The Community Preservation Committee on Oct. 16 approved a Step 1 application for a National Fitness Court and outdoor fitness studio at Ted Williams Camp and directed applicants to secure Park Commission support and documentation of any conservation or Article 97 restrictions before advancing to Step 2.

Andrew (last name not provided), who described himself as a town staff member and project lead, and Lacey Marshall, human-resources director, told the committee the planned fitness court would be ADA-compliant, sited on a currently leveled gravel parking area adjacent to tennis courts, and intended to serve a broad set of users including the Council on Aging, nearby residents and visitors. The applicants said they had already secured a $40,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield/National Fitness Campaign grant and had applied to T‑Mobile's hometown grant for $50,000; the total project cost discussed in the meeting papers and during discussion was about $270,000, with applicants seeking a portion of that from CPA should other grant sources not fully fund the project.

Committee members asked applicants to confirm whether any portion of Ted Williams Camp is covered by Article 97 or an existing conservation restriction; applicants said they had reviewed deed records and had not identified a conservation restriction that would prevent the project, and they proposed a gravel parking area that is already cleared and level. Committee members cautioned that CPA recreation funding requires that the land be dedicated to recreational use and that a conservation restriction or clear municipal ownership and park-commission support are important elements of eligibility.

Concerns aired in the meeting included long-term maintenance (pine needles, snow and debris), liability in winter conditions, and whether the site would see sufficient year-round use. Several members suggested the applicants pursue additional external grants and identify municipal contributions (DPW labor or donated materials) that could reduce the CPA ask.

After discussion the committee voted to accept the Step 1 application and to advise applicants to return with Step 2 materials — including a park-commission letter of support, a detailed budget breakdown (equipment, site prep, concrete/paving, installation) and documentation about deed/restriction status — before the committee would consider CPA funding amounts. The committee's Step 2 deadline was discussed and applicants were told the Step 2 application window closes in January.