Select Board approves range of town business: IMAs, transfers, job changes and executive session vote

The Westborough Select Board concluded a slate of routine but consequential administrative actions Tuesday night.

Public health IMA: The board approved continued participation in the Greater Burrows Partnership for Health and execution of the intermunicipal agreement tied to the Public Health Excellence Shared Service Grant. Staff said Northborough is host for the grant and that Westborough has previously benefited from services including a public health nurse, vaccinations, Narcan trainings and epidemiology support.

Budget transfers: The board authorized two interdepartmental transfers for the current fiscal year: a $60,000 transfer within the water enterprise from salary/wages to operations and maintenance to cover higher electricity costs, and a $10,000 transfer from Youth and Family Services salary to central purchasing to cover postage and office supplies through the fiscal year. Both motions were moved, seconded and approved.

Intermunicipal agreements: The board extended an animal‑control/inspector services agreement with Shrewsbury and Grafton (Grafton pays 38% of that part of the budget plus a 10% administrative fee) through June 30, 2025, and approved a two‑year mutual aid inspectional services IMA with Shrewsbury through June 30, 2026.

Personnel and classification: The board approved a new assistant town planner job description (grade N‑17) funded in FY25 (start anticipated around Sept. 1), approved amendments to the finance director job description, and authorized increases in headcount to add one custodian (N‑10) and a third Water Maintenance Craftsperson I (W‑4). The town also welcomed Allison Lawrence as the new town accountant, whose first day was announced as Monday, June 3.

Executive session: The board voted in roll call to enter executive session under M.G.L. c.30A §21(a)(2) for strategy in preparation for contract negotiations with nonunion personnel Patrick Purcell and Christopher Payant, and §21(a)(7) to approve prior executive session minutes. Roll call recorded the affirmative votes.