The committee unanimously approved a project application requesting $155,000 from the Community Preservation General and Reserve fund for the preservation of the Southwick Town Hall, located on College Highway. The funds are earmarked for architectural design, construction administration fees, and the rehabilitation of the building’s historic section. The committee’s discussion illuminated pressing structural concerns, notably leaks in both the front and basement areas, attributed to the building’s original solid masonry construction lacking an inner cavity for water drainage. This has led to the deterioration of mortar joints and masonry, alongside issues with architectural panels, concrete spalls, and failed window sealants.

To address skepticism from some community members regarding the necessity of this work, the committee proposed documenting these problems with photographs to present at upcoming town meetings. An amendment was also suggested to the warrant article explanation, emphasizing the historical significance of the limestone architectural panels and advocating for the use of original materials in the restoration process. The committee agreed that the robust General Reserve fund, which currently holds nearly $2 million, would be the source of the project funding.

The committee also delved into the proposal for constructing six new pickleball courts at Wally Park. The project, still pending a formal application, includes plans for lighting and a pavilion with an estimated total cost of $670,000. This figure breaks down into $420,000 for the courts themselves, $150,000 for lighting, and $100,000 for a pavilion. While the committee acknowledged the increasing demand for pickleball courts due to the sport’s growing popularity, concerns were raised about the quality of the surfaces proposed in earlier applications. The initial bid had involved an inferior product prone to issues like slickness from condensation, but the committee clarified that the Town Hall courts would feature a more suitable asphalt base with a rubberized coating.

Discussion also highlighted the challenges of escalating costs and contractor availability, with construction timelines potentially stretching beyond six months. The committee agreed to revisit the pickleball project in future meetings once further information is available.

Another topic was the grant agreement for the Historical Society, which underwent several reviews and amendments. The committee unanimously approved the amended facility grant agreement, emphasizing the need to finalize it before the special town meeting on January 14th. The agreement aims to ensure funds are allocated strictly for conservation rather than recreational purposes. The committee discussed the inclusion of a three-year timeline for completing the conservation restriction, accounting for potentially slow state approval processes. Insurance coverage for improvements funded through Community Preservation Act money was debated, resulting in a decision to omit specific insurance requirements for kiosks or similar structures due to cost concerns.

The meeting also touched on the South Housing production plan project completion, with unencumbered funds amounting to $836,191 set to be returned to the committee. This financial update was documented in a letter from the planning board, confirming all related invoices were settled. The return of these funds was unanimously accepted.

In preparation for future meetings, the committee established a submission deadline schedule for application reviews to prevent last-minute submissions and ensure examination. This schedule was agreed upon by all members.