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Dobbs Ferry officials tell Little League to coordinate repairs through village staff; union rules may limit private work on municipal fields
Summary
Dobbs Ferry Little League asked the board for permission to repair the infield and pitching mound before the April 5 opening day; trustees said union contracts limit private contractors doing municipal maintenance and directed the group to submit details to village staff and labor counsel.
Representatives of Dobbs Ferry Little League asked trustees Tuesday for permission to allow field repairs — including work on the pitching mound and infield clay — before the league’s April 5 opening day. The group presented a vendor quote and asked that the village permit work to begin promptly.
“I sent an email and can follow up with the quote for the $9,000 for the repair of the infield prior to opening day,” Jason Macias, representing Dobbs Ferry Little League, told trustees. He said work would include redoing the clay, removing crabgrass and reseeding to restore conditions after normal wear and tear since the field was renovated two years earlier.
Village officials told the league that maintenance of municipal athletic fields is subject to the village’s collective bargaining agreements and exclusive work rights of unionized staff. Village staff asked the league to email a written scope, contractor identity, and a price quote so the village’s labor counsel could review and, if needed, negotiate a site-specific agreement with the union. “We cannot have you maintaining … certain aspects because that’s exclusively the right of the Union,” a village official said, noting the risk of grievance if the process is not followed.
Officials suggested separating capital improvements (which the league could donate or fund) from maintenance tasks that are subject to union work rules. Trustees did not approve direct permission for private contractors to perform the maintenance at the meeting; instead they directed the league to submit detailed documentation to Rob (village staff) so the administrator and labor counsel could pursue the correct procedural path or arrange DPW participation.
League representatives said they were willing to fund the work and preferred to complete repairs before opening day; staff said the village would review the quote and respond. No formal vote was taken on allowing private work.
