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Town staff outline $192.3M bond package including $24M for parks and $34.2M for a new library
Summary
Dan Baker and town staff briefed the Park and Recreation Board on a proposed bond election set for Nov. 4 that would fund streets, police expansion, a new library, parks and downtown improvements; parks was allocated $24 million in the proposal.
Town staff told the Park and Recreation Board on Oct. 9 that the town’s upcoming bond election, scheduled for Nov. 4, proposes approximately $192.3 million in projects across transportation, police, library, parks and downtown improvements.
Dan Baker, who presented the bond summary to the board, said the committee that recommended the package was charged with keeping the bond at no tax-rate increase and prioritizing projects that align with the town’s strategic vision. "On November 4 is the actual, election day," Baker told the board, noting voting hours and a Friday, Oct. 24, ballot-by-mail deadline.
Baker summarized the proposed breakdown presented to the committee: about $93 million for streets and transportation work, a police facility expansion, $34.2 million for a new centrally located library, and $24 million for parks and recreation to "amenitize" the park system. The parks allocation would support development of future community parks (including the Windsong parcel and the Dough Branch property), trail and bridge connections, playground replacement cycles and new pickleball/tennis courts.
Baker said some park facility and operations needs would be coupled with developer contributions and other funding sources, and staff discussed a possible parks/public-works field service center that would consolidate equipment storage and staff. He also said library land is not yet secured but staff expect the new library to be downtown or adjacent to downtown.
Board members asked about how bond funds would interact with park development fees and whether the town would fund playgrounds or other amenities when dedicated parkland arrives. Baker said the town often uses a mix of developer-provided land and town funds, including bonds, to finish neighborhood parks.
Baker and town staff emphasized the committee’s goal of proposing a bond with no tax-rate increase and said the committee prioritized roughly a 48/52 split between infrastructure and other community amenities in the final recommended package. The packet will go to voters on Nov. 4; staff reminded board members to remain neutral in their official capacities but to share factual information about the propositions if asked.
