Council Applies for Clem Lemire Field Renovation Grant
NEWINGTON - The Town Council has moved forward with its application for a $275,000 state grant that, if obtained, will cover the cost of renovating the Clem Lemire baseball field and adding lighting fixtures.

       The Council voted unanimously to accept the application at its Jan. 12 regular meeting--the night before the state Department of Economic Development’s (DECD) deadline for municipalities seeking the Small Town Economic Assistance (STEAP) program grant.

       â€"We’re hoping that the grant [application] will be compelling and the state will approve it,” said Town Planner Craig Minor during the meeting.

       Newington would not have to commit any of its own funds as a part of any kind of local match stipulation, Minor said.

       The most expensive aspect of the project will be putting up six steel pole greenlights, expected to cost $250,000. The rest will go toward the renovation of the widely-utilized baseball field.

       Seven teams, including those at Newington High School, utilize the field during the spring. That’s 110 players, according to Parks and Recreation Director Bill DeMaio. They play 50 games while practicing there 180 times, collectively.

       There’s also the senior league, 35 players that play 50 home games at the facility.

       Come summer, seven more teams--with 114 players total--use the field. In the fall, four teams, or 62 players, play there. Senior teams of similar numbers look to the facility during the other seasons as well.

       The Council first heard a presentation on the proposed grant before the New Year, with members expressing the desire to solicit the input of residents living near the field. The concern is regarding whether or not lighting could â€"spill” over onto nearby residences, but Minor told the Council at that meeting that it would be designed to be contained within the site.

       Residents across the street from the field, however, have not been contacted yet, he said.

       â€"I think what would be practical is to notify them if it’s approved,” Minor said. â€"That’s my recommendation.”

       The Town can always reject the grant if sentiment against the project is widespread enough, but doing so would be a disservice to other municipalities in the running for the funding, said Deputy Mayor Maureen Klett.

       â€"We can do that, but keep in mind when we take an action like that, somebody else has been denied the grant,” Klett said. â€"If the Council is not fully supportive, we shouldn’t go forward in putting a grant in. I think what I was trying to accomplish was getting their approval before we took action.”

       At the previous meeting, Minor told the Council that although the project would not have to be approved by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission (TPZ), as the town is exempt from its own zoning regulations, it is recommended that the body have a chance to weigh-in as a courtesy.
MORE NEWINGTON NEWS  |  STORY BY MARK DIPAOLA  |  Jan 27 2016  |  COMMENTS?