Westborough rejects borrowing to advance golf‑club redevelopment study after split public testimony

Town meeting on Oct. 21 rejected a proposal to borrow funds from the Westborough Golf Club enterprise retained earnings to pay for schematic design, a food‑service consultant and public engagement related to reuse of the golf‑club building. The municipal building committee recommended the feasibility work; the select board and municipal building committee framed the request as a way to determine whether a restaurant lease or other programmatic use could cover construction costs without a tax impact.

Opponents argued the enterprise fund is cyclical, that restaurants carry high business risk, and that the club’s existing pro shop functions adequately; some urged demolition and smaller‑scale work rather than a large redevelopment. Don Caprioli warned the project could become a ‘‘money pit’’ and criticized the original purchase price. Supporters said the $200,000 request was intended to be covered by the golf enterprise fund (greens fees, memberships) and to produce a clear pro forma and public engagement results before returning to town meeting.

Procedurally the meeting first voted on the $200,000 borrowing motion (122 in favor, 228 opposed). A later amendment to reduce the appropriation to $50,000 also failed (151 in favor, 186 opposed); because the higher‑dollar motion failed first, the article was defeated and no borrowing will occur.