[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6569119,"mediaKeyId","3192522-fed660dd7120348976db6033a8a7d773","parentId",3192522,"title","Norwood CPC advances housing, historic‑preservation and recreation projects including Washington Heights roof and Highland Cemetery nomination","audioSeconds",1652,"startMs",3598000,"endMs",5250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192522-fed660dd7120348976db6033a8a7d773&start=3598&end=5250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192522-fed660dd7120348976db6033a8a7d773/thumbnail_3598000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569119/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Norwood-CPC-advances-housing-historicpreservation-and-recreation-projects-including-Washington-Heights-roof-and-Highland-Cemetery-nomination","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569119-f04daf1609d3014f4d75d1197b684cd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192551&Signature=kteepT6Oi48ZVDZ70LABGu-U434JhIxjx~GCZnIHmkTAZNlXgMffZJmmuPqkaQE9I9r~41yU8~I4sAGiV3vH7sQ2ikZKzokpE85dY2SpFTJ33VOwqzaYX8nD6lNUgHgAbfRme2MUrkkbk2lAR7or2wjghDAvmY8FQFpMM9Tbi~Ad2ZpydQxNWbvdxKIBrGH0zXg8qn0Yx6h3xURITuGH0meQNQJK7l1uizCCLsmqeosdUdF7qkHBoTd55ezAweCG7slMGJodT5PFJOKSHaEoeNSsxxuK8bd2lADUlgWrKNFUfTZQbVycJz1nLTvAar7ss6HBkuqL0mckR7xlmYdpRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Norwood, MA","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) presented nine Community Preservation Act warrant articles at the Town of Norwood's final information session before the May 12 Town Meeting, outlining funding buckets, administrative transfers and seven project proposals for housing, historic preservation, open space and recreation.

Catherine Walsh, chair of the CPC, said the articles would allocate CPA funds into the community housing, historic preservation, open space/recreation and administrative buckets and advance seven project requests that the committee recommended sending to Town Meeting for consideration.

Key projects presented

Shared housing services: The CPC proposed $14,000 to continue participation in a shared housing‑services organization that provides housing stock analysis, planning and regional collaboration on low‑income and senior housing. Walsh said the Norwood community development staff use the service and that the town has relied on it for several years.

Washington Heights roof replacement: The housing‑bucket article seeks $300,000 to replace roofs at the Washington Heights housing facility. Presenters said the Commonwealth has offered a 1:1 match and they are pursuing a potential larger match that could stretch CPA dollars further. With a 1:1 match presenters estimated about 60% of the roof could be replaced; a larger match could increase coverage.

Highland Cemetery / Saint Gabriel Chapel National Register nomination: The CPC asked $24,000 to hire a consultant to complete a National Register nomination for Highland Cemetery and Saint Gabriel Chapel. Officials said prior work has been done and the nomination process — which requires review by the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the National Park Service — typically takes about two years. Presenters said listing would make the properties eligible for additional grant programs and cited the town's broader interest in documenting historic resources.

Bosch School Elliott Field ADA ramp: Remaining funds are requested to complete an accessible hardscape ramp to improve access between the upper park areas and the lower athletic fields. Presenters requested an additional $175,000 so the project can be completed in a durable concrete configuration with switchbacks to meet ADA slope requirements; total project cost was described as a bit more than $200,000 with funds remaining in the existing appropriation.

Elliott Field reconfiguration feasibility study: Public Works and Recreation staff presented a proposal to study reconfiguration of existing baseball and softball fields to improve playability, add programming flexibility and create walking paths that connect to the adjacent Bernie Cooper Park. The CPC classified this as open space and recreation. The warrant materials presented to the information session did not specify a final appropriation for the feasibility study in the discussion; presenters said the study would evaluate options, costs and community outreach needs.

Land conservation fund transfer: The CPC recommended transferring $10,000 to the Conservation Commission's land conservation account. Presenters said the fund helps the town act quickly on small property acquisitions or legal work (title searches, valuations) that enable purchases or donations; the account balance reported at the session was about $144,000.

Gile Pond (Dial Pond) feasibility and restoration: The Conservation Commission requested a feasibility study and consultant work for Gile Pond to research existing conditions, invasive species removal and access improvements and to support future grant seeking. The presenter described the request to hire a consultant; the warrant figure discussed in the session appeared inconsistent — a number of $2,200,000 was cited by the presenter at one point and later attendees referenced a $200,000 figure — and attendees asked for clarification. Presenters said community outreach, parking and long‑term maintenance would be part of the study. The Conservation Commission said the Sportsmen's Club parking area is town‑owned and that the study would evaluate more visible signage and improved public access.

Questions and concerns: Attendees asked about project scopes, future maintenance responsibilities, competition for consultants (historic‑preservation consultants were described as relatively scarce), and how CPA matches work for the Washington Heights roof. For the Gile Pond request several residents asked where parcels and parking are and whether adjacent property owners would be financially involved; presenters said outreach and neighbor engagement are planned and that no direct contributions from adjacent landowners were expected for the study phase.

Next steps: The Community Preservation Committee will place these articles on the May 12 Town Meeting warrant; amounts and project details will be voted by town meeting members. Presenters repeatedly said that specific appropriation amounts and project contracts would be refined if Town Meeting members approve the articles.

Ending: Catherine Walsh closed the CPC portion of the session saying the articles aim to advance housing, preservation, recreation and conservation projects and asking town meeting members to review the warrant materials prior to the May 12 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Norwood: Town Meeting Info Session: 5.1.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Community Preservation Committee presented nine CPA warrant articles — four housekeeping and seven projects — that would fund housing services, a Washington Heights roof match, a Highland Cemetery National Register nomination, recreation access improvements and several open‑space studies.","taxTitle","Town of Norwood, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",52806,"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},6569124,"Norwood officials outline fiscal warrant articles including school reserves, technology and $3.7M water-tank authorization",3490,43000,3533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192522-fed660dd7120348976db6033a8a7d773&start=43&end=3533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192522-fed660dd7120348976db6033a8a7d773/thumbnail_43000.jpg","/articles/6569124/Town-of-Norwood/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Norwood-officials-outline-fiscal-warrant-articles-including-school-reserves-technology-and-37M-water-tank-authorization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569124-6fd21967f0edad91c84c2291c62bac28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192551&Signature=f69mM~XXGQU5yZoIuxDpN525THRv3rGB1nWpfVeC8t594VrEDMl8Ra~0uFexrat8WzYuuKcrp8yfcRRaFc-sTzFBQL~K3j6NM8saAq~FQMhutw34-tH6fBIaU~z1He2ydlrc3l-SsmoqIIKqyDQ292ucUFM-p5Bby5g79L346yVJLNKyou12imv0EycN7TxEKkkm8-zhbDOlcQ9rsVl9V-4YQrSNKBQxxe~vfGKQK5pW8clTF9WIEHZHl4O~TYo3EVWyTwMn0xtHRdkrNcBm~mlmA2GA~Rn7M0OD4M4QrejYk5x-eMjeSAMaEFNdDBNis04mMBDqeBcsfCtfmoNBCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Norwood Finance Director Jeff O'Neil and school and department leaders on the final information‑session night reviewed the 12 articles slated for Special Town Meeting No. 1, which the presenters said are primarily fiscal items for the current and upcoming fiscal years.

The articles include an internal transfer to cover a snow‑and‑ice overtime overrun; a contested request to top up the school district's special‑education reserve; a $70,000 spring capital request for school technology purchases tied to the federal E‑Rate reimbursement program; a $300,000 free‑cash appropriation to support three school positions intended to increase MassHealth billing; funding to implement additional Munis (UNIS) human‑resources modules; an additional borrowing authorization for the town's water‑tank replacement project; a transfer to a compensated‑absences reserve; creation of capital and pension reserve funds and a $1 million proposed seed appropriation for the pension reserve; and the annual unpaid‑bills article.

Why it matters: The warrant items would change near‑term spending authority, create new reserve tools and, in the water project case, authorize additional borrowing that town engineers said is time‑sensitive to avoid risk to the water system.

Details and debate

Special education reserve (Article 2): Officials said the Norwood School Committee has requested a transfer from free cash to the special‑education reserve to reach the 2% maximum allowed under Massachusetts law. School staff reported net school spending of about $79 million. Presenters said the current special‑education reserve balance is roughly $700,000 and the school committee requested a transfer of $880,959; the Board of Selectmen recommended a smaller transfer of $300,000. Jeff O'Neil said the Finance Committee will make the final motion and the amount could change when FinCom meets.

Sean Mannion, assistant superintendent for finance operations, described the reserve as a buffer for volatile special‑education costs and potential near‑term reductions in federal funding. \"We currently don't expect any decrease in federal funding for next year, but we're closely watching things that are coming from the feds,\" Mannion said. He added the reserve could help the district absorb unexpected out‑of‑district placements or other special‑education cost spikes.

School technology (Article 3): The warrant requests $70,000 from free cash, the presenters said — $40,000 to replace iMacs and $30,000 for older Windows machines — to align purchases with E‑Rate timing so the district can order in the spring and receive federal reimbursement. Jeff O'Neil and Sean Mannion explained that E‑Rate reimburses a portion of eligible capital hardware and that timing of the federal program has generally dictated making this particular capital request in the spring rather than the fall capital cycle.

MassHealth / Medicaid positions (Article 4): The warrant includes a proposal to use $300,000 in free cash to fund three school positions for one year — two occupational therapists moved from the operating budget to this funding source and one new board‑certified behavior analyst (BCBA) — with the goal of increasing Medicaid (MassHealth) billing and thereby covering the positions in future budgets. Officials described the appropriation as \"seed money\" for the first year; if anticipated revenue does not materialize, the positions would need to be reconsidered in FY27 budgeting.

Foster‑care transportation MOU (Article 5): The schools seek one‑time town approval of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would make the town eligible for state reimbursement of foster‑care transportation expenses. Presenters said the one‑time approval would allow Norwood to claim prior fiscal‑year reimbursement (about $2,800 identified for FY24) and establish eligibility for future years.

Human resources / Munis modules (Article 6): The warrant requests up to $150,000 for consultant support and training to implement additional Munis (UNIS) HR modules for recruiting, onboarding and substitute management. Lisa Figueroa, Norwood's HR director, and others said the modules would consolidate multiple manual processes, reduce staff time spent on applications and substitute‑calling, and better integrate HR with payroll and finance. Audience members asked whether third‑party solutions (Bamboo, ClearCompany, Frontline) had been considered; presenters said they had evaluated alternatives but concluded integration with Munis offered accounting and workflow benefits. Officials also said the $150,000 is an estimate and unused funds would revert to free cash.

Water tank design and replacement (Article 7): The warrant seeks authorization for an additional $3.7 million for the water‑tank project beyond a previously approved borrowing authorization (originally $14.1 million) that was tied to a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan. Presenters said bids returned this year were substantially higher (approximately $17 million and up to $22 million), and SRF funds were not available to cover the overage; if Norwood does not secure authorization and sign a contract by June 30 the previously approved $14.1 million SRF authorization could be at risk. Mark Ryan, director of public works, said one of the town's tanks is 85 years old and beyond its life expectancy and that delays expose the system to risk of tank failure and worsening water quality.

Compensated‑absences reserve (Article 8): Town officials described an existing compensated‑absences reserve that currently holds about $2.1 million against an estimated liability of roughly $4–4.5 million. The warrant proposes adding $250,000 from free cash to the reserve; presenters said the reserve reduces the general fund’s year‑to‑year budget volatility associated with payout of accrued vacation and sick time.

Capital stabilization fund (Article 9): The Finance Committee put forward a proposal to establish a capital stabilization fund to be seeded from free cash and project closeouts; the creation requires two‑thirds approval at town meeting, and any future spending from the fund would return to town meeting for appropriation. Officials described it as a tool to reduce borrowing for future capital needs.

Pension reserve fund and appropriation (Articles 10–11): Officials proposed creating a pension reserve fund and asked Town Meeting to appropriate $1 million from free cash to seed it. Presenters said the town's pension plan funding ratio is roughly 74% and that a reserve could be used either to offset annual operating costs or to make contributions after a market downturn to buy assets at lower valuations.

Unpaid bills (final standing article): The annual unpaid‑bills article was presented as a routine item to authorize payment for items that missed prior fiscal‑year processing.

Outlook: Presenters repeatedly told information‑session attendees that the Finance Committee (FinCom) will make motions and that numbers presented could change before the May 12 Town Meeting when voters will consider the articles. Jeff O'Neil closed the session by saying the motions made on Town Meeting floor will reflect FinCom recommendations and any final appropriation amounts.

Ending: The presenters encouraged town meeting members to review warrant materials and attend the May 12 Town Meeting to vote on the articles. No formal votes were taken at the information session.","Town of Norwood Finance Director Jeff O'Neil and school and department leaders on the final information‑session night reviewed the 12 articles slated for Special Town Meeting No. 1, which the presenters said are primarily fiscal items for the current and upcoming fiscal years.","actionData","errors"]

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Norwood CPC advances housing, historic‑preservation and recreation projects including Washington Heights roof and Highland Cemetery nomination

Norwood officials outline fiscal warrant articles including school reserves, technology and $3.7M water-tank authorization