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Board authorizes completion of Richardson Park construction drawings, including eight‑lane pool redesign amid sharp debate
Summary
After extensive public comment and trustee debate about process, costs and phasing, the board authorized the town administrator to contract with DTJ Design to finish construction documents for Phase 1 including an eight-lane lap pool and related aquatics elements; trustees stressed the need for comprehensive cost estimates and public outreach before final financing decisions.
The Board of Trustees voted to authorize a change order with DTJ Design to repackage Richardson Park phasing and finish construction documents for Phase 1 that would include an eight-lane lap pool, zero-depth entry and a deep end, among other amenities.
Deputy Town Administrator Jeremy Oler told trustees the port committee recommended elevating the arboretum as top priority and moving the pool into the first phase; the requested action was limited: finish the pool/aquatics design (advance phase-three aquatic DD work to 100% CDs), repackage phasing and provide updated cost estimates for trustee consideration. "Tonight's just the change order to finish those plans — we're not committing to build the park or commit to financing," he said.
Public comment included technical suggestions for competitive lap-pool lanes and local users urging more lanes for multiple uses. Trustee discussion was long and at times sharp: one trustee, who identified himself as a licensed architect, urged the board to pause, criticized the state of the design documents as premature and warned against spending large sums on design without firm consensus on financing. Other trustees argued that completing the construction documents is necessary due diligence to get accurate project costs and financing options, and that delaying design indefinitely would stall a project the community has discussed for years.
Trustees asked staff detailed questions about what remains to be completed, the relationship between design stages (DD vs. CDs), the pump house, early grading and phasing, hourly rates in the proposed change order, and the capital funds that would cover the contract. Staff said the change-order funds would be drawn from capital funds (including a 1% fund, park development funds and some general capital funds) and that design would proceed in December with cost updates in January and a financing discussion planned for February.
Outcome: The motion to authorize the town administrator to enter into a contract with DTJ Design for completion of Richardson Park construction documents passed by roll call with a majority in favor; trustees directed staff to produce clearer cost breakdowns for phase 1 and phase 2, and to report financing options at the February meeting prior to any construction commitment.
Next steps: DTJ will finish construction documents for the pool and Phase 1, staff will produce updated cost estimates, present financing scenarios in February and prepare public outreach materials to explain scope and options.
