The Newton City Public Facilities Committee voted to approve funding to replace the deck at Newton Community Farm, with the committee accepting a Community Preservation Committee recommendation to appropriate $75,000 from unrestricted prior-year funds.

The project scope presented to the committee calls for demolishing and rebuilding the main deck adjacent to the farm barn. "The main deck structure is showing significant rot and ... fully rebuilding the structure is necessary for visitor safety and for its continued use," said Susan Woonen, who presented the application on behalf of the farm. She told the committee the original deck was constructed with Community Preservation Act funds in 2010 and was never covered or weatherproofed.

The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to support the repair provided the new construction resolves the weatherproofing and framing issues. The farm has selected a composite surface known as Trex for the deck surface and will use pressure‑treated lumber for the substructure to reduce future rot, Woonen said. A contractor estimate included demolition, dumpster, footings and framing; one committee member reported the proposed deck footprint on the drawings as roughly 29½ by 19 feet.

Committee members pressed for stronger project oversight than was exercised on the 2010 build. Councilor Danvers questioned why pressure‑treated lumber and the originally planned cover were not installed in 2010; Woonen said the planned cover was never completed and that contributed to the deterioration. Commissioner Josh Morse, Public Buildings, told the committee the department will competitively bid the work and that the CPC had been intentionally cautious about recommending an amount that would allow a "one‑and‑done" solution: "If they're able to turn money back, they will absolutely do that," Morse said.

Councilors said they supported the project and stressed the need for better follow-up and interim reporting on larger CPC projects to avoid repeat failures. Councilor Farrell noted the farm's educational programming and said stabilizing the deck will support ongoing events.

The committee approved the motion to fund the deck replacement by voice vote; the chair recorded the motion as approved by all members present.