At a brief meeting Thursday night, the Community Preservation Committee heard positive updates on projects for which it previously awarded funding, particularly for the Center School reuse project.

Chair Ken Weismantel told the committee that the town received the bids for the demolition work on the two rear additions for Center School on Wednesday.

On May 2, Annual Town Meeting voted to approve a request for $2.4 million for the demolition of Center School’s two rear additions and the removal of hazardous materials as part of the reuse plan for the building.

Weismantel said the committee was “normally fearful” that the bids would exceed the approved amount.

“I’m estimating we’re going to come about $900,000 under, so we got some good bids,” he explained. “So that’s looking really good.”

The bidders will be vetted, he added. There may be a price fluctuation based upon how much hazardous material is removed from the site.

Because bids were received on this project, no articles were proposed for the Oct. 26 Special Town Meeting to request additional funds. Also, the executive session on the agenda was canceled.

“Being 900 grand less didn’t just happen,” said vice chair Eric Sonnet. “The Permanent Building Committee, with the two liaisons from this committee [Weismantel and Sonnet], went through a point-by-point discussion on each of the [project points].”

Added Sonnet: “People are working hard to make this happen.”

Weismantel added that $100,000 was budgeted for an owner’s project manager. Because the project came in under the $1.5 million mark, no OPM is required under state law. This potentially could add to the money saved on the work, he said.

Weismantel also shared some “bad news” that was not unexpected, given information shared at past meetings. He said the slate roof is “in really bad shape.” Because tiles have been falling off, fencing will be installed around the property to protect the public.

Potential use of Carbone’s land discussed

The town is in the process of purchasing the Carbone’s Restaurant property, located at 280 Cedar Street, Weismantel reminded the committee. This purchase was approved at the ATM on May 2.

The town intends to build a pump station on the restaurant portion of the property.

The CPC contributed $225,000 toward the purchase in order to acquire the land behind the restaurant for open space.

The committee voted 8-0 to authorize the chair not to spend more than $10,000 to survey the land to delineate the open space property from the adjacent land at the Ashland border.

Weismantel suggested that the 5 acres may be a good site for a youth baseball field. The Parks & Recreation Commission previously proposed redesigning Pyne Field to include a baseball field and cricket pitch. The site was deemed not large enough to accommodate both fields and parking, and safety concerns had also been raised.

While no formal proposal was made, members appeared receptive to the idea. Weismantel said he was unsure if Parks & Rec would concur, as the site previously had been considered.

Adaptive playground receives ‘final touches’

Planning Board liaison Parker Happ shared that he recently visited Marathon School and was impressed with the progress on the adaptive playground located there.

The CPC voted to award $300,000 toward the $1.2 million project in December 2024; Annual Town Meeting approved the request in May 2025.

“The adaptive playground looks phenomenal,” said Happ. “They’re putting the final touches on it. I think this committee should be really proud about that as an appropriation of funds.”

Added Happ: “I think it just made a very positive impact on that whole landscape.”

Library’s Ellsworth floor replacement ‘looking good’

Weismantel added that the replaced floor in the Hopkinton Public Library’s Ellsworth conference room is “looking good.”

ATM on May 2 approved a $25,000 grant for this floor restoration project.

Weismantel, Sonnet retain leadership roles

Weismantel and Sonnet were reelected to serve as CPC chair and vice chair, respectively, in a 6-0 vote.