Bedford’s Best Baseball takes care of White Park utilities
After some confusion over utility payments, a private youth baseball organization responsible for paying a Bedford Township park’s bills is ready to catch up on past-due payments.
The Bedford Township Board voted 6-0 at its Aug. 1 regular meeting to approve a payment arrangement with Bedford’s Best Baseball (3-B) organization that will bring all utility bills current. This followed a notice sent to 3-B stating that it had fallen behind by $9,726.96 in utility payments.
Bedford Township and 3-B agreed to a contract in 2020 that assigned responsibility for White Park’s utilities to the baseball group in exchange for usage of the park’s numerous ballfields. However, 3-B was not receiving monthly bills and thereafter fell behind on payments. Up to this point, the township had been paying the bills up front with the understanding that 3-B would pay regular reimbursement.
Bedford Township Finance Manager Robert Miller sent a letter to the board last month informing them that 3-B was made aware of the situation. The board was also advised that the township cannot pay the bills on 3-B’s behalf because it is unlawful for a public government entity to spend public money on private purposes. Therefore, if the township was not reimbursed, then the utilities at the park should be shut off.
“Public money cannot be used for private interests,” Miller said while addressing the board at the meeting.
However, Miller also noted that since notice was sent to 3-B, its president, Kyle Young, responded immediately to remedy the situation, starting with a payment of $2,500. This brought the remaining balance down to $7,226.96.
At the meeting, Young proposed to the board to take care of the situation as quickly as possible.
“Once it was brought to my attention, I put a phone call in immediately requesting copies of all the bills, as I do not currently receive those bills,” Young said. “We did in good faith put in a payment on July 28 in the amount of $2,500 to show our willingness to try to resolve this.”
“Obviously, the last thing I am trying to do is run away from it (or) deny responsibility,” Young added. “I just want to get this resolved. We have a fall program that’s starting soon, so obviously we don’t want utilities shut off.”
Young proposed to make even payments at the end of August and September, each totaling $3,613,48, to bring the past-due balance current.
Prior to hearing a motion and voting, Bedford Township Supervisor Paul Pirrone was pleased to hear that the parties could arrange a solution.
“I think the township is totally fine with a payment plan,” Pirrone said. “I think if we need to extend it further, we could.”
Pirrone then asked if Young would like the board to vote on a longer payment plan, but Young responded that it would be better to take care of it quickly. He added that he would like to ensure that he receives monthly bills so this does not happen in the future.
Township Clerk Trudy Hershberger said that the township will forward all future bills via email.
“We’ll pay those on a monthly basis,” Young said.
Pirrone added that the township should do things to help ensure that bills are smaller by not wasting money on frivolous water sprinkler usage and other activities that are not necessary.
Trustee Craig Montri expressed concern that a new contract might need to stipulate specifics to ensure there are no future misunderstandings.
Pirrone replied that the Bedford Parks Commission has to get that done.
Bedford Township Attorney Paul Goldsmith noted that the parks board is aware of new contracts that are ready to be settled for White Park and other similar agreements with local baseball organizations. He said that the Parks Commission will take it up at their next meeting.
“It really wasn’t 3-B Baseball’s fault,” Goldsmith added. “They were not kept apprised of the utility situation. It’s not anyone up here’s fault either. I’ll just leave it at that.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Bedford’s Best Baseball takes care of White Park utilities
