Above: Lacrosse players make use of the Town’s only turf field. The field’s fate is now in legislators’ hands. Supporters are asking the community to push politicians to back the lease extension. (Photo posted to NSYLA website by Ric Carrera)
The fate of 911 field will be up for discussion by a committee of state legislators next week. Supporters are asking for letters and emails urging senators and reps to back the legislation.
Letters should specify support for House Bill 3548 (an Act Directing the Division of Capital Management and Maintenance to Lease a Certain Parcel of Land in the Town of Southborough.)
The field land is leased by the Town from the state. It is now badly in need of returfing. But affordably financing that requires a 10 year+ bond. That, in turn, requires a lease covering the period of the bond. Currently, the state caps their lease of the field to the Town at 5 years.
(Reminder – paying for the bond is something that supporters pledged will be fully funded by teams using the field. So the measure shouldn’t effect your tax bill.)
Today, the Department of Recreation sent out a request for help to save the field for town youth:
The 911 Memorial Field lease legislation will be reviewed by the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight next Wednesday (June 24). It is vital to make them aware that our community and youth sports support this facility and this bill. Passing this bill will allow the lease to be extended to satisfy the bonding requirements in order to replace the field. It will also help with grant opportunities as they require at least a 10 year lease or ownership of the land.
We are asking that you send a letter or email today in support of House Bill 3548, an Act Directing the Division of Capital Management and Maintenance to Lease a Certain Parcel of Land in the Town of Southborough. In your letter or email, please be sure to include personal thoughts why this is important to you and/or your organization. Remember that this field not only keeps our children healthy and active but is named in memory of those who perished. The athletes that use the facility were too young (some not even born yet)or don’t remember what happened…the memorial not only remembers those lost but helps spark conversations with our children to learn about it and remember.
Please forward this email to others that wish to support the efforts of keeping the 911 Memorial Field.
Please address your letter or email to: (please copy the Recreation Department on all correspondence)
Hon. Joan B. Lovely, Chairwoman Lovely
Senate Chair
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
State House Room 413-A
Boston, MA 02133
joan.lovely@masenate.govHon. Peter V. Kocot, Chairman Kocot
House Chair
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
State House Room 22
Boston, MA 02133
peter.kocot@mahouse.govFeel free to call or email any questions. Thank you for your support.
Doreen Ferguson, Director
Southborough Recreation
21 Highland St.
Southborough, MA 01772office: 508-229-4452
cell: 508-308-2616 – for emergency use
fax: 508-229-7969Office Hours: M-Th 9:00-4:00, F 8:30-12:30
[Editor’s Note: To copy the Rec Department on emails, you can cc dferguson
Please take a couple minutes to send these important messages. My emails took less than 3 minutes total. Thank you.
Tim, thank you for your support. It is crucial that people send an email in support of the bill. Losing this field would mean trying to move 400 hours of playing time to grass fields, which isn’t possible, and (Southborough) teams could lose playing time. Not only is this field important to our community for sports and health but most importantly it reminds us about the tragedy of 911.
Please take a few minutes to send an email of support.
Thank you