Templeton CPC reviews project finances, accepts minutes and cancels July meeting

The Town of Templeton Community Preservation Committee on a June 2025 meeting accepted the minutes of its May 8 meeting, reviewed the latest Community Preservation Act (CPA) account balances and project statuses, and agreed to cancel its July meeting, setting the next meeting for Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.

The committee’s review focused on open projects and funding availability. The committee reported $8,000 remaining in a conservation fund and discussed whether to contract with MRPC for an updated Open Space and Recreation Plan; MRPC estimated a plan typically costs about $40,000, and the committee said it would consult the select board before pursuing that option. The group noted that several previously listed projects — including the Stonebridge projects — were closed after town meeting and their funds reverted to their sources.

Committee staff member Jessica said the Boynton Library renovation bid documents “have been posted” on the town website and that the library account has $63,947 remaining in CPA funds; she said the project will cost more than that and that a bequest from the Nordfords family is expected to provide the bulk of additional funding. The committee noted the bid opening for the library is scheduled for June 25.

Members discussed several other project updates: the Grange Hall lift requires an inspection by the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (the committee described scheduling that inspection as a gating step), after which remaining trim work and drape installation can proceed; the drape restoration and related finish work depend on that order of operations. The tennis court resurfacing project is effectively complete pending a sign invoice. The dwelling farm restoration work continues in preparation for invasive-plant removal; the committee asked for an update from Carrie at the next meeting.

At Houghton Park, the committee reported that the DPW had prepped the site and installation crews were installing playground equipment, with a goal of completing by June 30. The committee showed approximately $27,000 expended to date for that project and said the CPA account will be reimbursed once final invoices and reports are submitted and processed.

The Templeton Center church façade work has begun and the committee received an initial mobilization invoice of about $30,000; the committee asked the church to provide anticipated future reimbursement amounts so the treasurer can ensure funds are available when invoices arrive. For the Emergency Management Building, the committee said it expects a final invoice for $801, representing the cost to prepare final documentation and cost estimates for next steps; those documents were shared with members of the Templeton emergency management team, including Curtis and Mike Dixon, for further review.

The committee reviewed the annual town meeting results: two recreation projects were approved (Houghton Park and a Gilman Waite project). The committee clarified that the new project accounts and the FY26 reflection of those appropriations will appear in the accounting firm’s records after July 1, when fiscal year 2026 begins. Committee members noted that the Stonebridge accounts were closed and funds returned immediately after town meeting.

Committee member Christine said she has followed Massachusetts Rivers Alliance webinars about removing small dams and noted state permitting can be onerous for small municipal structures; the group discussed reapplying for a small bridge grant that was not awarded this round. The committee agreed there were no additional project proposals at the meeting.

Procedural items: the committee voted to accept the May 8 minutes by voice vote. Members agreed to cancel the July meeting and to reconvene Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. The meeting adjourned after a motion to adjourn was moved and seconded.

The committee asked staff to continue coordinating with the new accounting firm, follow up on outstanding invoices (library, church, tennis sign), pursue the Arc/Architectural Access Board inspection for the Grange Hall lift, and report back on the dwelling farm and Houghton Park reimbursements at the next meeting.