Trappe council approves submission of grant application for girls softball field at Home Run Baker Park

Trappe — The Trappe Town Council voted Aug. 19 to approve submitting a grant application to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Community Parks and Playground Program to create a girls softball field at Home Run Baker Park.

Cheryl Lewis presented a completed application package and told the council the Talbot County Parks and Rec board had signaled support; she said their meeting minutes are included in the packet. Assistant Town Attorney Carly Landolfi said the draft joint-use agreement included in the application packet makes the Town’s maintenance responsibilities temporary: "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 the Town submit the draft joint-use agreement with the state application but not sign it until the State reviews and approves it.

Council members asked for clarifications. Commissioner Rose Potter asked who would maintain the park because the Town does not own the property; Landolfi said the Town would manage the project and the funds but would not perform ongoing maintenance. Lewis said the Little League will be responsible for field maintenance and facility upkeep. Lewis also told the council that the proposal does not include lighting "due to the cost" and that the County is aware of parking concerns and is looking into them. Mr. Bowman asked questions about field orientation, parking and lighting during the presentation.

Commissioner Jeremy Newnam moved to approve the grant application as submitted; Commissioner Michael Sullivan seconded. The roll call vote recorded Newnam and Sullivan as yes, President Schmidt yes, Potter yes "contingent upon the joint-use agreement being put into place," and Commissioner Walter Chase abstaining. The motion carried. Sullivan then moved to adjourn at 10:27 a.m.; Newnam seconded and adjournment was unanimous.

The council’s approval authorizes the Town to submit the grant application; state funds would only be released if a joint-use agreement acceptable to all parties is completed and signed. The Town will manage the project and funds through construction but, per the draft agreement language cited in the packet, maintenance responsibility would transfer to Talbot County and day-to-day field upkeep is expected to be handled by the Little League.