2010

Posted by Bob on August 13, 2010 under Daily Blogs | Be the First to Comment

Media coverage of the August 3, 2010, meeting of the Board of Mayor and Burgesses recently became focused on the approval of a bid for FIVE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED SEVEN and 50/100THS ($5,907.50) DOLLARS for “Nursery Plants” to be planted at the recreational field at Fawn Meadow. While the argument made by some that this is an imprudent use of resources given the current state of our economy sounds valid when taken in a vacuum, there are several facts that should be considered.

The “Nursery Plants” that are to be purchased will be trees that will create a natural buffer between an active recreational field and the adjacent residential homes that it borders. Naugatuck has obtained certain grants of land for open space as a condition for various subdivision approvals by our Planning Commission. Accordingly, a small tract of land was provided to the Borough upon approval of the Fawn Meadow subdivision located near Maple Hill Elementary School. While a good portion of the subdivision has been built, the field has remained vacant for several years despite the significant need for additional, active recreational space.

Last year, representatives from various youth and adult sport and support groups met with Borough engineering staff to evaluate different spaces to expand Naugatuck’s inventory of active recreational fields. For the first time that I can remember, the Borough created an empirical ranking of what field options existed, and the pros and cons associated with each. The rankings can be viewed here. While not suitable because of size and location for an actual competition field, Fawn Meadow was ranked highest of Borough0wned properties after assessment of a wide variety of categories. The field will serve as badly-needed practice space for youth sports.

Further research was done to estimate preliminary costs associated with each viable field. Various costs of Borough-owned fields can be viewed here, but you will likely have to increase the viewing percentage area in Adobe. You should notice that at the time, it was anticipated that a fence would likely be necessary, which was estimated in the rough costs in an approximate amount of FORTY FIVE THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($45,000.00) DOLLARS. The problem with any of these field costs is that the Borough has little to no operating dollars to contribute to construction.

Given this dilemma, Public Works staff was charged with determining what limited steps would be necessary to get fields online at limited cost, with incremental improvements to be added in future years. It was determined that the field at Fawn Meadow could be ready in the shortest period of time with the least expense by adding a neighborhood buffer, making slight improvements to the parking area and performing basic seeding and grading.

Naugatuck has a history, however, of encountering resistance from residents when fields are proposed in residential areas. While anyone purchasing a home in the Fawn Meadow subdivision should have been aware that the field was allocated for active recreational use, it does not make it any easier when one’s backyard changes from a vacant field to a sports field hosting organized practices. It seemed prudent to open communication with neighbors and discuss any concerns prior to making any improvements. In that vein, the Park Commission sent letters to all residents in the area inviting them to a meeting to discuss the Borough’s intentions.

While reception was generally positive, there were a few concerns by the neighbors closest to the field about the potential disruption of beginning activity at the field. While reasonable minds can certainly differ about whether or not the Borough should be concerned about such events, the reality is that planting of an environmentally-responsible natural buffer seemed a relatively minor expense to avoid months if not years of disputes with homeowners in a residential neighborhood. It was recommended by Borough staff that trees be planted along the border that was least protected from the field. The cost to do so was significantly less than that of a fence.

There is nothing, however, budgeted for this expense in the recently adopted 2010-2011 budget. The Borough’s general fiscal policy is to avoid making changes to the budget after adoption unless there are unforeseen circumstances or a strong argument can be made for doing so. Therefore it was necessary to determine if there was any other funding source available to pay for the minor improvements to the field.

The Borough maintains an open space fund that is designed for either upgrades to land obtained by the Borough such as the field at Fawn Meadow, or the purchase of other open space. It was initially thought that such funds could be used. After consultation with the Accounting Department and the Five (5) Year Capital Improvement Committee, however, it was recommended that funds from a previous bond project be used instead.

While this requires more explanation than is usually provided by a sound-byte in a newspaper, the concept is actually quite simple. The Borough has bonded certain capital improvements in past years that have fixed amounts, fixed costs and fixed repayment terms. Occasionally a project will be completed under budget, but the Borough is obligated to repay the principal and interest based on the original term of the bond. While the Borough can usually prepay the loan without penalty, the interest over the entire term of the bond would still be due. Our Comptroller recommended that the improvements to Fawn Meadow be made using funds from a related bond project that was completed under budget, as did the Chair of the Five (5) Year Capital Improvement Committee, which voted to do so.

No existing budgetary resources were expended. In addition, the unused bond funds were not allocated to Borough operating expenses that will recur in future years. This will be the use of one (1) time unused resources for a one (1) time expenditure. The trees to be planted were bid in accordance with standard Borough procedure, as will any other expenditures for the field at Fawn Meadow associated therewith.

Dating back to 1999 when I was first elected a Burgess, I know of no new active recreational space that has been added to Naugatuck field space inventory. If my memory serves me correctly, the last field added was the one behind Maple Hill Elementary School. We can all debate the reasons for that: lack of resources; failure to capitalize on potential opportunities of other vacant land available; the long, divisive debate over Gunntown, the failure to pursue synthetic grass when times were better, etc. The reality is, however, getting Fawn Meadow ready for use quickly and for a relatively low cost will begin to alleviate our field space crunch. It certainly will not alleviate all the problems our athletes and support groups face, but it is a start.

Work at the Fawn Meadow Field will likely begin this fall, with hopes that it can be used in the spring of 2011. The process has been well-thought, and very conscious of the fact that the Borough must be creative to fund any such improvements during these difficult times. I am very comfortable with the open, inclusive and transparent process that has led us to this point. While it is natural for people to make judgments based on what is reported in the media, I appreciate the opportunity to clarify the facts and offer perspective. Questions, comments and/or feedback on this issue are very welcome.