Committee Recommends Track, Field Surplus Be Used to Partially Fund Scoreboard, Bleachers

A town committee has recommended that an expected surplus in the high school track and field project be used to partially fund a scoreboard and bleachers at the facility.

The town estimates that nearly $130,000 will be left over from the $3.6 million dollar project. Recently the Permanent Municipal Building Committee met and recommended that $15,000 be used to have the contractor install support posts and foundation for the scoreboard and that a community group could raise an additional $15,000 for the scoreboard itself, according to a memo from Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner.

The committee recommends that the remaining $113,000 be used to partially fund bleachers, which are estimated between $120,000 and $150,000 (500 seats).

The committee also recommend that once the town has more precise estimates for various bleacher configurations that it see whether the Public Works Department or a local company could donate its services for the bleacher foundations. In addition, it felt that part of the bleacher funds be redirected to the scoreboard should fundraising efforts be unsuccessful.

The PMBC also allocated $2,000 for additional signs and pavement markings for the school parking lot.

It recommended against returning $65,000 back to the town's pavement management fund for paving to the side and the rear of the high school.

The Board of Education endorsed the proposal Tuesday night and Selectmen will discuss it Wednesday. Should they not agree, a joint meeting would be scheduled.

Skinner also cautioned that it's possible, if unlikely, that unanticipated expenses could come up and that there would be some "shortfall" in the bleachers portion.