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[Feature Image: Town of Sudbury – Park and Recreation Commission]
The Monday, April 14 meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission was not a typical meeting for the commission. By the end of the evening, a commissioner had successfully advocated for the Finance Committee to reverse its vote on Article 44, residents had provided 30 minutes of public comment in support of renovating and preserving the Atkinson Pool, and two commissioners had delivered a forceful presentation on the utilization of the pool by various community groups.
Before the meeting was called to order, Chair Ben Carmel noted that public attendance at the meeting was the most he had ever seen. The public comments were uniformly in support of preserving and repairing the Atkinson Pool. Residents told personal stories about their experiences at the pool, outlined the benefits of having a community pool, and advocated fiercely for keeping it for the good of the community. (28:00)
Soon after public comment began, commissioner Granger Atkeson left to join the Finance Committee meeting, which was happening at the same time. He provided information to clarify the Finance Committee’s understanding of Article 44 on the Annual Town Meeting warrant. The commission had earlier discussed that the Finance Committee didn’t seem to have accurate information when they voted to oppose the article. Atkeson explained to the Finance Committee that the article would fund the installation of a pavilion and a second multi-sport court at the community center, in addition to the design and planning of other amenities at the Fairbank Community Center and Haskell Field. (1:07:00)
Two members of the Finance Committee expressed that they were previously under the impression that the $500,000 of Community Preservation Act funding at stake in Article 44 was solely for “focus groups” and design services. Once Atkeson cleared up that it would fund the construction of tangible assets, it appeared that their votes may shift.
Later in the evening, the Finance Committee voted seven in favor and two opposed to reconsider their position on Article 44. (1:53:00) They went on to vote seven in favor and two opposed to the article. Their prior vote on the article was four in favor and five opposed. With that vote, Atkeson had secured critical support for the article at Town Meeting. The warrant has already gone to print, but the Finance Committee can report their change of position on the floor of Town Meeting.
Back in the Park and Recreation Commission meeting, Members Mara Huston and Laurie Eliason later delivered a presentation on pool usage and benefits. They shared that the pool is open 7 days a week for a total of 85 hours. The presentation highlighted heavy use of the pool by residents of all ages, including highly accomplished Sudbury swim teams, and a variety of vendors and other swim teams across the region.
This is still a developing story, as the Town is waiting on bids for the renovation work at the Atkinson Pool. Combined Facilities Director Sandra Duran explained the status of the bids to the commissioners during their meeting. The commission will be meeting again on April 29 to discuss the details once the Town has all the information. Town Meeting starts on Monday, May 5.