By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – The weather was unseasonably cool but the spirit was very warm June 5 when Superintendent of Shrewsbury Schools Dr. Joseph Sawyer presided over an informal ceremony to break ground for new turf fields at Shrewsbury High School.
Fundraising for the three-phase project to replace deteriorating grass fields with long-lasting, low maintenance artificial turf, has been successful. The project’s total cost is expected to be $2.1 million. The town contributed $300,000 and the gap of $1.8 million has been met.
“Lots of people moved forward to try to create this opportunity for our kids,” Sawyer said. “As we came down to the wire we had to make a decision, it could happen this year or we are going to have to wait another summer to get to our goal, but thanks to Mr. Donnie Greene soliciting the Adams family who, in honor of David Adams who the field will be named after, they stepped forward with a $250,000 to get us over the top.”
Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Patrick Collins, School Committee Chair Jason Paltisch and fellow members Sandy Fryc and Jon Wensky, Shrewsbury High School Principal Todd Bazydlo and vice principals Gregory Nevader and Maureen Monopoli and Director of Athletics Jay Costa were present.
“It’s a great opportunity for the kids and our athletes and actually the whole community. It’s a long time coming. We had this vision about 10 years ago,” added Costa.
The Turf Field Fundraising Committee members in attendance included Campaign Chair Debra Mooney; Campaign Co-chair Paula Rowse Buonomo – who, along with her husband Jim (also co-chair) – is a significant donor, Ginger Conti, Jim LeMay and Tony Tizzano.
Major donors present included Central One Federal Credit Union, Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union and Mel and Maria Chacharone.
State Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury) and State Rep. Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury) were joined by Angela Snell, director of Shrewsbury Parks, Recreation and Cemetery, and Bob Cox, superintendent of public buildings, at the event.
