By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – There is a resurgence going on in downtown Westborough. The Town Hall is currently undergoing a $7.3 million renovation and the new fire station finally opened in November. The building at 25 W. Main St. has been torn down and replaced with a new multi-floor, multi-use building. And the former Avidia Bank, located at 33 W. Main St., also has a new owner – Westborough TV (WTV). And that is exactly where the nonprofit public access cable station should be, according to General Manager Karen Henderson – right in the heart of the downtown.
But in reality, even though WTV’s headquarters are located downtown, its staff, in reality, is seemingly everywhere. At just about every public meeting, school event, community festival or concert, WTV is there to capture the action so the town’s residents can enjoy and be up to date on everything Westborough.
Westborough TV, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, funded in part by the two cable companies, Charter Communications and Verizon, that service the town. No taxes go toward its operations.
The organization was formerly located on Lyman Street and purchased the former Avidia Bank in April 2014, shortly after Henderson took over as GM. Built in 1928, it was home first to Westborough Bank and then in 2007 to Avidia after the merger between Westborough and Hudson Savings banks.
“They were so generous and continue to be so,” Henderson said of Avidia. “They left behind some beautiful mahogany wood that we were able to save and repurpose. They also left behind desks and other furniture. The building still has much of its historic character.”
Also left behind, to the delight of the staff, is the original bank vault, which now serves as a storage area.
“Everyone loves this,” Henderson said, while adding there are several layers of precautionary measures in place so no one could ever get trapped in there by mistake.
As GM, Henderson oversees a small, hardworking staff including Studio Manager Tim Novack, who has been with the organization for five years. WTV has also forged a relationship with Westborough High School and Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School. Students are invited to come in and work on shows from start to finish, allowing them to gain valuable hands-on experience in the large in-house studio. Several students have done co-op work as well.
“That’s been so exciting for us,” Henderson said. “It’s been great to see their confidence grow as they learn all the different parts to putting together a show.”
But it’s not just students that Henderson and her staff welcome into the studio – all residents are invited to use the facilities or take out equipment to record town events. They will even train you how to use the equipment.
“We just ask that it will be for something that we can broadcast,” Henderson said.
The sheer amount of meetings and events WTV covers is staggering and then broadcast over three stations.
The Public station (Ch. 191 on Charter and Ch. 24 on Verizon) broadcasts things such as Senior Center events, Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce meetings, public library events, Scouting events and programs for veterans.
The Education station (Ch. 194 on Charter and Ch. 26 on Verizon) highlights meetings and events from all of the town’s schools as well as Assabet.
The Government station (Ch. 192 on Charter and Ch. 28 on Verizon) broadcasts a number of meetings including Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, School Committee, Advisory Finance Committee and Town Meetings.
Residents may also watch any of the programs and meetings by visiting the website and clicking on the “Meetings on Demand” button. They may watch the show of their choosing on any device including iPad, iPhone and Android.
WTV has also has video footage of events from as long as 10, 15 or even 20 years ago available, Henderson said.
“If there’s an event that you would like a copy of, just give us a call. We will do our best to find it for you,” she said.
WTV will be hosting an open house Sunday, May 31, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Residents are invited to stop by and check out the renovations and tour the studio.
“But really, we are always happy to have people come in and look around and chat with us,” Henderson said. “You can stop in anytime during business hours. We love meeting the residents and are proud to show off this beautiful building.”
Photos/Bonnie Adams
