By Andrew Strecker, Contributing Reporter
Westborough – Will the Westborough Board of Selectmen become the gender-neutral Select Board in 2020?
Town Manager Kristi Williams asked selectmen at their Jan. 14 meeting if they would like the name change to appear on the upcoming Annual Town Meeting warrant. While most board members are in favor of the change, it was decided to not bring the issue to the Annual Town Meeting scheduled for this March.
“I’m conceptually in favor of it. I don’t think there’s a need to add it to the Annual Town Meeting,” said Selectman Vice Chair Shelby Marshall.
“I’m not saying I’m against it, I’m just saying I don’t fully understand what it all means,” said Selectman Chair Ian Johnson. “I have a lot of questions about the process we have to go through.”
According to Williams, three separate articles would be needed to be added to the town meeting warrant, including changes to general bylaws and petitioning the state legislature to change the town charter.
Last year, the town of Grafton changed its Board of Selectmen to a Select Board, and Northborough is also considering the change.
The Westborough Selectmen decided to hold more public hearings and bring the matter to the Fall Town Meeting.
