[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6298797,"mediaKeyId","2500682-92a0a3b5c5dd2ba99e324b84ace8530f","parentId",2500682,"title","Recreation commissioners stop permitting Lundblad field pending landfill paperwork","audioSeconds",808,"startMs",322000,"endMs",1130000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2500682-92a0a3b5c5dd2ba99e324b84ace8530f&start=322&end=1130","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2500682-92a0a3b5c5dd2ba99e324b84ace8530f/thumbnail_322000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298797/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Recreation-commissioners-stop-permitting-Lundblad-field-pending-landfill-paperwork","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298797-1a60aad8b8f76938544eca5fe6c847bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178862&Signature=FKfRYDPwbOIPsmy81-lmQppX4ZtOW-CQdrLDxGbT7uiEVYPt~LJ59A1v9~tjXtOSvYOqJx5A8E~ma7UhJ867Hkbm1vNt0fq19taxS6Ilrbp8jE4qDj3xvm~d051O4GHUB4GQ6W1eqgPMWwKVsi~sy0rnEHzGt2ikY9SUy0KzlLZTSlUP~ShqvTOd-c3MrXsrJ8NtI3azfZd7KF5PlIsj~PHbW6OjiFhQkasLMuT1sDbCvX1ONIkujT8RBiEIjBhhTh3emF7Q9TboJk-V-E4nzZDPsDXVKwWiOO4vMW6eXm~Oy1FnMziAlZLBlVA1nt6OAYCYil4SPI5LuwMdctnRpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Southborough, MA","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","The Town of Southborough Recreation Commission voted informally to stop permitting the Lundblad field immediately and to remove it from the department’s roster of available spaces, saying the town lacks paperwork authorizing recreational use of the capped landfill.

Commissioners said they cannot locate the Certificate of Completion (CQA) and the post‑closure permit or permit application with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that would document the landfill’s conversion to a field. Without those documents, staff recommended the department cease permitting and collecting fees for organized use.

Commission Chair (identified in the meeting by his first name) said the commission has “researched it to death” and proposed drafting one concise document listing what the commission has tried, what was found, and the current status. The chair said that because reestablishing the required documentation would be costly and legally complex, it should be elevated to the Select Board for a policy decision rather than handled solely by Recreation.

Commission members expressed concern about liability and the limits of the recreation department’s authority. One commissioner said, “from a liability perspective, I’d be concerned if anything were to happen,” and another warned that testing the cap could require puncturing the liner and trigger further environmental work under modern standards.

Staff reported that the middle school uses the field for overflow practices and that annual testing has been performed, but commissioners recommended removing Lundblad from the list of permitted fields regardless of informal, occasional use.

The commission agreed to draft the summary document, circulate it to commissioners for review and then forward it to the Select Board and relevant town departments (including DPW and the town’s DEP contact) to determine next steps. Commissioners said they would not charge users or issue new permits for Lundblad going forward, but routine town mowing and basic upkeep would continue.

The commission did not take a formal binding vote on decommissioning; the body agreed to prepare the record and seek direction from the Select Board and other town authorities.

Commissioners also noted the impact of the pending Neary school discussions on decisions for Lundblad, saying any future use or large investments at the site should consider broader town planning outcomes.

The Recreation Department will prepare the documentation, circulate it to the commission, and seek a formal vote at a future meeting to transmit the report to the Select Board.

The department said existing field nets and minimal fixtures may remain in place for occasional informal use but emphasized the site will not be permitted as a regular recreation field until the town provides the required closure/permitting documentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Southborough: Recreation Commission 3/4/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Town of Southborough Recreation Commission agreed to stop issuing permits and collecting fees for the Lundblad field after officials said they could not locate the Certificate of Completion (CQA) and related post‑closure permitting documents for the former landfill beneath the field.","taxTitle","Town of Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",56453,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6298782,"21 Highland future‑use committee releases interim state assessment; report due June 30",249,1211000,1460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2500682-92a0a3b5c5dd2ba99e324b84ace8530f&start=1211&end=1460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2500682-92a0a3b5c5dd2ba99e324b84ace8530f/thumbnail_1211000.jpg","/articles/6298782/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/21-Highland-futureuse-committee-releases-interim-state-assessment-report-due-June-30","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298782-3e1d0cb15b2fe4f77da7cd3646089099/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178862&Signature=RB0rAuISTV-Sx6G4RPRibeE-q15CCBUgF~4sMd3~RJuN9liB3aHibqkRYdR9WN6zoFwYf9tn-M8z7iBW3cDTDSnHky~lCYRnlN9a9q3oad-ol0rv4K2lf-o-AdcGb~Vr2HXLqBfS0RFCxNW36aSVOPRreZMNEH4zC22HTzrEs~03p4EYQA8rdbZjer1mgD6jJq-Qf~opu3rZbmwmPnn8hRQWei~tzhDnk1NSMo0n0iBv9K8pZxv5HKpOW2WS3nGF1eO~-46xgWVodigN91XWymiE8UbdHOBDmcfLIRxotBq3ULmGsWITLEGzhdDLp-Op7Zr8G~P95oOib6yfBVsT7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The 21 Highland Street Future Use Committee submitted an interim current‑state assessment to the Select Board and reported the findings to the Recreation Commission. The committee emphasized it is not recommending a single future use yet; instead it is documenting the building’s present condition and developing evaluation criteria for possible options.

Committee members said the building’s initial assessment shows it is “in pretty good shape” and not immediately a money pit; the committee plans additional structural and feasibility work and will seek input from the facilities manager before final recommendations.

The committee report — provided to the commission and expected to be posted publicly — notes that some outcomes depend on the results of the NHERI school and Finn school ballot decisions (May 10 and May 13). The committee said it will hold building tours, solicit public input on uses ranging from leasing to community use to nonprofit housing, and expects to deliver a final recommendation by its June 30 deadline.

The commission asked the committee to clarify wording on its webpage about building condition and the status of the playground (noting that playground equipment cannot be physically moved but could be replaced at another site). The committee agreed to amend the webpage language and include more accessible materials such as a video tour to broaden public engagement.

The committee said it will request recreation’s current usage data (registrations and scheduling) to inform the analysis and noted it will post the interim report for public review unless commissioners provide feedback.","A volunteer committee studying the future of 21 Highland Street delivered an interim report to the Select Board that focuses on a current‑state assessment. The committee plans public tours, outreach, and to publish its work while awaiting town ballot results on related school projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6298787,"Recreation applies for $25,000 accessibility grant to fix Trottier Track access points",134,2486000,2620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2500682-92a0a3b5c5dd2ba99e324b84ace8530f&start=2486&end=2620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2500682-92a0a3b5c5dd2ba99e324b84ace8530f/thumbnail_2486000.jpg","/articles/6298787/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Recreation-applies-for-25000-accessibility-grant-to-fix-Trottier-Track-access-points","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298787-4f5505cf95ea19db7bfb10942f6a776f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178862&Signature=X0OayUuLEesTGE~LtCikNY09-HJqi8ASPlwQ2Vc~ZlUWtbINL-yE0613bGL4c5IT1IaulSO1nu4LrHyaG9SWHSQwfHKfrA1zi9leF6EBuyg6v-JvgoAH4WhU7prAdAH4ivm8UDH2OxRpRdJVvkmSGgll-yjkj9IW6O5aN6Nt6IAHksaxiUGH6Vs4s0NvysoN7ujH2y8ikNX-HlOLOncweMKjUIDKEAZSNowD2PSkm~Vc5x43WHUT52yO9mWE4s7xnYCW6YqZiAd9sfh-q0dqCF5ma7J9m323KIRD7HF7mvj6j4W1zJcZdGM39yKI~TXzibcXGhoZCkhxE1aKhahIBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town recreation staff applied for a $25,000 grant from the state Office of Economic Development to address accessibility issues at Trottier Track identified in a 2021 self‑evaluation. The proposed work would include grading the gate approach and repairing heaved asphalt on the walkway adjacent to the track.

Keith Lavoie identified the outstanding 02/2021 ADA self‑evaluation item; the town accountant and recreation staff pursued the state grant opportunity. Staff noted the grant requires that awarded funds be spent by June, creating a tight timeline for procurement and construction.

Recreation staff said the repairs would be coordinated with the schools because the track serves school programs as well as the public. Commissioners discussed winter maintenance and user behavior that can damage surfaces, and they proposed clearer signage and DPW coordination for snow removal rather than informal clearing by members of the public.

No decision on award was recorded in the meeting; staff said they would notify the commission when the grant outcome is known and coordinate next steps with DPW and school facilities.","Town staff applied for a $25,000 state economic development grant to address accessibility issues at Trottier Track, including gate grade and heaved asphalt. The grant requires spending by June and staff said the work would be coordinated with schools.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6298792,"Recreation commission approves $152,185.80 fertilization expenditure; minutes approved",2099,1132000,3231000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2500682-92a0a3b5c5dd2ba99e324b84ace8530f&start=1132&end=3231","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2500682-92a0a3b5c5dd2ba99e324b84ace8530f/thumbnail_1132000.jpg","/articles/6298792/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Recreation-commission-approves-15218580-fertilization-expenditure-minutes-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298792-fc933f8ead8e5094ca42088103e6c97d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178862&Signature=A0-Cx~dv26U9neH1fjYgjXabJ-DlMHQiL00mABISkKkkna28zo1H9lBSJ5TYQLyTexn6s7C~~GxWc8ZH7DjrvKF3BAyn-beg4wQP33tiLW8VcdUc~g~-FOAvrSUY4DRE-5t8qJZEK0jHubAQrjtiUyEkyU5LI~A~7XXp7xq8qoDxaBRGxySC6EQZsu-zCqU~hfc0Dg9osW3um0k~yLZP7CeDig6zVqmFmN1ZaWc0FhDxkT7t2IIUAq34zcWI~elDX7jk2wt59oqH~KklUsf9gICVqeF3jqlUVvHGYSYpSRHBPYhCfYoU7eRSfywywulFhCosPBkYyt7-DmMLUqSfpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Southborough Recreation Commission approved two formal items during its March 4 meeting: a field maintenance expenditure for fertilization and the approval of meeting minutes.

The commission approved a request submitted by staff for $152,185.80 to fertilize Trottier Track and its infield. A commissioner made a motion to approve the expenditure to be funded from the field maintenance/revolving fund; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote. Commissioners recorded “yes” votes from Hansen, O'Day, Lavell and Dumont.

The commission also voted to approve meeting minutes from Jan. 28 and Feb. 11. That motion was seconded and carried by roll call with the same recorded affirmations.

No amendments or conditions to either approval were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The commission did not record further budget transfers or additional formal votes at the March 4 meeting.","At its March 4 meeting, the Town of Southborough Recreation Commission approved a field‑maintenance expenditure of $152,185.80 for fertilization of Trottier Track and infield and approved meeting minutes from Jan. 28 and Feb. 11 by roll‑call votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Recreation commissioners stop permitting Lundblad field pending landfill paperwork

21 Highland future‑use committee releases interim state assessment; report due June 30

Recreation applies for $25,000 accessibility grant to fix Trottier Track access points

Recreation commission approves $152,185.80 fertilization expenditure; minutes approved