Field Use and Fees Policy Passes Council

The Common Council passed a new ordinance setting a use policy for city-owned athletic fields, and a resolution setting the fees for such use.

The policies have generated considerable controversy, as they give the highest priority to teams that may not include significant numbers of city residents, basing such priority simply on historical relationships between the leagues and the city.

Beth Emery urged the Council to avoid basing policies simply on historical actions. Noting that the money for parks improvements comes from the 21st Century Parks Bond, she said, "Look at today and at the future."

Many of the 11 who spoke about this issue raised concerns about equity and transparency. Jennifer Mahr said the new policy was neither ethical or responsible.  Katie Lenhan said, "Make it equitable, make it measurable, and make it make sense."

Almost all expressed their opposition to a policy that did not give preference to the residents who pay the taxes that have paid for the fields.  Jason Serra, vice-principal of Middletown High said that the highest priority should be given to city children, "Make decisions based on residency."

The field use ordinance passed with a vote of 8-2, Councilwoman Mary Bartolotta and Councilman Rob Blanchard voted against it.

The vote appeared to catch several members of the Council off guard. Only after voting for it did Giuliano complain, "Most of the discussion has been about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin."

Mary Bartolotta commented that it is unbalanced to hold the 2nd and 3rd priority users accountable to a residency requirement, but not the 1st priority users.

But with the vote already taken, there was no further discussion about whether advocating that residents should get priority was equivalent to a discussion about imaginary beings on pinheads.