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6 maintenance. Both Mr. Sandeen and Mr. Creech thought that natural turf should be considered and priced out. Mr. Sandeen then asked if the Recreation Committee was asking for $1,300,000 each year for the next three years in order to replace the synthetic fields around town. Ms. Battite said that yes, that was the case. After a motion was duly made and seconded the Committee voted by roll call (6-0-3) in a straw poll to support the application, although Mr. Sandeen commented that he would be leaning no if there is a greater demand for synthetic turf . After the vote Ms. Fenollosa reminded the Committee that the CPA statute excludes synthetic turf from eligible costs under CPA. Public Grounds Irrigation Improvements: Mr. Pinsonneault explained to the Committee that with the exception of Hastings, all irrigation systems are at least 22 years old and need to be replaced. Mr. Pinsonneault explained that the $200,000 costs ($80,000 from CPA) would be used to install a smart irrigation system that would allow for watering based not on time but on environmental factors: the system will detect when it is raining and act accordingly so as not to waterlog the field, representing a massive savings in money but more importantly water. Mr. Pressman pointed out to Mr. Pinsonneault that the project application form indicated that funds allocated for irrigation in 2018 had not been used. Mr. Pinsonneault stated that there was a change in the vendor so that was why those funds were still there. Ms. Fenollosa asked if Mr. Pinsonneault could utilize those funds in order to pay for the irrigation upgrades. Mr. Pinsonneault answered that the Department was still planning to complete that project so it would not be possible. Mr. Horton asked Mr. Pinsonneault about letting some land become “pollinator fields” that do not require as much water as grass to further cut down on water usage. Mr. Pinsonneault stated that such transitions have been discussed and that a small portion of Hastings Park would be converted into a pollinator field. Mr. Sandeen asked if the automated metering system was being hooked up to the new irrigation system. Mr. Pinsonneault said that it was. After a motion was duly made and seconded the Committee voted by roll call (9-0) in a straw poll to support the application. Minutes: After a motion was duly made and seconded the Committee voted by roll call (9-0) to approve the minutes dated 9/15/2022. Committee Business: Ms. Fenollosa brought up funding for the Affordable Housing Trust and noted that after approval by Town Meeting there would be a delay until the Trust was fully established and ready to accept grants. Ms. Fenollosa then asked if the Select Board planned to request funds on behalf of the Trust and when they would be able to vote on such a motion. Mr. Sandeen replied that the Select Board chair had already scheduled a vote on Warrant Article 12, the establishment of an Affordable Housing Trust , for their meeting on November