CPC approves funding request by Southwick Public Library to enhance grounds

SOUTHWICK — If a Special Town Meeting is called in the next few weeks, residents will be asked to vote on an allocation of $24,232 to finish a project to enhance the grounds of the Southwick Public Library that was approved by the Community Preservation Committee on Wednesday.

“The budget is very simple this time. We are just asking for funds for some concrete and as well as some additional funds,” Public Library Director Lynn Blair said at the meeting about what is needed to finish the enhancement project on the open space on the right side of the building.

At the May 2024 Town Meeting residents approved a CPC request of $20,659 for the library to purchase outdoor musical percussion instruments that are “inspired by nature.” They are described as liberty bells, a petal drum, and harmony bells.

The approved funds would also be used to buy a picnic table, two metal benches, a trash can, the equipment needed for a permanently installed story walk, and a security camera to monitor the revamped space.

“We want to make it a more comfortable and engaging place for all patrons … and to host programs outdoors in nice weather,” said Blair when pitching the idea to the CPC in 2024.

The trash can, benches and picnic tables will be purchased from Massachusetts Correctional Industries, which uses incarcerated individuals to build those items.

After the allocation was approved, the plan was to have the town’s Building and Grounds Department install everything after pouring a 20-by-20-foot concrete pad.

However, personnel changed at the department, which left the library in a lurch.

Since then, Blair and the library’s Board of Trustees have been working on solutions to finish the project.

While searching for it, the library received three donations to help defray the $34,500 estimate to pour the concrete and purchase the musical instruments because tariffs have increased costs.

Blair said at the CPC meeting Wednesday that the Wolf family donated $10,000, the Mastroianni family donated $1,000, and the Friends of the Library pledged $5,000 to help.

She also said two trees will be removed for free by Southwick Tree Service LLC.

The CPC unanimously approved the library’s application.

Before Blair’s appearance, Christopher Mastroianni spoke during public comments about a 37-acre piece of property at 64 Tannery Road he and his wife Susan purchased for $275,000 in August and are working to protect from development.

The couple have appeared at the Parks and Recreation and the Agriculture Commission over the last week asking for their recommendations so they can apply to the CPC for funding to have the town either purchase the property or its conservation restriction.

At the Agricultural Commission meeting, he said that when he and his wife were thinking about purchasing the property, the plan was to buy it and then have the Southwick Land Trust purchase it from them.

He said the Southwick Land Trust had backed out of the arrangement, citing a lack of available funding.

After their informal presentation, the Agricultural Commission unanimously approved writing a recommendation to the CPC for it to help with protecting it.

After the couple pitched the idea to the Parks and Recreation Commission, it didn’t make a recommendation but said they would take an in-depth look at the property before deciding.

The property abuts the Southwick Rail Trail and is being actively hayed by a Granville farmer.

Mastroianni appeared by himself at the CPC meeting Wednesday.

He told the committee of their plans and that he was planning on applying for funding from the CPC by Nov. 1.

He was met with some skepticism.

“I can advise you right now that the town isn’t going to want to own the property. They would entertain the conservation restriction, but actual ownership of the property, I don’t think that would [happen],” said committee member Dennis Clark.

The CPC allocates funds in four areas, housing, historical preservation, open space protection, and recreation. The money comes from a surtax on property taxes in town, and matching grants from the state. It is kept separate from the town’s general budget.