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EV charger costs a concern for Pyne Field project

FILE PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Members of the Parks & Recreation Commission on Tuesday discussed the next steps for the Pyne Field project and debated whether electric vehicle charging requirements for proposed parking lots at the site would be a manageable cost.

Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus recapped his meeting with the Planning Board on June 16 where he presented an updated version of the project design. This iteration of the plan puts the cricket pitch across an access road while the baseball field remains in place. Each field would have its own parking lot, thereby limiting users crossing the road.

Lewitus noted that the Planning Board was more receptive to this version than a previous design. However, it remained firm on applying the town’s EV charging station bylaw. It requires construction projects building parking areas with 25 or more parking spaces to include electric vehicle supply equipment-installed and/or EV-ready parking spaces.

In the Planning Board meeting, members discussed whether both proposed lots at Pyne Field needed EV spaces or just one. The board recommended Parks & Rec evaluate both options and their associated costs.

“I’m going to ask Gale [Associates] to look into that,” Lewitus told the Parks & Rec Commission.

Members discussed the merits of the bylaw requirements and whether they still applied to the Pyne Field project. Chair Kyle Smith wondered whether the bylaw might not apply because at least one of the lots already exists and just needs improvements. Member Amy O’Donnell also inquired as to whether paving an existing lot would trigger the EV charging station requirements.

Vice chair Dan Terry expressed hesitation given the potential cost of the EV spaces. “I’m not sure I’m in favor of the project if we need to spend $150,000 on four parking spots for people who are going to be driving less than six minutes to get to the place and are only going to be there for an hour-and-a-half,” he said.

The commission agreed to keep the project moving forward. Lewitus shared he would be meeting with abutters and was planning a design meeting with the town’s baseball and cricket leagues.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

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Photo of the Day

A home on Hayden Rowe Street is decorated ahead of the July 4 holiday.

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD