Ball Fields Meeting

Was Disappointing           

To the Editor:

I am writing to you to express my disappointment concerning the so-called “informational” meeting held by Newtown Parks & Recreation at the Middle School on January 18, regarding the proposed building of ball fields in the Old Farm Hill/Horseshoe Ridge area.

Considering the impact that ball fields in this area will potentially have on so many residents in the immediate and surrounding areas, I was expecting to see a presentation aimed at allaying the fears and concerns of residents, a presentation that would aim to sway sentiments in favor of the idea of ball fields. Instead, what we received was a brief presentation centered around a rendering of the proposed fields (which was visible only if you were directly in front of it). The total presentation was about five minutes in length and consisted of a verbal explanation of how the three fields would be situated and where the fan seating would be. That’s it. Then the floor was opened up to questions.

 I am fully aware that the Babe Ruth League representatives are all volunteers, and I admire their mission to provide playing space for the children of Newtown. But the fact that they are volunteers does not mean that they do not have an obligation to do their “homework” and come to such a meeting with some answers to the residents’ questions. The same thing holds true for the representatives of Parks & Recreation. Ninety-five percent of the questions raised by concerned residents were answered by, “We do not know,” “We’re not sure,” “We’ll look into that,” “We’ll find out after the lease is issued,” “I’ll try to get that info for you,” and assorted other inadequate responses. Remember, the residents of this area are also “volunteers,” yet they managed to find the time to do extensive research on the proposed site and come up with concrete, previously published documentation supporting their assertion that the site is unsuitable for ball fields, an assertion that went fundamentally unchallenged with any facts by either Parks & Recreation or the Babe Ruth League.

Residents came prepared with well-informed opinions and educated questions that went unanswered. Considering the fact that many of these questions and the research documentation were presented by residents previously to Parks & Recreation, one could reasonably assume that some answers might have been forthcoming at the January 18 meeting. Instead, I came to the meeting with an open mind and left with little usable information, other than that presented by the residents. The lack of organization of this relatively simple meeting did not create a favorable impression for this project and does not bode well for its future viability. I hope that any future meetings concerning this matter will be more productive.

Jeff Corsello

14 Old Farm Hill Road, Newtown         January 19, 2000