Select Board finalizes fall warrant; capital plan funds projects including wastewater upgrade and debate over playground timing

The Select Board approved the fall 2026 town‑meeting warrant Sept. 28 and ran through each article, recommending many that will go to town meeting members on Oct. 20. Highlights included a $1 million Community Preservation appropriation for a conservation restriction on roughly 29 acres at 970 Tucker Road (Article 1) and several stabilization and capital appropriations including a capital program that funds police cruisers, school infrastructure and enterprise water projects.

A lengthy discussion focused on Article 5 (FY27 capital improvement plan). Staff certified about $5.757 million in free cash this year and presented priority 1 projects totaling several million dollars; board members debated whether to recommend a $400,000 playground request (raised concerns about timing and PTO capacity to raise funds versus the need to complete design and construction before the following spring). The board agreed that town meeting members could consider amendments from the floor, and staff said they would investigate CPA eligibility and seek guidance from town counsel before any board amendment.