Selectmen Would Seek Public Input on State Hospital Reuse

Westborough selectmen would have "numerous" meetings to get public input on the redevelopment of Westborough State Hospital property, if voters next month allow the town to buy the land from the state, Selectmen Chairman Ian Johnson said Tuesday night.

Town officials have proposed buying about 95 acres of the state hospital site from the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management for $2.2 million, at 0 percent interest. The state would deduct $220,000 annually from Westborough's Cherry Sheet for 10 years, Town Manager Jim Malloy said Tuesday night. Westborough also would reimburse the state up to 50 percent of the net proceeds of any land sales, a figure the town can reduce to 30 percent if certain milestones are met.

The Oct. 21 special town meeting warrant includes five articles related to the sale: appropriating the $2.2 million and authorizing selectmen to sign the deal; authorizing selectmen to file special legislation enabling the deal; authorizing selectmen to dispose of parts of the site for redevelopment; creating a revolving fund through which Westborough would pay the state its share of the net proceeds from the land sales; and appropriating $50,000 from free cash for ongoing maintenance of the site after buying the land.

About 50 people attended Tuesday night's third information session on the proposed deal.
 
Malloy said town officials plan to maintain the area that includes six Westborough soccer fields as a town recreation area, and sell the rest for redevelopment for commercial and industrial uses, or a residential use such as an over-55 development, which would not affect the schools.

Malloy also said there's potential for 1 million square feet of commercial, office and industrial development at the site. He estimates that that would generate $1.3 million annually in property taxes for Westborough.

Resident Dominic Capriole asked if selectmen have committed to no residential projects on the land the town would sell.

Johnson said there would be "substantial community involvement," with "numerous" public meetings, to discuss the site's redevelopment.

"We want to do what's best for the town," Johnson said.