Commission backs Trinity steeple grant letter

Other Committee · Meeting of September 16, 2026

NORTHBOROUGH — The Northborough Historic District Commission voted 5-0 to back Trinity Church's bid for a $265,000 Community Preservation Act grant toward its steeple's second restoration phase. Pete Carlson of Trinity's building restoration team said the $780,576 project, which already removed the 178-year-old steeple's spire and bell to the parking lot, is backed by $515,576 in church funds, about 66 percent of the total. Structural engineer Greg Nowak of Structures North said two of the tower's eight posts need full replacement due to rot.

Separately, commissioners voted 5-0 to table resident Diane Smith's burial-ground labyrinth proposal after her cost estimate climbed toward $125,000 once state prevailing-wage rules were applied. Leslie Harrison called the number "a serious sticker shock." Chair Bob Light will draft Trinity's support letter for a formal vote October 21.

In the full story:

• Opening and Remote Meeting Procedure
• Trinity Church Steeple Restoration CPA Grant Request
• Proposed Burial Ground Labyrinth Project
• Routine and Short Items
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,488 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.