By Michael Ryan
WINDHAM – There was an uncharacteristically packed room at a Windham town council meeting, last week, where the topic of discussion was the possible creation of little league fields at the Windham Path.
Controversy has slowly surfaced since the concept was introduced by town officials in January, now resulting in a petition asking that a “different and appropriate location” be considered for what would be two new fields.
The project would also include bleachers, dugouts, bathrooms and parking for the Mountaintop Little League, using less than 7 acres on the upper east end of the total property which contains approximately 70 acres.
Only one person spoke in favor of the project in a crowd of roughly fifty people that overflowed into the municipal building hallway.
The overwhelming appeal to town board members was to include the entire community in the decision-making process, not reduce the choice to just the five members of the council (all of whom support the project).
“We want to save the Windham Path,” the petition states, offered by “Friends of the Windham Path,” containing 1,126 signatures.
While several signees apparently do not reside here, the petition states “we strongly oppose the Windham town board’s discussed plans to build a baseball complex within the Windham Path itself.
“Building such a large complex would cause the disruption of wildlife and affect the amazing visual appeal and the quiet, serene natural beauty of the “Crown Jewel of Windham,” the petition states.
A separate memo was delivered to town supervisor Thomas Hoyt and all council members by Friends of the Windham Path, stating:
“We are officially requesting to be part of each town board meeting agenda until there is a finalized plan to address the Mountaintop Little League’s current parking shortage and potential facilities enhancement and relocation to a site other than the Windham Path.”
Further, the Friends of the Windham Path state they are, “officially requesting that you establish a solution-making committee comprised of members of our group, Mountain Top Little league representatives and town board members.
“The specific goal of this collaborative committee would be to exercise due diligence and research all viable alternatives until a plan to address the needs of the Mountaintop Little League is achieved that leaves the Windham Path property untouched as it currently exists.”
Numerous individuals spoke during the unusually lengthy session that continued for nearly three hours, last Wednesday evening.
Emotions ran high but did not boil over with Supervisor Hoyt speaking on behalf of the council and a police officer visibly present in the hallway.
Government leaders unveiled the plan over the winter, noting that parking had been sharply reduced at the current little league field, located along South Street and serving the community for generations.
The loss of additional parking is a real possibility in the near future, officials said, as owners of adjoining properties pursue business opportunities.
And the president of the league, John Garzone, during last week’s meeting, said the current site is “unsafe” for multiple reasons.
Diametrically opposed sides were clearly drawn between the council and attendees who voiced a recurring theme – that the ballfields would unnecessarily and forever blemish the beloved Windham Path.
Government leaders were equally adamant that all options were studied before opting to move forward on the concept even while emphasizing nothing would happen until 2025, at the soonest.
Town officials have also stressed it is vital to protect the Windham Path, an undeniable landmark and tourism draw for the community, and that the fields will not destroy the Windham Path, in their view.
There was full agreement, by all who spoke, that having a place for little league kids is invaluable and must be maintained.
That is as far as it went, however, in terms of being on the same page on the plan which has progressed to the preliminary sketch phase.
Deep divisiveness was evident as Supervisor Hoyt defended the council’s actions, saying the matter was being conscientiously and rightly handled.
Tensions rose as Supervisor Hoyt was asked, point blank, by resident Lori Torgersen if the council would agree to the formation of the special solution-making committee.
“No, we will not establish a committee,” Hoyt said, emphasizing that, in his view, there are an equal number of residents supporting the project who were simply not present that night.
“No, we won’t sit down at a table and drink coffee and eat donuts. That is beyond painful and doesn’t accomplish anything,” Hoyt said.
His response did not sit well with the people in the packed room who also strongly requested that the community hold a public vote on the project.
No chance whatsoever was given to that suggestion although an accord was reached on establishing direct lines of communication between the town council and Friends of the Windham Path.
It was agreed that Torgersen should present any and all questions to the council which Hoyt said would be answered in full transparency.
Those questions are expected to focus on the possibility of using C.D. Lane Park for the new field, an idea the town says has been investigated and rejected due to regulations at the flood control dam site.
Torgersen is expected to demand more details on the whys and wherefores of that rejection, as well as complete information on any prospective alternative locations offered by Friends of the Windham Path.
Residents are always welcome to attend the twice-monthly board meetings which include a “public comment” item on the agenda, officials noted.