SWAMPSCOTT — Finance Committee members signaled last week that a plan to resurface the aging track at Upper Jackson Park needs more discussion before they vote to include it on the budget, even as concerns mount about safety, usability, and lost revenue opportunities.
The project is in the proposed budget at a cost of $1 million and was originally added to the town’s capital plan for fiscal year 2028. This year, however, it has been escalated to fiscal year 2027, reflecting growing concerns about the track’s deteriorating condition and feedback that the surface has become increasingly unsuitable, particularly for the schools’ track teams.
Committee members described visible lifting and uneven areas along the track, which wraps around the grass field used for soccer and other community events. Rich Raymond, a member of the capital planning committee, joined the meeting to share some perspective on the plan, most of which the capital committee has already voted on. “You could see the track is definitely lifting,” he said, although he noted that the capital committee was similarly unsure on the resurfacing issue. “It’s becoming a hazard, no doubt.”
The condition of the track has been affecting student athletes at the high school, who can no longer host track meets on the current surface. At a capital planning committee presentation last month, proponents of the project also emphasized the facility’s value to the broader community. If resurfaced, they said, the track could again be marketed and rented to outside groups.
“I don’t think it’s going to make a lot of money,” said Raymond. “But at least it’s somewhat of a cost-center once it’s up in full use again.”
Still, several committee members questioned whether the $1 million expense is urgent enough to warrant moving it forward a year — and whether more detailed information is needed before taking a vote.
“Is that million dollars a good spend this year?” Raymond asked, noting that while the amount represents a relatively small percentage of the town’s overall budget, it remains significant in the context of competing capital needs. He also noted that Patrick Luddy, the town’s finance director, had affirmed the town’s debt service could handle the cost of the project.
The committee also had questions about long-term planning. The track, built roughly twenty years ago, has required spot repairs but no full replacement since its installation. Finance committee member Naomi Dreeben pointed out that with similar infrastructure projects like the turf field, the committee had been able to budget and predict a maintenance cycle. Further information was requested on what possible regular upkeep costs would be needed for the track.
Members also pointed out that while hosting track meets might be a priority for student athletes, there are other uses of the track at Upper Jackson Park. “I don’t think they’ve been able to host meets for over a year,” Chair Eric Hartmann said. “But I haven’t heard that they fully cancelled the track team. Maybe they’re telling them to be careful, but they’re still running on it.”
Raymond agreed, also pointing out that residents walk around the perimeter of the track as well, although posted signs say field use is by permit only. “At what point does it become a hazard?” He asked.
Ultimately, the committee did not take a vote on the project during the meeting. Instead, members said they would like additional input from facilities leadership and school officials about the track’s current condition, the scope of work required, and whether postponing the project another year would create greater risks or costs.
The track resurfacing and several other large capital projects will continue to be discussed by the towns’ committees ahead of Town Meeting in May.
