Board of Education Moves Forward with Track Plan

The Board of Education voted to move forward Tuesday with a proposal for a six-lane synthetic track and multi-use field on the west side of Canton High School. 

The vote registered support for the plan, which was presented by the Track and Field Temporary Study Committee at the board's last meeting.

Its study estimates the plan, which also includes revamped parking, a girls softball field and a new exit from the school, at $4 to $5 million.

The board's vote Tuesday does not involve money yet but authorizes Superintendent Kevin Case to begin discussing the issue with the town.

"That would be the next step," Case said before the vote. "I would then have the conversation with the town to move forward."

The issue once again generated several comments from residents.

Selectman Stephen Roberto praised the committee's Nov. 30 presentation but said he had a number of questions, including the estimated costs, which he said seem like guesses. He also questioned whether the estimate of raising half the funds through grants, fundraisers and other methods might hurt other town projects on the horizon, such as the town's effort to find a location to build a new town garage.

"I hope to learn some of the answers before you go forward with anything," Roberto said.

A few neighboring residents voiced their concerns with the plan.  

Gordon Harmon said it's too much for too little.

"We're talking an awful lot of money for a small number of students," he said.

Harmon also repeated his concerns from the previous meeting that he felt the proposal would bring a field, lights and proposed exit much too close to the school's neighbors. Cheryl Follert, another Simonds Avenue resident, echoed his concerns.

"We just have so many unanswered questions," she said after leaving the meeting.

Mark Quattro, who served on the track committee, attempted to answer some of the concerns during his public comment.

He said every aspect of the plan is "fluid" at this point and is subject to change, discussion and input.  If a plan goes forward it would need to be brought to the Board of Selectman, the Board of Finance and  the Zoning Commission, among other steps, he said.

"This is going to be a long process from this point forward," Quattro said. On Nov. 30 he estimated that, if eventually approved, it would still be a three- to four-year process.

He also said the "soft" cost to have someone draw up formal plans, which would provide more precise answers, would be some $200,000.

"Until that point they are just estimates," he said.

Erika Hayes was one of several residents who voiced support. She said many students playing many sports would benefit.

"I really want to see it pass," she said.

Jennifer Almeida also reiterated her support voiced at the Nov. 30 meeting.

"We see this on a national level for health and wellness," she said. "As a citizen, I see this as a long-term goal."

Later in the meeting one board member, Susan Crowe, raised some questions on the issue and asked about a past study of the lower field on the other side of the school.

Patti White, who sits on the facilities subcommittee,  said the concerns with that location was the dampness, because of its proximity to Mills Pond, and putting bleachers into the hillside.

Several board members said they trust the study committee's recommendations because it looked at several possible locations, including both sides of the school, Mills Pond, the industrial park and others.

Crowe said she is also concerned with neighbors, parking and cost.

"I do have concerns with the parking and cost," she said. "It's a huge project."

Mark Lange said there are legitimate questions but felt the idea was to get the process going.

"The question right now is – conceptually – is this a good idea to pursue."

In the end, the board voted unanimously to support the idea. Member Jonathan Webb did not make the meeting in time to vote but did support the idea and as chairman of the board's facilities subcommittee did recommend bringing the plan to the entire board.

Read the track committee's recommendations here.