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Board favors trial of umbrellas, not sail pergola, to shade outdoor seating
Summary
After an engineer’s site review, the pergola committee recommended testing several large umbrellas this season instead of installing high-maintenance sail covers; members discussed cost, maintenance, and a local resident consultant paid from the gift account to organize placement.
The pergola committee presented an engineer’s assessment and recommended the board try several high-quality umbrellas at Botchi Court before committing to a permanent sail or electric cover.
The committee said sail covers and large installed systems can be costly and require heavy maintenance — sails must be removed in heavy wind or rain and some solutions require significant mounting or electrical work. A committee member summarized the engineer’s advice: test moveable umbrellas for a season to measure use and maintenance needs before pursuing a permanent, higher-cost solution.
Board members discussed logistics (bases, dollies, storage), potential costs for heavy-duty umbrellas and bases, and the need for a maintenance plan. The group proposed paying a small consultant stipend from the gift account to a local resident, Sarah Foley, to help plan placement and manage umbrellas; members noted $3,000 is available in the gift account and that gift-account spending does not require town appropriation.
Several members emphasized starting with an inexpensive, flexible approach this summer so staff and volunteers can gauge whether outdoor programming increases with better shade. If usage is strong, the board said it would revisit higher-end options that may require building attachment or electrical work.
