Selectmen approved the town's Community and Economic Development Authority $825,000 draft application to the state Department of Housing and Community Development for this year's Community Development Block Grants on  Tuesday night.

Community and Economic Development Authority Director Sal Pina and CEDA Board Member Bob Brady were on hand to answer questions from Selectmen and to speak to the two main projects in the application; Renovating the Everett School and converting Hynes Field in Onset into a parking lot.

"There are a lot of projects that Wareham need to look to in the future, but Hynes Field looked like the ideal improvement that would dress the entrance of Onset from that side of town," said Brady.

The initial concept design called for 82 parking spaces, area lighting and beautification, and pervious pavement to aid drainage.

Selectman Peter Teitelbaum said the board will have to decide whether or not to charge for parking in the lot.

In regards to the Everett School, Pina previously proposed renovating the building and renting it out to various non-profit groups, such as the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, Catholic Charities and workforce training, creating a social services hub in town.

Pina said the building would be maintained by the revenue generated from renting the building. He also said CEDA plans to make energy efficient improvements to lower the cost of building maintenance.

Selectman Steve Holmes expressed concern that if the renters left the building, there would be no funding source for maintenance.

Town officials and members of CEDA also proposed moving the Christopher Donovan Day School to the Everett School, which would open up space at its current location in the industrial park for a more relevant tenant.

Pina said the school rents the space at 4 Recovery Road from CEDA and the lease is up, so there is an opportunity to work with them.