Park Board and Senior Center ask Wakefield to consider $50,000 Hatchery Fund awards

Park Board member Jill Lehmkuhl told the Wakefield City Council on Nov. 12 that the Park Board would like to be considered for up to $50,000 from the city’s Hatchery Fund to build a new concession stand and storage facility, relocating the current stand slightly north to better serve all ball fields.

Lehmkuhl said the Park Board has pursued grant funding and fundraising for four years and is not requesting immediate disbursement but wants to be included on the Council’s list of potential Hatchery Fund recipients when the Council considers allocations.

Ruth Beckman, representing the Wakefield Senior Center, separately asked the Council to consider $50,000 in Hatchery Fund assistance for the Center and said the Center has continued fundraising and solicited local businesses.

City Attorney Henderson told the Council the City lacks a legal mechanism to grant or loan city Hatchery funds to the Senior Center because the Center is not a municipal entity; incorporating the Center into the City would create additional payroll and liability complications and would not be a simple remedy. Mayor James R. Lehmkuhl said more research is needed before the Council can act on the Senior Center request.

Council members and staff discussed fundraising, grants and donations as alternatives. Council Member Geiser expressed support for Park Board efforts to obtain blueprints for the concession project. No funds were awarded at the meeting; both groups asked to be considered when the Council next allocates Hatchery Fund dollars.