Redevelopment plans for Pyne Field, located off Fruit Street, continue to be considered. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

The Parks & Recreation Commission on Tuesday evaluated alternate sites for a cricket pitch and baseball field in town as it continues to reconsider the future of the Pyne Field renovation project.

Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus presented three geographic information system (GIS) maps of Pyne Field and two alternate locations to the commission. He noted Gale Associates, the design firm working on the Pyne Field project, mapped out field arrangements for sports fields at the Carbone’s property on Cedar Street and behind Center School.

The two alternate sites were considered because of ongoing projects and land acquisitions occurring at each property. The town has expressed interest in purchasing the Carbone’s Restaurant property — and an adjoining parcel in Ashland — for open space and town use. The Community Preservation Committee and the Hopkinton Center for the Arts are spearheading a project to rehabilitate Center School into a mixed-use facility for the town and the nonprofit.

Both Lewitus and chair Dan Terry noted problems with the Carbone’s map and the fields’ proximity to wetlands on the property. 

“Two fields wouldn’t work, but having one field there would potentially work,” said Terry. He encouraged the commission to be open to utilizing some of the Carbone’s property if it were available to Parks & Rec. Lewitus added that the land had been considered as a potential location for a splash pad previously.

Terry also shared concerns over the timeline of the Center School project but expressed optimism over the site’s potential. “If it goes really well, it’s a good five-plus years away,” he said. “Since the teardown of that building is less than five years away, I think there’s an opportunity to get back there.”

Member Amy O’Donnell voiced her support for the plan that would keep the cricket and baseball fields at Pyne Field. “This is the best location,” she said.

A new plan for Pyne Field would put the cricket pitch, baseball diamond and parking on the same side of the property. The Planning Board in December voiced safety concerns about a previous plan that would put parking across an easement used by JB Sawmill. Parks & Rec pulled its CPC request for additional funds for the project after receiving the Planning Board’s feedback.

O’Donnell brought up cost concerns for the Pyne Field option, reminding the commission that the Planning Board would not budge on a requirement to have electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the field’s parking lot.

Lewitus shared that Gale Associates provided a rough cost estimate of $1.044 million for cricket pitch parking — a number that did not include irrigation, wells or EV charging.

“My original estimate of $3 million-plus [for the project] probably still stands,” Lewitus said.

Terry offered thoughts on an additional location the commission could consider as it evaluates the future of both athletic fields.

“The thing we haven’t looked at yet that I think is viable is Elmwood,” said Terry. “I think the town and Parks & Rec needs to keep looking at the Elmwood School property.”

‘Firm deadline’ needed for Sandy Beach paving

Lewitus informed the commission that he had moved forward with engaging two firms and the Department of Public Works regarding a capital project to pave the Sandy Beach parking lot.

“The goal is to go to bid hopefully early to mid-spring and then, depending on how that goes, I’d love to get this paved by the start of the summer,” reported Lewitus. He added that the process should take 3-4 weeks because crews need to work on the lot’s drainage.

Commission members expressed concerns over whether the town’s DPW and Facilities & Engineering crews would be able to execute the project prior to Sandy Beach opening for the season. 

“I don’t know that they’re properly sympathetic to what needs to happen there from June on,” said Terry. He noted that, if crews start too late and there are delays, the start of the season at Sandy Beach could be impacted.

“How are we managing what needs to be a very firm deadline?” asked Terry.

“We want [DPW] coming back to us with the schedule because we’re greatly concerned about the execution of our start date,” said O’Donnell.

Terry requested a formal vote on the approval for a start date once quotes from both firms had been received. Lewitus anticipated he would have those quotes in hand by the end of the week.