Parks and Recreation Commission Crack Down on Field Use

The is revamping its Field Usage Policy to protect unauthorized usage and keep the field use schedule in order. 

"It's not first-come, first-serve," said Chairman Brian Lynch, who agreed with Director Pamela Gery that there needs to be a "pecking order" starting with town-sponsored teams, then in-town/out-of-town non-sponsored teams followed by in-town/out-of-town for-profit teams. "The more you deviate from the town-sponsored leagues, the more you'd have to pay," said Lynch. 

Gery expressed her concern over teams without permits and without certificate of insurance using the fields. 

"We don't know who these people are and they're playing on this field for years maybe," said Gery. 

In order to keep the field use calendar organized, things will have to change, says Lynch. "The little league will need to give us their schedule early," said Lynch, "or there's no guarantee of field use."

Gery said that applied for a field us permit, which she denied due to lack of availability. 

The Commission agreed to continue the revamping of the field use policy after the Potato Festival.

Potato and Corn Festival 

The Commission is about two weeks away from the and they are starting to wrap things us. They potentially plan on organizing parking with ropes and spray paint in order to keep it simple and self-explanatory. 

Gery said that the sponsorship for the Potato Festival has declined over the years from $30,000 to $20,000 to $13,000 and now $8,000 for 2011. She also said that the festival has merchandise for the first time, such as koozies, key chains, caps and stocking stuffers throughout the year.

"You'll be very, very shocked when I show you this," said Gery leaving the room. She returned with a book entitled "Amazing Festivals. "A gentleman contacted me in the Fall and searched out our festival. He wanted to write about our festival, he chose it and it's the only festival listed from Connecticut," said Gery.

Eagle Project

The Commission approved the construction of a Bocce court at the Stanley T. Williams School, which will be the new Community Center and Senior Center, as part of an Eagle Project.

Eagle Scout Christopher Olsen, 15, of Troupe 453 presented his project to the Commission. Olsen projected that the court will be 50' x 10' and constructed next to where the portable classroom currently reside. Olsen said he plans on raising money through fundraising and would like construction to begin before the end of August. 

Lou Paternoster suggested, " I think we should do it somewhere where we can expand, because I think it'll catch on. I see leagues starting."

The Commission also offered to help Olsen with fundraising. Gery suggested a dunk tank or a mechanical bull at the Potato Festival with volunteers and a percentage of the revenue would go towards construction of the Bocce court. 

Once the Commission decides the location for the court, an architect will present to the Town Council.