County stalls plans to donate scoreboard

SDHS equipment may no longer be going to athletic complex after evaluation

By Remy Andersen Staff Writer

(Aug. 18, 2023) The decision of whether to go with a used or new scoreboard for the Berlin Seahawks Pop Warner football program will have to wait until county recreation department personnel evaluate the options and costs.

The Seahawks, who play at the Northern Worcester County Athletic Complex next to Buckingham Elementary School in Berlin, thought they had a winner when Stephen Decatur High School offered to donate the school’s old scoreboard.

But in seeking permission to accept and install the gift, county Parks Superintendent Jacob Stephens and Recreation Department Director Kelly Rados advised the county commissioners Tuesday that moving and setting up the scoreboard would cost roughly $17,500, not including electrical work.

In addition, the commissioners were told that the proffered Decatur scoreboard is 30 years old, causing some to wonder whether a more current model might be the better alternative.

According to a memo from Rados to the commissioners, the request to accept the donation came from Berlin Pop Warner President Tony Morris, who also asked the county to cover the cost of foundation work as well as wiring and painting the scoreboard. Morris said his organization would handle the accessory’s relocation and storage until the work could be done.

Given the board’s age and the costs of installation, however, the commissioners agreed with a suggestion from Board of Commissioners President Chip Bertino to direct Recreation and Parks to research the cost of buying and setting up a new scorekeeping system.