Park and Recreation Commission votes 5-0 for three-field Davis design

SUDBURY -- June 15, 2026, Sudbury commission backs three-field Davis design, raises Article 97 questions on Haskell solar. The Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously Monday to recommend a three-field concept for Davis Field, with ADA-accessible paths but no internal driveway or additional parking, ahead of a design contract town staff planned to execute Tuesday. Chair Mara L Huston led the determination, with Vice-Chair Laurie Eliason pressing for accessible paths to all three fields and member Robert C Beagan arguing the marginal cost of building all three now is "much more difficult" to recover later given the site has not been graded in 56 years. Beagan separately reported that state Article 97 coordinator Mike Gendron told him the town never disclosed the commission's opposition to a solar canopy or a 30-by-30-foot electrical equipment unit when seeking informal guidance on the Haskell parking lot solar project. Member William Atkeson reported the Liberty Ledge property generates roughly $600,000 in effective annual return against $700,000 to $800,000 in debt service.