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Trust briefed on Westborough Station lawsuit timetable; Trust also reviews grant applications and Westborough TV funding request
Summary
The Trust heard that the court's stipulation freezing Westborough Station's conversion of affordable rents expires in March and the judge expected a decision before then; Northland indicated it would appeal if it loses. Trust members also discussed a March warrant article to transfer roughly $200,000 from the Pulte settlement to the Trust, a TD Bank Homes grant application, and a proposed warrant article to support Westborough TV’s first-year funding and an enterprise fund.
Speaker 2 updated the Trust on the town's lawsuit against the Westborough Station owner (Northland). The Trust was told closing arguments were made in late January/early February and that the current court stipulation limiting conversions away from affordable rents expires in March. The judge indicated she would issue a decision before the stipulation expires; Northland has said it would appeal if it loses. Counsel and staff recommended drafting an initial memo outlining potential Trust actions in the event of an adverse ruling so the select board would be prepared to consider next steps.
On finance and grants, the Trust reviewed packet materials and staff said there is a warrant article for the March town meeting to transfer roughly $200,000 (Pulte settlement funds) into the Trust. Staff also described a TD Bank Homes grant application that would fund mortgage-stability assistance, deferred-payment loans for capital maintenance, and property-tax relief programs aimed at seniors, veterans and people with disabilities (eligibility generally under 80% AMI); award decisions on that application are expected in April.
Staff also reported that Westborough TV (the town’s meeting-broadcast nonprofit) is financially strained because streaming services are not required to pay franchise fees; the select board intends a warrant article to provide startup funding for one year and to consider an enterprise fund model so the town can contract meeting coverage. The Trust asked staff to get cost estimates for FY26 coverage before the next meeting.
Quote: "The judge indicated that she would have a decision prior to [the stipulation's expiry]," a Trust presenter said of the Westborough Station case.
