Irwin Lot Gets Approvals, Now Just One More Hurdle

The Town Council gave the plan to put a parking lot in Irwin Park a third and final approval Wednesday night. But while delivering a 9-2 vote, council members questioned how the construction should be paid for.

Assistant Public Works Director Tiger Mann said he hoped to award the project to the contractor who is currently working on the site. He planned to take the $55,000 to build the lot (which does not include the additional $5,000-$10,000 needed for plantings) out of the $5 million road bond okayed in August.

"It should not come from a bond issue," said Council Member Paul Foley, who also objected to the site chosen for the lot and voted against it along with Chris Hussey. "It should be put in through the normal process to show due process and be transparent," he said.

Already work to widen Irwin Park's north driveway and replace the south driveway with grass pavers has been paid for with funds from the road bond.

"I thought that money was going for improvements on existing roads and sidewalks," said Council Member Beth Jones.

Town Chief Financial Officer Gary Conrad said construction and maintenance of parking areas and screening were also included as eligible expenditures under the bond.

The decision on how to pay for the lot falls under the Board of Selectmen's purview and it will be up to them to decide whether to put the project out to bid and pay for it with the bond funds or include it as a line item in next year's budget.

If the selectmen choose to wait for the budget, the lot may not be constructed until after baseball seasons starts in the park.