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Softball Field Survives Vote

The planned Hoyden's Lane softball field in Fairfield survived the referendum to overturn the RTM's decision to appropriate $350,000 for the project. While almost 2,400 residents, like Marisa Zagar, came out to vote no, that was not enough.

Preliminary results showed there were twice as many no votes, 2,398 to 1,199 yes, but it would have taken 8,848 opposing to cancel the funding. Only 10 percent of Fairfield's nearly 30,000 voters came to the polls. The highest turnout was in District 2, where the field will be built. The tally there was 331 no, 190 yes.

Supporters of the field did come to vote. Kaurene Salts said a "neighborhood effort and conversation" led her to vote. She came to the polls with her son, Patrick, and said "this is a family town. We should have more thing for our kids to do."

Another "yes" voter, Ken Karpel, said opponents "made a lot of noise," but were not convincing. He saw opponents in parking lots giving reasons to vote "no" and said it left a "bad aftertaste."

Opponents felt it was unfair to spend money on a "non-essential item" when the town has cut spending for schools and other more important areas.

Frank Greco, who worked as an election official at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, said the turnout had been low in early voting because the polls did not open until noon, after commuters went to work. And while it picked up in the afternoon, it was not enough. Greco also said most of those who voted were seniors, echoing the trend of Tuesday's primary. Many Fairfielders are on vacation; 295 absentee ballots were received.

Polls were open from noon to 8 p.m. in all 10 districts.

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