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MSAD 51 board approves study of Twinbrook (Greeley Road) softball field design
Summary
The MSAD 51 board on June 5 authorized staff to pursue further study and cost estimates for a preliminary design to add two 60-foot baseball/softball fields at the Twinbrook Greeley Road complex after a presentation by Pete Bingham of the Town of Cumberland. The vote authorized exploratory work only; funding was not approved.
The MSAD 51 Board of Directors on June 5 voted unanimously to allow further exploration of a preliminary design concept to add two 60-foot baseball/softball fields at the Twinbrook Greeley Road property, after a presentation from Pete Bingham, director of recreation for the Town of Cumberland. The motion authorized staff to pursue cost estimates, permitting details and potential partnerships; it did not commit district funding.
The request came from Bingham, who described the Greeley Road parcel’s history and current conditions and said the town has already secured environmental permitting that will remain valid for five years. “I’m taking this money out of my $250,000 playground allocation,” Bingham said, describing how the town wrapped permitting for the Greeley Road side into a Tunnel Road playground project to save costs. He told the board the concept would add two 60-foot fields (useful for youth baseball and softball), parking to serve multiple simultaneous games and options such as roll-in pitcher’s mounds to reduce maintenance.
Why it matters: The town and district share Twinbrook for school and community athletics. Board members and community speakers said the extra fields would reduce scheduling pressure on the district’s existing sites and provide space for middle school, varsity and youth league play. The design would not automatically add an outfield fence; Bingham and several parents said portable or partial fencing could be used to lower initial costs.
Details of the proposal and discussion - Proposed facilities: two 60-foot baseball/softball fields (no permanent pitcher’s mound; roll-in mounds discussed), support parking (Bingham estimated about 65 spaces), and the possibility of adding drinking water/backflow prevention later. Bingham said the town has water at the site but noted a backflow preventer would be “pretty pricey,” estimating roughly $35,000. - Permits and schedule: The presenter said the Greeley Road parcel was permitted last year and the permit carries a five-year term; he recommended proceeding with design and cost work while the permit term remains active. - Funding/status: No district funding was requested or approved. Bingham said the town had budgeted $250,000 for a playground project and that some permitting costs were covered from that allocation; the softball concept would seek collaborative funding from user groups such as CMY Little League and possible town in‑house public works contributions. - Maintenance and control: Bingham and town staff said Cumberland would continue to maintain the fields, even when used by non‑town user groups; the town intends to keep the grounds available to local youth. The board discussed updating the long-standing memorandum of understanding (MOU)/lease that governs Twinbrook use by MSAD 51 to remove ambiguities about which portions of the property are under school lease and which are town land.
Board and public remarks Board members asked repeatedly whether the school’s lease appendix that delineates the leased area could be located; Bingham and staff said they will look for the original appendix and pursue a formal delineation with legal counsel. Parents and student-athlete representatives urged the project, saying middle school softball lacks on-campus fields and that portable fences are a practical, lower-cost solution. One parent (Katie) said, “softball players and parents of all ages have been screaming at him for this for probably, like, 10 years.”
Next steps The board granted permission to proceed with further study, costing and stakeholder outreach; no funds were allocated. Bingham said the town will pursue more detailed cost estimates, identify funding partners (including Little League), and confirm maintenance and use agreements. The presenter also recommended codifying the MOU/lease to preserve institutional knowledge while signatories remain available.
Ending The action authorized staff and the town to continue planning work so stakeholders can return with more precise cost and funding plans; any request for capital funding would require a separate board action.
