The Community Preservation Committee on Thursday mainly discussed projects proposed by the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Board of Library Trustees for the fiscal year 2028 grant cycle.

Parks & Rec liaison Dan Terry described the two projects the commission proposed. Both involve the lighting of facilities, but each one raised separate issues.

Terry noted that the $250,000 grant request for lighting at the pickleball courts off Fruit Street made at May’s Annual Town Meeting did not garner the two-thirds majority necessary for its passage.

Pickleball concerns addressed

This year’s request is for the same amount of money, but he said it incorporated feedback he received from questions raised at the ATM.

“The design of this lighting does have remote control access,” he explained, addressing a concern that the lights would remain on all night.

“Since Town Meeting, we’ve had a ton of requests online and in person asking what happened and what they can do to support it going forward,” he added. “They see a very strong need for lighting at the pickleball courts.

High temperatures experienced on the day of meeting showed that evening play into late fall was feasible, Terry said.

The project will need to go before the Planning Board for review.

Member Al Rogers asked if Musco Lighting could be consulted regarding any potential effects to wildlife. Terry agreed to do so, as well as asking about a motion detection system or a timer for the lights.

Steve Levandosky, the Open Space Preservation Commission liaison, asked about the estimated total hours of pickleball playing time the lighting would add. Terry replied that weather and demand would be determining factors.

“We’re expanding usage at a time of day when people want it,” Terry said.

At-large member Brian Colella asked about the total square footage for the area that would be lit “as a helpful metric.” It would include the courts and the parking area.

Colella said the request would be lighting a “postage stamp-size area” in the woods.

Resident Michael Miller expressed concern about the proposed lighting’s effect on wildlife there. He noted that the pickleball court area is surrounded by the Mary Pratt conservation area.

Miller questioned if the $250,000 was worth the investment. He also pointed out that insects and some wildlife typically come out to socialize at night and would be blinded.

Carrigan highlighted for efficiency

The second project discussed was for upgraded lighting at Carrigan Park. This was a joint request by Parks & Rec and Hopkinton Little League. Parks & Rec is requesting $99,000; HLL would contribute $11,000.

Rogers, a lighting expert, explained that the current lights use metal halide bulbs. They take time to heat up and about 15 minutes to cool down. They consume much more electricity than LED lighting.

The project cost would be cheaper than the pickleball lighting because the poles and wiring already exist, Weismantel said. He also noted that the lights sometimes overheat during the middle of games and go out.

Weismantel said he did not believe this project would need a Planning Board review because the pole height is not changing. He confirmed this issue with principal planner Aneri Patel.

Housing Authority liaison Beth Malloy said that the lights at Carrigan Field remained on last winter. Colella responded that people with concerns could email him or HLL if this is observed this winter so that they could be turned off.

Resident and Board of Library Trustees member Stan Pulnik called the existing lights “passe.”

“It’s much safer to have LED lights,” he said. “It’s better light for baseball.”

BLT proposes historic restoration

Pulnik spoke on behalf of the Board of Library Trustees’ two restoration requests. One would rehabilitate the bell and belfry, while the second would refurbish a bronze plaque commemorating the service of Hopkinton’s 50 Civil War veterans.

“Some of the people from the board weren’t even aware that we had an actual bell in the belfry,” he said. “And some of them had never seen the Civil War plaque.”

Permanent Building Committee chair Dan McIntyre arranged to have a structural engineer perform a brief analysis of the 840-pound bell and its supporting structure. While the bell could be rung and needs cleaning, the structure holding it in place has deteriorated. It was installed in 1835, according to Pulnik.

This project was estimated to cost $18,257.33. Costs include $3,000 for structural engineering and a $1,990 contingency fee; the remainder is slated for the repair work.

After a straw poll, the eight members present agreed that the bell and belfry project was worthwhile. Weismantel suggested using $3,000 from the CPC’s administrative budget to pay for the structural engineer to ensure a solid estimate to present at the May ATM. Members all voted in favor.

The plaque, which is housed in the portico at the Main Street entrance, “is a really important part of the history of this town,” Pulnik said.

“When I was a kid, this was a vibrant piece,” he continued.

Recent photos showed the deterioration, making some of the names barely visible. Pulnik said some of the descendants still live in Hopkinton. Restoration was estimated to cost $6,400.

Part of the request included illuminating the plaque with spotlights and adding a bench. Weismantel did not believe that the bench could be funded as part of a historical project.

All requests will be reviewed by town counsel, he added.

The hearing was continued until the next meeting on Nov. 12.

Project manager funding discussed

Weismantel floated the idea of using the CPC’s administrative budget to fund a project manager. This person would provide administrative support and consulting on projects.

A project manager would ensure that work is completed in a more timely fashion, he said. He noted that the Cemetery Commission has made annual requests on the refurbishment of headstones where the contractor hasn’t shown up.

Terry said a consultant fee could be built into funding requests in lieu of hiring a dedicated person.

Policy initiated on quarterly reports

Weismantel told the committee that this is the first meeting where applicants who have received project funding did not have to come before the committee on a quarterly basis. Rather, they are expected to submit written updates. Weismantel’s hope was to streamline meetings.

Adaptive playground ceremony Sunday

CPC members will attend Sunday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new adaptive playground, located at Marathon Elementary School.

The CPC awarded $300,000 toward the project’s $1.2 million anticipated cost.

Mimmo welcomed as Planning Board rep

Weismantel introduced Peter Mimmo as the new Planning Board liaison. He replaced Parker Happ, who recently resigned from the board.