When voters head to town meeting later this month, there will likely be at least one appropriation they will vote on that would benefit a private organization: The Swansea Little League.

League representatives came before the board of selectmen last week requesting that an article be placed on the annual town meeting warrant appropriating $35,000 to help pay for the installation of lights on one of the league's fields. Greg Smith, Kevin Lewis and Nancy Hochu-Oliveira said the lights, for Field 2, would cost approximately $51,000 to install, with the league having already raised about $12,000.

"We've never come to the town for money before," Ms. Hochu-Oliveira pointed out. "It's just that we can't keep up with the (league's growth)."

The Swansea Little League is a private entity, though it uses land owned by the Swansea Park Commission, hence the potential interest in using town funds to improve the land. Ms. Hochu-Oliveira pointed out that the league was open strictly to boys and girls from Swansea. She added that the town would not be lumped with the costs of installing or running the lights.

Private concern on public property

The park commission's James Carvalho expressed reservations about using town funds to help pay for the lights. However, he pointed out that he was not averse to helping the league.

"The park commission has other priorities," he said, though he added, "If you need help getting funds, I'll give you a hand."

School committee member Ellen Furtado expressed similar sentiments, noting that money had been tight for the school department during the budget process.

"We also had to keep within our budget," she said. "If you want to put up lights, put lights up at the high school."

Selectmen Kenneth Furtado said he felt conflicted about the decision at hand. He pointed out that he was a longtime little league supporter, having been involved as both a player and an adult volunteer. However, he said he did not feel the lights would be a responsible use of limited town funds.

"My heart is with the Swansea Little League," Mr. Furtado said. "I've given my time and my money to the Swansea Little League. However, I have to think as a selectman what the most important thing is here. Based on our current situation in the town of Swansea, I cannot support this request."

Fellow selectmen Joseph "Butch" Senna and Robert Marquis took a different view of the situation. Mr. Senna said he agreed with much of what Mr. Furtado said, but felt the need to let voters decide on an issue that involved helping children, something he felt passionately about.

"It's an investment in children," Mr. Senna said, adding, "It's not my money, it's your money."

"I fully support this request," Mr. Marquis agreed. "Any time we can do something for five hundred kids, I would support it."

The selectmen voted two to one to place the requested article on the annual town meeting warrant. Mr. Furtado cast the dissenting vote.

BY VINAYA SAKSENA

vsaksena@eastbaynewspapers.com