Blackstone recreation committee approves youth softball and league field use pending fee wording from town council

The Town of Blackstone recreation meeting on Feb. 24 approved use of municipal fields for several youth softball programs and local leagues, while putting any fee collection on hold until town council and the town attorney provide revised policy wording.

The recreation board approved a motion to allow league use of the Turbasy Softball Field with the understanding that the town will update its policies to state clearly that any fees charged cover maintenance and game/practice preparation. Board member Don made the motion and board member Bob seconded it; the motion passed. The board also approved a separate motion to grant specific dates to the Bluebirds (coach Billy) for Friday night practices and Saturday games, contingent on the same fee-policy review.

The moves come after the town administrator and town council told the recreation committee earlier that day that the committee must reword its policies so fees are explicitly tied to maintenance and field preparation. "We need to reword it to say that the fees that we're charging you are specifically for maintenance and repair and to get the field prepped for your games or practices so that that correlates to what we're charging you for a fee," said Kim (board member/staff), relaying town council guidance. The board agreed it could allow field use this season while the policy language is finalized; if town council does not clear a fee structure, groups would use the fields without a fee this year.

League representatives said they will provide proof of insurance naming the town as an additional insured. Charles, representing a league, said, "Just Turbasy Softball Field," when asked which facility his group would use. Coach Billy (identified in the meeting as the Bluebirds' coach) confirmed he would provide a game schedule and that his program would add background-checked coaches and insurance documentation.

Board members and volunteers also discussed field maintenance and safety work. The recreation staff said installing netting to stop balls from landing in neighbor yards was a spring priority; volunteers and students from the high school were cited as possible helpers. The committee asked that any netting work be coordinated with Adam (town grounds/maintenance), and the board agreed to share Adam's contact information with league organizers.

On logistics, the board set an expected fee benchmark mentioned in the meeting: $10 per field per use day was cited as an example while the committee awaits formal wording and legal review. "We may decide not to, but it would still be the $10 fee per field," Kim said during discussion, adding that the town will not retroactively impose an unexpectedly large fee on groups.

The committee instructed staff to issue formal field permits with the specific approved dates and times for each coach so teams can demonstrate reserved times if conflicts arise. The board also accepted an offer from some leagues to contribute a porta-potty for larger events; the committee noted porta-potty rentals will be handled separately and that groups should coordinate placement and removal with town staff.

Votes at a glance - Motion to allow league use of Turbasy Softball Field contingent on finalized policy wording (mover: Don; seconder: Bob): approved. - Motion to approve Bluebirds practice and game dates (mover: Bob; seconder: John): approved. - Motion to issue field permits with specified dates and times for coaches and groups: approved.

Why it matters Local youth sports depend on municipal fields for practices and games, and clear, legally defensible fee language affects whether groups pay for maintenance this season or continue to use fields for free while the town finalizes policy wording. Insurance, safety netting and volunteer capacity also affect how soon fields are ready and whether neighboring property impacts will be minimized.

What’s next Recreation staff will collect schedules and insurance documents from league organizers and will issue field permits listing dates and times. Town council and the town attorney will finalize revised policy wording about fees; the committee will notify leagues once the town decides whether a maintenance fee will be charged this season. The committee also plans to coordinate volunteer help and town maintenance staff to address netting and other spring field-prep tasks.