The Norwood Community Preservation Committee briefed the Board of Selectmen on April 8 about its recommended FY26 projects and the committee’s estimated available balance.

Catherine Walsh, CPC chair, said the committee projects estimated FY26 revenue to be just under $1 million and presented a funding slate that, if approved, would leave about $2.5 million in the CPC account for future projects. The CPC’s applications to the special and annual warrants included several requests:

- Washington Heights roofing (Housing Authority): a not‑to‑exceed $300,000 appropriation to replace roofs on multiple housing authority buildings; the application notes a required 1:1 match and the applicant seeks additional outside grants that could reduce the town share.

- Highlands Cemetery and St. Gabriel’s Chapel: $24,000 to complete a National Register nomination and associated research and paperwork.

- Balch School / Elliott Field ADA ramp: additional funding to provide a redesigned concrete ramp and switchbacks meeting required grades and railings; the CPC asked the board to expect the DPW to provide technical details and anticipated long‑term maintenance responsibilities.

- Elliott Field feasibility study: $25,000 to analyze reconfiguration options for baseball/softball fields to improve playability and allow additional programming.

- Land conservation fund transfer: $10,000 to Norwood Conservation Commission land‑trust account to allow appraisals, surveys and closing costs if qualifying land opportunities arise.

- Goud Pond feasibility study: $200,000 requested jointly by the Conservation Commission and the Norwood Sportsmen's Association to study conditions, clearing options, programming (fishing, boating) and potential grant paths to restore and program the pond.

CPC staff and the selectmen discussed next steps and procedures for department and committee applicants to route preliminary materials to the selectmen earlier in the warrant cycle so the board can review applications that affect board‑controlled properties (parks, fields) before final CPC votes. Selectmen said they would ask their CPC representative to flag any items with town‑department impacts and requested DPW to provide additional information on the ADA ramp design and long‑term maintenance costs before the warrant goes final.

Why it matters: The CPC funds open‑space, historic-preservation and community‑housing projects. Several of these proposals would address deferred maintenance (roofs, ramps), preserve historic resources and study underused town assets for expanded recreation.

What’s next: CPC will finalize project language for the special/annual warrants; selectmen asked for additional technical detail on DPW projects and for housing authority follow‑up on matching grant prospects.