WESTBOROUGH – On the weekend of Aug. 4 and 5, town officials and the local legislative delegation were alerted by the commonwealth that nine families were being placed in a hotel in the town.
The Select Board, public safety departments, public health department, the legislative delegation and other enlisted state agencies mobilized to coordinate the pressing needs of these roughly 40 individuals, which includes children.
The town is also in close communication with other communities who are also housing many of these families.
Since their arrival, the town has been working with various state agencies to coordinate food delivery, medical assessment, Mass Health resources, translator services and other needs assessments.
On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Governor Maura Healey held a press conference and declared a State of Emergency. She noted that 5,600 families, totaling approximately 20,000 individuals, are currently being housed through the commonwealth’s emergency shelter system. This represents an 80% increase over individuals being supported last year.
The community’s response in providing donations for the families housed here has been nothing short of extraordinary in recent days. The following is an updated request for donations.
Donated items will be accepted at the Westborough Fire Station, 42 Milk St., from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17. Currently, the town will not be accepting used clothing, cash donations or household items.
Infant/child items – diapers (size 4 and up), baby wipes, squeezable fruit and veggie pouches, juice boxes
Clothing items – underwear (men/women/children, all sizes), socks (men/women/children, all sizes), sports bras (all sizes), men’s clothing (small-large), women’s clothing (extra small-large), girls’ clothing (12-18 months, 2T, 4T, 7/8, 10/12), boys’ clothing (4T, 5T, 10/12).
Updates will be posted on the town’s website, www.westboroughma.gov.
Individuals able to help with translation services in Spanish, Portuguese and Haitian Creole should contact the Town Manager/Select Board’s office at 508-366-3030.
For any inquiries related to this emergency need, please contact Kristi Williams, Town Manager, [email protected].
