— News Release—

For more information contact, Henry Danis, Town Manager’s Office, 508-366-3030

February 4, 2009

Westborough Economic Development Committee Holds First Two Meetings—Retention and Attraction of Businesses Large and Small is Primary Focus

Westborough, MA—with a mission to maintain the town’s strong and diverse economic base through the retention of existing and attraction of new businesses, Westborough’s newly formed Economic Development Committee held the first of its monthly meetings on Tuesday, January 6th and February 3rd, 2009.

The committee is comprised of Town Officials and local business leaders who share a passion for the benefits of Westborough as a profitable, convenient, and competitive location for business and as a community rich in lifestyle benefits.

Members include from the Town of Westborough, Henry Danis (Town Manager), Jim Robbins (Town Planner), John Walden (DPW Director), Joe Inman (Building Commissioner), Linda Swadel (Town Assessor), Greg Franks (Town Counsel), and Rod Jané (Selectman). They are joined by business community members Bonnie Sullivan (Senior Vice President - Mass Development), Joe MacDonough (former CEO of Westborough Bank), and Lester Hensley (CEO of EMSEAL Joint Systems).

“Westborough is uniquely suited as a home for businesses of all kinds,” comments Chairman of the committee, Rod Jané. “An abundant, highly educated, and skilled workforce and our unique location at the intersections of the Mass Pike, I-495, and Route 9 along with rail access make Westborough an ideal location for manufacturers, technology companies, and corporate headquarters alike,” Jané continued, “while retail, restaurants, and healthcare businesses and service providers are woven together to form a thriving downtown district. Westborough also features a unique cultural fabric with a strong tradition of arts and history as well as one of the top ranked public school systems in Massachusetts.”

The Economic Development Committee will begin reaching out to existing businesses for input and feedback on what will keep them located and growing in Westborough while also welcoming many new, prospective companies that are considering Westborough as a future site of operations.

Informational materials and a website will be developed to be used as outreach tools to encourage other companies to join the hundreds of successful business who make Westborough their base of operations.

Input and inquiries from any existing or prospective businesses is invited and welcome. The committee can be reached by email at hdanis@town.westborough.ma.us.

Hello. Wouldn't it be great if we had an online Issues Forum for Westborough?

Well, guess what?! We have one in the works, and it's about to launch. You can start the registration process for the Westborough Issues Forum right now by entering your email address and clicking Register:

A million thanks to E-Democracy.Org for hosting the forum.

Please be sure to check out the charter.

WESTBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Message sent - 1/15/2009 (received 7:08 PM)
Legislator Contact

The financial forecast for our nation, state and town indicates that it will be a difficult and challenging fiscal year. Please know that the Westborough school committee and administration is committed to providing quality educational opportunities for all children during these difficult times.

Two years ago, I asked for your support in lobbying our legislators. The writing and calling campaign made a significant difference and increased Chapter 70 education funding was awarded to Westborough. I am asking again for your assistance. Westborough students and taxpayers deserve fair and equitable Chapter 70 education funding.

I urge every Westborough resident and town employee to contact our Governor, Lt. Governor and legislators by next Thursday, January 23rd and ask for fair Chapter 70 education funding for Westborough and request that they honor their five-year commitment to fix the inequities in the formula. FY10 is the third year of the planned five-year phase-in of the aggregate wealth model for calculating required local contributions. This isn’t an issue that affects only parents but everyone in our community.

Please call, fax, email or write today to our elected officials! A script of what to write as well as contact information is available in January's Superintendent Report, that was posted today on the Westborough Public Schools website.
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[This above message was sent from WESTBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS through the Connect-ED service.]

Ed. note (from the State Website http://finance1.doe.mass.edu/chapter70): The Chapter 70 program is the major program of state aid to public elementary and secondary schools. In addition to providing state aid to support school operations, it also establishes minimum spending requirements for each school district and minimum requirements for each municipality's share of school costs.  For specific info on Westborough trends, see District 321 - Westborough's Chapter 70 Trends, FY99 Through FY09. 

Some troops are accepting donations and cookie donations to send to military personnel overseas.

Thank you for supporting the Westborough Girl Scouts. Booth sales will run every weekend through March 15th.

CONTACT: Judith Wilchynski
                      Westborough Girl Scouts
                      508-870-1895