Capital Planning Committee - October 16th, 2026 | Westford, MA

The Westford Capital Planning Committee reviewed 2027 capital requests at a meeting identified in the title as October 16, 2026; the metadata lists November 2, 2026. Parks and Grounds requests included a $35,000 deep-tine aerator, $225,000 reconstruction of the Hamilton Field basketball court, $140,000 for Forge Pond Beach phase-two design, safety improvements at Graniteville ball fields (concept estimates of approximately $300,000–$483,000, with the commission favoring the higher-protection option), and $1.5 million to restore Jack Walsh fields. The committee also discussed replacement of several aging public-works vehicles and equipment, a $1.7 million Pleasant Street/Patton Road sidewalk and intersection project, a $550,000 traffic-signal replacement contingent on a MassDOT grant, and a $195,000 Flushing Pond Road reconstruction already covered by a state grant. Other highway requests included $800,000 for culvert rehabilitation using cured-in-place pipe and $1.95 million for two culvert replacements. Water and cemetery projects were also discussed, including an updated $650,000 estimate for work at the Howard Road pump station. Funding options mentioned included Community Preservation Act funds, Newport Materials mitigation funds, and state grants.

No capital requests or procurement awards were voted on. Committee members repeatedly requested clearer equipment maintenance and repair histories, including estimates comparing purchase with rental for the asphalt roller; staff agreed to provide follow-up information. The committee also discussed correcting the traffic-signal project materials, pursuing an available Complete Streets grant, arranging a site visit before final recommendations, and adding recent maintenance and repair-cost fields to future capital request forms. The minutes were approved by motion, with the absent member abstaining, and the meeting adjourned by motion.