By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – Ever since state officials abruptly shut down the Westborough State Hospital in 2010, town officials have anxiously awaited what the fate of the 108-acre site will next be. A study commissioned by the Mass. Division of Capital Asset Management and Mass. Historic Commission stated the best use would a residential development of over 500 single and multi-family dwellings. This is an option that town officials and many residents do not want to see at the property.
Most of the property, which is located on Lyman Street, is in Westborough, although a small portion is in Northborough. Officials in that town have also cited that they are not in favor of seeing a 500-plus residential complex be built on the site.
In 2011, the Westborough Board of Selectmen created the ad hoc Westborough State Hospital Acquisition Committee to assess the possibility of the town purchasing the property from the commonwealth. The committee will be holding three public meetings prior to the October Town Meeting ?to present its findings, discuss other possible reuses of the property and to hear residents” opinions on the matter.
The first meeting will be held on Monday, June 17 at 7 p.m. in the Westborough High School auditorium, 90 West Main St. A meeting will also be held later this summer and one will be held in September.
The issue was discussed briefly at the June 4 Westborough Economic Development Committee meeting. Town Manager Jim Malloy said one thought is to “subdivide off the soccer fields and parcelize and redevelop the other parts.”
Two of the approximately 30 buildings on the property have been deemed historically significant to save, he added; the rest would be demolished.
For more information, residents may contact Malloy at 508-366-3030 or [email protected].