NEW MOUND Scott Gordon right who has been with the Montpelier Pony League for 15 years shared that their portable pitching mound has lost significant utility due to age
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Park Board met on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 7 p.m., and started by greeting visitor Scott Gordon on the recent happenings of the Pony League.
He shared that while there are enough members to make two teams now, they have refrained from doing so due to the various skill levels of the 22 members.
The scoreboards will be sent in to be refurbished, and discussion was held on the different types of mounds that can be put on the fields, as the current portable mound has become water-logged and worn with age.
The replacement recommended is estimated to run $1,700, with other options introduced to the board that ran closer to $3,900.
Discussion was also had regarding splitting costs between the Pony League and the Little League so that they may use it for tournaments.
Discussion was also had at the league meeting on changing the pitching distance, and so it is important that any purchase be portable so that options can remain open for future use.
It was then decided that the nets would be stored for the winter moving forward before the board greeted Shawn Owen and Seth Miller, two of the three commissioners for Little League.
Team numbers and specifics for insurance were sent in, and innings that kids can pitch have been reduced for arm protection and equal pitching opportunities.
The dirt mound that the Montpelier Little League has makes it impossible to adjust the pitching distance for different leagues, and discussion was held on interest in getting a portable pitching mound in case pitch distances are changed.
It was shared that all the practice baseballs stored in the press box were stolen this summer by vandals, causing unexpected costs for around 25 dozen baseballs, with two sponsors already pledged to help make up for the misdeed.
The press box speakers and amplifier have been updated, with this version being much more user friendly. The turf for the batting cages is looking to be installed this year, and some sponsorships have been lost due to changes in ownership.
Luckily, most sponsors have been loyal, and the team is ready to start the season with $16,000 in their account, with many team purchases and fees expected to subtract from this amount throughout the season.
A minute was taken to look over the minutes from their February 7, 2024 meeting before they were approved as presented, with the same done for the financial statement through February 29, 2024. It was shared that expenses will increase come May and June.
Park Superintendent Nick Ramos shared that the regular winter pool maintenance has been completed, with thanks given to the water and street departments for their help.
Someone has been located to teach the lifeguard classes, and certification for lifeguards should be on track. There are 17 applications, seven new, and 10 returning lifeguards, and last year’s manager is returning for the upcoming season.
A meeting with Peterman Associates will soon see a plan for the pumphouse presented to the board, and a quote has been gotten for refinishing the epoxy on the side of the pool.
The pool will be fixed where it broke away under the gutters, and a quote has been received for painting the outside of the pool house.
Scoreboard controllers are getting refurbished, and the costs for that were much more than budgeted for. Fences are being blown out, with leaves being turned into mulch.
Trees by the municipal park flagpole have been trimmed down, more infield material for the fields is being ordered, the warning track is planning to be refilled, the park grounds have begun to be rolled, and field fertilization has been looked into for next month at the earliest.
Sandy Gordon then shared that the program guide and community calendar will be ready by April, material for summer programs has been ordered, details for the puppy parade have been solidified, a fence has been added to the kids’ garden, mostly because of a few rabbits eating all of the plants.
The new Poetry Word Garden will be ready this summer, with the library helping to create a StoryWalk for the Kids Garden.
The Kids’ Garden has been prepared for spring, and summer recreation applications have been coming in. The concession stand will probably open the first week of May, the insurance updates have been sent to Nikki Uribes with the Village of Montpelier, the Health Department food license for the concessions stand has been acquired, and prices will have to increase by 25% to keep up with inflation.
Quotes were obtained on two Fixit Stations and helical piers, and policies have been updated for the season. A quote is being waited on for next month, and the softball administration will be coming in at the next meeting.
Christmas decorations for the Kids Garden were discussed, with it being shared that the decorations ordered last April did not get here until after November.
The board voted to take the project to the Friends of the Park meeting to discuss funding.
Members were given the formal Park Plan Research document, with the projects needing to be finalized at the August meeting for the budget’s September due date.
The softball field press box was discussed, with it being shared that sidewalks may need to be added around the fields for accessibility.
There will be an Easter egg hunt on March 29th at Storrer Park, and work has been completed on the Wabash Trail to mediate the flooding issue where the trail runs under State Route 15.
With no further business, the March Montpelier Parks Board meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
