Ross Common field considered for restoration project
Ross officials are looking to restore damaged grass at Ross Commons.
The Town Council directed staff on Thursday to research partnerships with community stakeholders following a presentation from public works staff on the drainage damage at the park, said Town Manager Christa Johnson. Staff will contact the Ross School District and the Ross Property Owners’ Association to gauge their interest in contributing to the project.
The town could contribute from its drainage fund, Johnson said. The fund has approximately $1.2 million, according to the 2024-25 budget.
“They asked to consider this during the annual budget process that begins in late winter 2025,” Johnson said.
The Ross Common playing field is approximately 2.5 acres and includes two ballfields, a backstop, bases and bleachers. The southwest corner of the field bordering the blacktop at Ross School has deteriorated because of poor drainage, according to a staff report by Richard Simonitch, the public works director.
A study commissioned by the town concluded that “the condition of the field and the irrigation uniformity is poor, the soil is very hard, and the field surface is uneven,” Simonitch wrote.
The estimated cost is $600,480 to completely restore the grass and drainage at the field. Depending on funding, the bid might be limited to one damaged portion of the field for an estimated cost of $250,000. The town is also considering dividing the restoration into phases with different portions of the field budgeted into annual public works projects.
“The council supports rehabilitating the field, including fixing a drainage issue that has been a persistent problem,” said Councilmember Mathew Salter. “We plan to take the issue forward to our annual budget workshop in April where we can assess the field project against other competing capital projects and priorities.”
Ross has estimated a balanced budget of $14.3 million for the current fiscal year. The town’s general fund revenues are projected to top out at $11 million, and expenses are estimated to be $10.5 million.
The field is used by schools and town recreation groups. It is closed from mid-December to mid-March for maintenance.
A 5,000-gallon storage tank was installed at the site in 2017 for irrigation and has been essential in maintaining the health of the grass, the staff report said. If the town contracts for the limited project, an irrigation bypass using the tank will be installed so that other portions of the field can be irrigated during the restoration.