Hurley City Council hears plea to improve ball fields

By P.J. GLISSON

news@yourdailyglobe.com

Hurley — At their Tuesday evening meeting, members of the Hurley City Council gave an informal thumbs up for plans to improve local ball fields.

Brad Benton, speaking for Hurley Area Youth Softball and Baseball, said that he and his colleagues would like to “spruce up” local fields.

He specifically asked permission to remove some of the pine trees around the baseball field.

“It’s very wet,” said Benton, explaining that the trees keep part of the field shaded so that it does not fully dry out.

As a result, he said, “It’s very difficult to maintain.”

Benton said that neighbors in the area have been consulted, and only one of them requested that not all trees be removed. Benton added that it is not the intention to remove all of the trees and that targeted trees reach “only to the outfield fence.”

He estimated that 25 to 30 trees are slated for removal and said he thinks there are people to help undertake the project.

He asked whether the city could help to remove stumps, but Department of Public Works Director Scott Santini said that the city does not have excavators. “You’d have to find a different resource,” he said.

Benton then asked whether the stumps simply could be ground up, and Santini agreed that might work.

“I would recommend that, if this moves forward, you get it in writing from the neighbors,” said Mayor Joanne Bruneau regarding their approval.

Santini suggested that Benton provide the city letters from neighbors, and Bruneau added that — as plans progress — the city can schedule a meeting with the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Benton said that baseball and softball supporters already have engaged in a number of other field improvement projects.

He added that they also hope later, with the city’s support, to install some sun tarps and to add additional signage with accompanying flowers.

“That would be the dream and the vision,” he said.