Westborough trust approves $20,000 escrow, signs documents to preserve affordable unit at 3 Baylor Avenue

The Westborough Affordable Housing Trust voted unanimously to place $20,000 into an escrow account as part of the closing for 3 Baylor Avenue, a precaution to cover any limited soil remediation that could be required during construction. The trust also completed signing of purchase‑and‑sale documents, a land development agreement and an affordable‑housing deed restriction ahead of the scheduled closing.

The escrow motion was presented as a safeguard after the property — the subject of a past home‑heating oil release documented in trust records — underwent multiple environmental reviews, including core soil sampling through the slab that did not find contamination. The land development agreement requires the buyer/developer to construct an affordable unit consistent with the accepted RFP response within 24 months; if construction does not proceed, the trust retains the right to reclaim the property.

Trust members said the escrow funds would be returned if remediation is not needed or used only to pay demonstrated cleanup costs. The $20,000 allocation was moved, seconded and approved 7–0.

Trust staff also described administrative steps that will follow closing: the affordable restriction must be certified by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and filed with the deed so the unit counts in the town's subsidized housing inventory in perpetuity. The trust noted it will maintain a monitoring role after conveyance — EOHLC typically oversees affirmative marketing when an owner intends to convey and the restriction holder is notified of an intent-to-convey.

Votes at a glance: the trust approved the Feb. 8 meeting minutes by voice vote; it approved the $20,000 escrow for 3 Baylor Avenue (7–0).