Selectmen Dissolve Field Study Committee

The Athletic Field Study Committee is no more.

But in their place a new committee may sprout, a permanent panel dedicated to oversight of the town's athletic fields.

The temporary study committee, headed by Christian Urbano, fulfilled its mission after a year of meetings and research, town officials said at last week's selectmen's meeting.

The committee developed a safe and cost-effective artificial turf proposal for Swampscott — but selectmen chose not to endorse it as a Town Meeting proposal.

At least some selectmen said the town needs to devote available funds to more pressing needs, such as drainage. 

And Town Administrator Tom Younger recommended that selectmen not support the field proposal at Town Meeting because he doubted it would pass. A second failure, following last year's failed attempt at Town Meeting, could be the death knell for the idea, he said.

The study committee's chairman, however, did make a presentation at the meeting. The presentation described the town's shortage of and need for field space, as well as the overuse and the poor condition of existing fields.  

Sullivan said the report was impressive.

Having completed their study task, they want to undertake a more permanent role including an ongoing review of fields, their condition and designing a maintenance plan.

The panel wants some autonomy, too.

"They just don't want to be under our thumb and I don't blame them," Selectmen's Chairman Jill Sullivan said.

To that end, selectmen will entertain the establishment of a permanent field committee at an upcoming selectmen's meeting.

Town Administrator Tom Younger envisions the group as a five-member panel.