6 Community Vision

6.1 Description of Process

The open space and recreation goals outlined in this plan are the result of extensive discussions by members of the Open Space Preservation Committee (OSPC) starting in 2000. In the summer of 2002, the composition of the committee changed by all but two members due to a reconfiguration of the committee to include representative members from the Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and Recreation Commission. The representatives provided a diversity of fresh opinions and served to ensure two-way communication between the OSPC and other town committees. The discussions included meetings with other town boards, most notably the Conservation Commission and the Recreation Commission. In addition to a public hearing to review the Plan, the actions of the Committee were informed by numerous meetings related to the development of a town Master Plan. The Committee also had members on the Open Space and Housing Subcommittees for the Master Plan. At both the Master Plan and OSPC meetings the protection of open space and the public drinking water supply were given high priority.

6.2 Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals

The overarching open space and recreation goals for Westborough are:

• to develop and maintain a community culture of active open space acquisition and protection, habitat preservation, and open space stewardship;
• to improve access to active and passive recreation opportunities for the citizens of Westborough;
• to protect the town's drinking water resources through improved management and protection of aquifer recharge areas and of the Sandra Pond watershed;
• to increase protection for wetland resources.