Proposal For New Soccer Field And Other Rec Uses Moves Forward
by Doug La Rocque
The discussion about building a soccer field on town land off Airport Road behind the Town Complex took another step forward at Thursday night’s regular workshop meeting of the Berlin Town Board. [private]The Taconic Valley Soccer Club presented the Board with two plans for consideration. The first was to build a regulation World Cup-size field, labeled Plan A. The second reduced the size of the soccer footprint and incorporated a walking/running track around the field. This concept, labeled Plan B, also includes space for both a baseball and softball field. After discussions of both plans pros and cons, the Board seemed to be in agreement that Plan B was the better of the two. Supervisor Rob Jaeger would like to see the details worked out in time for spring construction. These details however, also present some legal questions.
Taconic Valley Soccer Club President, Pamela Gerstel, was asked by the Eastwick Press how the club planned to fund this proposal. Gerstel says the club has some money for the soccer field and would probably hold some fundraisers as well. The idea would be to seek grant monies for the other aspects of the plan, but that this might also include incorporating the soccer field in the grant proceedings. If the club were to pay for the soccer field portion, there is also the remaining question of whether they would have to lease the space from the town. If the proposal does come to fruition, the soccer field would be the first phase of the construction, followed by the track, and then the ball fields.
The Board also approved selling the Watipi building and old Highway Garage. The asking price is $32,000 for the former and $152,000 for the latter. These prices were set as the result of appraisals on these structures conducted earlier this year. The Town will now begin to advertise for offers. Anyone interested my contact Town Clerk Anne Maxon for more information.
Following the Board’s actions they heard a report from Highway Superintendent Jim Winn.
He said New York State’s Department of Transportation has informed the town that the State’s computer measurements of Town highways comes up 8.5 miles fewer than what the town records indicate. Winn said this could mean an $8,000 shortfall in years to come in the amount of state highway funds (often referred to as CHIPS money). Winn asked the board to consider spending $800 to purchase a piece of measuring equipment so they could refute the state’s figures. Councilman Riccardi said he was all in favor of the idea, but asked Winn to first assure them DOT would accept such measurements before they spend the money. Winn said he would do so quickly.
The Board’s next regular meeting is set for September 10 at 7:30 pm.[/private]