By Bonnie Adams
Government Editor
Westborough – At its Aug. 9 meeting, the Board of Selectmen heard an update from state Rep. George N. Peterson Jr., R-Grafton, and got some positive news regarding the state's redistricting measures.
Each year, he said, the state “sweeps the accounts” to see what has not been spent in unrestricted funds and returns an average of $130 million back to the communities. As a result, this year Westborough will get $70,870 back.
“I just want to caution you, this is a one-time reimbursement,” he added.
Peterson also told the board that due to his district (9th) being one of the state's largest, he will most likely end up “shedding two precincts.” At this point, he said, it was not known which two precincts that would be. He noted that he, as well as the town's two other representatives (state Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, and state Rep. Matthew Beaton, R-Shrewsbury) were “pushing to make Westborough whole” and have just one representative for the entire town.
Cities and towns across the commonwealth have also finished their plans regarding changing precinct boundaries as well, Peterson said. By state law, a precinct can have only 4,000 residents; as a result, many communities, including Westborough, have needed to make some adaptations. Those plans should be implemented by late September, Peterson said.
Massachusetts will be losing one congressional seat next year as well, leaving the state with only nine members of Congress. As a result, those districts too will have to be re-drawn. This matter will likely end up in court, Peterson said, before a resolution is reached.
