After two years, Worcester city manager seeks to dissolve Polar Park commission
PHOTO | Matt Wright
Polar Park baseball stadium in Worcester
Worcester City Manager Eric Batista proposed to delete the Worcester Ballpark Commission and place Polar Park under the purview of the City’s Department of Public Facilities, according to the Worcester City Council agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.
The ballpark commission was created in 2021, charged with, among other things, overseeing the ballpark lease agreement and the financial status of the ballpark facilities, issuing approvals, permits, and licenses for events, and keeping the city manager informed of ballpark issues, according to the City’s website.
The seven-member commission is chaired by former City Solicitor David Moore. The most recently appointed member is Elaine Evans, serving District 3, appointed in March.
Then City Manager Edward Augustus named the first appointees in November 2021.
City officials didn’t respond to requests for comment on Monday morning as to why the ballpark commission is being disbanded. Members of the City Council have opposed the creation of the commission since it was first proposed and continued this year to raise concerns about the transparency around the operations and finances of Polar Park.
If Batista’s proposal passes, the responsibilities of the ballpark commission would fall on the Department of Public Facilities, which oversees the maintenance of City Hall, the Worcester Public Library, Union Station, the Worcester Senior Center, and the DCU Center, according to the City’s website.
The department is lead by Chief of Public Facilities Julie Lynch.
The proposal will be heard by the Worcester City Council at its Tuesday meeting.
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