NEVERSINK – A potential proposal that would allow an adult baseball league to use a town-owned field could provide new revenue and expanded opportunities for the Tri-Valley Little League, according to Little League President Larry Whipple at Wednesday night’s Town of Neversink Board meeting.

Whipple addressed the board and thanked them for their continued support, which included the purchase of an additional lawn mower as well as financial assistance toward an Eagle Scout project by Troop 1097 Boy Scout Gregson McKenna that resulted in a new storage shed at the field. Whipple stated that such support helped offset a cost estimate error related to the purchase of portable backstops and allowed the program to continue proceeding smoothly.

“Because of your generosity to our program and the generosity of the community, we’re able to do what we do,” Whipple stated, later noting that league enrollment has nearly doubled in five years, from 129 players to about 250.

He also pointed out the league’s larger community impact, such as providing 29 complete Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas gifts and meals for two families, and winter coats for seven children from one family in need. He said those efforts are funded largely through concession stand revenue, which also helps cover insurance, field maintenance, uniforms, scholarships, summer camp costs, and donations to local organizations.

Whipple also tossed around a request from the Hudson Valley National Adult Baseball Association (HVNABA), an adult baseball league, which is exploring the possibility of hosting games at the field. Whipple stated that the league currently plays at venues such as Heritage Financial Park and other regional facilities, but is looking for locations closer to where its players live.

If approved, the adult league would make a donation to the Little League to help offset field maintenance costs. Games would also allow the Little League to operate its concession stand during additional hours, potentially generating more revenue.

“It would be extra work for us, because we’d have to do the maintenance on that big field,” Whipple explained. “[It’s going to be some finagling on our part] but my team is willing to do the work to maintain the field.”

Games would likely be scheduled for Saturday afternoons in late summer or early fall as to prevent conflicts with soccer and school use of the field. Only one field, the high school field equipped with portable backstops, would be used.

Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Ric Coombe Jr. raised questions about scheduling coordination and insurance coverage.

“We don’t need insurance the day of, we’re not fighting for insurance,” detailed Coombe. “If they have insurance and it meets our requirements, that’s fine. If we’re moving forward let’s deal with it early enough that it’s not [an issue].”

Town Clerk Staci Conjura also brought up her concerns on parking and potential traffic congestion with fan numbers. 

“We are actively working with the DEP to try and expand parking further, so we’ll see,” noted Coombe.

Whipple said he plans to gather more information about contracts used by other Little Leagues that host adult teams and will work with the town to address logistical concerns.

Parks and Rec Director talks moving tree lighting to fairgrounds

The Neversink Christmas Tree Lighting is a holiday tradition that is much anticipated and pulls in great attendance for the Town of Neversink, with this past year’s event continuing that streak. Though such a festive event does not come without some grievances, according to Parks and Rec Director Tanya Huggler.

Feeling that the event is always getting bigger and bigger every year, Huggler turned her concerns towards the event being too successful. Huggler specifically highlighted concerns that the parking situation is getting to be an “absolute nightmare.”

“I think we probably need to revisit the night we have it [as well] because I feel there are key players who didn’t get to attend this year,” Huggler told the council members. “I would appreciate if the Board would consider doing something a little bit different next year, still decorating the park and making it a community event. Maybe having a bunch of different trees that people can adopt.”

Huggler suggested expanding the event beyond the current footprint, pointing out how similar approaches have found success in the past. One of these ideas being the town move the celebration to the ice rink, both easing congestion and adding a new element to the celebration.

“My understanding is it’s been done in the past,” Huggler stated, highlighting the importance of maintaining Neversink’s small-town feel. She proposed keeping the park decorated while hosting a separate tree lighting at the rink, particularly if the facility is ready for use by late fall.

“We can [still] do a tree here, but doing the actual tree lighting down at the rink because then the rink can be open next year,” she explained. “I think that would really add to everything.”

Beyond traffic concerns, Huggler framed the proposal as a safety issue, pointing to heavy congestion along the roadway during the most recent event.

“Parking is an absolute nightmare because it’s getting so big,” she said, noting that attendees lined the road while emergency vehicles struggled to move through the area. “We tried to make space for the fire truck, and people parked all along it.”

She recalled having to intervene personally when vehicles attempted to drive through the crowd.

“I had someone trying to drive through the parade,” Huggler said. “I had to jump in front of the truck.”

Coombe and Councilperson Scott Grey acknowledged the concern, agreeing that increased attendance has created challenges along the narrow roadway and that public safety must remain a priority as the event continues to get bigger.

For the time being, Huggler stated the department’s continued focus is on opening the rink.