Shrewsbury CPC Unanimously Rejects CPA Funds for Arrowwood Park Sidewalk

SHREWSBURY -- June 10, 2026, Shrewsbury's Community Preservation Committee voted 6-0 to reject a request to use Community Preservation Act funds for sidewalk paving along Arrowwood Drive adjacent to the newly completed Arrowwood Park playground. The committee, meeting via Zoom on June 10, heard from planning staff member Ryan that the department had recommended approval, arguing the sidewalk had sufficient nexus to the CPA-funded park project to be allowable under state guidelines and distinguishable from a 2015 ruling against Norwell. But multiple members who visited the site said the damage was minor, confined to one stretch, and appeared caused by construction equipment. Member Gail argued that redirecting unspent project funds to expand the sidewalk scope would require a return to town meeting under Massachusetts guidelines governing CPA funds. "The money that wants to be used on the sidewalks, I feel, needs to come back into the fund and be used in a different way," she said. Ryan confirmed the contractor is already obligated under the existing contract to patch the cracked sections at no additional cost.