Working through an understanding

While it appeared that the Town of Saratoga and Platte Valley Little League (PVLL) had come to an agreement during the Nov. 19 Saratoga Town Council meeting, comments made by Councilmember Steve Wilcoxson and Mayor John Zeiger during the Dec. 17 Saratoga Town Council meeting seem to suggest otherwise.

As was reported previously (see “PVLL moves forward” on page 8 of the Nov. 27 Saratoga Sun), after months of debate between members of the non-profit group and the governing body, the issue looked to come to a close. A motion was made by Councilmember Bob Keel during the Nov. 19 meeting which directed legal counsel Tom Thompson to work with PVLL to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the group and the town council. 

The initial terms of that agreement were to have an MOU for as long as it took PVLL to rehabilitate the ball fields near the Saratoga Branch Library. Following that, the Town of Saratoga would take over maintenance and the MOU would be dissolved. The comments from Wilcoxson suggesting that there is still an issue with little league playing on those fields came as he discussed Tyler Pickett Park.

“For the past three years, since I’ve been on the council, with the town funds being what they are I have refrained from asking for money for the Tyler Pickett Park. I’m going to change that with some things that have happened here lately,” said Wilcoxson. “This man sacrificed his life for this country and this town needs to take and give him the recognition that he needs. He grew up in this town … but the only reason we’re able to play little league up on them fields and the only reason that I’m able to sit up here, and we are, is because of individuals like this.”

Wilcoxson added he appreciated that the mayor had ordered an appraisal of Town of Saratoga property across from the South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS) ambulance barn. He said he would like the council to consider allowing Zeiger to speak with the Wood family about a possible land swap for Wood’s Field. This past summer, Wood’s Field served as the home for PVLL, but the family only allowed the use for one season.

“Whether that can happen or not, I don’t know, but to me that would be an ideal situation because, if they would be interested in a swap, that would solve the little league problem and the baseball fields and it would also solve that up there (the property across from SCWEMS),” Wilcoxson said.

Councilmember Jon Nelson told Wilcoxson he was in favor of allocating money for Tyler Pickett Park, but that he believed it would be better to do it during a budget workshop for the next fiscal year.

“That’s fine. I’ve waited three years because this town hasn’t had the money, but apparently we do. If we can write a blank check for the baseball fields and stuff, we got money and, at this point in time, I watched money going out to the lake to build a bathhouse and everything else,” said Wilcoxson. “I’m bringing it up at this point in time because it’s been too long. This town needs to start doing what is going to give him the respect that he deserves and his family.”

Following council comments, the Saratoga Sun asked if the MOU between PVLL and the Town of Saratoga was not going to work out and if that was why Wilcoxson was suggesting a land swap for Wood’s Field.

“I think we’re still working on an MOU. I was under the same impressions you are, but then we got another MOU that we’re evidently discussing or going to discuss. The baseball people weren’t here tonight, couldn’t make it, so that will probably be discussed more at the next council meeting,” replied Zeiger. “I still have concerns about the fields up on the hill. I’m willing to try anything, but I still do have some concerns. Mostly, those concerns are rodent control.”

Keel also responded to the Sun’s question, stating the MOU was still being worked out between Thompson and PVLL.

“When I made the motion, the motion was that Mr. Thompson and the Platte Valley Little League come together on terms of what that would detail and, right now, Mr. Thompson has created an MOU that would do exactly that,” said Keel. “ It would allow Platte Valley Little League to rehabilitate the field and then, when they’re done, the Town would assume responsibility and those are the details that are currently being worked out right now.”

The next meeting of the Saratoga Town Council will be at 6 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2020 at Saratoga Town Hall.