HOLDEN \u2014 Recreation upgrades and road improvements are a major part of the work voters have to undertake at the Oct. 17 special town meeting.<\/p>\n
While they will not have to get the shovels out, they will have to decide if the town should proceed with work on the Dawson area facilities on Salisbury Street and Industrial Drive, including the addition of playing fields. The work also requires a debt exclusion to fund the project, which will be before voters at the general election in November.<\/p>\n
Voters will also decide whether to move forward on a grant-funded road improvement plan for Shrewsbury Street that requires action for easements.<\/p>\n
Also on the warrant is an article funding design work on a separate proposal, an inclusive- access playground to replace the existing playground next to the Holden Municipal Light Department and behind Chaffin Church.<\/p>\n
The special town meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at Wachusett Regional High School, 1401 Main St.<\/p>\n
The Shrewsbury Street article will decide the $12 million road and pedestrian enhancement plan. Included in the proposal are bike paths, additional sidewalks, roundabouts designed to improve traffic flow, larger sidewalks around Mountview School and upgrades to crosswalks.<\/p>\n
Holden taxpayers would fund about 10% of the cost, with the state Department of Transportation paying the rest.<\/p>\n
Although it has been in the works for years, the project needs to pass at the meeting in order to proceed.<\/p>\n
The article for the Industrial Drive playing fields and Dawson Recreation improvements would fund the project. It will require a debt exclusion for the estimated $7.6 million project, although other funding could be used to lower the cost to taxpayers.<\/p>\n
The proposal includes two new synthetic turf playing fields at Industrial Drive.<\/p>\n
It also includes lights, parking, a walking\/ running track, nature trail, outdoor exercise equipment, outdoor classroom, a connecting path to Dawson Recreation and other amenities.<\/p>\n
Other enhancements to the Dawson Recreation Area would include upgrades to the existing baseball field, which will be enlarged and converted to synthetic turf, improved pedestrian and vehicle access around the complex, and full renovation of the existing playground.<\/p>\n
Informational meetings were held Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 on the Shrewsbury Street and Dawson projects. Those were recorded and are available for viewing through the town cable channel and on-demand through its website at holdentv.com.<\/p>\n
Questions can also be sent to the town manager at townmanager@holdenma.gov.<\/p>\n
Although selectmen approved the warrant, the board will make its recommendations on support for the three articles in a meeting prior to the special town meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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