05/16/06
Workshop to eye separate proposals for Nordic ski trails,
artificial turf field
The Town Council has scheduled an extra workshop for Tuesday, June 6, to
review separate proposals for two new recreational facilities in town.
The workshop will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall chamber.
At their May 15 meeting, councilors heard a proposal from "KidsTurf", a citizen
group, to raise funds for and install an artificial playing surface on the
soon-to-be lighted lower field at the High School; and, a separate, updated
proposal from Cape Nordic ski club for a cross-country running and ski trail
at Gull Crest.
Both citizen groups are proposing to complete their projects with privately
raised funds.
"We have heard tonight two incredible proposals from citizen groups that
have spent a tremendous amount of time, that are willing to find private
dollars to do something that will be beneficial, beyond a lot of our
imaginations, for the long term," Town Council Chairman David Backer said
at the May 15 meeting of the Town Council.
While all councilors indicated support for both proposals, nearly all said
they also had specific questions, questions that could be better addressed
in a workshop setting.
The proposal from Cape Nordic is a more developed version of one initially
presented to the council last December and February.
(Click here for news story) With the blessing
of the council, Cape Nordic consulted a professional trail designer, John
Morton, to develop plans for a network of trails for cross country skiing
that could also be used for running, hiking, and snowmobiling.
Representatives of the group presented the revised proposal to the council
May 15, hoping for approval of the trail design, approval for the trail committee
to proceed with phase I of trail development, and, permission to apply to
the state Department of Environmental Protection for additional wetland
permitting, if necessary, in the second phase of the project.
Phase I includes upland areas covering 2.4 kilometers. The second phase,
in the southern section of the Gull Crest area, includes 4.2 kilometers with
some wetland.
Cape Nordic representatives said they met informally with the DEP. "They
were enthusiastic because even though it is more extensive than what was
originally proposed, it has less impact on wetlands," Cape Nordic president
Dave Roberts told members of the council.
Both phases of the project are projected to cost $39,000, with more than
$10,000 pledged. The group has recruited more than 40 volunteers to pitch
in with the labor.
Although councilors were familiar with Cape Nordic's desire to develop
cross-country trials at Gull Crest, it was their first time seeing completed
maps and designs. The Conservation Commission has also been working with
Cape Nordic, but as of May 15 its members did not believe they had enough
information to provide the council with a recommendation. It is also unclear
as to whether the plan needs approval by the Planning Board.
"I understand the need to get this moving," said Councilor Anne swift-Kayatta,
responding to Cape Nordic's desire to complete the first phase of trails
by the start of the fall cross-country season. However, "this needs to be
a complete plan. I think it would behoove us to have a workshop."
The KidsTurf organization is also hoping to complete its
project, installation of artificial turf at the lower High School field,
by the fall. "It's an aggressive goal, but that's our goal," said KidsTurf
organizer and local coach Michael Ott. Ott had presented the KidsTurf proposal
and gained authorization from the School Board to begin fund-raising,
(click here for news story) but the council had
more questions to consider before giving its authorization.
Potential impact on the neighboring Elizabeth Park subdivision, turf replacement
costs and handling of gate fees were among issues to be resolved in the minds
of some councilors. "I would want to make sure we're not leaving a future
council with a $500,000 nut to crack in one budget year," said Councilor
Mary Ann Lynch. Swift-Kayatta said she thought an artificial turf field was
a "nifty" idea, but that she too had questions about the long-term costs
and funding.
In his presentation, Ott said KidsTurf anticipated an initial installation
cost of $600,000. Current replacement cost is estimated at $300,000, but
that wouldn't been needed for 10-14 years. He projected that fees generated
by increased sports attendance, and savings from lower maintenance costs
of an artificial playing surface, could fund replacement.
Like the Cape Nordic trails project, KidsTurf has a two-phase plan in mind,
beginning with installation of an artificial surface at the lower High School
field. Lights, also funded by citizen efforts, have already arrived for
installation there. The second phase would include a snack shack, scoreboard
and bleachers, and the beginning of an endowment to fund replacement of the
surface in 10-14 years.
Also, like the Cape Nordic proposal, the artificial turf proposal may need
to go to the Planning Board. Installation of lights at the field are part
of the school renovations site plan, said Town Manager McGovern, and he said
the board should be allowed to consider the effects of potential increased
usage of the field.
Councilors voted unanimously to discuss both proposals at the soonest possible
date.
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