PALMER – The Community Development Department (CDD) has solidified plans to make use of existing funds earmarked for project design in town parks to cover needed replacement and improvement work.

CDD Director John Latour said the town is moving forward with Community Development Block Grant money to undertake physical improvements at Hyrniewicz and Depot Parks. The money was originally allocated for the redesign at Depot Park but has since been repurposed at both Depot and Hyrniewicz.

“This is a repurposing of some design funds not feasible for Depot Park so we repurposed that money for Hyrniewicz Park and for some additional work at Depot.”

Those projects include carpentry and electrical work, including the replacement of the roof on the gazebo. Renovations and the installation of new playground equipment are planned for Hyrniewicz Park.

The money will also cover cost increases due to inflation since the projects were first proposed two years ago. “The desire was to convert the money … without going back to the town for funds”, Latour said. At a meeting on Nov. 22 to allow for public comment, the CDD moved forward with the repurposing of $434,498 in Community Development Block Grant funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Specifications will be drawn and bids will go out to allow for securing of contractors to implement the changes and improvements.

Both projects are expected for the spring.