Board approves $16,600 appropriation for Mandeville Field infield work and moves funding to open‑space fund

Lincoln — The Lincoln Budget Board approved a request from Parks & Recreation to support infield repairs at Mandeville Field and authorized a $16,600 appropriation to be drawn from the town’s open‑space fund and administered as a grant to the Lincoln Little League.

Parks & Recreation presented two options for the field: a base infield resodding estimate of $15,600 and an option including infield conditioner and installation raising the total to $16,600. The board discussed procurement rules, prevailing‑wage considerations and whether the work should be procured directly by the town or provided via a grant to the Little League. The board elected the grant approach to avoid prevailing‑wage and multiple‑bid requirements that would apply to a town‑led procurement for the same work.

Motion and rationale

The board moved to fund the Mandeville Field project as a grant to the Lincoln Little League for $16,600 and to record the appropriation in Fund 11 (open space). The motion was made by Bob and seconded (record shows a second by Nick earlier in discussion); the board approved the motion by voice vote.

Why it matters

Approving the grant avoids prevailing‑wage procurement complications for a small, community‑led project while enabling infield repairs that Parks & Recreation and the Little League say will improve playing safety and field usability for youth sports.

Next steps

The board asked the town administrator and Parks & Recreation to document the grant terms, provide vendor quotes or invoices, and confirm the final scope before disbursing funds.