Middleborough manager given go-ahead to advance skate park; pavilion rebuild and fireworks contract also discussed

Trustees heard an update on the skate park and related park projects and signaled support for town leadership to move the project forward.

The superintendent (speaker 3) urged trustees to let the town manager and grant writer proceed without repeated micro-management, saying he told the manager to “go” and turn over “a spectacular, skate park.” He said the manager and grant writer Stephanie are handling design and procurement and asked trustees to submit any input before the next meeting; trustees offered informal support.

The superintendent also reported that Rob Desroges has begun developing plans to rebuild the pavilion at Battis Field after a prior structure failed; the superintendent said he did not expect much salvageable material and the goal would be to have a new pavilion in place by late spring for the town cookout. Separately, the superintendent said the town signed a three-year fireworks contract with Finelli and has made the required down payment to secure services for the summer display.

The skate park, superintendent said, responds to a growing local youth population and apartment development and is intended to provide a supervised place for young people. No final construction contracts were approved at the meeting; trustees conveyed a preference that the manager proceed with grant and design work and return with a final plan for formal approval.