WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS

A BUSINESS & COMMUNITY GUIDE

DEMOGRAPHICS (source: *MA Dept of Labor; TOWN OF WESTBOROUGH ** 2000 Census) MASSACHUSETTS • Incorporated as a town: 1717 • Population: 18,732 (2005*) reetings from the Town of Westborough, • Land area: 20.52 sq. miles GMassachusetts. It is my pleasure to welcome you • Population Density: 912 (2005*) to our vibrant New England Town. Westborough is • Labor Force: 9,085* (in March 2009) a historic community established in 1717 as the One- • Unemployment Rate: 4.1%* (avg. in 2008) Hundredth Town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. • Government: Open Town Meeting – Board of Selectmen - Town Manager Historically, we were a farming community with a vibrant • Median age: 36.9** manufacturing presence in the center of our downtown producing straw hats and Sibley sleighs. Our industrial TOWN HALL expansion gave the town a larger and more diverse 34 West Main Street, population. The most dramatic expansion came with the Westborough, MA 01581 development of the Massachusetts Turnpike and Interstate www.town.westborough.ma.us 495 which combined with Route 9 passing through town (508) 366-3030 placed Westborough at the crossroads of Massachusetts and the heart of New England. By 1975, land prices and easy access made our town an attractive location for such major companies LOCATION as Digital, Mass Electric, Cumberland Farms, Astra Pharmaceutical, Harvey Industries, and Westborough is located in east central EMC to name just a few. Massachusetts less than 30 miles from Boston, 45 miles from Providence, 50 miles from Manchester, NH, and 180 miles from New York City—truly, at Westborough offers a variety of housing styles with an average home sale value at approximately the "heart of New England." The region is well 400K. Our local school system is ranked in the top ten in the state. Together with our connected by rail and highway to the ports, air- advantageous location and quick access to Boston, less than 30 miles; Providence, 45 miles; and, ports, and intermodal facilities of Boston and Provi- New York, 180 miles, Westborough has become a desirable location in New England. dence. Three major cross-state highways intersect in Westborough: the Worcester Turnpike (Route 9), Our single tax rate for both business and residential properties has helped to make Westborough the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and I-495. In the fifth largest commercial base in Massachusetts. Eighty percent of the town is served by addition, nearby I-190 links to the Fitchburg- public water and sewer. Our industrial parks feature first class office space and industrial land Leominster area, and I-84 and I-395 connect to zoned with access to commercial rail. In 2005, Money Magazine ranked Westborough as the Connecticut and points south. thirty-fifth best community in the nation! MODES OF TRANSPORTATION Rail: Conrail offers freight service to Westborough If you are serious about starting a business or relocating an existing business, then you owe it to and operates an auto transloading facility in the your business and your employees to consider Westborough. Westborough is a great place to town (617) 783-6222. The Massachusetts Bay live, work and play! Transportation Authority (MBTA) has a commuter rail station in Westborough at Smith Parkway & Fisher Street with daily service west to Worcester James Malloy and east to Boston on the Framingham/Worcester Westborough Town Manager Line. www.mbta.com

Bus: Westborough is a member of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA), which provides services for the elderly and disabled. www.therta.com Peter Pan Bus Lines provides service between Worcester and Boston (including Logan Airport) www.peterpanbus.com

Other: The nearby Worcester Municipal Airport, a Primary Commercial Service (PR) facility, offers 2 asphalt runways over 5,000 feet. Bay State Commons www.ci.worcester.ma.us/air

This publication is Published & Distributed by: All design and text is provided by Global Design & Publishing, LLC in collaboration with The Town of Westborough, Massachusetts. All text and images have been carefully compiled for this publication. GDP However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of the content. Photography by: Jim Tourtellotte GLOBAL DESIGN & PUBLISHING LLC (additional photos provided by Global Design & Publishing, LLC). Copyright ©2009, 860-963-0414 • [email protected] Global Design & Publishing, LLC. Any reproduction without our written permission is prohibited. www.gdpublishing.com

WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS 3 BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Westborough offers a number of competitive advantages for businesses. First is undoubtedly the town's location, in the heart of southern New England's network of well-educated population centers with excellent highway and rail access and only 30 miles from Boston. Another large benefit is the town's single tax rate. Businesses do not pay a higher rate than residential properties. This offers a significant savings in the cost of doing business in West- borough. Westborough has the fifth largest commercial base percentage in Massachu- setts. In addition, 80% of the town is served by public water and sewer, plus commercial rail access is available for property in indus- trial parks and industrial zoned areas. ith a location at the crossroads of several major transportation networks in the fast-growing region known as Corridor Nine, Join successful businesses already in Westborough is an ideal location for business headquarters. Over the Westborough: W Astra Zeneca, Bay State Commons, years, Westborough has been home to manufacturing of items ranging from sleighs, Cumberland Farms, DanaFilms, straw hats, and boots to today’s computer and telecommunications equipment. The E.L. Harvey, eClinical, EMC, community has attracted high technology manufacturing and corporate headquar- Fallon Clinic, Genzyme, Marriott, ters as well as a wide mix of other commercial enterprises. Westborough has also National Grid, University of Pheonix, emerged as an important regional Whittier Rehabilitation center for office development, with 35

percent of its employment DOWNTOWN PLANNING devoted to the service sector. The OVERLAY DISTRICT positive community climate welcomes Located in the center of Westborough this business growth on the one hand, 56-acre site (formally the site of Baystate Abrasives Industrial Complex) contains while encouraging use of open space the new Baystate Commons and the old and attractive residential developments Westborough historic train station, now the for an appealing setting in which to live office of Waterman Design, a local design and work. and engineering firm. Baystate Commons is host to upscale retail stores & restaurants such as Roche Brothers supermarket, Panera Westborough’s population of about 18,000 residents enjoys fine schools, extensive Bread, Stein Mart, Boston Sports Club, TD public services for all ages, and active recreation programs on its lakes, woodlands, Banknorth, Ted’s Montana Grille and more. and playing fields. The town’s commuter rail station provides easy access to Boston In addition, there are 44 luxury condo- miniums in a building called Parkview on the and Worcester. The community is known as a good place to live, with high levels of Commons. Baystate Commons has space community participation and pride in the town’s colonial history. available for retailers looking for an upscale location near Boston. For more information contact: Gregg Saunders, Director of Leasing, (917) 833-5915.

LOCAL BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce Corridor Nine's core towns of Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, Shrewsbury, and Grafton are known for their great geographic accessibility and superb schools,

4 WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS Mill Pond which have contributed to the development COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES of an exceptional quality of life. The Corridor • Located in the heart of Nine Chamber formed from consolidation Massachusetts. Easy access to the of various local business organizations as regional economy Central Massachusetts (the Route 9 corridor) • Single tax rate for both business underwent substantial growth during the late and residential properties 1990s. In January 2003, Corridor Nine of- • Fifth largest commercial base ficially became incorporated. The Chamber University of Phoenix percentage in Massachusetts provides networking (more than 24 events • 80% of the town is served by held a year), marketing and promotion, and BUSINESS RESOURCES public water and sewer referral opportunities, plus discounts, business Massachusetts Office of Business • Industrial parks and industrial & development assistance, resources and Development (MOBD) assists compa- zoned land with access to advocacy plus many other benefits to its nies who want to locate, expand, grow, commercial rail members. www.corridornine.org or maintain a presence in Massachusetts. Through nine offices and five industry spe- MONEY MAGAZINE Central Massachusetts cialists, MOBD works with companies and Convention & Visitor's Bureau municipalities to help them take advantage ranks Westborough as the The Central Massachusetts Convention and of available economic incentive programs. thirty-fifth best Visitors Bureau is responsible for promot- MOBD also assists companies in navigating community in the nation ing the Central Massachusetts region as a and accessing the technical, human, finan- convention and meeting site and a tourist cial, training, educational and site-finding destination. It is the primary local source of QUALITY OF LIFE resources necessary to expand or locate in tourist information and industry news. The Massachusetts. www.mass.gov • Top Ten Massachusetts school website is a guide to the five unique regions system ranking that constitute Central Massachusetts, includ- MassDevelopment provides the financial • Numerous and diverse ing Westborough in the Corridor Nine area, tools and real estate expertise needed to recreational facilities including and includes general information plus listings stimulate economic growth across the state a municipal golf course and miles of of accommodations, attractions, dining, of Massachusetts. public hiking trails services and event/convention locations. www.massdevelopment.com www.centralmass.org

WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS 5 Voted one of Money Magazine’s Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2005.

estborough is a friendly, community-minded place to Wlive and work. Not only does the town offer a Civic Club (www.westborocivicclub.com) that has hosted social and fund raising events since 1975, there is a club just for new residents as well, the Westborough Newcomers Club (www.westboroughnewcomers.org). The Westborough Charm Bracelet The Westborough Charm Bracelet is a In addition, the Westborough public school system is one of the best in Massachu- planned network of trails throughout West- setts. In 2008, US News & World Report ranked Westborough High School in the top borough that was begun in 2000 by the 10% of public high schools in the state. Westborough Community Land Trust and the town's Open Space Preservation Committee. The network is a work in progress but through The town itself fares well in comparison to others nationwide. In 2005,Money the use of existing trails in town and the con- Magazine named Westborough the 35th best community in the nation in a struction of extensive new trails, a significant ranking of the Top 100 Best Places to Live. And while Westborough has easy access portion of the work has been completed. Trail to numerous retail stores, restaurants (over 1,500 within 15 miles!) and services, it maps for about 18 different locations can be found at www.westboroughcharm.org. also has plentiful and diverse recreational facilities, including a municipal golf course and miles of public hiking trails. A few of the most popular trails: Fisheries and Wildlife to Cedar Hill Reservation Trail: This 4.5 mile section of WESTBOROUGH trail connects land parcels that comprise one COUNTRY CLUB of the largest open space areas in Central Owned by the town, Westborough Country Club features a public 9-hole par 36 golf course offering a range of tournament play as well as family oriented play. Ameni- ties include a clubhouse (with meeting room and locker facili- ties), pro shop and restaurant, Mulligan’s Taverne, serving lunch and dinner daily. westborocountryclub.com

6 WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS Bay State Commons SHOPPING & DINING

Corridor Nine is a regional shopping destination, with everything from large- scale retail stores and shopping plazas to specialty stores plus thousands of dining options, from fast food to world-class restaurants.

Located just one block from Westborough’s historic district, Bay State Commons is an upscale, mixed- use retail and resi- dential development. It features 250,000 Ted’s Montana Grill sq ft of retail and restaurants, including Massachusetts, including the 427-acre Public Parks & Recreation Roche Brothers Grocers, Ted’s Westborough Wildlife Management Area. Westborough has many neighborhood Montana Grill, SteinMart discount The trail also passes through Crane parks. These contain a variety of retailer, and Boston Sports Club, to Swamp and Orchard Swamp amenities ranging from "tot lots" name a few. It also contains 44 residential to basketball and tennis courts. properties, with a self-guided luxury condominiums and access to the nature trail. The new 26-acre Mill Pond two-acre Bay State Green Park. Bay State Park on West Main Street Commons’ village-like atmosphere was The Mill Pond Boat Ramp offers opportunities for passive designed to blend in with Westborough’s Area: Include a trail along the recreation, tennis and direct sense of history and community. shores of the SuAsCo (Sudbury/ access to SuAsCo Resevoir for Assabet/Concord Rivers) impoundment fishing and boat launching. This park pond (also known as Mill Pond) and also provides access to local neighborhoods www.bostonwestborough.doubletree.com along West Main Street, including Mill Pond Park, a new 26-acre town park.

Bowman Conservation Area: This 144- acre protects Westborough’s public water supply. It includes a beautiful shoreline trail around Sandra Pond Reservoir and trails into the Bowman Conservation Area (home to more than 60 varieties of wildflowers). From We are a 223 room full service hotel. Accommodations include, an indoor pool, precor here one can follow the Charm Bracelet and fitness center, restaurant, lounge, outdoor patio dinning, car rental, grab and go gift shop, connect with Fay Mountain and a 24 hour business center. Refrigerators and microwaves available upon request.

Westborough Community Land Trust The Westborough Community Land Trust (WCLT) is a private, nonprofit established in 1997 to preserve open space in response to increasing development pressures. The WCLT has preserved more than 125 acres of land and acts as stewards for close to 400 acres in Westborough. In addition to land acquisition, they are involved in trail building, mapping and maintenance; educational pro- grams (including nature walks, canoeing and Airport Shuttle Service Available • 10 Minutes from the Boston Commuter Rail other programs); and advocacy for open space and safe waterways. 5400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581 www.westboroughlandtrust.org Tel: 1-508-366-5511 Fax: 1-508-870-5965

WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS 7 connects to the Westborough Charm Braclet. estborough’s long history includes Open to Westborough and Northborough being the birthplace of one of the residents, Lake Chauncy Beach offers a W sandy beach, lifeguards, floating dock, picnic fathers of the Industrial Revolution. Eli tables, playground area, and bathrooms. Whitney, Jr., was born in Westborough in Seasonal passes and swim lessons are avail- 1765 and invented the cotton gin in 1795. able. He also helped introduce mass production

The Recreation Department offers an to the United States at his Whitney Arms extensive series of activities for all ages year Company in New Haven, CT, in the early round. Programs are changed seasonally and 1800s. include sports (teams, clinics & lessons), arts & crafts, science & computer classes, swim lessons, playground programs and more. HISTORY & CULTURE Westborough has several National Regis- Local Farm Businesses – carrying ter Districts including the West Main Street on Westborough's agricultural Historic District and its extensions, the heritage… Vintonville Historic District and the Cedar Swamp Archaeology Historic District. Nourse Farm The 140-acre Nourse Farm is the 10th oldest continuously operating family business in the Cedar Swamp is the largest country. Visit the 1722 farmstead and pick remnant of glacial Lake Assabet. your own blueberries and strawberries. Their In the 1980s, archaeological retail store, open June–December, offers research identified 42 sites with seasonal fresh fruits & vegetables, jams, pies, evidence of prehistoric occupation Westborough Community Chorus and other specialty products. by native people and led to the Founded in 1971, the chorus rehearses weekly and presents two shows a year. The www.oldenoursefarmgourmet.com entire 2,600-acre area being listed only requirement for membership is a love of on the National Register Uhlman Farms Ice Cream Stand singing. Proceeds from shows fund scholar- Once known as "Milk Town" for its many of Historic Places. ships to assist students with private music dairy farms, Westborough was down to just lessons. one by 1975--Uhlman's. In 1996, a barn Several individual properties are also www.westborough.com/communitychorus fire destroyed the dairy but the popular ice listed on the National Register. cream stand lives on. Serving homemade, Westborough Public Library farm-fresh ice cream from April to October. The Westborough Historical Society Westborough Library services include www.oldenoursefarmgourmet.com was founded in 1889. Today its home is Children's Room, Young Adult Room, Refer- the 1844 Greek Revival at 13 Parkman ence Department, Westborough Room (local Green Thumb Nursery Street, built by sleighmaker William Sibley. history/genealogy), Periodical/Reading This family business (since 1950) offers Monthly programs spotlight Westbor- Room, and Adult Services Department. A perennials, annuals, local produce and has a ough's history and an annual school wide range of programs, including book petting zoo at 185 Turnpike Road (RT 9). program provides in-class presentations, discussion groups, public speakers, children's a town bus tour, and a visit to the Puritan activities and story hours are offered to the cemetery and Sibley House for every third public. www.westboroughlib.org grade student.

The Westborough Players Club (WPC) is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to producing quality entertain- ment for community theater audiences. Since 1936, the WPC has produced and enjoyed 130 shows, including comedies, classics, mysteries and musicals. The WPC offers an annual scholarship for students pursuing a career in the arts. Monthly meetings include activities, improvisations, and sometimes guest speakers. www.westboroughplayers.com

8 WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS In addition to strong academic programs, Westborough Schools excel in athletics and fine arts, both visual and performing. US News & World Report gave Westborough High School a “Silver” level ranking in its 2009 list of “America’s Best High Schools.”

Westborough High was one of only 27 schools in Massachusetts to earn this. Rankings were based on Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services analysis of more than 21,000 schools nationwide. Mill Pond School

EDUCATION Westborough Public Schools The Westborough Public School System educates approximately 3,500 students in the town's six schools, including three elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Graduation rates in the high school are consistently above 95% and the vast majority of these graduates attend a four-year college. The student/teacher ratio in 2007 was 14 to 1. Enthusiastic community involvement is evident in support organiza- tions such as the Westborough Athletic Boost- ers Association (www.westboroughboosters. com), the Westborough Music Parents Association and the Westborough Education Foundation (financially supports additional educational programs and fund grants for "innovative initiatives above and beyond the base curriculum requirements".) westborough.ma.schoolwebpages.com

Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School Located in Marlborough, Assabet serves the towns of Berlin, Hudson, Maynard, North- borough, Southborough, and Westborough, educating about 900 students plus post-grad- uates in day/evening programs and students of all ages in "Assabet After Dark" evening programs. Assabet students specialize in a technical program after exploring a variety of areas. Technical studies are balanced with a rigorous academic schedule. Graduates receive a diploma plus a certificate of pro- ficiency in their technical areas. They enjoy both college and career placement services, including co-ops that allow highly qualified students to begin careers in their senior year. www.assabettech.com

WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS 9 Westborough High School Spa Tech Institute Spa Tech Institute is a NACCAS-accredited facility that trains students for careers in Holistic Health, Cosmetology and Spa Services. The school offers classes in a wide variety of spa, beauty and wellness treat- ments and therapies, including an aesthetics program and massage and energy therapies. With five locations in New England, Spa Tech provides students with the skills and inspiration needed to become successful professionals in salons, spas, clinics or private practice. www.spatech.edu

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION University of With its proximity to Worcester and Boston, Phoenix Westborough is conveniently located near The University of many of the nation's best schools of higher Phoenix offers undergraduate and graduate education, from Ivy League universities to programs in business, education, nursing, state schools, private 2- and 4-year col- technology and human services online and at leges to art, music and technical schools. campuses nationwide. Westborough is home Westborough employers benefit greatly from to the Central Massachusetts campus. The this highly educated workforce within easy school was founded in 1976 with the mission recruiting distance. of making higher education highly accessible for working students. Today, University of The following educational institutions Networking, Dental Assisting, Electrical, Phoenix is the largest private university in make Westborough their home: HVACR, and Medical Assisting. Since North America, with nearly 200 locations Porter & Chester Institute 1946, Porter & Chester Institute schools have plus online access. It offers more than 100 The Westborough Campus of the Porter & provided education and training for students degree programs at the associate's, Chester Institute offers fully accredited techni- in technical, business, and health related bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. cal training in Automotive, CADD, Computer occupations. www.porterchester.com www.phoenix.edu

HEALTHCARE Marlborough Hospital/ UMass Memorial - Marlborough Hospital provides a wide range of inpatient and out- patient medical, surgical and ancillary services plus a state-of-the-art Emergency Depart- ment. As a member of UMass Memorial, Marlborough Hospital provides patients with the advanced medical resources of UMass Memorial, a nationally recognized academic medical center, and the only designated Level One Trauma Center for adults and children in Central Massachusetts. www.umassmemorial.org

The Willows at Westborough - Since 1987, The Willows is an independent living facility and retirement community for active seniors. Owned and operated by the Salmon Health and Retirement, a 3rd generation family business caring for the elderly in Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Westborough and Worcester. www.salmonfamily.com

Westborough Healthcare Center - In addition to long term care and rehab, Westborough Healthcare Center offers an Alzheimer's unit, complex wound care, post-acute care, transitional care and nutrition services. www.westborohealthcare.com

Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital - Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital, Westborough is an 88-bed acute rehabilitation hospital that provides services to patients with multiple medi- cal complications and those who require specialty care and continuous monitoring or require a longer length of stay. www.whittierhealth.com

10 WESTBOROUGH MASSACHUSETTS

Carruth Capital, llc For all your Commercial Real Estate Needs. • Available office space for large and small businesses. • Build-to-suit capabilities for up to 1 million square feet. • “Flex” Industrial and Manufacturing space available now. • Westborough’s largest provider of office/manufacturing/industrial space. “Building a better Westborough for over 17 years.”

Carruth Capital, llc For more information contact: Marc Verreault – Senior Vice President • [email protected] 116 Flanders Road, Suite 2000 • Westborough, MA 01581 Phone (508) 898-3800 • Fax (508) 898-3005 • www.carruthcapital.com