Borough planning new ball field

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The borough is planning to build an athletic field on this land off of Osborn Road and Wisteria Drive in the Apple Hill Estates subdivision. –LUKE MARSHALL
The borough is planning to build an athletic field on this land off of Osborn Road and Wisteria Drive in the Apple Hill Estates subdivision. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — The borough is eyeing open space in the Apple Hill Estates subdivision for a new athletic field.

“It’s a beautiful spot and it’s ready to go,” Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess said. “It is land that the town is acquiring for nothing other than the cost of completing the field. We are moving full speed ahead with it.”

The plan calls for a full-size soccer field and a softball or baseball field with lights on land off of Osborn Road and Wisteria Drive. The driveway and parking lot for the field will be accessed near the cul-de-sac on Osborn Road.

The land was deeded to the borough as open space as part of the approval process for the subdivision.

The borough is applying for a special permit with land use boards to build the field because the current plans call for a larger field than originally expected and the layout for the access to the field has been changed.

“Going through the process we wanted to make sure, as the borough, we were doing the correct procedure, have a plan, getting the special permit, and going through the boards to get proper approvals,” Borough Engineer Wayne Zirolli told the Planning Commission Monday night.

The commission voted to send a positive referral to the Zoning Commission for the special permit.

Zirolli said that discussions are ongoing on whether to build a softball field or a full-sized baseball field that can host older leagues to go along with the soccer field.

Zirolli said officials are looking into using the old light poles that were at Naugatuck High School before the renovate-to-new project for the new field. He said the Department of Public Works is working on getting quotes of what it would cost to light the field using the poles it already has and what it would cost for all new equipment.

“We’re hoping to save money by using the poles to whatever extent possible,” Zirolli said.

Once the field is complete it will have utilities, such as water, sewer and electricity. The field will also have dugouts and a concession stand, Zirolli said.

The Zoning Commission is expected to discuss the special permit during its next meeting on Dec. 16.