the full feasibility study, clearer cost breakdowns and confirmation of what grant matches and contingencies would mean for the town budget before recommending appropriations related to BWALT at town meeting.
