Blackstone Parks & Rec approves volunteer placement, awards compost order, clears league use and other spring items

The Town of Blackstone Parks and Recreation board on March 10 approved several spring-season items including a volunteer placement, a compost/loam purchase contract and a field permit for an adult men’s basketball league.

The actions are meant to ready town fields and programs for the upcoming season: the board voted to offer a volunteer role to a student needing hours, accepted a vendor quote for compost and loam, approved Swissville Hoops’ request to use Goulet Basketball Court on Sunday mornings beginning May 18, and authorized multiple administrative purchases and permit language the board said will be distributed to league organizers.

Why this matters: the votes set chores, supplies and day-to-day management for parks and recreation as summer programming approaches. The compost and loam purchase affects playground and walkway repairs; the league approval sets official hours and a permit process that will be used by multiple adult and youth groups; and the volunteer hire expands seasonal maintenance capacity.

The board voted to offer a volunteer position to Andrew Carter, a student whose teacher sought placement for required hours. The motion, made by Kim and seconded by Sarah, passed by voice vote. The board instructed staff to contact the teacher with logistics so the volunteer slot can begin.

The board considered three written vendor quotes for compost and loam delivery for raised beds and walkway repairs. Meeting materials and discussion identified the bids as (1) Blackstone Landscape Supply (delivery quote $774, out of stock for several weeks), (2) Malelele Construction and Landscaping (18-yard 60/40…