The ball field at Veterans Park is getting a new scoreboard, and possibly some other improvements. 

Barrington Little League officials Jim Peluso and Aaron Aguiar attended the Barrington Park and Recreation Commission meeting last week and presented details of a deal that proved too good to pass up. 

Peluso told Commission members that an anonymous donor had come forward and offered to replace the scoreboard at the Thomas H. Mellow Memorial Field at Veterans Park. Peluso said the unnamed individual would donate the new scoreboard and install it as well.

Commission member Joe Merrill said he did not want to see the town miss out on this opportunity. He added that the softball field was in need of a new scoreboard. 

Thomas H. Mellow Memorial Field is a popular spot in the warmer months, hosting men’s softball league games and Barrington Little League youth softball games. The infield and outfield appear to be in good shape, but Peluso and others had noticed that the scoreboard was showing its years. Peluso also told Commission members that with a little bit of work, the field could be better utilized to host additional sports — youth soccer, flag football and possibly lacrosse. Thomas H. Mellow Memorial Field has lights, which allow for longer scheduling. 

Peluso said the building at the field needs some attention. He said the there are some spots where the shingles are starting to pull up. 

Barrington DPW Superintendent John Renquinha said the town has made some improvements at the field over the years. He mentioned new fences at the field, and the addition of an artisan well that supplies an in-ground irrigation system. Renquinha said the electrical work there is still good, although the building may need a new roof. 

Barrington Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Thomas “TR” Rimoshytus said he would be willing to speak with Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey about the facility. He said the town still has some American Rescue Plan Act funding available. 

Commission members also discussed the overhead lights at the field. Some asked if the existing lights could be replaced with LED lights. Officials said that was a possibility, although engineers would first need to see if the existing poles could support the new LED lights, which tend to be heavier. 

Eventually, Commission member Fletcher Thomson made a motion to support the offer of a new donated scoreboard at Thomas H. Mellow Memorial Field. Commission member Anthony Arico seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 

“I think it went really well,” Peluso said after the meeting. “I think Parks and Rec. really has their heart in the right place and they want to see fields used and they have a vested interest in seeing the Veterans Park field be utilized by multiple sports in multiple seasons.

“I think it’s going to be exciting. I think it’s going to be awesome to potentially see multiple sports out there. I think it’s going to be great utilization of that space, with the lights at night. It’s going to be very exciting.”

Other Park and Rec news:

• Members of the Commission asked DPW Superintendent John Renquinha for an update on the Haines Park athletic field project. The town is planning to reconfigure some of the athletic fields located in the western end of the park. Renquinha said the town is still working through the permitting process, which is a bit more involved as the park is owned by the state and Barrington holds a long-term lease agreement. 

• Commission member Joe Merrill said a resident had approached him with concerns about the football blocking sled left on the Barrington High School property. Merrill said the resident told him that the sled was sinking into the ground. BHS Director of Athletics George Finn said he would take a look at the sled soon. 

• A member of the Friends of the Bay Spring Community Center shared news about an upcoming event. The BSCC is planning to hold an open house on Halloween from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature trick-or-treating for children, pizza, hot cider and other refreshments. There will also be a movie screening on the second floor of the community center, and games such as foosball on the first floor.