Lincoln Academy is one step closer to building a new baseball field after the Newcastle Planning Board approved the school’s site plan review application Oct. 29.
The approval is pending a letter from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection stating the stormwater plan for the field meets the necessary requirements. Tom Greer, of Pinkham & Greer Civil Engineers, said a representative from the DEP will visit the site. Greer anticipated receiving the letter by the end of the first week in November.
“If any changes need to be made, we would make the changes to meet their approval,” Greer said.
Greer and Lincoln Academy Head of School David Sturdevant appeared before the planning board to give an update on the project as well as answer any questions during a public hearing. Much like the school’s dorms and the new William A. Clark Field, Greer said the proposed baseball field will be under-drained and runoff would be treated.
Planning board Vice Chair Rem Briggs asked about potential noise generated by the construction project and its impact on those living in the area.
Greer said he did not believe noise would be an issue. Greer said the field would not require additional lighting, and the property will be screened from neighboring properties by an existing wooded area.
Some “light blasting” will have to be done, however, Greer does not anticipate any impact on the wildlife living in the environment, a concern expressed by planning board Chair Bonnie Stone.
The project was approved unanimously.
“When you come in this well-organized, it really makes it easy for all of us,” Briggs said.
Bids are currently being accepted for the project. Sturdevant said the hope is to have the field completed by the end of the spring. The project was made possible by a $500,000 anonymous donation, and was originally announced Sept. 26, during Lincoln Academy’s homecoming weekend. The new baseball field will be built in the location of the old field hockey field.
