Financial problems limit Saugus’ ability to deal with parks problem

SAUGUS – Cans of Busch beer and empty, weathered Coors Light cases litter the entrance to the stick ball court at Stocker Playground in Saugus. To the right, a beat-up back seat from a car sits upright while an old TV sits face down in the woods next to an old tire.A rusted barrel lies on its side inside the court while graffiti marks the benches outside. And if you?ve been to Saugus parks and playgrounds lately, maybe even over the past weekend, you may have seen something similar.Stocker Playground is one of many parks and fields that are showing signs of the town?s ongoing budget struggles.?It?s a problem,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “When I was on the (Board of Selectmen) we identified that as an issue. We have financial constraints, but we have to prioritize. Not everything returns money on investment, but they have to do with quality of life and services which have a direct effect on property values.”Crabtree cited Stocker Playground and the basketball courts at the Evans School, where much of the surface is cracked and sinking, as two parks that stand out for him.At Stocker?s baseball field, the outfield was freshly cut last week, but the infield could be seen completely grown in with brown grass and weeds.Crabtree said the lack of money to maintain the parks is compounded by an increase in sports offered throughout town.?I think what?s happening now is you have more sports and more demands and use of the fields,” said Crabtree. “Even with all the money in the world it?s difficult to maintain overuse. There?s not enough money really that?s allocated to maintain them properly.”According to the town budget, the parks department has a $136,000 budget, with just $17,000 going toward playground maintenance.James Waugh, the acting director of the public works department, said his dwindling staff is not nearly enough to keep up with all of the parks in town.?We have one employee in the parks department,” said Waugh. “We try to shuffle guys around to get grass cut, but it?s hard with just 12 people.”Waugh said those 12 people are spread across the water, sewer, highway, parks and forestry departments.?It?s more manpower,” said Waugh. “Without the manpower, I don?t see anything changing anytime soon. All the ball fields need attention. All the parks need attention. They?ve been neglected for years because of budget cuts. It?s not just one year. It?s taken a few years to go this far downhill.”Waugh said the biggest problem has been vandalism, especially at the Waybright and Veterans elementary schools.?Playground equipment is being broken intentionally,” said Waugh. “Kids are out there drinking and partying in the woods and throwing bottles. Graffiti is a big thing now. Intentional vandalism. The playgrounds are for younger kids. Once the older kids start hanging around somewhere, something is going to happen.”Cameras were installed at the Veterans School after groups of kids started causing disturbances there last year. But now one of the two cameras can be seen dangling from the side of the building.Jennifer Horvath was with her son Ashton, 5, and daughter Devany, 2, at the Veterans School playground recently and said vandalism is always an issue.?When they re-did the park ? it was nice for a while but then the older kids started hanging out down here,” said Horvath. “Then last summer, high school kids started hanging out and there was drinking and drugs. There would be drug needles and condoms.”Portions of the padded floor was torn up at the playground, while graffiti marked the side of one of the slides.Laurie Jackson was with her 5-year-old son Tommy and said she takes her five kids to parks in other towns.?We go to Peabody or Melrose,” said Jackson. “We only hang out here because the kids just got out of school. I never bring my kids here, and I have five. There?s always trash. I was down here in the summer and there was trash everywhere. I started picking it up and my son said, ?That?s gross.? It is gross, but I hav