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Northborough commission approves preliminary evaluation of Brigham Street burial ground labyrinth
Summary
The Historic District Commission voted unanimously to proceed with a preliminary evaluation of a proposed 60-foot labyrinth at the Brigham Street burial ground after a presentation by landscape designer Diane Smith; Smith will deliver drawings, a rough cost estimate and drone imagery for commissioners to review.
Diane Smith, a landscape designer, told the Northborough Historic District Commission on July 15 that she is proposing a 60-foot-diameter labyrinth at the Brigham Street burial ground with cobblestones set flush with the ground to allow routine mowing. Smith said the design would use three-stone bands, allow a 14-foot center that could feature a simple, nonreligious compass motif and include 43 small black cobblestones to represent descendants identified on the site.
"The cobblestones will be set flush with the ground so that there's no impediment for mowing or weed whacking," Smith said, and added that she has spoken with Justin Barr of the Department of Public Works, who has agreed to allow her to spray-paint the layout to scale and provide a drone photograph so the commission can evaluate how it will read in the field.
Chair Bob Light said the commission needs a rough order of magnitude to decide whether to include the project in a future Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding request. Commissioners discussed bids and schedule constraints for CPA-funded work — bids are expected in October or November and CPA funds would not be available until the following July, requiring contingency for inflation in any quote.
Smith told the commission she would put together a scope package, material lists and drone imagery and said she could deliver more-specific designs and a rough cost estimate within about two weeks. "I can put the whole package together," she said, "and then you can look at it before the next meeting." Smith said she has a local contractor contact, Steve LaPierre of Walnut Hill Lawn Service, who would perform the work if the commission moves forward.
The commission voted to proceed with a preliminary evaluation and information-gathering phase to determine whether to submit a CPA application for the labyrinth. The motion was seconded by Brian Smith and passed unanimously: Leslie Harrison yes; Millie Milton Aye; Brian Swanson yes; Brian Smith yes; Bob Light yes. Next steps are for Smith to provide the materials and for the commission to consider authorizing a formal bid request at a future meeting.
The motion authorizes only evaluation and preparation of a proposal; no construction funding or contract was approved at the July 15 meeting.
