Trappe council approves submitting state grant application for girls' softball field at Home Run Baker Park

The Trappe Town Council voted to approve submission of a grant application to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Community Parks and Playground Program to fund a girls softball field at Home Run Baker Park.

Cheryl Lewis presented a completed grant application package and said the Town will be the applicant but enter a joint-use agreement with Talbot County for maintenance. Assistant Town Attorney Carly Landolfi told the council that "paragraphs 3, 4 and 6 of the draft joint-use agreement in the grant application packet states that the Town's responsibility ends when the project construction has been completed and turned over to the County." Lewis recommended submitting the unsigned draft to the State with the application and waiting to sign it until the State has reviewed and approved it, saying "the State will not give the Town the funds until the joint-use agreement has been agreed upon and signed by all parties."

Council members asked for clarifications about site orientation, parking and lighting. Lewis said "no lighting is included in this proposal due to the cost" and that Talbot County is aware of parking concerns and is reviewing options. She said the Little League would be responsible for field maintenance and upkeep of facilities under the proposed arrangements. Commissioner Jeremy Newnam moved to approve the grant application as submitted; Commissioner Michael Sullivan seconded the motion. The council recorded votes of Newnam yes, Sullivan yes, President Schmidt yes, Potter yes (contingent on the joint-use agreement being put into place) and Chase abstain; the motion carried.

The council then adjourned at 10:27 a.m. following a unanimous procedural vote to close the meeting.