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Trappe council approves submission of grant application for girls' softball field at Home Run Baker Park
Summary
The Trappe Town Council voted Aug. 19 to approve submitting a grant application to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for a girls' softball field at Home Run Baker Park, with council members saying a joint-use agreement with Talbot County must be finalized before the town assumes maintenance responsibilities.
The Trappe Town Council voted Aug. 19 to approve submitting a grant application to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for funds to build a girls softball field at Home Run Baker Park.
Cheryl Lewis presented the completed application for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Community Parks and Playground Program and said the Talbot County Parks and Recreation board’s minutes in the packet show the county supports the town applying for the grant. Commissioner Jeremy Newnam moved to approve the application; Commissioner Michael Sullivan seconded and the motion passed.
Why it matters: The project would add a dedicated girls softball field at a community park. Council members and staff emphasized that the town will not assume ongoing maintenance unless a formal joint-use agreement with Talbot County is finalized. Assistant Town Attorney Carly Landolfi pointed to draft joint-use agreement language in the application packet that—per the draft—limits the town’s maintenance responsibility to the project construction phase and then turns operation to the county.
During discussion, Commissioner Rose Potter asked who would be responsible for maintenance because the town is the applicant but does not own the park. Lewis said the town intends to manage the grant and project funds but that Talbot County would continue maintenance under a joint-use agreement; Lewis also said the Little League would take responsibility for field maintenance and facility upkeep. Lewis recommended the town submit the draft joint-use agreement with the grant application but not sign it until the State has reviewed and approved the package.
Other practical details discussed included field orientation, parking and lighting. Lewis said no lighting is included in the current proposal because of cost, and that the county is aware of parking concerns and is looking into options.
Vote and conditions: The recorded vote on the motion to approve the application was Newnam — yes; Sullivan — yes; Schmidt — yes; Potter — yes (contingent upon the joint-use agreement being put into place); Chase — abstain. The motion was recorded as approved. The council then adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
Next steps: The town will submit the application to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources; per comments at the meeting, state approval and a finalized joint-use agreement among the town, county and any other parties will be required before the town assumes maintenance duties or receives state funds.
