Hubbardston committee advances library’s StoryWalk CPA application pending extra estimates

The Town of Hubbardston Community Preservation Committee voted on Jan. 17 to advance the library’s application to install a StoryWalk, approving the proposal contingent on “additional estimates, and finalizing of 1 part that they are still waiting on,” a committee member said during the meeting.

The committee concluded the StoryWalk project is eligible under CPA recreation/open-space uses and discussed funding the roughly $6,000 request from the open-space/recreation allocation rather than the larger CPA reserve. A member reported the committee’s open-space balance at about $51,077.49 and the townwide CPA balance near $140,001.99, figures committee members said were approximate and not official.

Speaker 1 moved the motion to advance the application with the condition that the applicant provide additional price estimates and a final sign price; Speaker 2 seconded. The committee voted aloud in favor, with verbal “ayes” and one recorded abstention/recusal. The motion allows the library to return with updated estimates and a finalized application to be placed on the town meeting warrant in June.

Committee members discussed procurement norms during the meeting: several participants stressed that best practice is to seek three estimates but acknowledged that few vendors specialize in StoryWalk installations. One member suggested a local sign company might be able to replicate the work at lower cost. The committee explicitly advised the applicant to secure additional bids and to include any missing line items — such as waterproofing fasteners or the sign face — before finalizing the application.

The committee also clarified schedule and deadlines. A member directed the applicant to CPA guidance posted online for submission deadlines and said that, with revisions, the project could be ready for the town meeting warrant in June. The application will be revisited at the committee’s next meeting on March 12, when updated estimates are expected.

Notes: The approval recorded at the meeting was contingent and not a final expenditure authorization; the town meeting vote or further committee action will determine final funding and procurement method.