By Jennifer L. Grybowski, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Town officials heard an update on the Eversource project from State Rep. Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston), State Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough), State Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury), and Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) at the Board of Selectmen meeting Sept. 22.
Dykema noted that the town has had a number of contacts with Eversource since January regarding the Worcester Feed Line Improvement Project, and that because it’s such a large project involving permitting processes from both the state and several communities it is important to maintain effective partnerships. Westborough town officials were not pleased with Eversource’s last presentation to the board, citing a real lack of effort on Eversource’s part to provide answers to questions the town has.
“We as a delegation, it is our desire to facilitate as much as possible getting the town the information they need,” Dykema said. “It is [Eversource’s] fervent commitment to make sure the town is provided with as relevant of a set of information throughout this process and it is the delegation’s role to make sure the town’s position is clearly articulated to the company and we will do whatever the town needs in its efforts to reach its goals.”
She said the delegation – including herself as the vice chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy – sent follow up letters to Eversource underscoring the need to respond to the town as directly and as promptly as possible.
Dykema said she is also intimately involved in the larger issues the town has raised in terms of climate change. She said she is ensuring the project is considered consistent with the state’s Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), a commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Selectman Syed Hashmi said he has serious concerns about the project, and wondered if the town and/or board would be supported if they decided to vote against this project.
“It is our role to support the position of the board, no matter what position it is,” Dykema said.
