Sudbury CPC backs trail accessibility, field design and housing allocations; Parkinson Field driveway plan rejected

The Sudbury Community Preservation Committee voted on Jan. 14, 2026 to recommend a set of allocations for the town’s FY27 Community Preservation warrant, approving most funding requests but rejecting a major parking and driveway plan for Parkinson Field.

The committee approved a $270,000 allocation to create accessible connections between the Mass Central Rail Trail and Memorial Forest / Hop Brook Marsh Reservation after staff and conservation representatives described plans to "design to ADA standards," noting that some on‑site conditions could require re‑engineering to meet accessibility grade thresholds. Marcia Rasmussen, Planning Development Assistant, and Lori Capone (Conservation) said design will aim for ADA compliance; the motion, moved by Kirsten Roopenian and seconded by Dan Carty, passed 8–1 (Sam Markuse voted No).

The meeting also advanced several park and field projects. The committee unanimously approved $214,000 for design and permitting at Broadacre Farm / Featherland Park and a $122,000 allocation for Davis Field design (the Davis motion passed with one abstention by Chair Sherri Cline). Granger Atkeson reported a Parks & Recreation timeline showing Feeley Phase II on track for contractor work in June–August 2026 and described Davis Field as "lower complexity / quicker turnaround," which committee members said supports starting design now.

Other warrant articles approved included a $337,700 allocation for the Dr. Bill Adelson SMILE Playground improvements, a $66,000 allocation for Haskell Field bathroom improvements, and a $49,800 allocation for remediation of water chestnuts in the Hop Brook water system. The committee also voted to allocate $600,000 to the Sudbury Housing Trust. Several motions authorized staff or the chair to make non‑substantive edits to warrant language and reports before Town Meeting.

The most contested item was a $1,398,000 proposal to build a parking lot and driveway access at Parkinson Field. Ms. Rasmussen and project consultants said a key constraint is that Ti‑SALES, an abutting business, refused to grant an easement because of safety concerns for large trucks; test pits for groundwater/stormwater are complete and consultants are developing driveway redesign options. Committee members repeatedly flagged the driveway configuration as the project’s "linchpin." Ms. Roopenian’s motion to recommend the full $1.398 million allocation was defeated 0–9.

The committee set future dates to finish remaining warrant articles and to advance subcommittee work on a project‑sunset clause and application changes. The Jan. 21 meeting will address remaining warrant items; the committee’s annual public hearing is scheduled for April 15.

Votes at a glance

- Accessible connections (Mass Central Rail Trail to Memorial Forest / Hop Brook) — $270,000; mover: Kirsten Roopenian; second: Dan Carty; vote: Aye 8, No 1; outcome: recommended. - Parkinson Field parking and driveway — $1,398,000; mover: Kirsten Roopenian; second: Dan Carty; vote: No 9; outcome: not recommended. - Broadacre / Featherland Park design — $214,000; mover: Kirsten Roopenian; second: Dan Carty; vote: Aye 9; outcome: recommended. - Davis Field design — $122,000; mover: Kirsten Roopenian; second: Dan Carty; vote: Aye 8, Abstain 1 (Cline); outcome: recommended. - Dr. Bill Adelson SMILE Playground improvements — $337,700; mover: Dan Carty; second: Kirsten Roopenian; vote: Aye 9; outcome: recommended. - Haskell Field bathroom improvements — $66,000; mover: Kirsten Roopenian; second: Andrew Bettinelli; vote: Aye 9; outcome: recommended. - Remediation of water chestnuts (Hop Brook) — $49,800; mover: Sherri Cline; second: Kirsten Roopenian; vote: Aye 9; outcome: recommended. - Sudbury Housing Trust allocation — $600,000; mover: Kirsten Roopenian; second: Dan Carty; vote: Aye 9; outcome: recommended.

Who spoke (selection)

Speakers quoted or referenced in committee actions in the minutes include Chair Sherri Cline; Vice Chair Sam Markuse; members Andrew Bettinelli, Dan Carty, Kirsten Roopenian, Granger Atkeson, Jan Costa, Harry Hoffman and David Kaplan; Planning Development Assistant Marcia Rasmussen; Community Preservation Coordinator Ryan Poteat; and Lori Capone of Conservation. The minutes list Victor Garofalo, Director of Finance/Assistant Town Manager, as present.

Why it matters

The committee’s recommendations determine warrant articles that go before Sudbury Town Meeting, shaping which projects will advance with Community Preservation Act funds. The failure of the Parkinson Field driveway allocation shows a practical constraint — lack of easement and site safety concerns — can stop a large construction request even when broader recreation goals are supported.

Next steps

The committee will reconvene Jan. 21 to finalize remaining warrant articles and expects to present the recommended warrant to Town Meeting this spring.