The Community Preservation Committee at its meeting Thursday night received status updates on current projects that had received CPC funding.

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. 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.

Chair Ken Weismantel announced that applications for CPC funding for fiscal year 2026 must be submitted by Oct. 10.

Town land acquisition properties discussed

Town Manager Elaine Lazarus reviewed properties that had been under consideration for purchase by the town.

Two highly anticipated purchases are at the final stage, she said. The town is working on a closing date for the Jenner property, also known as Rice Woods, near Hopkinton State Park. The closing date for the Colella property, located near the corner of Teresa Road and Hayden Rowe Street, is July 30.

The Larter land purchase of land needs to be surveyed, but this cannot be done until the fall because the ground is too wet, she noted.The land is located just north on Interstate 495 and is a landlocked parcel that had been divided by the highway, Weismantel said.

The Kelleigh property, which had been under consideration for purchase from Marilyn Mezitt, has been sold. It is located behind East Main Street. Lazarus reached out to the new owner, who was not named, but she has not yet received a response.

Updates on current projects provided

Several representatives gave updates on their committees’ respective projects. The Historic Commission’s outstanding project at the McFarland-Sanger House on Lumber Street generated the most discussion. The house, according to Weismantel, is one of the oldest houses in Hopkinton and it know for its massive chimneys. The house is owned by the town and is near a condominium project called Deerfield Estates at McNeil Circle. The grading of the property makes this parcel virtually undevelopable.

A proposal was approved nine years ago for historic restoration of the building’s exterior without tangible progress. The lack of water and sewer connection to the building make it unhabitable and unmarketable, and the new owner of the Deerfield Estates condominium complex did not appear to be interested in it, members said.

“There’s no harm in re-requesting and doing that again,” said CPC member Dan Terry, the liaison from the Parks & Recreation Commission. “A new plan is probably going to deviate from the original request.”

Vice chair Eric Sonnett noted that the Select Board technically owns the property. He suggested that the CPC send a letter to the Select Board seeking information on its plans for the property.

Lazarus added that Town Meeting authorized the sale of the building a couple of years ago “but we weren’t putting it out there.”

Weismantel said he was amenable to sending a letter to the Select Board.

The Historical Commission has made progress on its bridge restoration project on Route 85, Weismantel said. Michael Whalen donated a lot of the materials for the project for free, while volunteers from Keefe Regional Technical High School in Framingham performed the construction work. Weismantel said there will be a future reopening ceremony scheduled to honor and thank those involved with the project.

Parks & Recreation Department Director Jon Lewitus discussed several projects that previously received funding. The pickleball/tennis courts on Pratt Way recently opened, with programming planned for the fall.

The bathroom study at EMC Park “has been put on hold” to prioritize other projects, he added, as well as the irrigation work at the Fruit Street fields. A quote was received for security cameras for Sandy Beach and the Fruit Street parking lot and fields area. An additional camera was discussed for the bath house at Sandy Beach “to provide more comprehensive coverage of the area.”

Lewitus said “good progress” has been made on the skate park at EMC Park, which should be completed by the end of November. A plan to extend the nets at the baseball field to protect the skate park is in the works.

The cricket pitch/baseball field proposal has been delayed until a final design is submitted and approved by the Parks & Recreation Commission.

The long-awaited approval for the boat dock is awaiting the signature of Gov. Maura Healey, he added.

The Cemetery Commission expects to receive bids by this fall for its project to protect at-risk headstones, said member Kyla McSweeney. The commission received $20,000 for the FY 25 as well as FY 21 funds that have not yet been spent.

McSweeney also spoke on behalf of the School Committee regarding the inclusive playground proposal that is in the works. The committee working on this project has met six times, she said. Of the two proposals that met the committee’s requirements, BETA Group’s submission received its approval to be the designer, and the firm will evaluate town-owned properties to determine the best site for the adaptive playground.

Funding period extended for outstanding projects

The CPC voted unanimously to close three projects: the preparation for turf for the pickleball/tennis court, the EMC Playground and the Cameron Woods survey of land near Whisper Way. Unused money will be returned to the CPC funding bucket from which they were received.

It also voted unanimously to send the Select Board letters regarding the McFarland Sanger House and the first section of the Upper Charles Trail.

Additionally, the committee voted unanimously to extend funding for projects that had expired at the end of the 2024 fiscal year, continuing to the end of FY 25.

Said Weismantel: “Everyone has come up with great projects for a reasonable amount of money.”

Use of Center School for multiple town interests discussed

Dan McIntyre, the chair of the Permanent Building Committee, appeared before the CPC to discuss the latest vision for reuse of the Center School. CPC funding would be requested in addition to funding from other entities, so he wanted to offer a preview to committee members.

He explained that the old building would be ideal to be shared by the Parks & Recreation Department and Youth & Family Services. The School Department expressed interest in moving its life skills program there. In addition, there would be a public/private partnership with the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, which is looking to expand. Community meeting space also is being proposed.

Said McIntyre: “We think those four groups would fit in there really well.”

The original building would be preserved, he added, while the two additions would be demolished.

Weismantel, Sonnett reelected to leadership positions

Weismantel was unanimously reelected to continue to serve as the CPC’s president, while Sonnett was unanimously reelected to be the vice chair.