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Council debates $1 million open‑spaces fencing proposal and alternatives
Summary
Councilors and staff debated a roughly $1 million proposal to add fencing and other measures at school fields, with councilors urging alternatives such as cameras, community volunteer programs and increased enforcement; Recreation Director and Deputy Director described existing and planned community programming.
A proposed capital item for public‑works open spaces — described in the workshop as a split project between the city and the school department — prompted significant council discussion on March 4 about preventing vandalism and preserving public access to athletic fields.
Director Gagne and Deputy Director Megan Bates presented the project and answered questions about scope and recurring costs. Councilor Chittum asked for an estimate of annual costs avoided by the fencing; staff said they would follow up with more detailed figures. Several councilors, including Gallant and Nejean, expressed reservations about spending roughly $1 million on passive fencing that could be defeated by bolt cutters and might further isolate fields from the community.
Councilor Glantz proposed options such as cameras and moving, mobile lighting or patrol approaches. Recreation Director Nicole Welch explained the city’s community sports aide position and current programming: Stefan Samba is the new community sports aide, the city runs free leagues and drop‑in programs at the Armory and last year hosted regular drop‑in soccer on turf. "Those collaborations and community volunteers... that is all run by that position," Welch said, noting the position had been vacant for several months before the current hire.
Public‑works staff said the fencing concept came from a staff working group that included high‑school leadership; staff also said they will continue to explore alternatives and return with more information. Councilors urged a focus on enforcement and community engagement as potentially more effective and less visually intrusive options than a high security fence.
