Athletes Ask Council to Move Track Funding to Finish Line

One of the busiest public hearings in months brought dozens of supporters to Town Hall to ask for funding to replace the track at .

The Town Council on Tuesday voted 6-to-3 to approve funding of $188,890 to replace and resurface the track. Unspent funding of $150,000 approved as a capital budget project two years ago will cover the balance of the track replacement.

During the public hearing, Alisha Wright, a 2011 NCAA Scholar Athlete, said the track can cause injuries. "The track bubbles up and girls topple over and could get hurt," she told the council.

Philip Caldwell, a four-year track team member, said the track was in such bad condition that cross-country practice last year was moved to . "To put forth a good track team, we need a new track," he said.

The track replacement will be done in tandem with the new turf field project for a total cost of about $1.1 million. Payment for the field project came from a state grant and private donations. 

The field and track project will be constructed by RAD Sports of Rockland, Mass.