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Open Space requests exceed funds
OAKLAND - Requests for state Program Open Space funding are more than double Garrett County's expected development funds for fiscal 2009, and the county commissioners will have to decide how much of the funding will go to the requested projects.
"We're going to have to sit down in a work session to see what we are going to do," Commissioner Fred Holiday said.
The total requests were $524,028, with only $234,638 in anticipated funding, which includes carry-over money from previous years.
No requests have been made for the $99,371 anticipated acquisition funding.
The largest requests came from the town of Oakland, with three improvements to be made to Broadford Park and one to the Oakland walking trail. These four requests alone total $285,000.
Other requests are for two improvements to the Crellin softball field, one of $7,000 for grading, ditches and stone, the other at $7,800 for fence, home plate, benches and bleachers.
Requests also came from Accident for $5,998 for aluminum bleachers and trash cans.
The town of Grantsville requested a new gravel parking area at the town park for $13,500.
The Avilton Community Association needs playground equipment and installation for a new park, requesting only $20,200 of the anticipated $38,000 coast.
The Board of Education has five requests toward improvement of the Northern High School girls softball field. The requests total $36,900.
Casselman Valley Soccer has requested funding for sidewalks and a patio at the existing concession stand and gravel totaling $4,000 and a second request of $6,000 for topsoil placement and top dressing of fields.
In Loch Lynn, four requests have been made for the Athletic Complex parking area, ranging from planning and design to stormwater management. The four requests total $64,800.
The final request was made by the town of Mountain Lake park for trail improvements to the Chrystal Springs Walking Trail, which was approved in 2007. The county commissioners agreed that the unused funding of $72,829 from that year be saved for Mountain Lake Park, according to Bill Devore, county planner.
With those funds dedicated to Mountain Lake Park, $80,852 has been confirmed for development and acquisition for 2009 and an additional $80,956 is carry-over from 2008, Devore said.
Commissioner Ernie Gregg questioned the board of education's request, saying that he felt Southern High School's girls softball field was in similar condition, and he hoped that the board would consider suggesting that as a project next year.
Jim Thomas, Garrett County Board of Education director of facilities, explained that there is already a community group looking at some funding for the field.
He added that the school board is working on the press booths at both schools with 2008 Program Open Space funds. Although the funding and the local match might not be enough to complete the two projects, it would be enough to finish the structures and the priority rooms inside. The rest, he felt, could be finished by students in the high schools who take career courses like masonry or technical education.
Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.
