Southborough Golf Club irrigation replacement

Coming up

• Sat, Oct 17 Pre-Town Meeting Golf Committee gathering Golf Committee Southborough Golf Club irrigation replacement · mentioned Oct 13

Votes

Every time it came up newest first

1. Tue, Oct 13 · Golf Committee

   Special Town Meeting preparation for irrigation funding article

   The committee coordinated plans for Special Town Meeting on October 17 regarding a warrant article that extends the sunset clause on $550,000 in previously allocated CPA funds and requests roughly $350,000 in new CPA funding, plus $100,000 from the revolving fund, to complete the golf course irrigation project. Members considered whether to ask the Community Preservation Committee to amend or split the article if it faces opposition, but agreed by consensus to keep the article intact and present a united case. The committee also organized informational flyers, poster displays, and resident testimonials.

   • The warrant article addresses the expiration of $550,000 approved in 2024 and requests approximately $350,000 in additional CPA funding plus $100,000 from the revolving fund.
   • Town Moderator Paul Cimino informed committee members that projector slides would not be permitted for general floor speakers.
   • Members decided against asking the Community Preservation Committee to sponsor a fallback floor amendment.
   • The committee arranged to set up an informational table with flyers and posters outside the meeting hall.
   • Members planned to recruit golfers, league members, and long-time residents to speak in favor.

   Outcome: Agreed to proceed with the warrant article as written without seeking floor amendments.

   Watch at 9:34 · See the whole meeting

2. Thu, Oct 8 · Community Preservation Committee

   Golf Course irrigation project presentation review

   The committee reviewed the draft slide presentation and informational handout for the Southborough Golf Club irrigation replacement article on the Fall Town Meeting warrant. The project has a total cost of 1,087,296 dollars, funded in part by 553,750 dollars approved in 2024, 100,000 dollars from the Golf Revolving Fund, and 433,546 dollars in additional CPA funding requested at Town Meeting.

   • A slide was corrected to specify the project qualifies under CPA recreation criteria rather than historic preservation.
   • Drone photography showing golf course conditions during dry periods will be included in the presentation.
   • Informational flyers explaining the need to replace the 50-year-old system will be distributed to voters.

   Outcome: Reviewed with minor text corrections noted.

   Watch at 1:02:27 · See the whole meeting

3. Tue, Oct 6 · Advisory Committee

   Article 3: Golf course irrigation system funding

   The committee reviewed its report text opposing Article 3, which would fund approximately $1 million for Southborough Golf Club irrigation improvements using roughly 85% CPA funds and 15% ($150,000) from the golf revolving fund. Members expressed strong opposition to shifting capital costs to taxpayers via CPA funds when the golf course was originally intended to be self-sustaining. The committee noted an alternative proposal to borrow $533,000 over 20 years funded by a $1.50 per-round surcharge on players.

   • Project cost roughly $1 million, funded 85% by CPA and 15% ($150,000) by golf revolving fund
   • Strong opposition to shifting golf course costs to general taxpayers via CPA
   • Members noted the course was originally presented as self-funding
   • Alternative proposal suggested borrowing $533,000 backed by a $1.50 per-round player surcharge
   • Committee previously voted 0-7 against supporting the article

   Outcome: Report text revised to reflect that the course was intended to be self-funding.

   Watch at 52:15 · See the whole meeting

4. Tue, Oct 6 · Golf Committee

   Golf Course Irrigation Project outreach and flyer review

   The committee went over the layout, funding numbers, and distribution plan for the informational flyer supporting the municipal golf course irrigation project at the upcoming Special Town Meeting. Members debated whether project costs should be presented as the full total including contingency or base project cost, and discussed the legal and financial realities of funding golf course improvements.

   • Discussed total project costs of $1,087,296 including a $150,000 contingency fund alongside the base cost of $971,000
   • Voted to authorize up to $500 for printing physical copies of the flyer
   • Planned flyer distribution points including the library, senior center, golf course, and driving range
   • Confirmed that municipal golf course revenues cannot be used to borrow against future uncertain revenues for capital projects

   Outcome: Voted unanimously to approve up to $500 for printing flyers

   Watch at 1:05 · See the whole meeting

5. Wed, Sep 16 · Advisory Committee

   Article 3: CPA funding for golf course irrigation

   The committee considered an article seeking $433,346 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, paired with $100,000 from the Golf Course Revolving Fund, for a new irrigation system at the Southborough Golf Club. Members strongly objected to town taxpayers funding nearly the entire cost of the project through CPA funds when the golf course is intended to be self-sustaining, suggesting golfers pay user surcharges instead.

   • Requests $433,346 from CPA funds and $100,000 from the Golf Course Revolving Fund.
   • Supplements prior 2024 appropriation of roughly $515,000 for a total project cost of $1,087,296.
   • Members argued the golf revolving fund should bear more than roughly 10 percent of the new appropriation.
   • Member calculations showed a $1.50 per-round surcharge over 20 years could fund a municipal loan instead.

   Outcome: Motion to recommend approval failed 0-7, resulting in a recommendation to not support.

   Watch at 28:55 · See the whole meeting

6. Tue, Sep 15 · Select Board and Advisory Committee

   CPA request for golf course irrigation system

   Golf Committee Chair Tony Schunner and DPW Director Bill Cundiff requested supplementary funding to replace the failing irrigation system at the municipal golf course, bringing total project funding to $1,087,000. An initial $500,000 approval proved inadequate when bids arrived between $800,000 and $850,000, requiring engineering redesigns, a new pump station, and directional boring. The request includes $100,000 from the Golf Course Revolving Fund, with the remaining balance funded by the Community Preservation Act.

   • Total revised project budget is $1,087,000, up from the original $500,000 appropriation.
   • Golf Course Revolving Fund will contribute $100,000 toward the total cost.
   • Redesign includes horizontal boring under streams and an added booster pump station.
   • Construction is estimated to take six weeks during the playing season using cordoned work areas.
   • Select Board voted 5-0 later in the meeting to recommend the article with minor corrections.

   Outcome: Select Board voted 5-0 to recommend approval at Special Town Meeting.

   Watch at 1:03:43 · See the whole meeting

7. Mon, Sep 14 · Community Preservation Committee

   Southborough Golf Club irrigation system warrant article

   The committee considered draft warrant article language for additional CPA funding for a new irrigation system at the Southborough Golf Club. The committee opted to preserve multiple conditions that Town Counsel had recommended removing, including adherence to Audubon International certification criteria, Conservation Commission signoffs, and coordination with Sudbury Valley Trustees. Members also discussed the required Select Board and Advisory Committee approvals needed to raise the Golf Course Revolving Fund spending limit to contribute $100,000 toward the project.

   • Appropriates $433,546 from the FY2027 CPA Fund Balance, comprising $370,475 in project costs and $63,071 in contingency.
   • Requires a $100,000 contribution from the Southborough Golf Course Revolving Fund, bringing the total additional funding to $533,546.
   • Brings the total overall irrigation project cost to $1,087,296 ($987,296 in total CPA appropriations and $100,000 from the revolving fund).
   • Requires written confirmation that the irrigation design meets Audubon International criteria for certification and complies with the property conservation restriction.
   • Requires raising the Golf Course Revolving Fund spending limit above its current $70,000 cap to provide the $100,000 town contribution.

   Outcome: Approved as amended by a 4-1 vote, with one member voting in opposition.

   Watch at 30:00 · See the whole meeting

8. Tue, Sep 8 · Community Preservation Committee

   Review of draft warrant article language for golf irrigation

   The committee conducted a detailed review of the draft warrant article text for the golf course irrigation project to send to Town Counsel. Members refined language regarding project contingencies, the process for raising the revolving fund cap above $70,000, extension of the project deadline to December 30, 2029, and clarified environmental standards under Audubon International. They also agreed to generalize language regarding golf management oversight rather than citing a specific vendor.

   • Article extends the completion deadline from December 1, 2026, to December 30, 2029.
   • Select Board and Advisory Committee approval is required to raise the revolving fund limit above $70,000 to allow the $100,000 contribution.
   • Contingency funds of $63,071 require separate CPC approval before expenditure.
   • Vendor-specific references to New England Golf were removed in favor of general management company wording.
   • Revisions will be forwarded to Town Counsel for legal review.

   Outcome: Draft language amended by consensus for submission to Town Counsel.

   Watch at 12:54 · See the whole meeting

9. Tue, Sep 8 · Community Preservation Committee

   Southborough Golf Club irrigation project funding recommendation

   The committee discussed whether to recommend an article for Special Town Meeting seeking additional funding for the Southborough Golf Club irrigation system. After initial bids came in significantly higher than the $553,750 appropriated at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting, the updated total project cost rose to $1,087,296. The article seeks an additional $433,546 from Community Preservation Act funds alongside a $100,000 contribution from the golf course revolving fund.

   • Updated total project cost is $1,087,296, up from the $553,750 approved at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting.
   • Request includes $433,546 in CPA funds ($370,475 in direct project costs and $63,071 in contingency).
   • The golf course revolving fund will contribute $100,000 to cover the initial invoices.
   • One member opposed recommending the article due to outstanding application refinements and timing concerns.

   Outcome: Passed 4-1 to support recommending the article for Special Town Meeting.

   Watch at 1:07 · See the whole meeting

10. Wed, Sep 2 · Golf Committee

    Golf course irrigation project and CPC funding application

    The chair reported on meetings with the Community Preservation Committee regarding the golf course irrigation project. The project base cost is estimated by consultants at approximately $900,000, and the committee increased the budget contingency from 2.5 percent to 15 percent, bringing the total anticipated request to about $1.05 million. The proposal currently includes using $100,000 from the golf revolving fund, with the remainder sought through Community Preservation Act funds at the October Special Town Meeting.

    • Total estimated cost with 15 percent contingency is approximately $1.05 million.
    • The golf revolving fund is slated to contribute $100,000 toward the project.
    • The project will be put before voters on the Special Town Meeting warrant, tentatively scheduled for October 17.

    Outcome: Warrant article language is pending review by town officials and CPC.

    Watch at 0:27 · See the whole meeting

11. Thu, Aug 27 · Conservation Commission

    Southborough Golf Course irrigation project update

    The conservation agent and commission members discussed preliminary plans for the Southborough Golf Course irrigation upgrade funded through the Community Preservation Committee. Both the conservation agent and Sudbury Valley Trustees confirmed that the proposed small pump station near Cordaville Road constitutes allowable incidental infrastructure under the property conservation restriction, and utility lines will be directionally bored beneath the stream rather than open-trenched.

    • Irrigation upgrade funded in part through Community Preservation Act funds
    • Sudbury Valley Trustees and conservation agent confirmed a pump station is permitted under the conservation restriction
    • Pump station structure will resemble a low-profile utility cabinet near Cordaville Road
    • Water lines will be directionally bored under the stream corridor to avoid surface disruption

    Outcome: Commission reached consensus supporting the design approach ahead of formal filings.

    Watch at 1:03:33 · See the whole meeting

12. Tue, Aug 25 · Community Preservation Committee

    Southborough Golf Club irrigation system funding revision

    Representatives from the Golf Course Committee and Department of Public Works presented a revised application for the golf course irrigation project. The overall project cost estimate increased to $1,087,296 after raising the construction contingency from 2.6 percent to 15 percent, requiring an additional $433,546 in CPA funds beyond the $553,750 previously approved in 2024, alongside a $100,000 contribution from the Golf Revolving Fund. Committee members discussed environmental reviews with Sudbury Valley Trustees and the Conservation Commission, consultant reviews for Audubon International certification, and proper accounting of previous contingency authorizations.

    • Total revised estimated project cost is $1,087,296, which includes a 15 percent contingency of $141,821.
    • The 2024 Annual Town Meeting previously approved $553,750 with a $78,750 contingency that will expire on December 1, 2026 without an extension.
    • Project includes installation of a booster pump station near Latisquama Road and directional boring under stream crossings to reduce wetland impact.
    • The golf course management company pays the course water bills.
    • An RFP for an Audubon International consultant is being issued with responses due in two weeks.

    Outcome: No vote was taken; the committee consultant will draft warrant article language with Town Counsel for review at the September 8 meeting.

    Watch at 16:51 · See the whole meeting

13. Mon, Aug 3 · Community Preservation Committee

    Golf course irrigation system funding and scope update

    Representatives from the DPW and the Golf Course Committee presented an updated preliminary cost estimate and scope for replacing the golf course irrigation system. The committee reviewed timeline projections, contractor lead times, the project sunset clause, and town revolving fund contributions.

    • The consultant revised cost estimate increased to $970,475 total.
    • Construction is estimated to take four to five months, with contractor lead times estimated between nine and 24 months.
    • The committee noted that the original sunset clause expires December 31, 2026, meaning town meeting action will be needed this fall regardless of whether construction funding advances.
    • The project includes upsizing the water service pipe from two inches to four inches and installing a booster pump station.
    • The Golf Committee will provide a three-year projection of expected capital expenditures from the golf revolving fund to address questions about contributing more than $100,000 toward the project.

    Outcome: The Golf Committee will provide additional financial documentation on revolving fund plans and check in with Sudbury Valley Trustees and the Conservation Commission prior to the next meeting.

    Watch at 1:30 · See the whole meeting

14. Tue, Jul 21 · Community Preservation Committee

    Southborough Golf Course irrigation replacement

    The Golf Course Committee presented an updated application for a complete 9-hole irrigation system replacement after original bids came in significantly above the $553,000 approved at 2024 Annual Town Meeting. Revised engineering estimates place the total project cost at $976,470, which includes a newly identified requirement for a booster pump station. The Golf Course Committee proposed contributing $100,000 from the Golf Course Revolving Fund toward the cost, with the remaining balance requested from CPA funds.

    • Revised total project cost is estimated at $976,470, up from the original $553,000 town meeting appropriation.
    • The estimate includes an $872,970 base irrigation system and $103,500 in engineering, permitting, and rock contingencies.
    • The Golf Course Committee proposes funding $100,000 from its revolving fund, leaving an additional CPA request.
    • The project must coordinate with Audubon International certification requirements and Conservation Commission approvals.

    Outcome: Continued without a vote pending verification of revolving fund spending limits and town counsel guidance on warrant article mechanics.

    Watch at 1:11:18 · See the whole meeting

15. Tue, Jul 14 · Golf Committee

    Golf course irrigation project funding update

    The chair provided an update on funding strategy and applications for the golf course irrigation project. The project is estimated at approximately $970,000, funded through previously approved Community Preservation Act funds, $100,000 from the golf revolving fund, and a new CPA application for roughly $320,000 to $350,000.

    • Project cost is estimated around $970,000.
    • Initial CPA allocation of $550,000 was approved two years ago.
    • Golf course revolving fund is slated to contribute $100,000.
    • A supplemental CPA grant application was submitted for the remaining balance of roughly $320,000 to $350,000.
    • The committee expects to present the proposal at Fall Town Meeting for implementation next year.

    Outcome: The CPA application was submitted and committee members await a hearing date with the Community Preservation Committee.

    Watch at 0:58 · See the whole meeting

16. Thu, Jun 11 · Community Preservation Committee

    Southborough Golf Course irrigation replacement

    The DPW superintendent and Golf Course Committee members discussed a revised funding plan for the golf course irrigation system after initial construction bids substantially exceeded available funds. Value engineering identified approximately $160,000 in scope reductions, but engineers determined a necessary booster pump station will add roughly $200,000, bringing total project estimates to about $900,000. Proponents are reviewing how much to contribute from the golf course revolving fund, which has about $200,000 available but faces a statutory annual spending limit of $75,000 without Select Board and Advisory Committee approval.

    • Original construction bids came in well over the appropriated budget, triggering value engineering efforts.
    • Proposed cost reductions shaved roughly $160,000, but a newly required booster pump station adds approximately $200,000.
    • Preliminary revised total cost estimate for the irrigation project is approximately $900,000.
    • The golf course revolving fund has approximately $200,985 in uncommitted funds, but town policy caps annual revolving expenditures at $75,000 unless joint approval is granted.
    • The DPW and Golf Course Committee plan to submit a revised application and schedule by June 30, with the option to postpone to Spring Town Meeting if loose ends remain.

    Outcome: Discussion only; revised application package due by June 30.

    Watch at 56:22 · See the whole meeting

17. Tue, Jun 2 · Golf Committee

    Golf course irrigation project funding and planning

    The committee held an extensive discussion on the stalled irrigation replacement project, which has seen projected costs rise from an initial $500,000 to nearly $1 million. Members reviewed Community Preservation Act grant expiration timelines, potential value engineering or phasing options, and an upcoming presentation to the Community Preservation Committee.

    • Town Meeting previously appropriated roughly $575,000 to $600,000 in Community Preservation Act funds
    • Estimated total project costs have escalated to approximately $1 million due to materials and pump station requirements
    • Golf revolving fund currently holds about $180,000, with roughly $130,000 in additional receipts expected this season
    • Department of Revenue confirmed revolving funds cannot be used to repay municipal borrowing over time
    • A formal Community Preservation Act grant application is due June 30, with an informational appearance on June 11

    Outcome: Committee members will meet June 9 to coordinate preparations for the June 11 Community Preservation Committee meeting and check on grant expiration deadlines

    Watch at 8:30 · See the whole meeting