State Hospital Request For Proposals Would be 'About a Year Away'

Westborough officials are "about a year away" from seeking Westborough State Hospital redevelopment proposals, if voters approve buying roughly 95 acres of the site from the state Division of Capital Asset Management, Town Manager Jim Malloy said Tuesday night.

The purchase would cost Westborough $2.2 million over 10 years, interest free, representing $220,000 per year, Malloy said during the second of three public informational meetings, in the Westborough High School auditorium.

The third and final forum is at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 in the high school auditorium.

Voters will get the proposed deal at the Oct. 21 fall town meeting.

Malloy said that as Westborough sells parcels, it would reimburse the state for 50 percent of the net proceeds. That figure can be reduced to 30 percent if certain criteria are met, he said.

Town officials propose keeping the soccer fields there, totaling about 12 acres. he said. The rest could be sold as one site or smaller ones for commercial development.

Redeveloping most of the site into about 1 million square feet of commercial, industrial and office space would generate just under $1.3 million in annual property taxes for Westborough, Malloy said.

Malloy said that during the town's talks with the state, he has been approached by "three or four companies that are actually interested in all or part of the property."

The town would undertake a sealed bid process, and selectmen could set standards for an "acceptable bid," and "reject any and all bids," Malloy said.

Westborough could seek two kinds of bids: as "one large parcel" or smaller ones, he said.

One woman suggested trying to attract a small university to the site.

Malloy said town officials have discussed possibly trying to attract a college or university, although the school would have to be a private one rather than a state one.

Selectmen Chairman Ian Johnson said that "we haven't made any decisions. These are concepts, ideas."

Public input would be sought, Johnson said.

"I'm a little bit disappointed at the turnout tonight," he added.

The Sept. 17 informational meeting was moved to 7 p.m. from 6 p.m. because "we want as many people as possible" to attend, Johnson said.

Johnson said the proposed deal seeks to break new ground.

"What we're trying to do here is brand new for the state," he said.

"If this goes well, this is the model they hope to use with the Commonwealth."