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.