During a brief meeting Thursday night, the Parks & Recreation Commission discussed the future of Pyne Field now that it has the authorization to reevaluate the previous plan.

Parks & Rec Director Jon Lewitus explained that Article 20A, approved at Annual Town Meeting on May 2, allows the commission to consider alternate locations for the cricket pitch and baseball fields intended for Pyne Field. The article amends a previous funding request for $1 million approved by the Community Preservation Commission and Annual Town Meeting in 2023.

Lewitus said he was looking for the commission to weigh in on its preferences for the site and the potential to locate one or both fields at different sites in town. He shared that he did not see having both the cricket and baseball fields in one complex as “a realistic option” given the available space. He also stated that keeping both at Pyne Field was the preferable option.

“What makes the most sense, at least in my opinion, is to continue at Pyne Field and explore separating the two fields — one down below and one up above,” he said.

The commission has been revisiting the plan for Pyne Field in recent months following negative feedback from the Planning Board on previous designs, safety concerns raised from the nearby sawmill and other abutter concerns. Parks & Rec voted last December to pull its funding request for the field. It worked with the CPC to bring Article 20A to ATM in order to have more flexibility with the remaining design funds.

Vice chair Dan Terry clarified to other commission members that the new article was written when the Carbone’s property on Cedar Street “was still in play.” The town voted to purchase the 10-acre property at this year’s ATM. The land will be mixed-use, with a portion to be allocated for a pumping station and another to be designated as open space.

“I don’t think there’s going to be [space] with the amount of wetlands down there,” Terry said.

Lewitus shared his belief that Center School — which had been proposed as an alternate site for one of the fields — would not be a suitable location either after Terry brought it up during discussion. He noted recently walking the site with CPC chair Ken Weismantel. The two talked about putting a splash pad there instead, or revamping the existing playground, according to Lewitus.

Both Carbone’s and Center School had been proposed for use as baseball fields. Lewitus stated his concern over making sure cricket found a space.

“That’s why I feel Pyne Field is the best location, because we have room to do both,” he said.

Kyle Smith, the commission’s newly elected chair, inquired about whether the Fruit Street fields had grass and facilities suitable for cricket. He went on to suggest designing part of the athletic complex to include space for a cricket pitch.

Lewitus said it was possible, but would require a discussion with the town’s youth soccer programs.

Smith added that moving the cricket pitch to a different location that’s already suitable could free up the lower part of Pyne Field for something that would be “easier to fit in there.”

Earlier in the meeting, Terry expressed a desire to avoid designing the fields for a singular purpose.

“Whenever possible, these patches of grass need to be multi-use,” he said. “Wherever we can make something multi-use, we should be trying to do that and not just a cookie cutter for one particular use.”

Commission reorganizes

The Parks & Recreation Commission welcomed its new members and reorganized at the start of Thursday’s meeting.

Returning member Lynn Taylor and new member Brad Fenn were congratulated for winning spots at this year’s Town Election. Two commission seats were on the ballot, and the races were uncontested. 

Taylor joined Parks & Rec last year to fill a vacant seat, and Fenn replaces outgoing member Amy O’Donnell.

Terry nominated Smith to take on the role of chair. Smith has served on the commission since 2024 and was elected to the role of vice chair last year. He in turn nominated Terry to serve in the vice chair role, citing his previous experience as chair and long history with the commission. Terry is serving his fifth term with Parks & Rec.

Both were voted into their respective roles unanimously.