NAHANT — The Lowlands softball fields will look a little different when residents make their next visit.
At a town meeting last May, members voted to allow the town to use Community Preservation Act funds in order to make improvements to the fields. As a result, the fields now have a new backstop, outfield fence and benches.
The project cost $35,000 to $40,000 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, according to Town Administrator Antonio Barletta.
“We’re thrilled to make those improvements,” said Barletta, who also referred to the changes as “long overdue.
“Both the men’s and women’s softball field haven’t had improvements like that in probably 30 years, so we’re thrilled to do that.”
It was a long journey to make this project possible. Due to COVID-19, the annual Town Meeting was affected last year, which resulted in its members not being able to vote on proposed projects involving CPA funds.
“Therefore, this past annual town meeting had two year’s worth of CPA articles to consider,” Barletta said. “It resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars of CPA-funded work in the town. So, we have a lot to do this year and next year to spend that money and make those improvements, and we’re excited to do it.”
Barletta added that spaces like the softball fields at the Lowlands can bring people together, which is especially needed after the pandemic. He also noted that gathering outside is the safest avenue for residents with COVID-19 cases rising across the country.