Sudbury CPC takes final testimony on five town meeting funding requests

SUDBURY — December 21, 2022 — Sudbury CPC closes public hearings with requests running $1.4 million over its standard budget. The Community Preservation Committee on Dec. 21 heard five applications totaling well above its annual allocation, including $110,000 for Hosmer House structure, landscape and collections studies; $187,745 for accessible pathways at eight municipal fields; $480,000 (less a $25,059 carry-over) for a Curtis Middle School outdoor wellness area; and a Fairbank multi-sport court fencing and lighting request reduced from $200,000 to $100,000 after Rep. Carmine Gentile secured a state earmark. Historical Commission Chair Chris Hager said a single December weekend reopening drew "hundreds and hundreds of people" to Hosmer House. Member John Hinks pushed back on a 10-foot chain-link fence spec at Fairbank and warned against building "pathways to places that don't need pathways." Member Mara Houston asked staff to produce a multi-year history of reserves before Jan. 4 deliberations.