Commission to meet with town management May 21 on Claxton field improvements; options range from $33,000 to $110,000

The Park and Recreation Commission voted to invite town management and engineering to its May 21 meeting to review competing options for Claxton field improvements after hearing a staff briefing on costs and trade-offs.

Why it matters: The items under consideration affect field safety, spectator sight lines, accessibility, and long-term maintenance costs. Commissioners described two primary paths: a lower-cost option to lower the playing-area pads and extend fencing (estimated at about $33,000) and a higher-cost option to purchase new raised bleachers that would improve accessibility and longevity (estimated around $110,000). The commission emphasized that no work will be done during the current playing season.

Key points from the discussion: Town staff and commissioners said the lower-cost option would improve sight lines at a fraction of the price but may provide lower long-term safety and accessibility benefits. The higher-cost bleacher solution would cost substantially more but could last decades if properly maintained. Commissioners discussed mobilization costs and whether splitting the project into phases would materially reduce design or mobilization expenses; staff said splitting would only yield modest savings because contractors would need to mobilize more than once.

Next steps and constraints: Commissioners asked town finance staff to confirm whether a revolving fund could be used to pay for the selected option. The commission scheduled a meeting with town management, engineering and finance director Dave Davidson for May 21; commissioners who could not attend said they would make that date work. Staff said any field-taking offline for improvements would be scheduled for the fall where possible to avoid interrupting the softball season.

What wasn't decided: No final vendor or scope was selected; the commission did not authorize construction this season and will await the May 21 presentation and the finance office's guidance about funding sources.

Process clarity: Staff said bids for on-call playground repair will open Thursday and that procurement questions about where to place repurposed bleacher components (Claxton, Claxton's Phase 2, or other sites) will be addressed as part of follow-up with the on-call contractor and engineering.