Politics & Government

Residents Speak in Favor of Track and Field Proposal

Selectmen vote 4-1 to bring proposed bonding package to next step in process.

After numerous residents spoke in favor of a proposed track and multi-use field at Canton High School, the Board of Selectmen voted 4-1 to refer a potential bonding package with it and other projects to the Board of Finance.

The vote came during the board’s meeting Wednesday night, one day after selectmen and the Board of Education heard a presentation from a capital projects study group that recommended moving forward with four projects, currently estimated to cost $17.9 million.

A meeting date has not been announced and First Selectman Richard Barlow cautioned residents that this does not mean the finance board would necessarily agree with the funding level or all the projects. The hope of many town officials is to present voters with bonding plan at the November election. 

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The study group met for several months to prioritize projects and has recommended the town bond for four. The first two, considered tier 1, or top priority, were pavement management (various kinds of road work and maintenance) at an estimated $7.5 million and partially roof replacement and repairs at the schools and community center for $2.2 million. Second tier projects, which the committee also suggests for bonding, include new highway garage and related land acquisition for an estimated $7 million and partial funding of the track project at $1.2 million.  

The Board of Education voted Tuesday night to move the recommendation forward but selectmen wanted a day to think it over since it was already meeting Wednesday — when about eight members of the public spoke in favor of the track and field proposal.  

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Collectively residents said the project would bring benefits the town’s youth, address some disability compliance issues, be an asset for the entire community, provide a needed field, give track athletes a better place to practice, make the town more attractive for economic development, take advantage of low interest rates, and potentially produce revenue by allowing others to host events at it.

Some responded to concerns and questions selectmen expressed the night before. 

Several speakers even read e-mails from other residents who could not make the meeting.

Jennifer Almeida said it was not about pitting the project against others but rather supporting something the town should have.

“This is about what our kids deserve and I feel they deserve better,” she said.

Selectmen still discussed several aspects of the report before they voted.

First Selectmen Richard Barlow and selectmen Steve Roberto both had concerns about another project — sight-line improvements on Powder Mill Road — that was ranked on a third tier. Ultimately the board voted to recommend that the project be included in the road improvements.

Roberto, the member who voted against the proposal, said he still had issues with the tier structure.

“I don’t like the tiers the way they are,” Roberto said.

Selectmen Lowell Humphrey reiterated his concern from the night before about the additional $1 million left out of the track project and designated as for fundraising.  Even with sponsorship or in-kind donations, he felt it was still a tough sell. If the town is going to go forward, it should just fully fund it, he said.

“Going forward with a $2.2 million project with a $1 million hole is like building a garage without a roof on it,” he said.

Selectmen David Gilchrist, who sat on the study group, said the track project was designed in “modules” and could be completed in a bare-bones manner without the extra $1 million.

The garage project did come up in a couple comments as well.  A couple residents said the price tag seemed high. Humphrey asked if it made sense to separate the purchase price out from the potential package so the town could potentially act sooner if a suitable property for relocation was found.

Barlow said feedback from residents who defeated a proposal to buy property at 5 Cherry Brook Road at a 2008 referendum indicated that they wanted to see a complete proposal.

Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner said even if the town finds a property now it would likely not be able to close on it before the November elections, which is when town officials hope a bonding package can be brought to voters.  

During public comment, Permanent Municipal Building Committee Chairman Peter Reynolds also addressed some issues at the garage.  

A past assessment identified several issues at the facility, including current safety concerns, the shortened lifespan of vehicles that are being stored outside and the near impossibility of rebuilding or significantly improving the current site due to more restrictive Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Plain Regulations adopted several years ago, he said. 

 

 


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