Newton Athletic Fields Committee Faces Backlash From New Fee Plan

NEWTON, MA — Newton’s Athletic Fields Committee is facing backlash after approving a plan to increase taxes on families of youth athletes.

The new plan will implement a “per player, per season fee,” which would cost youth athletic programs like Newton Girls Soccer and Newton Youth Soccer up to an extra $50,000 a year.

Last month, the proposal was formally rejected by nearly every youth program in Newton. This is because team leaders are saying it does not account for the $90,000 they already pay in maintenance costs, does not provide any details on where the funds will be spent, and does not account for any feedback provided by the youth programs.

“The decision making process has been delegated to a three person sub-committee made up exclusively of members of the Park and Recreation Commission who were appointed, not to represent the athletic programs, but to provide ward level representation,” said the leaders of Newton’s Youth Athletic Programs in a letter to the Parks & Recreation Commission. “Establishing a fee structure without the athletic programs having any voting privileges is literally 'Taxation without representation.’”

In their letter, the team leaders outlined a counterproposal that would enable programs to pay for premium maintenance without overpaying.

Despite the conflict, the Fields Committee rejected the counterproposal and insists the money will be going right back into maintaining the fields. The exact details of how this claim will be put into action have yet to be decided.

“They’re not willing to discuss any of our concerns this is kinda all the stuff we just don’t want from public officials, which is to not work with residents,” Justin Traxler, President of Newton Girls Soccer.

So what happened at this week’s Fields Committee meeting?

On Friday, the Field Committee met to discuss and vote on the proposal, ultimately pushing it forward with 3-0 vote. The meeting began with positive and encouraging messages from committee members.

“To imply that we’re not doing anything,” said Buzz Dunker of the Fields Committee. "This field fee will be used directly and you will see improvements.”

Multiple local athletic team leaders responded to the Field Committee positivity by expressing concern about the new plan and calling for transparency as to where the fees are going.

“What you’re doing is to us, not with us,” said Traxler.

“Ever since I’ve been involved with Newton, the fields have been a problem,” added Clifford Slater, President of Newton Youth Soccer.

"I hear you guys that its 10 bucks, but its additional $50,000 to our organization,” he continued. “We would like to take a step back, delay this, and make sure we have our arms around the problem.”

The committee ultimately recommended the proposal as-is to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Culture. It is set to go into effect later this year, with the exact date TBD.

“I don’t want anyone to think this funding is going to be a miracle where suddenly all the fields transform overnight,” said Nicole Banks, Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Culture. ”It's going to take some time.”

“We are open to having the conversation this coming year and continuing to have these conversations,” she continued. “The fee is going to go into a revolving account and that is as transparent as we can be."