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Select Board pauses community‑center timetable while exploring temporary library relocation downtown
Summary
Facing close votes and mixed public sentiment, the Select Board agreed to slow the community‑center phase‑1 schedule to give the library a clearer path to a town‑meeting vote and to study options for temporary library space in the purchased downtown building.
The Westborough Select Board signaled a pause on an accelerated schedule for the community‑center project and directed staff to return with options after additional discussions with the design team, OPM and public‑safety officials.
Board members said the town faces a choice between preserving momentum on the community‑center phase‑1 construction and allowing the Westborough Public Library a clearer, standalone run for funding approval at the next town meeting. One Select Board member said the community needs time to absorb the scope and costs, while others stressed cost escalation risks if the project is delayed.
Staff and the architect presented three ways the library could use space in the downtown community‑center building temporarily: a small second‑floor fit‑out, a portion of the first‑floor 'future development' area separated with a sound‑attenuating wall, or the entire first floor for a longer temporary occupancy. The library building committee has solicited at least one alternative temporary lease offsite (an 18,000‑square‑foot option that was estimated at roughly $680,000 for 12–18 months), prompting board members to weigh the relative costs and community benefits of an on‑site temporary location.
Concerns raised included dust and safety if library patrons are adjacent to active construction, the cost of an 18‑month delay to the community‑center (architect rough estimate: $400,000–$600,000 in escalation for an 18‑month hold for phase‑1 alone), and the cost‑benefit of keeping the library downtown to maintain walkability for students and residents. The board asked staff to meet the design team and OPM to produce an analysis of (a) the cost implications of a six‑ vs. 18‑month delay, (b) what elements of phase‑1 could be constructed while temporarily housing the library, and (c) how a temporary library fit‑out could be kept lightweight and reversible to avoid conflicting future construction.
Next steps: staff will coordinate with the OPM and architects, schedule additional stakeholder meetings (including library trustees and building staff), and bring back options and cost estimates to the board; the library building committee has a planned walkthrough and committee meeting on Dec. 3, which staff will use as part of the coordination and information gathering process.
