Selectmen Vote to Request Funds for Concession Stand at Town Meeting

High School Project Needs More Funding for Concession Stand

Tim Bonfatti told the Board that there are only a few things left to complete on the high school, including the front site and parking lot which should be finished in the next month.

Inside the building, he said there are about 10 "relatively minor" items that are being worked on.

The focus for the Selectmen Tuesday night was on the concession stand, which can't be completed with the available funding, according to the project managers.

With the $250,000 available, a temporary or modular facility would be possible, but another $100,000 would be needed for the kind of permanent structure that was originally intended.

Selectman Helen Abdallah Donohue said that since the school is now here for the duration, spending the money on a permanent structure is the correct choice.

"I think that a good permanent structure is the way to go," she said.

Selectmen Allan Howard and William Plasko voiced concern about the cost. Chairman Michael Lyons echoed their concern.

"But I've stopped being surprised by the cost of municipal construction a long time ago," Lyons said.

The Board voted unanimously to work toward having a permanent structure rather than a temporary one, and to put the request for extra funds on the Town Meeting warrant.

Recreation Department Monthly Report

Superintendent of the Recreation Department Gerry Miller spoke to the Board about the past month, including popular event such as the Parents' Night Out, Touch a Truck day, and Volcano Party.

As for future events, Miller said that the upcoming South Norwood Fishing Derby is still on for Saturday, but the portion is most likely canceled due to the dry weather.

"There's no water in Hawes Brook," Miller said.

He also notified the Board that the Norwood Day Committee met on April 11, and decided to change the hours of the event to 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. this year.

Miller also noted that summer hours for the Civic Center start on Monday, May 21.

Honor Guard in Memorial Day Parade to be Limited

Selectman Howard made a motion to limit the number honor guard participants from the police and fire departments in the Memorial Day Parade, noted a severe lack of spectators at previous events and that each member of the guard is paid for their participation.

Donohue said that the issue should be the jurisdiction of the departments.

The motion passed 3-2.

The Board went into executive session to discuss a "personnel issue."