MECHANIC FALLS — The Town Council on Monday supported resident Jeff Sturtevant’s proposal to convert the town Babe Ruth field for football, soccer and field hockey games.

Sturtevant said recreation programs in Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland have historically relied on facilities at Poland Regional High School for these games, but getting playing time has become increasingly difficult.

High school and middle school teams have first dibs on the fields and when they are not using them the fields are given a rest, as they need to be, he said.

The Babe Ruth field behind the Municipal Building is relatively unused because the town no longer has a Babe Ruth team, Sturtevant said. It is one of four fields there.

Sturtevant’s plan, which he said grew from conversations with interested supporters in all three towns, calls for installing artificial turf surface, a new drainage system, fencing and lighting.

He estimated the conversion would cost about $500,000 and the money would come from fundraising efforts in all three towns.

The council insisted that if the project goes forward, all money raised and spent should be run through the town books for accounting and auditing purposes. The council also suggested that there be one person to oversee the project.

Sturtevant indicated he would be willing to do that.

Although the council made it clear it was most reluctant to consider tax dollars for the project, Town Manager John Hawley said the possibility of a loan to assist with it shouldn’t be ruled out.

“A loan to the Rec Committee for the ball field lighting project was very successful and the committee has been excellent about the payback arrangement,” Hawley said.

In other business, Hawley reported that Regional School Unit 16 officials have moved the school budget referendum vote from June 2 to June 9 to coincide with the town’s municipal budget referendum.

The council agreed that although the municipal ballot has been approved and could be available for absentee voting, the absentee ballots for the municipal referendum should go out at the same time as the RSU 16 ballots.

The school budget meeting and vote is set for May 21. If absentee ballots became available as of May 25, it would give residents two weeks to cast their votes.

Hawley also told the council that software from the Maine Department of Transportation helped him and Public Works Director Scott Penney set priorities for paving work this summer. A vote on a $500,000 bond to pay for it is set for June 9.

Roads on the list include: Elm Street from Laurel Street to the Poland line; from 95 to 239 North Street; Lane Road; Saunders Road from Perkins to Morris; and the first third section of Water Street from North Main. Third Avenue will have the base reconstructed and paved.

Paving bids will go out this week and the council will review them at its June 1 meeting.

The council accepted the resignations of Ed Piirainen from the Board of Appeals and Vicki Dean from the Mechanic Falls Library Board of Trustees. The council appointed Pam Black to the Dog Park Committee.