Select Board authorizes conveyance of 45 High Street to Affordable Housing Trust with reclaim conditions

The Westborough Select Board on April 23 authorized execution of deeds to convey 45 High Street to the Westborough Affordable Housing Trust for affordable and moderate-income housing, subject to conditions the board included in the motion.

Board members said town meeting had previously authorized the conveyance. The motion — reviewed by town counsel — directs that the board may reclaim the property at no cost to the town if the trust fails to secure necessary permits, approvals and funding within two years (or any extended period the select board approves), or if the town identifies a preferred municipal use before the trust conveys the property to a developer. The motion also permits the trust, with prior select-board approval (not to be unreasonably withheld), to convey the parcel to a nonprofit or for-profit developer for the sole purpose of creating low- and moderate-income housing and requires the trust to pay all legal and filing fees related to transfers.

Jim Tepper spoke in support of the trust's expanded work; the board moved, seconded and approved the conveyance with the stated conditions. Town counsel drafted the deed and the motion language remains part of the select board’s authorization rather than the deed itself per the discussion in the public session.

Next steps: the select board will execute deeds and related documents; the trust will pursue permitting and funding for development and the board retains the authority described in the motion if permit/funding milestones are not met.