CURRENT STATUS: VOTE YES AT TOWN MEETINGS

The next big push for Turf Up Masco is to get people to VOTE YES at the Town Meetings in May.  What does YES mean?

  • Boxford, Middleton & Topsfield have free cash resources that can be allocated to different budget items or to provide a revenue source for the ensuing year’s budget.  This is not considered a tax increase or a tax override.
  • We would like the towns to VOTE YES to using the free cash that is available to pay $449K for the cost of the Design, Engineering & Permitting piece of Phase 1.
  • If towns VOTE YES, we can expedite this phase of the project.  It will also demonstrate the commitment to the project by Tri-Town residents.
  • This funding request is to move the project through permitting only. Masconomet School Committee is not seeking approval or funding for the construction of turf fields at Masco at this time.
  • Turf Up is committed to raising the remainder of the funds for this project via individual and corporate donations/sponsorships and grants.  We can begin that effort now, but it is difficult to convince people to donate for plans versus construction, so we would like the towns to allocate the cash for that.  Information on our fundraising strategy will be published soon.
  • The Topsfield & Middleton Finance Committees voted to give a positive recommendation on the cost of the Design, Engineering & Permitting through a free cash appropriation on a Warrant Article.
  • Boxford’s Finance Committee and Select Board voted to not give a positive recommendation.
  • At the Town Meetings on May 2 (Topsfield) and May 9 (Boxford & Middleton), residents from each town will vote on whether or not to use free cash on a Warrant Article to pay for Design, Engineering & Permitting for two synthetic turf playing fields and related amenities.
  • We are voting YES to use the money, not voting yes on the project itself.
  • We need the support of 2/3 towns to allocate the cash and move forward with planning – this could commence as early as this summer – it is a 6-9 month process.
  • If we do not receive 2/3 of the vote, we will begin fundraising for this piece of the project and the timeline will be much longer for this work.

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