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At its monthly meeting on Tuesday night, the Board of Finance will decide whether to appropriate a $350,000 bond to build a field for the Fairfield Little League Girls Softball (FLLGS) on Hoyden's Lane. The meeting will be held at 7:30 at the Board of Education Administrative Offices on Kings Highway.
The board was expected to vote on the issue last month, but it was tabled to allow for time for a more comprehensive plan to be developed for the land.
"It's our second year of doing this,'' said Scott Walker, a league official to The Daily Fairfield's Tom Renner last week. "Our board and our girls - are frustrated that we can't find a workable solution to a serious problem." Residents of Fairfield have expressed mixed opinions on the field, with some stating that in an economic crisis, it would not be prudent to spend that much money to build a field that would benefit a small group, especially as money is cut from the education budget. Other residents, especially those with children directly involved in the league, say that it is a necessary expense and is only fair, since the town has spent money on other recreation projects, like the South Benson marina skate park.
Another issue that has developed is how the town presented the future use of the 9.42 acre parcel when it was purchased in December 2007 for $1.8 million. Residents of the Hoyden Lane area say they were told it would be used for "passive activity," not "active recreation," like softball. When the bond to purchase the land was presented, town officials said it would be used for "town purposes."
Walker said in the May 27 article that the league needs to see progress made to fix the problem of overcrowding on town fields, in fairness to the girls. He added that the town has no "Plan B" if the bond is not passed and said the league would have to consider taking legal action if no solution was presented, although they hope it does not reach that point.
Fairfield softball has had success despite the field issue, winning the state championships at 11U and 10U levels last season.
Also on the agenda for the Board of Finance is a proposal for a 10-year development plan for H. Smith Richardson Golf Course, an update on the Penfield Point renovations and a request for $50,000 by the Director of Public Works Richard White to explore the possibility of a wind-powered electric generator for town facilities.
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