Baseball Field Hits Snag

A need for state approval may delay efforts to return high school baseball to Veterans Field.

Village officials told Village Council and field renovators that the Department of Environmental Protection might have to OK the proposed project.

Organizer Graham "Chip" Conklin approached council last night to discuss discrepancies he had with an Oct. 28 resolution. However, Village Attorney Matthew Rogers, Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser, Director of Parks and Recreation Tim Cronin, Supervisor of Parks Greg Czaplinski, and Deputy Mayor Keith Killion all cited various concerns that may delay the project.

Toping the list is a potential need from the DEP to approve the project. According to Rogers, any renovation may require the state body's permission. Rutishauser described the application process as "laborious" and may take 90 days.

Conklin, who organized the renovation with no direct funding from the village, emphasized the immediacy of starting soon. His workers need to construction work Dec. 7 at latest.

Mayor David Pfund suggested asking Republican Assemblyman David Russo, also a Ridgewood resident, for assistance. 

"We must not lose sight that this improvement is a gift... I think someone from the village should go down to find out if we need [approval]," Pfund said.

Rutishauser said he'd inquire today. But, later, Rutishauser expressed doubts on a swift turnaround.

Conklin suggested avoiding the DEP as the softball renovations, also at Vets Field, went around approval. Village officials didn't go for that logic.

Additionally, concerns were raised on issues regarding foul poles, flagpole installation, a temporary scoreboard, and memorial plaques. Although nothing was finalized, Rogers said definite plans need to exist for the DEP. 

Communication on the issue appeared muddied. Rutishauser cited that his original note on the application said the burden of DEP approval was with the applicant. Conklin, on the other hand, said it was the first time he had heard of the issue.

"We submitted this application in June, because we wanted to avoid this issue," he said.

Other issues, like the village assuming vandalism liability, a July 30 fence removal date, foul pole removal, and field maintenance were resolved at the meeting.   

Conklin approached the village last summer with his proposal to return high school baseball to Vets Field. Through private donations, he has raised money for the project that would renovate baseball dugouts, backstop and fencing.  

The high school baseball season starts in March, and currently the team plays its home games at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.