Select Board delays community center vote, design work to continue and back portion of lower level reserved for temporary library

The Westborough Select Board voted to delay the community center project and to make the back portion of the lower level available to the library for temporary relocation during the library renovation. The motion directs staff to seek funding for the completion of Phase 1 at a target no earlier than the special town meeting in October 2025, while continuing funded design work and obtaining updated cost estimates in January.

Town staff had urged continuing design work to preserve momentum and to produce updated cost estimates to inform any future decision. Christy (town management staff) said the design team recommended completing design work through January so the project retains continuity and to avoid losing community-engagement momentum. Staff also flagged a standalone rooftop-unit replacement estimated at $800,000 with an expected $500,000 utility rebate that could be pursued regardless of the larger project timeline.

The Library Building Committee reported a unanimous vote earlier in the day to use the community center as temporary library space; committee chair Ed Baldwin thanked the board after the motion passed and said the committee will coordinate fit-out and moving logistics with recreation staff and design advisors. The committee estimated relocation needs of about 12–18 months.

Board members debated timing and sequencing: some favored waiting for January cost estimates to possibly capture favorable bid conditions, while others worried that delaying the community center could extend the project into 2027 and stretch the town's timeline. Members discussed accessibility and egress requirements, including whether the Architectural Access Board rules would require multiple accessible egresses for the temporary occupancy and whether variances or temporary measures would be appropriate for an 18-month relocation.

A Select Board member moved "to delay the community center project for at least 6 months with a target no earlier than the special town meeting in October 2025 to ask for funding for the completion of phase 1 of the community center project, and further, to make the back portion of the lower level of the community center available to the library for temporary relocation space for the duration of the library renovation project." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Following the vote, staff and committee leads will proceed with planning, RFPs for temporary library services and moving services, and preparing updated cost estimates in January to inform whether certain elements should be advanced for a March warrant or held until later.