Fire Station Plan Decision Tonight

The fate of a proposed $11.2 million Westborough fire station will be decided tonight.

The special town meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Westborough High School. The warrant includes 29 articles.

The fire station proposal seeks to appropriate $11,208,000 for a new fire station to be built next to the current headquarters, which would be demolished. The town would appropriate $10,008,000 and borrow $1,200,000, according to the advisory finance committee's report.

The funding mechanism has changed since the spring, when voters rejected the $11,208,000 debt exclusion request at the May 15 special town election, 912-672. That outcome nullifed a March 17 special town meeting vote supporting the project.

After the May vote, Selectman and Municipal Building Committee member George Barrette said that “To me the message was received and understood: We need a new fire station, but please fund it within our limits- no debt exclusion."

Monday night's warrant also includes several other requests that would shape Westborough if passed.

The planning board has proposed a zoning bylaw regulating large-scale ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installations.

Department of Public Works Manager Earl Storey has proposed amending the Veterans' Freedom Park deed restriction to allow structures to be built there. The planning board and the advisory finance committee are recommending passing over the request. The board of selectmen voted to support it.

Police Chief Alan Gordon proposes allowing deer hunting, only by bow and arrow, on town land.