Charlestown parks commission debates event fees, moves to require typed applications and delays skimboarding permit

Charlestown Parks & Recreation Commission members on an unspecified date discussed changes to event application procedures and fees for large festivals, approved an event application, and postponed consideration of a skimboarding competition to the next meeting.

Commissioners devoted much of the meeting to how the town charges for large events and how applications are submitted. Members said large-event applicants should be required to submit typed, signed and dated forms; commissioners also discussed creating a modest administrative application fee to cover staff review. The commission approved one event application (applicant and event not specified in the submitted record) and voted to continue the skimboarding (skimboard/"skim road") event application to the commission’s next meeting.

Why this matters: Charlestown’s major festivals and privately organized events use park infrastructure and town staff time. Commissioners framed the debate around fairness, administrative burden and precedent for longstanding events such as the Seafood Festival and Rhythm & Roots.

On application format and access, commissioners said requiring typed forms for large events would reduce staff time spent deciphering handwritten submissions and would be a simple early step while the town explores electronic, fillable forms or a kiosk. Commissioners discussed practicality for applicants who come to the counter without digital access and suggested the rule apply to large events while allowing help to complete forms in person.

Commissioners debated a two-tier approach to fees: an administrative or application fee for all events (a suggested amount mentioned in discussion was $500 as an example) and higher, formula-based fees for large, revenue-generating festivals. Commissioners noted that the town council has final say on fee levels; speakers referenced past council action that adjusted long-standing fees for the Seafood Festival and said Rhythm & Roots had been charged $15,000 for a recent year.

The commission discussed how to handle long festival setups and equipment staging that extend occupancy of park grounds. Options discussed included charging for additional days or applying a penalty if events set up early or vacate late.

On actions recorded in the meeting: the commission approved an event application (motion made and seconded; voice vote approved) while noting the application included a request to use a pavilion that does not have on-site electricity. The commission also made and seconded a motion to postpone consideration of the skimboarding event application to the next meeting for clarification of logistics, location and the applicant’s preferred beach site.

Commissioners and staff said they would continue work on a formal fee proposal and recommended routing complex fee or infrastructure proposals to council for final decisions.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to return the skimboarding application with additional clarifications at the next meeting and to advance a short-term requirement that large-event applications be typed, signed and dated while exploring online submission tools and other process improvements.