District supports community fundraising for Salt Brook softball field repairs; estimate about $43,000

District leaders on Sept. 25 asked the Board of Education to support community fundraising to repair and upgrade the softball diamonds at Salt Brook School, noting the fields have not been maintained for many years and are currently used by youth organizations rather than the high school.

Mr. Ugielo outlined proposed work that would regrade fields for drainage, install longer benches and fenced dugouts with metal roofs, and add foul‑line fencing. He said the total project "will total probably about $43,000," and broke down estimated costs to about $11,000 for the infield and about $10,000 for fencing. He asked the board to allow community volunteer Kelly Acquay and PAL volunteers to fundraise and donate toward the work.

District staff told the board that if the funds are raised quickly, work could begin in mid‑November; if not, they would complete the project in early March to be ready for softball season. Mr. Testa and other administrators said the district and DPW could support the work and that the project had a contingency schedule.

Board members thanked Kelly Acquay for leading the effort and said they supported moving forward with fundraising and volunteer involvement; the discussion was recorded as building consensus rather than a formal vote or authorization to accept donations.

Administrators noted the broader goal of growing youth softball participation in town — potentially adding JV or freshman high school teams if youth programs expand — and framed the repairs as responding to increased local interest in the sport.