Northborough pauses decision on 4 West Main as select board continues negotiations

Town meeting on April 28 took up Article 44, which sought to give the select board authority to transfer, lease or sell the town‑owned building at 4 West Main Street. Town Administrator Stephanie Bacon summarized the two strong responses to the request for proposals: one from Al Zahair Market & Loft and one from NRB (Nashoba Valley Building Services). Bacon said both proffers proposed purchase rather than lease and described proposed uses floor by floor, from potential restaurants and street‑level retail to residential lofts and community or entertainment spaces.

Bacon told voters the building, originally constructed in 1868 and reconstructed after a 1985 fire, is highly visible in the downtown business district and “requires substantial investment to stabilize and bring it back into productive use.” She said the town has spent $132,523 maintaining the property to date and emphasized the town will require an appraisal and full due diligence before any final agreement.

Residents pressed for details. Cathy DeGraff asked whether the town had a ballpark market value; Bacon said an appraisal is underway but no number was available yet. Liz Rider asked whether a buyer would need to preserve the historic facade; Bacon said the exterior was rebuilt after the fire and described it as a reconstructed facade rather than original fabric. Several speakers, including Mitch Cohen and Jacob Jones, urged the body to follow a process used for a prior property (White Cliffs): pass over now so the select board can negotiate and return with a fully developed recommendation.

Voters chose to pass over Article 44 rather than authorize immediate disposition. The moderator and town administrator said passing over preserves the town’s ability to negotiate, require a fair‑market appraisal, reopen the RFP if needed, and bring a recommended transaction back to a future town meeting. The select board indicated it will continue negotiations with both respondents and hold additional public outreach sessions before returning to voters.