Webutuck baseball team displaced by septic issues

The North East (Webutuck) Central School District Board of Education (BOE) heard a presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 19, that caused concern for the upcoming baseball season.The district has been dealing with standing water on the high school baseball field, which sits atop the septic leeching field.“The field is not suitable for sports anymore. It doesn’t dry out,” said consulting engineer Jeff Budrow.Athletic director John Zenz asked Budrow if any parts of the field could be used.“It all depends. If you have a wet spring and it doesn’t dry out then obviously it won’t work. If you have nice dry, windy days you might be able to use the infield. I know how integral infield practice is for a team,” he said.Budrow also added that the probability of the field being functional would have to be determined on a day-to-day basis.“It’s really the school’s call. Even though the standing water is more in the outfield the infield gets wet too,” he said.Superintendent James Gratto interjected, “I think we’ll probably abstain from using it. I don’t think students should be out there. We’ll have to find an alternative.” Zenz noted the Amenia Recreation Department has been working with him to use Doc Bartlett field at Beekman Park.“They have their own teams and schedules, though. That’s not a permanent solution. They’ve been very kind and very willing to work with us,” he said.Gratto agreed more solutions would be needed for the septic situation and the displacement of the team.No decisions were made as the board is awaiting possible solutions from Budrow, which will be presented at a future meeting.“Until then I don’t think we can use that field at all,” Gratto said.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete. It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
Taking on Tanglewood

Aerial view of The Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.

Provided

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for symphonic music this summer at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. Here are a few highlights from the classical programming.

Saturday, July 5: Shed Opening Night at 8 p.m. Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra as Daniil Trifonov plays piano in an All-Rachmaninoff program. The Piano Concerto No. 3 was completed in 1909 and was written specifically to be debuted in the composer’s American tour, at another time of unrest and upheaval in Russia. Trifonev is well-equipped to take on what is considered among the most technically difficult piano pieces. This program also includes Symphonic Dances, a work encapsulating many ideas and much nostalgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
James H. Fox

SHARON — James H. Fox, resident of Sharon, passed away on May 30, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

Born in New York, New York, to Herbert Fox and Margaret Moser, James grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He spent his summers in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, where he developed a deep connection to the community.

Keep ReadingShow less