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

The Trappe Town Council voted on Aug. 19 to approve submitting a grant application to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Community Parks and Playground Program to build a girls softball field at Home Run Baker Park. Commissioner Jeremy Newnam moved to approve the application and Commissioner Michael Sullivan seconded; the motion passed with four votes in favor and one abstention.

Cheryl Lewis, who presented the completed application to the council, said the Town would manage the project and the funds but would not perform long-term 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 draft joint-use agreement with the State application but not signing it until the State has reviewed it. Commissioner Rose Potter recorded a conditional yes: her vote was "contingent upon the joint-use agreement being put into place."

The council's approval allows staff to seek the State grant; Lewis noted the State will not release funds until the joint-use agreement has been agreed upon and signed by all parties. The application does not include lighting for the field because of cost, and Lewis said Talbot County is aware of parking concerns and is looking into them.