BY MATT SCHOOLEY
A dispute over whether to build a baseball field or return a $40,000 investment will come before the Board of Selectmen.
A portion of land Hopkinton purchased several years ago sparked a debate during the board’s recent meeting, when Selectman Don Lane brought up an agenda item for the Monday, Oct. 15, meeting. The discussion will focus on the potential building of a baseball field on Park Avenue near the high school and fairgrounds.
The town had purchased the land in conjunction with the Hopkinton Youth Sports Association and Conservation Committee about three years ago.
However, after years without any progress on the field, the groups involved have now asked the town to either go ahead and build the field or refund their half of the $80,000 investment.
Dan Coen, a member of the Budget Committee who attended the Oct. 8 selectmen’s meeting, questioned whether the private groups have given the town money because he said he has not seen any records to indicate they paid.
Lane assured Coen the groups have, and agreed to bring the record for proof to the Oct. 15 meeting.
“He’s wrong and we need to get the list and show that they have contributed,” said Lane.
Another concern of those in attendence was whether tax dollars would be used to fund the new practice baseball field. Lane said he has spoken with people who have agreed to build the field if the town decides to do so on a volunteer or at low cost.
When it comes to the decision to build the field or sell the land, Lane does not see the benefit of the latter.
“Particularly because we’re dealing with some people who are so irrational when it comes to fields that they’d rather give the money back,” said Lane. “They’d rather sell it and take the hit because of decline in property values. Why would you do that? You’re going to have to buy land sooner or later, so why would you want to sell?”
This is not the first field project Lane has been involved with, as he was also an intricate part of the building of Houston Fields.
The item was placed on the Monday, Oct. 15, agenda and board members will look to make a decision on the future of the land.