Residents Named to New Athletic Field Committee
Selectmen approved the seven members out of about 13 applicants.
Selectmen have named seven residents to a new artificial turf field committee.
Of about 13 people who applied to be on the committee, Selectmen Chairman Rich Malagrifa proposed and the board approved the following to the committee: Scott Faulkner, Doug Southerland, Matt Bergeron, Linso van der Burg, Richard Feinberg, Mounzer Aylouche and Chris Urbano.
The committee was created to review the town's options after the Town Meeting last spring rejected a proposal that included rebuilding the field with artificial turf.
Selectmen named the committee members at the board's July 25, meeting.
Allen
8:31 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Did you volunteer for this committee? I DOUBT IT!!! Stop your whining.
Amy OConnor
8:29 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
Amen, Allen
Gizmo
8:57 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
First, let me say that I want the kids to have a nice field to play on.
But the proposal was rejected. Why are we still wasting time on this?
We as a town can not keep spending money like it's water.
Do you see all the For Sale signs in town? Think the rising taxes have anything too do with this?
And new astro turf(lol) field would have to be replaced in time.
At what cost then? Goodness, can we move on?
Grass is better and may give someone a job.
Citizen Swamp
10:13 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
GM,
The artificial track in upper Jackson will have to be replaced at some point in time also. Should we have continued to use the old cinder track at Phillips Park. Facilities need updating every 50 years or so.
Also some easily obtainable real estate stats don't bear out your "For Sale Sign" comment. http://www.movoto.com/statistics/ma/swampscott.htm
CS
Elmwood Road
3:57 pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012
I have been appointed to the AFC. I would like our residents to know: I voted against the proposed complex at town meeting and worked with newly elected selectman Glenn Kessler and others to voice our position. It was NOT that we were against the turf field complex per se, but against the lack of information (construction and future costs, other alternatives, etc.) and the fast pace it was seemingly being put thru to a vote. I will research and report on the options. And have. I note that we MAY qualify for a PARC grant from the state for $400K. There are private monies. Corporate sponsors. Possibly more affordable options. An account set aside to re-sod the field each season? Simply refurbish the bleachers? As a member of the committee, I welcome your ideas for a compromise - as I am sure the others will too.
Just so you know, I am a business bankruptcy attorney, not a sports insider in town (although I do coach my kids' SYSA soccer teams from time to time). I won't propose an outlandish complex that we can't afford and will keep our aging infrastructure, ever-increasing tax rates, and other financial factors in mind. But in all honesty, I do believe something should be done. C.J. Urbano
Glenn Paster
7:03 am on Sunday, August 5, 2012
CJ...Thank you for volunteering for this committee.
Kevin Donaher
10:07 am on Monday, August 6, 2012
CJ - I'm glad to know you will be on the committee helping to research and think through the ideas you mention in your post. I think a carefully thought out plan outlining potential options, especially including grant options & sponsors, makes good sense. I don't think anyone can argue there is a great need to improve the deplorable condition of the field and stands. My vote will be based on a presentation of a solid business plan to renovate or build a new stadium based on a financial plan that makes sense that includes the cost of maintaining the fields on an annual basis in the future.
While it's great to have all these new buildings and fields, unless every investment the town makes details the long term costs and commitment to maintain these assets future generations will be faced with the same dilemma we find ourselves today, replacing rather than modifying.