I think this property acquisition was a big mistake. why would we be spending tax dollars on this when we vote to not spend any on the recreation property we already own? for the money we'll end up spending on sewataro, we could have build a brand new fairbank facility with an outdoor pool/indoor pool and senior center. what a waste of money the sewataro property is.

I think there is so much than can be done. My children do/have gone to Sewataro as campers and I think the space is perfect for this purpose. A few ideas, which aren't new: Generate potentially significant revenue for the town by keeping a camp. One of the big reasons we've never considered Sudbury Summer because of the sun exposure at Haskell -- there is virtually no shade outside of that tent. If Sudbury Summer was run at Sewataro or a private operator for a day camp, great. Give the schools access for outdoor experiences and overnights (Odyssey!?). When school is in session, camp isn't. If retaining a camp isn't feasible, a "town beach" or other use would be good. Transition Monday night concert events at Haskell to Sewataro. The shade and amenities at Sewataro are perfect for town concerts and events.

Thrilled this went through... such a bonus for the town. While My kids adore(d) Sewataro, and while another camp is a great option/revenue generator, I feel the best use of this property is for the whole time to be able to use it (preferably full-time), with whatever fees are needed per family to keep It maintained.

Parks and Rec should absolutely reduce their footprint at Fairbanks and have wonderful indoor and outdoor programs at Sewataro. It’s a Parks and Rec dream. Free up Fairbanks for the Senior Center’s indoor programs.

Camp Sewataro is a legacy for the town of Sudbury. I support measures designed to maintain the continuous operation of a day camp on the property via a licensed private operator.

Sud residents will want to go to Camp Sewataro for a fraction of what it used to cost.... is that why they voted yes - i don't know. The camp requires a lot of attention throughout the year. The town has the manpower, knowledge and funds to run Sewataro??? Taxpayers will want to use all the camp facilities for free as much as possible. There is so much to the Camp - I hope that the town can maintain to for the next 100+ years. Good luck to us.

PLEASE find someone to take over the camp, so it continues next year. The Taylors are awesome, and have things running like clockwork. If there is any way possible to have a bridge year where they help in the transition to someone else doing it, take it! I'd be up for paying for them to stay on to help. Or hire their current admins. And all the councilors. They cared about the kids. They kept them motivated and encouraged kindness. I've had my kids in other camps, and NOTHING compares to Sewataro and how well it's run. It'd be such a waste to not take advantage of the decades of knowledge of the Taylors and their staff ... they made it a magical place.

Two challenges face Sudbury: 1) Making the town a place where people want to live apart from the school system; 2) Preparing the town for climate/sustainability problems. The Sewataro property can be key to both of those. We need to think creatively and boldly here. If we focus mainly on the camp and tax revenue, we've blown it.

I have never been to Sewataro but it sounds lovely. If the town is going to run it as a camp, then would like to see Sudbury Summer and other Park and Rec things moved there. Can town sports programs access it especially at the younger ages? Would like to know there is a revenue plan to keep costs down in light of yet another property we have been forced into purchasing.

Please find a way to keep the camp open for Summer 2020. Sewataro has a very loyal and well paying customer base and I worry that even one summer of not operating would cause many families to pursue other area camps, like Camp Thoreau, and we would lose them forever as customers.

I am particularly concerned that whatever is done with the Camp Sewataro property not negatively affect maintenance of the town's current recreational assets, e.g. Atkinson pool and the Fairbanks Center.

I would love to see Parks & Rec move to Sewataro and run all programs and camps there.

I think the Sewataro property acquisition was manipulated by a small group in town who wanted the town to acquire the land for the benefit of themselves.

Since I've lived in Sudbury, I've wished we had an outdoor recreation complex like the one in the town where I grew up. https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/simsbury-farms Though Sewataro is a smaller parcel of land, I'm excited that this could be a similar opportunity for Sudbury.

We have a once-in-a-liftetime opportunity to establish Sewataro as both a spectacular recreational asset for town residents and a revenue-generating summer camp. I hope the Town convenes a committee of smart, creative residents and administrators who can develop a visionary plan to achieve these goals.

Our daughter has attended Sewataro for 3 years and we would love if it could keep operating as close to its current state as possible. We agree with allowing town residents access to the property, but only if it does not affect camper safety or their belongings (during sessions, they leave stuff overnight and on weekends in the unlocked tents). Outside of camp sessions, walking trails that allow dogs would be welcome. Cross-country skiing trails in the winter would be welcome as well. A swimming area is also great, but the current pools are not really adequate for adult swimming. The pond, however, would be fine. Picnics, 4th of July celebrations and other town activities would also be welcome.

If we find the right camp operator this can be a home run for Sudbury. If residents can use it in the shoulder season or renting out space for parties (again, shoulder season) and uses of amenities if it doesn't disrupt the camp would only be a bonus but this isn't the reason we bought the property. Finally, move park and rec or SPS out of that dreadful Fairbanks and use some of the better offices at Sewataro.

We've spent tens of thousands sending our kids to Sewataro; there is no way I would pay that much for sudbury summer management. It needs to be leased by a third party camp or open to the public as a park. I also worry about the security of my kids with residents accessing the camp grounds.

There was too much misinformation circulating about the Sewataro purchase and it felt like the process was rushed through without proper vetting. On several key points, one side would claim one thing and the other side would claim the exact opposite point, like which town committees had approved the purchase already. Very confusing.

This was a disgrace and the vote showed that it is supported only by the neighborhood surrounding it who is still mad about Melone. Or affluent families stubborn enough to refuse to see Sewataro will not continue the way they want. I applaud Janie Dretler who stood fast even with so much abuse an aggressive activist group. We have zero interest in the property and most people we know are disgusted with the whole matter. There was supposed to be more info after Town Meeting. There was a tremendous degree of misinformation by activists behind the push to pass it. None of it materialized. This purchase will haunt the town for years.

My hope for this property is for it to be used as a summer camp similar to the high standards set forth by sewataro. Additionally, I'd like to see bike trails, kayaking, and other pubic space available to the public in seperate areas or at times when Camp is not in session.

I believe the Town's first responsibility at Sewataro, given the historic high-price of acquisition, is to get the best return on investment through renting the camp to a third-party user. I also support the sale of portions of the property for residential (single family or town-home multi-family) use to offset the costs of the purchase and ongoing maintenance. If investment is made at Sewataro for municipal purposes, I would like to see a community pool similar to the Codman Pool in Lincoln. It is my understanding that the current pools at Sewataro vary in depth and aren't really conducive to a large community pool, similar to those found at Codman, Greenwood, and SS&T. I have concerns about the costs of Sewataro overshadowing and taking away from other municipal needs like improved fire stations, Fairbanks community center, developing Broad Acres property, and the schools.

I think residents should be able to use the property when camp is in session. I don’t believe the camp needs to be the same caliber of Sewataro so this is possible

The property should always be open to town residents/tax payers who are funding it. The town should not get into the business of trying to run a camp like Sewataro or managing a complex and uncertain lease/outsourcing arrangement to a third party . The town should first focus on the execution of simpler priorities which they have struggled with in the past: funding basic municipal assets/equipment, maintaining properties within plan (ex: tennis courts), school performance/efficiency, a Senior Center. The town should also have contingency plans that do not require additional tax payer funding if Sewataro costs or revenues do not meet expectations under any scenario. Since the Chairman of the Selectmen tried to position Sewataro as just "a land acquisition deal" at Town Meeting, let's now treat it as one and keep it simple with full access to all residents with the lowest possible operational costs (this could mean decommissioning some of the property structures/assets).

I voted against the town purchase of Camp Sewataro. So my recommendations is to lease the property as an independent day camp in the summer and be open to the public during the other months. This would have the least impact on town expenses.

I am not confident this Sewataro purchase will end well for the town. I would much prefer we put the town's money into a proper fire station on Rt. 20, a decent senior center, offices for SPS, a town pool that people want to go to.

As stated. I followed the evolution of the Sewataro purchase. From the beginning I had a problem with how it was presented to the town. No due diligence. No committee(s) support. The town administration should be faulted, starting with the town manager in how this was presented to the town. Living here for a very long time, I see a decline in civility and very unstatesmanlike behavior starting at the top. A lack of neutrality and common sense. A real decline in what's good for the town and its real priorities. A very sad state of affairs...

We fully supported the town's purchase of Sewataro, but recognize the enormous task ahead of us to maintain the property and make it accessible to town residents. We encourage the town to involve residents at every step of the process, making sure residents can participate on any committees or groups established to determine what happens with the property. Transparency and a thoughtful process are key to ensuring success. The town has a huge opportunity to demonstrate leadership in making sure the property is utilized and maintained so that the investment the town has made is worth it. Thank you for the opportunity to voice our opinions.

I would not send my children to a camp that is open to the public during the summer months when camp is in operation. They currently attend Sewataro. I support anything that doesn’t cost me or the town additional funds. The purchase is already costing me a ton, because my home value is more than the average estimated amount.

I would hope the townspeople would have access to the pools or amenities since that was the plan that was suggested, to be similar to Acton and WAyland’s town swim parks, as was strongly advertised prior to the vote. A camp option would be great but at park and rec prices, not the inflated sewataro rates that many folks (such as me!) in town couldn’t afford before anyway. Hope the ideal of being a town resource for all levels of income will come to fruition!

Citizens need an honest presentation of what the various options available would cost. I am extremely concerned about the ability of the town to maintain Sewataro given the problems with other town facilities such as the pool. I have seen nothing yet to prove to me Sudbury has not made a serious mistake in the purchase of this property.

I feel strongly that Sewataro should become the town community center. Park and Rec and SPS should be moved into the existing homes and the seniors should be given Fairbanks. I would like Sewataro to raise money by renting space things like art. Classes, swim lessons, yoga , dancing . Also I would like to see a real teen center or teen night held at Sewataro, Maybe by offering a dj, dancing , sports, swimming something for all the teens it would draw more participation.

Perhaps consider making any fees associated with Sudbury residence a little less expensive than any fees for out-of-town people who would like to use the property. Maybe make the walking trails and some other things free for everyone to use and perhaps charging for a pool use, or kayak rental, etc. perhaps consider making one part of the park dog friendly while the swimming areas for example, might be dog free. Perhaps consider working with the Sudbury art association to have an outdoor art gallery experience ( temporary installation) along some of the paths like they do in other towns (Stowe VT for example) I have an opening “community weekend“ before any camps get started for the community to come together at the property and perhaps a community weekend at the end of the summer as well. Similar to the food truck party that the friends of Sewataro hosted.

I am 100% opposed to having a private operator run an expensive camp I can't afford to send my kids to. I couldn' t afford Sewataro and it makes me VERY uphappy my tax dollars are subsidizing an expensive camp for rich kids in town. The tuition is $1,460 for 2 weeks. That is VERY expensive for a daycamp IMO. I want an outdoor pool I can enjoy with my family. I can't afford Sudbury Pool and Tennis and the waiting list is insane. Having an outdoor pool I can take my kids to all summer would be something I am on-board with.

Work with private camp operator to carry annual cost of Sewataro while maintaining Sudbury residents use in separated areas

I think having some summer events, like the picnic that occurred to promote Sewataro, would be beneficial to the community

I hope that there will be a working group established to discuss the possibilities for Sewataro. I also hope that Sewataro is being considered as a possible part of the solution to the Fairbank issue. It's important that this property which is being paid for by the community be open for use by the community. Not everything is about money - a park open to the entire community is a priceless asset.

We chose poorly: the residents should have listened to all of the various boards who recommended we not purchase Sewataro.

I think it is important that the land be accessible as a park and if there is a camp, it should be affordable —it should not be operated as an expensive camp available only to the few who could pay the fees that have been charged to date by The family that operated the Camp. This property is an opportunity for the town to provide swimming and other like recreational activities to families who cannot afford Camp Sewataro or the other private clubs, Greenwood and Sudbury Swim and Tennis.

Please consider seeking input or consultation, as they have a significant amount of knowledge about running Sewataro as a camp

I hope the town understands the complexity and amount of time needed to run a Sewataro-like camp. This is definitely not a Park and Rec camp

Acquiring Sewataro was a wise choice

I support contracting a private operator to run a summer camp provided that residents can continue to use the property and facilities at the same time as the camp, similar to Wayland Town Beach. I would opposed the summer camp plan if it shuts down the property and facilities to residents. I also would support using some of the land for affordable housing. The location that is close to Rt 117 and Maynard commercial area would be very convenient for housing. I would like to see more affordable housing in Sudbury, especially for people who work in Sudbury. If we put affordable housing in part of Sewataro, it should be designed thoughtfully, in harmony for the surroundings. Do not put the usual Pulte/Avalon mass market construction there.

Since my tax dollars are paying for it and my 3 kids ages 11,11,14 do not go to camp sewataro, I’d like to see this property being available to all residents to use, especially during the summer days. It’d be great to have a place the kids could hang out, swim, play basketball, play tennis, have a picnic, etc..would also be great to have early evening concerts there.

Sudbury might want to use Nara park as a local example for a town using a natural setting park for uses. Sewataro could rent the park for weddings, corporate outings, school outings and science programs. Just a few uses and possible revenue streams.

SS&T and Greenwood are fixtures in the community. They may be motivated to develop the space to supplement their facilities in a collaborative (or not) way. Many residents belong to one of these or a country club; many also want to use Sewataro as a community gathering place. It is a gem but I worry that when we have the next economic downturn/depression the town will struggle to maintain it. I support Sewataro but would choose school funding over Sewataro 100% of the time. Thank you

As much as a beautiful town park would be nice, I think in the short term it is more responsible for the town to find ways to recoup/make up for the costs through some revenue generating solution. I am generally aware that the Town is going through a Master Planning process, but hear much less about it than I did of the Camp Sewataro votes. I believe it would help with the public confidence to hear more about this effort and how Camp Sewataro might fit into the longer term vision for Town.

I voted against Sewataro and am very concerned about the property tax Impact And the rush to get this vote on the ballot before all future financial implications were explored. This may be the final straw that drives me to sell my empty nest 5 bedroom home.