WESTBOROUGH – The arrival of spring comes with the arrival of outdoor activities, such as gardening, baseball and outdoor dining.
According to Zach Boughner, the director of community economic development, he will be going to businesses in town over the next couple of weeks to hand out the guidelines on how to apply for outdoor dining.
He said that several businesses, including Red Barn, LeDuc Antiques, Harry’s and the South Street Diner, have either applied or are in discussions with the town.
In July 2022, the town’s economic development committee published an outdoor dining and retail guide. The guide provides local businesses without on-premises parking, especially those within the downtown, the opportunity to offer outdoor customer areas in right-of-ways.
The guide includes the type of outdoor customer areas allowed (and not allowed) and the process for applying, which should include letters of support from abutters, permit applications and certificate of insurance.
There are also design requirements for on-street retail and dining.
Owners will be required to provide regular maintenance, such as cleaning and trash removal.
Fees will be assessed by the town, including $50 for use of the sidewalk, and $250 per space if parking spaces will be used.
The outdoor dining/retail season will go from April 20 to Nov. 1 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
For more information, visit edc.town.westborough.ma.us.
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