The Watertown City Council voted June 24 to approve a loan order for $8,932,206 to pay for construction of Victory Field Phase 2, clearing the way for construction to start this August.

City Manager and project staff told the council the low construction bid from Argus was $7,289,206; when a 10% construction contingency, utility company costs, separate storage building purchases and construction administration were added, the total reached $8,932,206. The council approved the loan order by roll call vote at the public hearing following a brief public comment period.

The vote follows years of planning and review. Councilors and project consultants said only two substantive design changes had been added since the earlier design phase: a removable ball-safety netting system requested by the Watertown Public Schools and adjustments to stormwater infiltration after test pits uncovered undocumented fill. Consultant Glenn (identified in the meeting transcript as a project consultant) told the council the fill had been accounted for in the plan and would not prevent the planned work. He said the netting was added late in the process at the school department's request and that poles and nets are removable for seasonal use or large events.

Councilor Palumbo, who co-chaired the ad hoc committee that shepherded the project, described the decision to include an add-alternate for 15-foot removable netting (SportsField Specialties model BSS415) behind goals as a change from the original 2014 plan that proposed netting completely surrounding the infield; the committee rejected full enclosure as inappropriate for a combined school and public park facility. Palumbo said the selected netting would be black, movable and removable, and could be taken down for events or winter weather.

Recreation and public works staff clarified operations: Department of Public Works will coordinate installation and work “in coalition with the school department” for netting maintenance and seasonal assembly, the manager said. Council members stressed the nets are removable and meant to address safety behind goals only. A public commenter who also spoke during public forum supported the broader Victory Field plan but criticized earlier phases for lacking certain amenities; he did not oppose the loan order.

The project appears to be under the $11 million CIP line item previously shown in the capital improvement plan; the manager noted the current loan request is roughly $2 million under that earlier borrowing estimate. Councilors expressed support and appreciation for staff and volunteers who advanced the project.

The council moved immediately to other agenda items after the unanimous vote.

The motion passed on a roll call vote; the council recorded all affirmative votes with no recorded no votes, abstentions or recusals.