Hampton forms Youth Sports Advisory Board

A community group in Hampton has been founded at the recommendation of the municipal manager, Christopher Lochner.

The Youth Sports Advisory Board was created to combat miscommunications and improve planning among officials from the township, school district and sports organizations.

“Often times, our biggest problem is that the left hand doesn’t tell the right hand what they are doing,” Lochner said at Hampton Township Council’s July 26 meeting. “Everyone wants to use the athletic fields, and there just isn’t enough space to accommodate everyone without some type of organization. We need a better schedule.”

The idea for the advisory board directly stemmed from the youth lacrosse team needing field time for practice.

Council members Julie Fritsch and Joseph Dougherty will sit on the board.

“This will give everyone a chance to meet one and other and for everyone to get on the same page,” said Fritsch.

Representatives from all the Hampton township youth sports leagues as well as high school sports teams planned their first meeting for July 31.

No outside members of the community will be able to attend the meetings. They are strictly for representatives of each organization.

“We just want it to be fruitful. We are excited to get started,” said Fritsch.

This problem is not unique to Hampton. Many other youth and high school sports organizations struggle with planning field usage in conjunction with their municipalities.

A well-run board combining members from each organization could provide a blueprint for other townships moving forward.

In other business during the council meeting:

• Council members discussed the status of hiring a new municipal manager to succeed Lochner, who is retiring after serving in the position since 1986.

The hiring process began with 16 potentially qualified candidates, and six were brought in for interviews. During an executive session, council members decided to bring two candidates back for in-depth evaluations, and they hope to make a final decision by the end of August.

• Council approved a $218,327 contract with Trifecta Construction of Pittsburgh for asbestos abatement at 5130 Route 8. The property has been a nuisance to the township for quite some time, and now that a reasonable bid was received, the township can move forward with the project.