Town Meeting Votes Down Extra Funding for Concession Stand

At Monday night's continuation of the Special Town Meeting, the members voted not to borrow additional funds for the construction of a permanent concession stand and toilet facility at the field.

The original funding of $250,000 was voted on at the Special Town Meeting last November. In April of this year, Project Manager Tim Bonfatti approached the with two options - a permanent structure that would require an additional $100,000 of funding or a modular facility that could be purchased without further expenditure. The Board at that time voted unanimously to put the request for funds on the Town Meeting warrant.

The proposed structure would have included kitchen and concession facilities as well as restrooms containing two toilets each for men and women.

"It's a very attractive piece of construction that will compliment the high school," Bonfatti told the Town Meeting members on Monday.

Several Board of Selectmen members spoke in favor of a permanent structure. Longtime member Helen Abdallah Donohue went so far as to say a temporary structure would "desecrate" the high school project.

However, after a lengthy debate, the members voted against allowing the Permanent Building Construction Committee to borrow the extra money for the project. The final motion allows for the original $250,000 expenditure, and that of any private funding and donations the PBCC receives.

The Special Town Meeting warrant was concluded Monday night. The Annual Town Meeting will be called into session Thursday evening in the Norwood High School auditorium.