(Updated) Selectmen Endorse Idea That Would Partially Fund Scoreboard, Bleachers at CHS

Wednesday night, the Canton Board of Selectmen voted to go along with the Permanent Municipal Building Committee's recommendation that a projected surplus in the Canton High School Track, Field and Parking Lot project be used to partially fund a scoreboard and bleachers. 

The town estimates that nearly $130,000 will be left over from the $3.6 million dollar project. Recently the Permanent Municipal Building Committee 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 also recommended that $113,000 be used to partially fund bleachers, which are estimated between $120,000 and $150,000 (500 seats). The town hopes the Public Works Department or a private contractor could provide some in-kind services to help with foundation for the bleachers. 

Prior to the vote, however, there was some discussion of the issue and selectman David Gilchrist made a motion to return $65,000 to the town's pavement management fund. That approximate amount paid for paving to the side and rear of the school. It was not part of the original project but officials felt it made sense to do it at the same time. 

"We have under budgeted the highway budget for years," Gilchrist said Thursday. "I think taking $65,000 out of the program is a mistake." 

First Selectman Richard Barlow said he understands that argument but wanted to see the field project closer to completion. 

"At the end of the day we need to complete that project," he said. 

Gilchrist, in turn, said he agreed with that sentiment but with no press box and lights, he feels the project is not done. 

"There's a long way to go at that field," he said. 

Selectmen defeated Gilchrist's motion 4-1 and voted the same to go along with the PMBC suggestions. 

Tuesday night, the Board of Education also had some discussion of the funds but voted to go along with the recommendations. See more details in this earlier story. 

Officials have also said that the track and field portion of the project may take longer than the anticipated completion date of Sept. 21. 

Project administrator Jeff Shea said it's somewhat of a moving target but said based on the information he's seen, the earliest would likely be the second week of October. 

"This completion date could be affected by weather and is subject to change," he said.  

At a Middle School open house this week, education officials also projected an October completion date. 

William J. Cunningham, project manager and estimator for general contractor Folsom Construction, LLC of South Windsor, said the goal is to still meet the date. 

"It's always been our goal to meet the deadline," he said. 
 
But Cunningham acknowledged some challenges.

There's been a few weather issues along the way and currently there is some work to be finished by subcontractors, he said.

In addition, to meet the specs and satisfy warranty requirements, there is a period of time where the base track pavement will have to "cure" before the final top layer can be applied. 

Next week, the field turf will be installed, he added.