Date: 10/18/2023
WESTFIELD — The Community Preservation Committee voted Oct. 12 in favor of $300,000 for a playground at the new Franklin Street elementary school, as well as supporting an elevator at the historical Central Baptist Church, and discussing plans to turn Old Town Hall into veterans housing.
City Procurement Officer Tammy Tefft told the committee that the new school, which will combine the student populations of the existing Franklin Avenue and Abner Gibbs elementary schools, is intended to be a community resource. She said in addition to playgrounds, there will be an amphitheater, basketball courts and softball fields. Tefft said the schools initially had plans for a playground, but the rising cost of construction materials has forced it to be cut from the building project.
School Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the price of everything have gone up exponentially.
“I’d hate to see this not happen because we need furniture,” he said.
Tefft said there will be two distinct playgrounds at the school, one which will serve strictly pre-kindergarten, and one for bigger kids. She said the playground will be open during outdoor activities on the adjacent ballfields, and will connect to the multi-use trail on the Westfield River Levee. There will also be a new traffic signal, estimated to cost half a million dollars, at Franklin Street for the new school.
“When we were visioning, we recognized that outdoor learning was important,” said Czaporowski. He said the Franklin Avenue school population is the most economically disadvantaged in the city. “It’s a dream of mine to have a school that is a community structure.”
Michael Tirrell said this is the kind of community project that he supports, but as he serves on both the School Committee and Parks and Recreation Commission, he would have to recuse himself from the vote.
“I like what you’re trying to do,” said CPC member Richard Salois, who said he grew up in the neighborhood. He asked if the committee turned them down, would they seek funding for the playground elsewhere, or could they ask for additional funds from the state.
Tefft said when a community signs an agreement with the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the budget is set months before bids go out. She said when Westfield signed, the MSBA was reimbursing at $350 per square foot. She said the actual cost is now $562 per square foot, and since they signed, the state reimbursement has gone up, but not retroactively.
“We hate to see something not be where it really needs to be. We really hope for your support — it’s a win-win for everybody,” Tefft said.
“It’s a fantastic project to support,” said CPC member Joe Muto, who asked for CPA-funded signage at the playground. A vote was taken and the playground approved 4-0, with Tirrell abstaining.
The committee’s funds come from a surtax on property taxes in Westfield, and matching funds from the state. City Planner Jay Vinskey said the Community Preservation Act fund has approximately $1.8 million available. CPA funds must be spent on historical preservation, open space conservation, recreation or affordable housing projects.
CPC members also approved $192,760 requested by Central Baptist Church to help pay the $248,000 cost of installing an elevator in the 115 Elm St. building. Church officials noted that the 1867 building hosts a wide range of community groups, and also houses the Transition Program for the Westfield School Department. The elevator was completed over the summer, in order to accommodate several students in the program who use wheelchairs.
Ann Lentini of Domus Inc. told CPC members that she hopes to request money for a renovation of Old Town Hall, which she said will be the 12th historical renovation that she has done in Westfield. She said she plans to convert the Park Square building into housing for veterans, with the basement floor offering services for veterans.
She said plans call for 18 single-room apartments with private bathrooms, probably for both men and women veterans, and she will be working with city Veterans Services Director Julie Barnes.
Lentini said First Congregational Church, which owns the building, has a parking area across the street for off-site church parking that will be available.
“It’s a great location, and it will be affordable,” she said. “It’s going to be another really great project. I’m looking forward to it.”
She said she would be back at the next meeting in January to ask for $400,000 for the purchase of the building. She said the projected cost of the entire project is $6 million.
Historical Commission Chair Cindy Gaylord said the Old Town Hall, built in 1830, is already on the National Historic Registry, and is the oldest public building in Westfield.
Before leaving, Lentini said that she is also interested in the Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center when it becomes vacant, to turn into a community center; and Abner Gibbs Elementary School, to turn into housing for seniors.