The Enfield Town Council, earlier this month, approved measures to build new, safer dugouts at the site.
ENFIELD, CT — A local baseball field will soon get new dugouts to keep players safe during baseball games, perhaps in time for next spring.
The Enfield Town Council at its last meeting, Sept. 1,5 unanimously approved $40,034 in transfers to fund new dugouts at the town’s Powder Hollow Baseball Field on Dust House Road.
In addition to the funding, however, the council’s approved motion also waived bidding requirements, which could slow down progress to get the dugouts installed in time for next year.
According to the resolution, the traditional bid procedure “is against the best interest of the town,” and such a declaration is allowed in the Enfield Town Charter.
Specifically, the new dugouts would be funded via $2,250 in donations and $37,784 in the town’s general fund.
The tentative town match would come from $41,041 returned to the town from the Enfield Board of Education following the 2024-25 year.
The town match, however, could shrink should additional donations be made, something officials said was very likely.
According to town officials, the Enfield Department of Public Works has already gotten two quotes from companies, the lowest being a $40,034 bid to build two 30-foot-by-20-foot dugouts.
Each dugout is comprised of a metal-backed bench surrounded by fencing, which would act as a barrier to balls and bats that could come their way during a game.
They would replace decaying, concrete-style structures that one council member called “terrible.”
Enfield Mayor Ken Nelson, Jr. thanked several residents, organizations, and businesses who helped out with the project, both in donations and services.
Councilman Robert Cressotti said added funds are coming in and are expected to help the town pay for the new dugouts.
“Monies are still coming in, which I’m still happy and pleased about,” Cressotti said.
Cressotti said the Enfield High School boosters club would be helping to renovate the concession stand and reconstruct a batting cage there.
Nelson said businesses donating could have banners on the fences for one to five years at the field, depending on their donations.
“This is how a community comes together,” Nelson said. “Let’s play ball in the spring and have these done.”
For the minutes of the Sept. 15 Enfield Town Council meeting, click on this link.
For the full resolution approved, click on this link.