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Cromwell board pledges $150,000 toward high-school track resurfacing; asks town to cover remainder
Summary
After months of planning and concern about vandalism and hidden costs, the Cromwell Board of Education approved allocating $150,000 of unexpended district funds toward resurfacing the high-school track and asked town council to consider the balance of the vendor quote.
The Cromwell Board of Education voted to allocate $150,000 of its unexpended funds to a proposal to resurface the high-school track, and said it will ask the town council to consider funding the remaining cost.
Facilities representative Claudio Bozzano summarized the district's inspection of the track and a vendor quote: "the rubber surface on top" has failed while "the asphalt which holds the integrity underneath the rubber was intact," and the updated quote to replace the rubber surface was reported as $382,500 with an additional $20,000 for baton/exchange zones. Bozzano said obtaining an extra quote for the long-jump and high-jump areas could save money while the vendor is mobilized.
Board members raised concerns about recurring damage to the track from e-bikes and go-karts. Athletic director Josh LeMay described exchange zones as a safety measure and said they "do help with the exchanges" when athletes run at top speed. Bozzano said the district is increasing signage, tightening gate openings and consulting with the police department to reduce unauthorized use.
Superintendent Doctor Macri urged fiscal caution, citing special-education and other uncertain costs this year, but said some contribution is reasonable. After discussion that explored a split with the town and different dollar amounts, board member Kelly moved to allot $200,000; the board later accepted a friendly amendment to lower the contribution to $150,000 and voted to approve that figure. The chair said she would notify Mayor Demetriadas to place the item on the town council agenda for consideration the following night.
Board members also asked that the district verify warranties and the life expectancy of a resurfacing project; Bozzano said warranties will be requested from the vendor and that planning should begin months in advance because the work must happen in summer to meet athletic scheduling. Board members emphasized the need to include likely ancillary costs (signage, fencing, potential asphalt repair if the underlying pavement is damaged when the old rubber is removed) in the materials the town will review.
The board’s approval was to earmark district funds pending town action; the town council will review the full proposal and the final procurement will proceed only if both bodies approve the total funding and contracts.
