BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Time to play ball in Hopkinton? Not so fast.

Plans to build a practice baseball field on Park Avenue have been put on hold until after a public hearing on Oct. 29.

But at the Monday, Oct. 15, selectmen’s meeting, some ethical questions were addressed, including the legality of using approved money for another project.

The town purchased the land several years ago with other groups in town, and with no action taken place the groups asked the town to either build the field or return the $40,000 they invested in the project.

Don Houston, assistant supervisor of Public Works Department, spoke at the Oct. 15 meeting asking board members to give the go ahead and create the skimmed, or dirt, field.

Houston said to save taxpayers from having to pay for the new field, the town could shift money that has been budgeted for a drainage system at Coaches Field, since weather has delayed the project over the past several years.

While all the work and materials for the field would be donated, Dan Coen, a member of the budget committee, pointed out the town did not have a public hearing to accept the gifts, which came to more than $5,000. According to state laws, the board must do so.

Coen also said it would be inappropriate for the board to allow the shifting of previously budgeted money from one project to another, and the board should speak to its legal team.

During the meeting, Dan Meserve, Hopkinton High School athletic director, said he  hopes the project will move on.

“I understand there are laws, and I certainly hope none have been broken,” he said. “We have a great opportunity here for kids to be able to play, and we should take advantage of it.”

While it would take about $2,000 to $3,000 to build the field this year, it may be more expensive next year should the decision be made to wait, said Selectman Don Lane.

Board members pointed out that if the town waits until after  voters weigh in on the issue at Town Meeting, there could be several factors that could cause those who have agreed to donate time and equipment to be unable to do so.

“It would be a shame to lose out on this over a couple thousand dollars,” said Selectman Scott Flood. “It’s a great opportunity that we have here.”

The board suggested that the Hopkinton Youth Sports Association (HYSA) could donate the remaining cost of the fields so the controversy with shifting money could be avoided.

Darren Winslow, president of HYSA, said although his board would consider the proposal, they have already invested a large amount of money in the project.

“We don’t want to have anyone break the law,” he said. “We’re getting much less than we originally agreed upon, and we accept that. But didn’t the town already accept the gift and the financial responsibilities that come with it?”

Winslow also said the group could hire lawyers to get their portion of the land purchase back, but is not HYSA’s first choice.

Selectmen Chairman George Langwasser said he knows the law requires the board to have a public hearing before anything could be decided on the land, but after double-checking the municipal code,
he addressed  the large crowd in attendance at Hopkinton Town Hall.

“I want to apologize. Because of a lousy few thousand dollars, this town has taken a step back,” said Langwasser as he ended the discussion. “We’re heading down a dangerous road. I am bitterly disappointed that we can’t yet follow through on an agreement that we’ve already made. I just feel badly about it and want to apologize.”