The Community Preservation Committee advanced a nearly $1 million funding request for the expansion of South River Park, navigating concerns over the project’s high price tag and the town’s current inability to secure matching state grants. The $989,363 proposal targets the expansion of the existing park into a parcel at 2160 Ocean Street acquired in 2023, featuring ADA-accessible walkways, native plantings, and a significant environmental remediation component.

Project Manager Skyler Chick explained that a major portion of the budget is dedicated to public safety and site stabilization. A significant part of the scope is a 3-foot clean fill cap over the site because coal ash was found during investigation, Chick said, noting that it is more cost-effective to cap the soil than to excavate and transport it to a licensed facility. Landscape architect Pam Shadley added that the design emphasizes universal accessibility via a 5-foot wide paved asphalt walkway and salvaged granite block seat walls to manage a 7-foot grade change from Ocean Street.

While the committee expressed support for the design, member D. Keller raised concerns about how the request might be received by voters. The presentation was fantastic, but the price tag makes me tense, Keller said. People at Town Meeting might see a million dollars and worry about other projects. We need a tight presentation to anticipate pushback. The project representative, Susan, noted that Marshfield is currently ineligible for matching grants that helped fund the original park 13 years ago due to ongoing MBTA Act non-compliance issues. B. O'Donnell offered support from a regulatory perspective, noting, This plan went through the Conservation Commission and everyone was very satisfied.

B. Courchene questioned if the design accounted for future expansion, asking, Does this consider future connectivity to other parks? Susan confirmed that the master plan envisions a continuous greenway from Veterans Park to the Bridal Trail, with an easement behind a local gas station serving as a key link. J. Arouca praised the focus on inclusivity, stating, The care for accessibility is appreciated. This will be a beautiful gateway to Marshfield. Motion Made by K. Cantwell to approve a funding request in the total of $989,363 for the South River Park expansion. Motion Passed (6-0-0).

The committee also heard an update from Habitat for Humanity regarding a proposed single-family affordable home at 1929 Main Street. Project representative Paris explained that plans for two houses were scrapped after soil testing revealed heavy clay that did not perk well for septic systems. The new plan calls for a single colonial-style home with three bedrooms. We are sliding the footprint over slightly from the original house to give the homeowners more room to turn around in the driveway, as 3A is very busy, Paris said. C. Del Castillo, who also serves on the Affordable Housing Trust, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating the Trust is thrilled to move this forward.

Regarding historic preservation, J. Arouca proposed expanding the scope of the Daniel Webster Estate Law Office restoration. While initial plans focused on the roof, the Historical Commission now recommends residing three sides of the building simultaneously to ensure a 25-year preservation window. The feeling among the historical commission members is that residing is better than a series of patches, Arouca said. Chair K. Cantwell agreed with the all-at-once approach, noting, I think if you have the people there to do the work, you should do it all at once. Don't wait until the spring. The committee reached a consensus to include the full scope in the Fall Town Meeting warrant.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the town’s athletic field needs. K. Cantwell reported that the high school baseball team may soon request funding for field lighting. I've told them before that we should look at lighting projects as a whole rather than one by one, Cantwell said. B. Courchene suggested a proactive approach, noting that current earthwork at the baseball field provides an opportunity to install conduits now for later use. J. Arouca recommended a comprehensive needs assessment across all sports, including soccer and softball, to determine the total number of lit fields required town-wide.

Finally, D. Keller shared frustrations regarding the committee's reorganization and the Select Board's recent appointment process. Despite vetting 12 applicants and providing recommendations to the Select Board, Keller noted that the board appointed an individual who had not participated in the committee's vetting process. They said they were inundated and wanted someone new, Keller remarked. It is what it is.