CPA Projects Database

Installation of a fitness cluster at Shattuck Park.

Restore the infields of Thayer Field and Mill St. baseball and softball to ensure a safe area to play games.

Obtain an assessment of the entire Middle Cemetery to determine where the most urgent areas for restoration. Ancestors of Lancaster's founding families are buried here as well as no less the 37 Revolutionary soldiers and 14 Civil War soldiers.

Replacement of the fencing surrounding the baseball fields. The current chain-link fence has holes and creates safety concerns. The replacement fence will be rubber/vinyl coated, that is more suited to an athletic and the users.

Restoration to historic building

Funding to support affordable housing projects

Reconstruction of recreational path

Planning and design for reconstruction of park

Lighting improvements for safety and energy conservation

Design and construct pedestrian bridge

This project proposes to appropriate $65,000 from the Historic Resources Reserve for installation of a highly efficient electric heat pump HVAC system which will serve the first and second floors as well as other weatherization measures throughout the entire building as identified in an energy audit conducted by the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) on December 13, 2022. Installation of these systems will assist in the preservation of this historic structure through improved temperature and humidity control.

This project proposes to appropriate $5,500 from the Historic Resources Reserve Account to conduct an Inventory and Assessment of historic gravestones located in the southeast corner of the Mt. View Cemetery, Sections 1-9. The cemetery is located in the Shrewsbury Historic District and is designated on the State Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places. The Inventory and Assessment will review the current condition of historic gravestones, some of which date to the 1730’s, and prioritize their specific needs for restoration and preservation in accordance with the practices of the United States National Parks Service.

This project proposes to appropriate $40,000 from the Open Space and Recreation Reserve Account for design services for restoration of the playground equipment at Arrowwood Park. The project will redesign the existing playground equipment and surface to provide an improved playground design meeting modern design and safety standards. This park currently serves a large portion of the community, however the current condition deters significant use.

This project proposes to appropriate $375,000 from the Community Preservation Reserve Account for reconstruction of the existing basketball courts. The Town’s 2018 Master Plan indicated the basketball courts were in poor condition and needed to be rebuilt. The courts currently have deep cracks, backboards which need to be upgraded, and fences which are worn. The fenced in courts will also need to have a sidewalk added to make it more accessible. This project will rebuild the three (3) basketball courts, two (2) of which are fenced in.

This project proposes to appropriate $435,000 from the Fund Balance Account for acquisition for conservation purposes under Chapter 44B, parcels of land located at 443 and 457 Lake Street and 104 Grove Street aka the Howe/Sears Family Farm. The proposed project would be the contribution of half of the funds required to purchase the property with the remaining funds provided via American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. With the purchase of this property the Town hopes to create connectivity between current Town owned land to promote passive recreation, such as walking trails, and preserve open and natural space in Town. These parcels help to create connectivity between Lake Street Park all the way to Camp Wunnegan through sidewalks and walking trails. The Town is working to develop a formal trail network throughout the Town and this project contributes to this effort. The Greater Worcester Land Trust has expressed interest in the project and holding the conservation restriction on the property.

The goal of the Inventory of Historic Resources is to support efforts to identify and plan for the protection of the significant historic buildings, structures, archaeological sites, and landscapes in the Town of Whitman.