Post by oldetowne on May 8, 2007 7:22:56 GMT -5
The article this morning shows again what happens when the town fails to adequately maintain its recreational facilities. The proposal is to clutter and deface Millwoods Park, the Highcrest Field, the Greenfield field and possibly other town parks with large advertising signs in order to generate some revenue for the little league boosters to be able to fix the fields. It is ironic that the town's inability to throw 10-15K into the budget for maintenance results in volunteers having to go out, spend their time raising money from businesses, installing and maintaining signs (or is the town going to do this?) and making the place look worse than it already does. His honor the mayor seems to be incapable of connecting the dots to see that the problem is one that he can solve by reallocating approximately 1/3000th of the town budget and instead he will ram through another "improvement" that defaces the park that he and others have so often called the "Crown Jewel" of the Wethersfield park system. Bring back Wayne Sassano.
From courant.com
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Opinions Clash On Plan For Ball Fields
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By ANN MARIE SOMMA
Courant Staff Writer
May 8, 2007
WETHERSFIELD -- A group of residents is fighting a proposal to allow advertising signs on town-owned athletic fields.
Last month, the town council signed off on the plan as way for Little League teams to raise money to maintain and improve the fields.
"As soon as we start putting advertisements in the ball fields, other organizations are going to want to do the same," said Perry Cornwall, who lives near Mill Woods Park.
Town Manager Bonnie Therrien has organized an informational meeting for 7:30 p.m. May 30 at the community center.
"We would like to have the signs because they are a revenue stream. Hopefully we can come to some type of understanding, compromise," Therrien said.
The proposal is currently on hold before the planning and zoning commission, which must give its final approval. According to the plan, the signs would be placed on fences at Little League fields at Mill Woods Park, Highcrest School and Greenfield Park near the Pitkin Community Center, and at the softball field at Mill Woods Park. They would be up only during Little League season, from April to July.
Steven Skelly, president of the Little League organization, has told town officials that his group would solicit advertising from local merchants. Money raised from the signs would pay for field maintenance and contribute to the construction of new softball and Little League fields outlined in the master plan for Mill Woods Park.
Town officials signed off on the proposal, saying sports fans are accustomed to sponsors and advertising on Little League fields. Nearby communities such as Newington and Rocky Hill have advertising signs at their fields.
Mayor Andy Adil, who favors the signs, said he hopes the meeting will produce meaningful discussion to move the plan forward.
"The manager is working hard to make sure all parties concerned are happy with the decision of the signs," said Adil, adding that the proposed signs are similar to those in neighboring communities.
But Cornwall, who has hiked through Mill Woods Park for more than 20 years, said the park is fast becoming ground zero for various sporting events and recreational activities. In the last year and half, a dog park and a bocce court were constructed there.
"Once you open up a door, you can't control what passes through it," Cornwall said.
Contact Ann Marie Somma at asomma@courant.com.
Copyright 2007, Hartford Courant
From courant.com
--------------------
Opinions Clash On Plan For Ball Fields
--------------------
By ANN MARIE SOMMA
Courant Staff Writer
May 8, 2007
WETHERSFIELD -- A group of residents is fighting a proposal to allow advertising signs on town-owned athletic fields.
Last month, the town council signed off on the plan as way for Little League teams to raise money to maintain and improve the fields.
"As soon as we start putting advertisements in the ball fields, other organizations are going to want to do the same," said Perry Cornwall, who lives near Mill Woods Park.
Town Manager Bonnie Therrien has organized an informational meeting for 7:30 p.m. May 30 at the community center.
"We would like to have the signs because they are a revenue stream. Hopefully we can come to some type of understanding, compromise," Therrien said.
The proposal is currently on hold before the planning and zoning commission, which must give its final approval. According to the plan, the signs would be placed on fences at Little League fields at Mill Woods Park, Highcrest School and Greenfield Park near the Pitkin Community Center, and at the softball field at Mill Woods Park. They would be up only during Little League season, from April to July.
Steven Skelly, president of the Little League organization, has told town officials that his group would solicit advertising from local merchants. Money raised from the signs would pay for field maintenance and contribute to the construction of new softball and Little League fields outlined in the master plan for Mill Woods Park.
Town officials signed off on the proposal, saying sports fans are accustomed to sponsors and advertising on Little League fields. Nearby communities such as Newington and Rocky Hill have advertising signs at their fields.
Mayor Andy Adil, who favors the signs, said he hopes the meeting will produce meaningful discussion to move the plan forward.
"The manager is working hard to make sure all parties concerned are happy with the decision of the signs," said Adil, adding that the proposed signs are similar to those in neighboring communities.
But Cornwall, who has hiked through Mill Woods Park for more than 20 years, said the park is fast becoming ground zero for various sporting events and recreational activities. In the last year and half, a dog park and a bocce court were constructed there.
"Once you open up a door, you can't control what passes through it," Cornwall said.
Contact Ann Marie Somma at asomma@courant.com.
Copyright 2007, Hartford Courant