On Tuesday night, the Parks & Recreation Commission engaged in an in-depth debate over proposed updates to the Pyne Field project.
Parks & Recreation Department Director Jon Lewitus provided the commission with an updated plan that will route commercial traffic away from the proposed cricket and baseball fields.
“The two main things we’re looking for are a long-term solution for sawmill access and mitigating the current safety issues from [JB Sawmill’s] traffic,” said Lewitus.
First approved for funding at Town Meeting in 2023, the Pyne Field project has met delays in its early phases. Lewitus recently has taken steps to shepherd the project along.
One of the complicating factors in moving the project forward is traffic from JB Sawmill. Trucks from the company travel past the field en route to the mill at the back of the property.
JB Sawmill owner Josh Brassard, who was in attendance at the meeting, asserts there is a significant risk to pedestrians who will need to cross the road from the proposed parking lot site to the fields.
The updated plan design — which was developed in coordination with the Planning Board — would cut a new access way for the sawmill south of the field. This would, in theory, eliminate the risks to any pedestrians.
The commission questioned the plan at length. Chair Dan Terry expressed concerns over the logistics of the new access way. He also brought up concerns about the project’s timeline, should a new design be implemented.
“This makes it at least another two years [to completion],” said Terry. “There will be engineering, approvals, appeals and notice to neighbors. … It will take years.”
Vice chair Amy O’Donnell sided with Terry’s concerns. “Telling folks we don’t have fields for them for another two to three years is not a plan,” she said.
“Waiting that much longer for this project is a waste of our time and energy,” added O’Donnell.
She also brought up the issue of cost. A new driveway for the sawmill, O’Donnell estimated, could double the original budget.
Brassard pushed back, bringing up his issues of liability if the town elects not to make meaningful improvements for pedestrian safety.
He also reminded commission members that the road in question is his only way to access Fruit Street. The mill has a back route through the Woodville Rod & Gun Club, but it cannot send trucks that way.
“We can’t do that because of zoning,” he said.
Lewitus reiterated to the commission that the newly proposed Pyne Field plan was not set in stone. The intention was to gather feedback on the Planning Board’s proposed change before moving forward.
Commission members agreed that they were not ready to make a final determination on the potential redesign. They asked Lewitus to continue working with the Planning Board to develop all options and come back for further discussion.
Board discusses car show at Sandy Beach lot
Representatives of the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association (LMPA) were on hand to discuss their request to use the Sandy Beach parking lot for a car show.
The proposed car show would take place from 9 a.m.-noon on Sept. 8. It could feature up to 50 exotic cars and would be open to the public.
“It’s a community event for people in Hopkinton,” said an LMPA representative. “It’s meant as something to do in early September as other things are winding down.”
Lewitus explained he had brought the request to the commission’s attention to get its thoughts on whether to allow it, and what to do about use of the lot in general.
“If we accept this, it could set a precedent,” said Lewitus.
The commission discussed what the logistics of the event looked like with representatives. Lewitus primarily was concerned about noise and the current condition of the parking lot.
Terry brought up potential conflicts with boaters and other residents looking to use Sandy Beach during that time period. While the proposed date is after the end of the beach season, boaters still might wish to access the lake from Sandy Beach.
“It’s only half a day,” said Terry, “but if it’s warm, you’ve only got a handful of those sort of days left for the rest of the year.”
O’Donnell and member Kyle Smith also voiced concerns about other groups taking advantage of the lot if this event is allowed.
“If not presented formally, events could still just happen,” said Smith.
Lewitus explained these were the reasons he wanted to discuss the issue with the Commission.
“The big issue is how we monitor the beach once the season ends,” he said.
Terry stressed that if the commission allowed the event, Parks & Rec should communicate with trailer pass holders that the beach will be unavailable well in advance.
After more discussion, the commission unanimously agreed to allow the car show and evaluate its success.
“Let’s compare notes on how it goes,” said Terry.
Requests for events at pickleball courts evaluated
Lewitus opened discussion on recent requests by local organizations to utilize the town’s new pickleball courts for fundraising events.
“How do we want these courts used, and are we comfortable using them for fundraising?” he asked.
He went on to explain that Parks & Rec has no policy in place yet for fundraising events that request to use public parks.
O’Donnell floated the idea of charging groups a nominal fee to rent out the courts as a sort of service charge. She explained the money could go to improvement and maintenance costs.
Lewitus and Terry pushed back on this idea, both explaining that the general philosophy of the department should be to keep access to these facilities free to any resident.
“Anyone from town should be able to use these [courts] any time they want,” said Terry.
However, the commission ruled against allowing organizations to use the pickleball courts for events for the near future. Members cited usage and demand as their primary concerns.
“We still don’t know what the demand for the courts is like,” said Terry, “and what effect using them for events like these would have.”
If there are 50 exotic cars in the parking lot at Sandy Beach where will the spectators park? The feeder roads are narrow and mostly dead ends.