Tom Nevers Phase 1 complete; town secures funding for Phase 2 and field renovations

Charlie, a parks-and-recreation staff member, told the commission on May 21 that Tom Nevers debris-removal Phase 1 is complete and that town meeting funding secured Phase 2 and additional field renovations. "Tom Nevers removal phase 1, has been completed," Charlie said, and staff are working on permitting and final tabulations for removed material.

The report said bids for irrigation wells and systems came in above the appropriation, so staff will rebid with refined specifications and use bid alternates so the main field work can proceed while less-essential items (lights, additional irrigation zones, scoreboards) await funding. Charlie said the town hopes to rebid within about a month and aims for contract finalization by late summer, with construction possibly starting in the fall.

Playground apparatus for the project has already been purchased and is stored on-site, Charlie said, and staff will prioritize preparing the playground area once a contractor is under contract. He also described plans to remove some old concrete foundations near the softball field so the area can be regraded for improved seating and access.

The commission heard that the hockey rink at Tom Nevers will be renovated in a similar way to recent courts work: remove above-ground structures, grind the base, install a new slab and a flexible playing surface for tennis, pickleball, basketball and other uses. Charlie also proposed repurposing an existing metal building’s concrete pad as an outdoor fitness area to avoid the cost of pouring a new pad.

Community Preservation Committee funding of "a little over $700,000," Charlie said, will pay to renovate two little-league fields and buy new equipment; the town also approved fencing to protect fields from e-bike and other damage. Charlie said bathrooms at Delta and Nobadeer have been open and that Tom Nevers’ bathrooms opened this week after a repair. DPW plans to deploy roughly 80 new bike racks across the island in the coming weeks.

Next steps: staff will refine bid specs, issue rebids, and return with contract recommendations; Charlie said permitting and design work will proceed so construction funds that roll over in July can be used to put the project out to bid and, if all goes to plan, allow contractors to break ground in the fall.