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Deep River keeps Devitt Field goal posts after donation request as Tri-Town youth football plans proceed
Summary
A request from HK Youth Football Association to take Devitt Field goal posts was declined at the commission level because the posts are town property and any donation would require a town meeting; commissioners also noted it would be premature while Tri-Town youth football revival plans are still developing.
At its June 10 meeting the Deep River Parks & Recreation Commission declined to authorize donation of the goal posts currently at Devitt Field after receiving a letter from the HK Youth Football Association requesting the posts.
Director Cailey Anderson presented the association’s request and told commissioners the group would provide removal and any subsequent field repairs. First Selectman Carol Doak Jones and commissioners noted the goal posts are town property and that the Park & Rec Department does not have the authority to donate town-owned equipment; Jones said any proposal to donate town property would need to go to a town meeting.
Commissioners also said it would be premature to donate the goal posts given active plans to revitalize Tri-Town youth football and potential future use of Devitt Field. Cailey Anderson said she will inform HK Youth Football of the commission’s intention to retain the posts.
Courtney Perkins, speaking during the audience of citizens, stressed the importance of preserving the goal posts for future league play and said Tri-Town youth football plans envision using Devitt Field. Caroline Dipietro separately suggested ways to increase Park & Rec revenue, including selling advertising space and sponsorships at Plattwood, but no formal action on revenue options was taken at the meeting.
The commission did not take a formal, recorded vote to transfer the posts; the direction recorded in the meeting minutes is to retain the goal posts and to refer any formal donation proposal to the town meeting process if such a proposal is later advanced.
