Selectmen Look at Sacred Heart Proposal

After talking with consultants and other departments, the renovation of the former site of Sacred Heart will be slightly different than what was originally proposed.

According to the presentation made to the Sharon selectmen, there will be an open area for sports and activities but some of the stone paths have been removed.

In addition, the picnic area has been moved from the western part of the field to the southern part of the area near Cedar Street, boulders expected to stop cars from driving on to the field will be replaced with standard bumper blocks to make the fields easier to maintain and cut down on the time needed to bring the boulders in.

The use of the field will be managed by the recreation department.

To help pay for the estimated $16,000 needed for picnic tables, benches and vegetation, DPW Superintendent Eric Hooper says he hopes to get funds from Friends of Sharon Conservation for the needed for that part of the project and volunteer help from the boy scouts.

“This is a perfect opportunity for the Friends of Sharon Conservation to pay for some of these amenities, plantings especially. It’s also a perfect opportunity for the boys scouts eagle projects that we see come though our door as well,” Hooper said.

With the paving of the lot estimated to cost $250,000, chairman Walter Roach was concern with repaving a lot that receives high use.

“You got a carnival that comes every year and if they’re back they can do a lot of a damage with their equipment. I want to think long and hard before I vote for the whole compete parking lot to be done,” Roach said concerning the existing part of the lot.

While Hooper admitted that the lot was in poor condition, he did admit that the carnival did have the potential to destroy the area quickly.

The project is expected to cost $430,000 including the repaving of the lot. Most of the work can be done in-house at the cost of the materials according to Hooper.