[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6562827,"mediaKeyId","3237806-d817a465b1f7d78d052e44299889c595","parentId",3237806,"title","City contract firm begins organizational assessment as Mansfield Stadium operations shift to city","audioSeconds",1462,"startMs",464000,"endMs",1926000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237806-d817a465b1f7d78d052e44299889c595&start=464&end=1926","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237806-d817a465b1f7d78d052e44299889c595/thumbnail_464000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6562827/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/City-contract-firm-begins-organizational-assessment-as-Mansfield-Stadium-operations-shift-to-city","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562827-0c52817f03c7988839ec267c5b8fe4f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775174508&Signature=XldewaWyGt0dh3LeOdCV-xR8wIgMTlePUX76UKnq1-SyxKVNejUFsoS2tiE69sTMZjpr3KDz~kx5hKu3DmnogtChO7LpIzoKgT1uQPer4H~2pnhZeXgSt7AKDzKNXTKJYWFH0m3bvmwzvI9O7b~ThjF9xFb516PWCgGjpB~gJMrmXbKd~aN~3KtYFXJrHdH7EUY8ibdp~wPz24Q4dwyEj~NNjJhDk8yrVh1b7RwGLHTTCpNrFivG56cg7jDztEUL33PRT3sHZYu1hzdEKZfc5xLfUNYUBpCxAGTNBvNPLv33l-MeabqsMPgplGKqm6CBkU2uJu0E84ZbOvcOxEaurw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bangor Maine","date","2025-05-09T10:08:17Z","article","The Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee heard updates May 8 on an organizational assessment and a separate feasibility study for a proposed community facility at Griffin Road.

Assistant Director Debbie Jean Nero told the committee the city contracted Barry Dunn to lead an organizational assessment of the Parks and Recreation Department. The consultant's work includes benchmarking, interviews with division heads and tours of department facilities; staff aim to have the assessment compiled in the coming weeks and finished by June.

Nero said the assessment was prompted in part by the end of an earlier management arrangement at Mansfield Stadium. The stadium — historically managed in partnership with local Little League volunteers including Ron St. Pierre and Dave Mansfield — is moving more fully under city control. Nero said the city has established a dedicated Mansfield Stadium account to keep proceeds generated at the stadium tied to stadium uses; concessions and gate proceeds are now being handled as a city function while maintenance and utilities remain Parks and Recreation responsibilities.

Nero told the committee the department currently relies on staff who cross multiple operational areas and that the assessment will identify whether a dedicated stadium manager or other structural changes are needed to sustain operations.

Separately, the committee received an update on a special committee reviewing a feasibility study for a proposed multiuse community facility at Griffin Road. Nero said the special committee asked Barry Dunn and the project architect, CHA, to add a fitness component to the concept. That change increases square footage and construction cost estimates; staff said the consultants will update cost and square-footage figures and that soils testing is planned for the site.

Nero said the special committee is aiming to finalize its recommendation to City Council by July 10. She also noted that, if the committee proceeds, timing could allow the item to appear on a November ballot if Council directs it forward, and that the consultants will continue refining plans to ensure the committee has current cost information.

Committee members described the review as timely and said the outside assessment will provide a fresh evaluation of staffing, job descriptions and operational efficiencies as the department plans for possible facility expansion.

Next steps: Barry Dunn will complete benchmarking and staffing analysis; staff will return to the committee with the compiled organizational assessment and updated feasibility figures for Griffin Road.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks, Recreation & Harbor Advisory Committee 5.8.25","oneSentenceSummary","Assistant Director Debbie Jean Nero told the Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee the city contracted Barry Dunn to perform an organizational assessment of the Parks and Recreation Department.","taxTitle","Bangor City, Penobscot County, Maine","taxId",2586,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562832,"Parks committee reviews draft bench naming and donation policy, recommends referral to Government Operations",341,124000,465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237806-d817a465b1f7d78d052e44299889c595&start=124&end=465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237806-d817a465b1f7d78d052e44299889c595/thumbnail_124000.jpg","/articles/6562832/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Parks-committee-reviews-draft-bench-naming-and-donation-policy-recommends-referral-to-Government-Operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562832-290490fe1ef1814ea4576bafe1467915/orig.mp4?Expires=1775174508&Signature=H5CwsGE6qU4etRwLd5U5XME0fpgOiVYTPQTwyEAtrHWpr72L1tqoEulCvULCTy8~bMVzxYlqUqsH1Qyst1ShrXdOjKvXIgeEvN601e7JdWBaCJlW2omnR~Khz74gk1rhvnr5~OyatmBQix786Tee1ajWacX4o6QWrZQjpNBVqD29NDtaGbFd3OZzCySTvGfuK48xOUMb~lEkc5Kp~Xc~N7w89npkh0-QaQJH3TupqDbEgTYWoBdCO1FNVDDatEZX9YuQnkqR038bJ87XBf5V8d6uC4-8sYlf80St-aTnAXwPnQw6DKVehX6fpfEO4JMbh4ueT0dOQ4mAG-jCeDil7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kim Boucher, chair of the Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee, opened discussion on a draft bench naming and donation policy at the committee’s May 8 meeting.

The draft would create a standardized application and approval process for memorial recognitions — including benches, trees and tables — and would move management of those requests from ad-hoc handling to the Parks and Recreation Department. Committee members said the policy mirrors other city policy formats with sections for purpose, definitions, process, fees and an appeal path.

Assistant Director Debbie Jean Nero and staff said the draft includes a time-limited recognition — typically a 10-year term after which a donor may renew — and a decommissioning process. The draft also would establish a fee schedule and an online application form modeled on other city permit forms.

Committee members asked staff to check several technical items in the draft, including a missing measurement that staff said was likely a 3-inch specification. The committee discussed making the policy flexible enough to allow several types of recognition objects while ensuring citywide consistency through a limited set of styles.

The committee indicated unanimous support to move the draft forward: members agreed the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee had reviewed and recommended the draft be presented to the Government Operations committee as the next step. Staff said they will prepare a formal application form and presentation for that committee.

Next steps: staff will refine the draft, prepare an application form and present the policy and recommendation to the Government Operations committee for review and potential action.","The Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee reviewed a draft bench naming and donation policy that establishes application procedures, fees, a 10-year recognition term and an appeal process; the committee recommended forwarding the draft to the city’s Government Operations committee for further consideration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562822,"Parks and Rec reports busy season planning: camps fill, lifeguard hiring continues, golf and arena maintenance noted",684,2146000,2830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237806-d817a465b1f7d78d052e44299889c595&start=2146&end=2830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237806-d817a465b1f7d78d052e44299889c595/thumbnail_2146000.jpg","/articles/6562822/Bangor-City/Penobscot-County/Maine/Parks-and-Rec-reports-busy-season-planning-camps-fill-lifeguard-hiring-continues-golf-and-arena-maintenance-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562822-4ad4c7dba4ba8677fac553e8d1ff5939/orig.mp4?Expires=1775174508&Signature=Q6R2ChAZZ3WCXcaXjgBElGFxDICWj-kqKpDOL6UinSMcaUEsTad7gyLwI7frXtfD70DrljZPqgemReN6Tfg1Xg9FUsg1y3fri5XPZnwC2sBWTcaVoyt7tgQ5i0CFtT~mZgyEk0MHUUij8~fv80pNnNo59po1jxwEIJZPqk0-U6f52b0HIXgLd7-Qu2P69TAaH~fI2jCAQtV85CqeSbZbaaozyfQakJi4NIIfR09SbCOb4vyNyWRS-SkDnmVoLl3uvAGbjvrvVtzqPKtzjIRjnjr~puBrfEVHoc8n2R7ky7IlluFGMISeCBrqeWKZ1c5DB9zL6OFMJOSw6UUVwRxkaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 8 Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee meeting, staff reported strong registration for summer programs and several operational updates.

Carrie Zouillet, director of Parks and Recreation, told the committee the city’s annual river race drew 734 racers and more than 350 craft, and that some camps and programs filled quickly after registration opened. A culinary camp offered in partnership with Eastern Maine Community College reached roughly three-quarters capacity within two hours of posting and later filled.

Zouillet and other staff said the department’s summer camps — including Teen Camp, Mega Camp and the Munchkin/Mini/Monster series — are largely full. Team Camp has limited openings; staff asked the committee for leads on short-term van rentals to support program travel.

Staff reported the adult softball league will run with 38 teams and that the golf course has high weekday usage, with the restaurant Birdie’s operating for a second season. Driving-range access remains constrained by wet conditions; staff said carts and range ball collection will follow improved turf conditions.

Pools and lifeguard staffing were a key topic. Staff said pools are not yet open; hiring is ongoing. They reported eight returning lifeguards and four newly hired candidates who still must pass certification. Staff estimated they need roughly a dozen more lifeguards and additional summer camp counselors. Certification is available through local providers and staff said the department reimburses certification fees for hires who pass and work for the city.

Staff also gave brief maintenance updates: Sawyer Arena and the Parks & Rec Center buildings are aging and require repairs — staff described a recent water-line break and a leaking boiler — and the department is pursuing replacement or repairs where needed.

Next steps: staff will continue hiring, finalize camp logistics and provide updates on facility repairs and driving-range availability.","Staff reported registrations are strong across summer camps and adult leagues, the city is hiring lifeguards and counselors for pools and camps, the golf course is busy, and the department is managing maintenance issues at aging facilities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City contract firm begins organizational assessment as Mansfield Stadium operations shift to city

Parks committee reviews draft bench naming and donation policy, recommends referral to Government Operations

Parks and Rec reports busy season planning: camps fill, lifeguard hiring continues, golf and arena maintenance noted