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Council signals support to add full Ross Common rehabilitation to five‑year CIP
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Summary
After resident comment and staff options ranging up to an estimated $1 million, the council asked staff to include a full Ross Common rehabilitation in the five‑year capital improvement program for later phasing and funding work.
The Ross Town Council directed staff at its April 23 budget workshop to include a full rehabilitation of Ross Common in the town’s five‑year capital improvement program, with further phasing and financing plans to follow.
Public commenter Patrick O’Dea said he had gathered 255 signatures urging a full replacement and offered to help with fundraising. Multiple council members said the field’s condition (including trip hazards and drainage issues) and heavy community use—by Ross School and recreation groups—warrant a major project rather than piecemeal fixes.
Public Works Director Rich Subnish presented four options: maintain status quo, nominal improvements (signage/fertilization), an interim rehab addressing the worst areas, or complete turf, sub‑base and irrigation replacement. Staff estimated a full replacement could cost up to $1,000,000 including consultant and construction management costs.
Council members discussed funding sources (capital projects fund, donations, or a bond measure) and the timing relative to the civic‑center project, which staff said will draw the capital projects fund down in later years. Krista Ford said an architect and environmental review will be needed and that the town may phase work so each phase is complete and functional.
Ford summarized council direction: add the full Ross Common rehab to the five‑year CIP, work with Rich and consultants to identify phasing and funding, and return refined timing and budget proposals to the council in time for the June budget adoption or subsequent CIP amendments.
The council did not approve construction funding at the workshop; instead it added the project to the planning document so staff can refine scope, schedule and financing before any formal appropriation.
