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Select Board approves Otis Street easements after treatment-plant concerns raised
Summary
The Westborough Select Board voted to approve easements at 50 and 64 Otis Street to formalize public trail access near Hakamaka Pond. A resident and treatment-plant representatives raised safety, utility crossing and future-expansion concerns that the board and planners said the easement preserves options to address.
The Westborough Select Board approved easement documents for 64 Otis Street and 50 Otis Street, formalizing public access for walking trails near Hakamaka Pond while staff noted there are no immediate plans to build a full 10-foot shared-use path. The action followed public comment from a resident who relayed concerns raised by the town's water treatment plant about trail proximity to plant infrastructure.
Joanne Aramini, of 7 Middle Road, told the board the treatment plant sent a letter dated 08/30/2024 listing four primary concerns: the proposed proximity of a shared-use path to plant facilities; a trail crossing over underground conduits that deliver electricity from nearby solar arrays; the trail's encroachment on areas identified for future plant expansion; and safety risks from mixing recreational users with truck and service-vehicle traffic. "They voiced their concerns. Fell on deaf ears," Aramini said, summarizing the plant board's view that the matter was not adequately addressed previously.
Fred Lenard, the town's community development director, said the easements are rooted in site-plan agreements dating to 2020 and that the proposal in front of the board largely formalizes existing, informal walking routes near the old AstraZeneca/Amazon parcel and Hakamaka Pond. Lenard and other staff explained the easement language allows a daylight-only, 10-foot walking trail intended for passive recreation (walking and birding) and explicitly excludes motorized vehicles, motorized bikes and skateboarding. Staff also noted service vehicles must access the solar array field and the easement preserves the town's ability to clear, maintain or upgrade paths in the future.
A Select Board member moved "to approve and execute the easement documents for 64 Otis Street and 50 Otis Street" (citing Articles from 2024); the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Planners said the easement does not obligate the town to immediately construct a new 10-foot trail but preserves the option and clarifies permitted activities and restrictions.
Next steps include recorded easement documents and continued coordination between planning staff, the Hakamaka Pond Reuse Committee and the water treatment plant about maintenance, safety and any future trail upgrades. Staff also noted a Jan. 16 joint meeting with the Planning Board to discuss BWALT-related topics.
The vote to approve the easements was taken by voice; the board did not record a roll-call tally in the public minutes on this item.
