Southborough CPC deems Rural Cemetery water-tower restoration application eligible; feasibility study funding flagged as near-term need

The Town of Southborough’s Community Preservation Committee voted to find eligible a CPA application to restore the Rural Cemetery water tower, after hearing updated inspection findings and discussing funding and timing options.

Grant, the presenter, said conservators from Beacon Hill Restoration (Dennis) had completed multiple inspections and that initial work will require masonry repairs and historically appropriate roofing materials; an early assessment suggested the tower roof may be slate rather than cedar. "There does need to be some masonry work… I think around a $100,000 would be kind of in the ballpark range," the presenter said, and stressed that the figure was a rough estimate pending a formal feasibility study.

Feasibility study and funding: The presenter recommended a technical feasibility study, estimated at $5,000, to identify historic materials, produce a formal cost estimate and prepare bid documents. Committee members discussed possible sources for the study funds — historical commission, select board, special town meeting appropriations or outside grants — and noted timing constraints tied to warrant deadlines and the town-meeting calendar. One committee member said the historical commission budget was limited and recommended finding alternate sources for the feasibility work.

Preservation restriction and use: Members agreed a preservation restriction (PR) for the exterior would be appropriate if the committee funds the restoration, to protect tax dollars spent on historic materials and workmanship. They also discussed how a PR might affect future adaptive reuse of the interior; several members said PR terms can be tailored to protect exteriors while allowing interior flexibility.

Next steps: The committee voted the application eligible to advance in the CPA process and asked the project proponents to pursue the $5,000 feasibility scope and to coordinate with the select board and cemetery trustees about timing and approvals. The vote does not appropriate funds; it authorizes the application to be placed on a warrant and proceed through CPA review.