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Community Corner

ABOUT TOWN: Birthday Party Creates Mess at Stoughton Park

BRIDGEWATER WOMAN LEAVES MESS AT HALLORAN PARK: A birthday party that was held at Halloran Park on Saturday night, July 20, resulted in substantial costs to the town for cleanup.

Stoughton's Recreation Director, John Denison, told About Town that a woman named Tamika Noiles from Bridgewater had a permit to hold a birthday party that night at the park, located at the intersection of Pierce and Leach Streets.

On Sunday morning, the park had three tables, loaded with trash, and there were over 75 candy wrappers and juice boxes all over the park, which is a jewel in the Town of Stoughton. There were also tire tracks on grass surrounding the field.

Currently, those who rent the park don't have to pay any kind of security deposit. That may soon change.  

Denison said, "This sheds a light on possible situations that can occur at the park. We have a different agreement for Halloran than for our athletic fields. We won't get burned again. We'll work on a new policy that includes a refundable deposit that could cover cleanup costs."  

DPW Superintendent John Batchelder tells me, "We picked up a huge mess this morning (Monday, July 22) from what I've been told. I guess we will have to require a deposit for cleanup, which they would get back when the place is clean."  

One neighbor, who requested anonymity, said that he saw one of the guests at the Noiles party in a vehicle that actually drove over the Halloran Field grass to get to the party.

The neighbor said he was disgusted by what he saw. "First of all, they drive on the lawn. Then, they leave tables, wrappers, plasticware. pieces of cake, melted ice cream, and candy everywhere. They showed no respect for the property. None. I think we should send them a bill in the mail."

Not this time, but maybe next!  

Halloran Park, located adjacent to the CAPP Playground, has picnic grounds, a basketball court, and a round concourse used by dog walkers, joggers, and moms with strollers. It is a wonderful place.

Previously, Batchelder had ordered DPW staff to remove the basketball hoops, after players had left a huge mess and the backboards were vandalized. This time, it was out-of-towners.

My own feeling is that NO ONE should be allowed to get a permit that lives outside of Stoughton, no matter how large the deposit.

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