The town manager shared a plan detailing three levels of athletic field maintenance during a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

While meeting with officials from sports leagues in town, Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha spoke about three possible options. 

He said that if there was no field fee increase, the town would not be able to provide the same level of field maintenance as leagues had been used to. 

Mr. Cunha said an increase in field fees — including a jump from the $10 per player each year to $25 per player each season — would guarantee the same level of services, "with additional field improvements possible."

And finally, a third option called for the addition of a new Parks and Recreation field maintenance division at the Barrington Department of Public Works. That option would require an estimated start-up cost of $380,000 and re-occurring $200,000 in annual expenses. The Parks and Recreation division would consist of three or four individuals who were dedicated to maintaining the athletic fields in Barrington. The division would also have equipment dedicated to the fields.

"I think that's a good option," said Mr. Cunha, in a follow-up interview. "That would require us to hire more people and build it into the budget. Listen, there's a need here… Certainly, having higher fees would support that." He added that the proposal would need approval by the town's committee on appropriations and the council. 

Mr. Cunha opened last week's fields meeting by detailing the current costs associated with maintaining the town's athletic fields — about $130,000 annually. He also said the local sports leagues only contribute about $20,000 to the field maintenance.

Mr. Cunha said that the DPW has fallen behind on its other tasks, such as trimming trees and filling potholes. He said that increasing field fees from the leagues would better support the department of works and, in turn, could allow for improved field conditions. 

In an early exchange, Barrington Youth Soccer Association President Steve DeBoth said he was concerned about the process used in establishing the proposed fee increase. He also said the soccer association currently pays the town about $9,000 annually in field fees, but would be facing a $30,000 cost if the proposal is approved by the town council.

"That blows a hole through us," said Mr. DeBoth.

Mr. Cunha responded by asking Mr. DeBoth how much money the soccer league had in the bank. 

Mr. DeBoth said BYSA has about $300,000, which it has saved over the years. 

He later said that money was there so that the league could contribute to worthwhile initiatives in the future. 

Mr. Cunha then said that soccer tears up the town's fields more than other sports and brings in more money than other sports. The town manager also said that a soccer official had asked him where the league could site an indoor facility in town.

"I think you're being disingenuous," Mr. Cunha said to Mr. DeBoth, adding that BYSA also pays some of its league administrators. 

Mr. Cunha said that if leagues want field conditions in town to improve, then they need to accept their fair share of the burden, along with taxpayers. He also said the parents of the kids playing sports should carry a heavier cost burden for the fields than other folks. 

Mr. DeBoth later clarified that the money was there from years past and the league had not been adding to it. He said BYSA loses money most years.

"We're not hoarding it like misers," he said. "We're waiting for an opportunity."

Mr. DeBoth said the soccer league had, in the past, helped pay for projects around town including the construction of the lacrosse rebound wall. 

The league president said the fee increase will decrease participation rates in town. 

Mr. Cunha then said that he has the same goals as BYSA — he said he wants to see the field conditions improve and wants to see kids outside playing sports. He added that the town simply cannot not sustain the same level of services without increasing the field fees. 

Barrington Department of Public Works Director Alan Corvi explained how the list of duties for the DPW has expanded over the years. He referenced increased regulations by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

The director of East Bay Youth Lacrosse, Bill Horn, said that the increased requirements point to the need for a separate Parks and Recreation division. He asked Mr. Cunha if he knew the percentage of towns in Rhode Island that have dedicated Parks and Recreation divisions. The manager said he was not sure but guessed that it was probably 50 percent. 

Mr. Cunha then said he was considering an increase in manpower at the DPW, and added that the field fees have not increased since 2005. 

Mr. DeBoth later said he was trying to get a handle on what was equitable and fair for the leagues. Mr. Corvi then defended the estimates he included for the field maintenance costs.

"I didn't fluff it up," he said. 

Mr. DeBoth later said there were multiple issues facing the town and the leagues regarding the fields. He said that no matter what the town charges the leagues for the fields, there will still be an issue of the fields being overused. He asked how the field fees would address the overused fields.

Mr. Cunha said the money would support the town's effort to better maintain the fields and that some more "TLC" on the fields would have a great benefit.