The majority of discussion at last week’s budget hearing centered on dissatisfaction with $40,635 being budgeted for the continued restoration of City Meadow. That concern carried over to the Board of Selectmen’s meeting Wednesday when Ken Ludwig asked if the money is being cut from the budget.
“A lot of people felt it has been stated many times [over the years] that the taxpayers would have nothing to do with paying for it,” he said. “I would hate to see the entire budget voted down because of that.”
First Selectman Matt Riiska said he has not been instructed by the Board of Finance to cut the funding. He said there is no reason to believe town funds will be needed every year.
Townspeople can make a motion at the town meeting to reduce the budget’s bottom line by the amount of the City Meadow funding. That would not guarantee that the money would be taken from that line item, however.
Since 2011, thousands of dollars in state and private funds have been invested in the site to create a stormwater collection system and to turn it into a natural landscape connecting Station Place and Shephard Road. But over the years, the meadow has become overrun with invasive plants. The Friends of the Meadow Committee is working to reverse this trend and enhance the Meadow’s role in the social life of the community.
Last year, a $110,000 private donation was dedicated to invasives removal and developing a restoration plan. Many invasives were cleared and 400 woody plants of 21 different species were installed.
Planting costs are estimated at $304,220, with three years of maintenance estimated at $33,600. The Friends of the Meadow Committee anticipates having to raise $150,000 to $250,000 to complete and maintain the work being done.
“Up to this point, including $500,000 from the state for the initial work, we’re looking at $1.5 million plus, all of it from private funds,” First Selectman Matt Riiska said. “Do the townspeople want to abandon it and let it rot? It’s up to the people.”