Wendell — Parents lined up before the microphone Monday night to let town commissioners know they don’t want large increases in the fees charged to children who play recreation league baseball.

Parents, coaches and even current and former Parks and Recreation Department staff members told commissioners they opposed the rate hike because of what it might do to the program.

“We’ve built up a strong program here and this would tear it down," said Kim Ammons. "Non-residents support Wendell in many other ways."

Her husband, Stephen Ammons, encouraged commissioners to think beyond just dollars and cents.

“Be careful what you do to the town’s reputation," he said. "Be careful how you let the monetary aspect affect the human part of this."

Commissioners are considering raising the rates to as much as $100 for out-of-town residents who want to play baseball in some of the older age-groups the town serves.

At a budget meeting last week, commissioners instructed Town Manager David Bone and Finance Director Butch Kay to adjust the rates and report on how that would affect the league’s overall income.

Commissioner Sid Baynes said he wants to make certain that out-of-town residents, who don’t pay property taxes in Wendell, aren’t subsidized by Wendell taxpayers.

But speakers at Monday night’s meeting said a lot of the volunteer labor and financial support for the program already comes from people who live outside the town limits.

“This is not just a business decision," said Scott Hawke, a parent and coach who also serves on the town's Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. "This is a community decision. We are Wendell just as much as anyone who lives inside the town limits."

The size of Monday’s protest apparently surprised some commissioners.

Commissioner Carol Hinnant, during a break between speakers, asked Mayor Harold Broadwell if the speakers were aware that no final decisions had been made on the budget.

“This is their opportunity to be heard,” Broadwell told her.

Work on the budget is expected to continue Wednesday night when commissioners meet in a special called meeting beginning at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.