Tuesday's Meeting Versus The First Article 30 Meeting

Yesterday afternoon, Patch doublechecked with the Westford Fire Department for what happened at Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting versus the First Article 30 Board of Selectmen meeting, and here's what we were able to confirm.

• Before both meetings, the upper floor and lower floor of town hall were at, or beyond capacity (approximately 150 people). According to Fire Department officials, the first floor was at capacity at approximately 6:40 p.m., but there were fewer people on the first floor than the Article 30 meeting.
• Once capacity was met, the only people allowed to move from the first floor to the second floor were the Board of Selectmen, those who were requested to come before the board on the meeting agenda, on-duty town staff, and outside parties documenting the event for the public (Westford Patch and Westford CAT).
• Fire Department officials indicated that during the hearing on Article 30, individuals on the first floor wished to voice their opinion before the Selectmen, requiring that the meeting be moved to a larger venue. No one on the first floor indicated that they wished to voice their opinion during Tuesday's meeting according to Fire Department officials.

These two incidents were not the first time the Board of Selectmen faced overcrowding during specific topics, with debate last year on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail also drawing overflow.

Coincidentally, an agenda item on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail updating the conservation restriction at the Vose Parcel was on the docket on Tuesday as well.

Town hall itself was renovated just a few years ago (plaque commemorating the renovation pictured).