Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: May 1

National Grid has a reminder for homeowners, contractors and excavators.

  Each morning, Westborough Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, reminders and odd little ditties to help you organize your day. What will you be doing today?   1. The Westborough Economic Development Committee meets at 8 a.m. at the Department of Public Works building, 131 Oak St. This meeting is free and open to the public. Find out what Westborough is doing to encourage businesses to startup, locate and stay in town. 2. The Municipal Building Committee is holding a public meeting at 7 p.m. in the Board of Selectmen meeting room of Town Hall. The purpose is to provide information and receive input from the public on the proposed fire station and debt exclusion vote. Get the details of what …

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Officials Say Town Working Hard to Attract Businesses

Westborough’s three-year-old Economic Development Committee spearheads local efforts to boost local business growth and ease the tax burden placed on homeowners.

  Even as persistently vacant retail storefronts and ever-rising residential tax bills frustrate some residents, Westborough officials say they are doing all they can to make the town more attractive and welcoming to businesses of all sizes.  “Westborough has worked and continues to work very hard to do all we can to bring businesses into the community,” said Selectman Tim Dodd. “For a very long time, we have had one of the highest percentages of businesses versus resident tax burden in the state. But that being said, that percentage has shrunk.” That is due in part to a surge in residential growth and a decrease in commercial property value tied to economic pressures. Officials also acknowledge that businesses seem to be more mobile than …

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MaryJo Kurtz

7:45 am on Thursday, March 22, 2012

Sunshine Week has been around for a few years and is probably better known by those of us in the media. There is no political agenda to it that I know of. The push, especially for us in the media, is to shine a little (sun)light on public information that may not necessarily be getting attention — and that includes asking our government officials to answer public questions. If anyone has a …   more ›

Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 6

Wegmans is hiring.

  Each morning, Westborough Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events and reminders to help you organize your day. 1. A recent statement from Wegmans Food Markets said that the Northborough store is looking to hire 40 to 45 more employees. Available positions are posted on the Wegmans website at www.wegmans.com. 2. Today is St. Nicholas Day, marking the life of a fourth century bishop from Myra (known today as Turkey). It is reported that the bishop was remembered for giving money and gifts to the poor. Santa Claus and the tradition of Christmas gifts are said to have derived from the story of St. Nicholas. 3. The Economic Development Committee Meeting takes place at 8 a.m. at the Department of …

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Town Engineer Cautions About Future Water Demand

The Economic Development Committee met on Tuesday, Jan. 4, and discussed the town's current water and sewer issues. Is the town able to support economic growth?

Every 10 years, the town develops a Master Plan which projects growth for Westborough businesses and residents. The most recent plan was completed in 2003. One reason government officials use this plan is to determine projected water and sewer useage. Carl Balduf, Town Engineer, gave a presentation at the Jan. 4 Economic Development Committee meeting. He explained the town's current water useage and how much is available for incoming businesses. Balduf also included information on the town sewage system. Westborough is joined with Shrewsbury and Hopkinton for wastewater removal and sewage. The three towns combined have a total flow capacity of 7.68 million gallons per day. Balduf said that Westborough is allotted 2.89 million gallons per …

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Town Officials Discuss Attracting Biohazard Industry

Westborough's Economic Development Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month. This month they discussed current issues in development.

On Tuesday, Jan. 4, the Economic Development Committee gathered to discuss pending plans for business growth and development. Planning for Biotechnology One of the topics discussed at Monday's meeting was getting a rating from the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council which would encourage biotechnology companies to locate in Westborough. The council has criteria for several ratings levels, with platinum being the highest designation.  Town Planner Jim Robbins said that having a platinum designation level may help attract more types of businesses. Having a platinum level designation means that Westborough could have level 4 biohazard companies bring business to the town, he explained. While having biohazardous companies may not seem …

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Patch Facts

5 Things to Know Today: Tuesday, Jan. 4

Westborough's businesses take center stage today with the Economic Development Committee meeting this morning and the Planning Board meeting tonight.

1. Westborough's Economic Development Committee meets this morning at 8:00. The meeting takes place at the Department of Public Works on Oak Street. This meeting is open to the public. Anyone interested in learning about growing Westborough's economic climate is encouraged to attend. 2. The Westborough Planning Board meets tonight at 7:00 in the Forbes Municipal Building at 45 West Main Street. This public meeting will cover topics pertaining to business and land development in the town. 3. The Rangers boys' varsity basketball team travels to Quabbin Regional High School for a game tonight at 7:00. 4. The Westborough High School girls' varsity basketball team is hosting Quabbin Regional High School for a game in the high school gym …

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