The Community Preservation Committee at its meeting Thursday voted to recommend two top-ticket town projects for fiscal year 2026 funding: $600,000 for the Center School reuse planning study and $300,000 toward an adaptive playground.

Under the Community Preservation Act that was signed in 2000, Massachusetts communities may add a surcharge on top of their local property taxes to fund open space, historic preservation, outdoor recreation and affordable housing projects. The current rate for Hopkinton is 2%. At least 10% of CPA funding must be spent on each of these four categories, with the rest available for any category. The CPC administers the allocation of these funds based on submitted proposals and makes recommendations for approval at May’s Annual Town Meeting.

The CPC reviewed 15 of the proposals for FY 26 funding, with the request for the adaptive playground generating the most debate. Several members stressed that they considered it to be more of a school project because of its proposed location at the Marathon School.

In public comment before the meeting, Jamie Wronka, the School Committee’s vice chair, spoke as a private citizen, occupational therapist and “mother to typical and disabled children.” She said an adaptive playground would allow students with disabilities to play alongside their peers and foster learning opportunities.

“This initiative represents a crucial step toward fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children, regardless of their abilities, and their families,” she said. “An adapted playground is more than just a space for recreation; it is a gateway to physical, social and emotional development. Currently, many children with disabilities face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in play activities.”

The adaptive playground’s proposed location at Marathon School proved to be problematic for some members.

Steve Levandosky mentioned that the proposal first was presented to the CPC last year because Marathon School did not have adequate recess space. He proposed a “partnership” with the School Department, which he suggested pay “more than 50%.”

Wronka noted that 45 other Massachusetts CPCs have provided funding for adaptive playgrounds.  Levandosky countered that most of them funded refurbishing existing playgrounds and included other funding sources.

Member Jim Ciriello added that “the School Department should be getting funding in their own way.” He questioned why it was not included in the proposal for the Charleswood School building plans.

Vice chair Eric Sonnett said the land behind Center School is a better location because it is centrally located.

School Committee chair Nancy Cavanaugh explained that 198 town-owned parcels were considered before deciding on the Marathon site.

Added Cavanaugh: “It wasn’t chosen because it was a school.”

Member Parker Happ called it “frankly disappointing” that the CPC wouldn’t consider funding the project’s full cost because of the location. He noted that the CPC also seemed opposed to funding accessibility improvements at the library’s front entrance. This proposal was shot down later in the meeting because town counsel said the modifications were not proposed for the historic part of the building.

“We’ve had such scrutiny at the last couple of meetings for not wanting to help disabled people trying to go up a ramp at a library,” Happ said. “And now kids with special needs to have a playground.”

Ultimately, the committee voted 6-1 to allocate $300,000 for the adaptive playground, with Sonnett opposed.

Center School reuse proposal gets unanimous support

The request for $600,000 for a  planning study for the reuse of Center School in a public/private partnership between the town and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts received enthusiastic support. This was bolstered by positive feedback from the Select Board at its last meeting.

Weismantel stressed that taxpayers would not be asked to fund the final project, which is expected to cost $10 million. The proposed use includes community meeting space, areas for Parks & Recreation and Youth & Family Services, and classroom space for the HCA, which would raise $4 million of the cost. The idea reportedly has generated interest from state and federal officials, and outside grant funding will be pursued.

Alternate proposal for Pyne Field parking discussed

The committee was set to vote on a $412,500 proposal for construction of a road to access parking at Pyne Field. Member Dan Terry, who chairs the Parks & Recreation Commission, said a less expensive option was discussed at its meeting Tuesday night.

The new proposal is to continue to share the access road to the property with JB Sawmill & Land Clearing. Trees would be cleared to create a parking area just beyond the proposed cricket pitch. The current proposal included a parking area across the street. Terry said both options are being explored by Town Manager Elaine Lazarus and town staff.

Because the idea hasn’t been fully vetted, Weismantel said a placeholder article could be put on the warrant until the new proposal is fleshed out. This was approved unanimously.

Other votes taken

The committee voted unanimously to recommend the following requests:

• $132,960 for restoration of the building at Mount Auburn Cemetery;
• $24,300 for three water refill stations at the Town Common, Sandy Beach and the dog park on Fruit Street;
• $10,000 for a feasibility study for a splash pad;
• $100,000 for the restoration of the Hopkinton Historical Society building at 168 Hayden Rowe Street;
• $7,612 for the restoration of the floor of the library’s Ellsworth Conference Room;
• $8,000 for a conservation restriction for the Colella property.

The committee voted unanimously against the $20,000 ask for historic headstone preservation because previous allocations had not been totally spent. It also voted 4-3 against $18,000 for a feasibility study for Reed Park, and 7-0 against including the request in the warrant.

The CPC pulled the request for historical records preservation at the request of Town Clerk Connor Degan. It also decided not to vote on the request for an unspecified amount of money to purchase the Phipps property because members learned that the owners are not willing to sell it at this time.

Land purchase motions on hold

Discussions regarding the requests for open space funding to purchase two properties were put on hold because of negotiations between the town and the owners. They may come up at the CPC’s next meeting on Dec. 19 in an executive session.

The committee also debated whether the funds previously allocated to the dissolved  Upper Charles Trail Committee and the Trails Committee (also known as the Trail Coordination and Management Committee) should be transferred to the new Trails Committee, as recommended by the Select Board. The matter was tabled.