Fees for using renovated field discussed

A softball player spoke to commissioners about an unexpected $600 charge.

Jennifer Vallus spoke on behalf of the Elizabeth Township-based women’s softball team Monday, alerting commissioners about concerns with the new Boston ballfield.

The team, sponsored by Rich Algeri of Rich’s Parkside Den, has been playing for about eight years at Boston Field, which has been newly renovated. The team, comprised mostly of Elizabeth Township residents, wasn’t able to play last year because its field was undergoing construction.

“We have enjoyed every moment of it,” Vallus said. “We appreciate that to continue. However, it has been a journey this year. The joy and excitement upon the field construction being completed by my team and I was immeasurable only to be met with severe pushback and contention from the township and certain commissioners. But yet, we pushed on, determined to play.”

Vallus stated that the players have been “nothing but respectful” of the field, cleaning up after themselves after practices and games. Coach Dennis Pohodich routinely drags and lines the field for their team and others, as well as working to dry the field to get it in playing condition.

While the team loves the field and wants to continue playing on it, Vallus said they feel as if they are being “intentionally pushed away.”

Vallus said she spoke with Commissioner Adam Musisko on March 28 and was told that the field may not be ready in time for the season. They spoke of other options, and Vallus stated that Musisko said the team didn’t deserve the field just because they have played there in the past.

“At no point during this conversation did he communicate that any fee would be applicable, but conversely expressed that this field would be free for all township residents to use.,” Vallus said. “Mr. Musisko expressed that they wanted this field to be free for all township residents to use so no team thought they could pay or bribe their way to having field time.”

She added that Musisko visited the team during an April 22 practice to state that the field was going to be usable at no fee. Vallus claims that on April 30, which was 12 days before the start of their season, Commissioner Chris Thoma visited the team during practice and stated that $600 was due before their season opens or they will be removed.

According to Vallus, Thoma said the team had not paid fees for the past three years. She stated that records show that the teams of Rich’s Parkside and Muddy Waters were paying fees for some time, and she said she was instructed to stop paying field fees until everyone else did.

There were nine teams at the time using the field and paying no field fees, she added.

Commissioner Jim Benedek, chair of the recreation committee, stated that the overall direction of the commissioners is to provide something that is great for the community and nothing other than that. There are going to be more people using the fields now due to the renovations.

“You can’t take something that was existing for a different entity even though it’s under the same land and translate that to current use now,” Benedek said. “There’s just a new protocol to it being new scrutiny of it, too, in regards to making sure it’s done appropriately. Moving forward, we hope you enjoy the field and we’ll figure out a pathway forward.”

Benedek added that they tried to ensure that everyone using the field previously can continue to do so.

Vallus argued that the fee was not voted on formally during a meeting. She stated that the issue was going to be voted on at Monday’s meeting, but nothing was listed on the agenda about voting on a fee.

Solicitor Matt Racunas said there is nothing in the township’s code setting a rental agreement, but they have an application for teams that would usually call the borough office to pay their fees.

Vallus stated after the meeting that she wants to request a rental agreement or rental contract — to be voted on — stating where these fees are being applied and signed by all commissioners and parties involved.

President Josh Walls said there is currently no uniform rental agreement, but the recreation committee is putting something together to figure out the best way to move forward.

Musisko stated that the Steel Valley Softball has paid $1,500 a year for use of the field during its time slots. He adds that Muddy Waters has also paid every year, but Rich’s Parkside has not.

“I have no bearing on what the new price was going to be,” Musisko said. “At no point, anybody on the rec committee can attest to this, at no point was it free for adult half residents for adult softball, and at no point was that on the table. At no point would I tell anybody that. That just doesn’t make any logical sense.”

According to Musisko, the recreation committee knew youth teams could use the fields for free, and they knew that every adult league was going to pay a new fee.

The expenses may be much higher, jumping from around $250 to $600, according to Musisko, but many baseball fields and softball fields charge an annual fee. While they know that the softball team hasn’t done anything to fields in the past, they want to make sure everyone is liable.

“Everyone is going to do that moving forward,” Musisko said. “It’s true. Just because you played on it when it wasn’t very nice, doesn’t entitle you to a Tuesday night time slot until we find out how many people are looking for that time slot. That is a fact.

“We met as a board and we discussed it. If people show up and pay the fees, since there are a lot of people knocking on the door now to play here, we put an appropriate fee.”

Vallus suggested that the team divide up the cost after the meeting, and stated that she would like to see proof of the teams that are paying the same $600.

“We’re just a wonderful group of fun, kind-hearted and talented people who want to get together once a week, get some exercise, have some laughs and make some memories. Not one of us is making a paycheck by playing softball.

“I have always prided myself on not charging any players any money to play. We’ve always been fundraiser based because I never want someone who wants to play ball with us unable because they can’t afford it. That mentality is becoming increasingly difficult.”

Work is continuing on the field due to some drainage issues in the right field. Commissioners passed several motions Monday to pay or conduct change orders with PDDM Solutions to improve parts of the field and to work on the fieldhouse, which is currently under construction.

In other business:

• Commissioners promoted Jessica Gronlund to assistant township manager, and hired Tammy Firda as township manager and Charlie Hudson as the building and zoning department’s administrative assistant.

• Commissioners approved a shut-off agreement between the township and the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County to allow Legal Tax Service to discontinue water service due to delinquent sewage bills. They also approved a settlement agreement and an intergovernmental agreement between the township and The Sutersville-Sewickley Municipal Sewage Authority.

• The township is donating $300 to Kastan Uveges VFW Post 7632, Alonzo L. Weigle American Legion Post 553 and VFW Auxiliary Post 7632 for Memorial Day services.

“We’ve always been fundraiser based because I never want someone who wants to play ball with us unable because they can’t afford it. That mentality is becoming increasingly difficult.”

JENNIFER VALLUS