It's been well over 20 years since I was sworn in for my first town government position as a Killingworth Park and Recreation Commissioner. Way back then, our most important agenda item was the development of more athletic fields for our growing youth population. Sound familiar? We were scouting out town-owned land behind the library that had been earmarked for fields of play. We soon discovered too much subsurface ledge on the site made it inappropriate for field development.
Several years later, the town was negotiating with the Venuti family for their lake property and Park & Rec members were instructed by the Board of Selectmen to come up with a plan for Venuti fields development. Title issues emerged, however, and Killingworth did not pursue the Venuti land parcel.
Meanwhile, though, the town was closing in on agreement to purchase the Bosco property for field(s) development. A new first selectman reassigned the task of developing Bosco fields from Park & Rec to the Land Use Committee. Two town referendums were held to decide upon athletic field development. The first was $5.5M and was narrowly defeated. The second was $5.3M and was soundly defeated. The first selectman then created a new group called the Field Study Committee. This new committee, of which I was a member, examined numerous sites around town and assessed their potential. The results were meager.
Then, the Wettish property became available and your current Board of Selectmen jumped at this 144-acre opportunity … and the town purchased it! Seventeen acres are earmarked for field development in phase one of a multi-step plan. Currently, professionals are sketching out field plans and costs associated with the two northernmost pastures.
Soon we will all have a look at Wettish property field plans and have an opportunity to vote on them. Cost estimates for the five fields vary at this stage, but a reasonable estimate is a total of around $1.2 million. Your current Board of Selectmen has obtained written agreement from the State of CT to swap a STEAP grant of $500,000 that was assigned to Killingworth back in 2002 allowing this money to be earmarked for the development of fields on the Wettish property. Perhaps it will cost Killingworth residents $600,000 to $700,000 to develop five fields. Compare this expense to the $5.5 million or the $5.3 million costs that were previously presented to the town and I think you have to agree…it's a good deal and gives residents the biggest bang for their bucks!
Personally, I've been involved in trying to develop
more athletic fields since our two daughters were too young to participate
in sport programs. Now, both daughters are adults and Killingworth
is still “talking” athletic fields. We are close to
changing this, and if I am re-elected to the Board of Selectmen, I will
work tirelessly to ensure these latest fields of dreams become a reality. Please
give me this opportunity by voting for me on November 6, 2007.
Ed Sipples
Current Board of Selectmen Member