Historic panel debates funding category for labyrinth

Other Committee · Meeting of August 19, 2026

NORTHBOROUGH — The Northborough Historic District Commission debated which Community Preservation Act category could fund a proposed labyrinth at the Brigham Street burial ground. Chair Bob Light and member Leslie Harrison said Community Preservation Committee Chair John Campbell had questioned the project's CPA eligibility, with Harrison relaying his message: "I don't think you can use CPA funding for this. It doesn't qualify." The commission approved its July 15 minutes 4-0, with member Tom Reardon abstaining.

Light floated a rough, unconfirmed $50,000 cost estimate and said the project's designer, Diane Smith, disagreed with that figure. Members also reviewed a draft White Cliffs preservation restriction, noted $25,000 in maintenance funding from Elegant Banquets via Ryan LLC, and agreed to invite the Recreation Department and Trinity Church representatives to the September 16 meeting.

In the full story:

• Call to Order and Roll Call
• Approval of Minutes
• Brigham Street Burial Ground Labyrinth: Community Preservation Act Funding Debate
• The deliberation: Harrison relayed Campbell's position directly
• MACRS Historic Inventory Update and the Wesson Fountain
• Planning Board Referrals: Green Street Stone Wall and Cell Tower
• White Cliffs Preservation Restriction and the Herder Brothers
• Knox Trail Lane Street Naming
• Trinity Church Steeple Project CPA Letter of Support
• 284 South Street Sale Inquiry
• Adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,309 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of August 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.