Fields

==Background ==
* A study of ballfields was done in the past.
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* Mark Rauterkus on ball fields
==Insights==
===Dumping of fill at Academy opposed===
:Source: Jan Ackerman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 18, 2006, Jan Ackerman can be reached at jackerman -at- post-gazette -dot- com or 412-851-1512
Baldwin Borough is exploring whether it can or should appeal a decision by Pittsburgh City Council that allows dumping to resume at the Academy, a school for juvenile offenders on Agnew Road in the Hays section of the city.
City Council voted 8-1 on May 9 to allow Michael Facchiano Contracting to dump 88,000 cubic yards of fill at the Academy. The fill will be used to develop sports fields there.
Councilman Bill Peduto cast the only no vote, saying the decision would turn the site into a dump.
Borough solicitor Tim Barry said he was researching the question of whether to file an appeal concerning the decision or whether other options are available.
Baldwin Mayor Alexander Bennett was not pleased with council's decision.
"I am quite upset. I don't think they gave any consideration to our concerns," said Mr. Bennett, who spoke against the dumping at an April 25 council hearing.
People who live on Agnew Road in north Baldwin have had to deal with the mud, dust and diesel exhaust from the Facchiano trucks, which have dumped smaller amounts of fill at the school site since 2001.
Baldwin officials, including Mr. Bennett and police Chief Chris Kelly, and neighbors told council members that the dumping was detrimental to the neighborhood.
But council also heard from supporters of the Academy, who said bringing the fill to the facility was a good thing because it would help the youths who attend programs there.
For Baldwin officials, the problem is that the Academy is in the city limits, on the edge of Baldwin. Their power over city officials is limited.
Mr. Bennett said the borough's solicitor recommended that they increase the amount of bonds to help pay for the cost of the wear and tear on the road caused by the trucks.
category:wellness