Council adopts two ordinance amendments: beautification committee expanded to nine members; Park & Rec adds high-school athletic director seat

The Town Council held consecutive public hearings and then unanimously adopted two ordinance amendments on May 13 affecting volunteer bodies that oversee town parks and beautification efforts.

Beautification Committee change: The council adopted an amendment to Section 2-86 of the town code to change the committee’s composition. Miss Allard, presenting the Ordinance Review Committee’s recommendation, said the amendment replaces the prior structure of “eight members plus one from the Park and Rec department” with nine full members so that the Park and Recreation department would no longer be required to hold a designated seat. The council adopted the change by resolution.

Parks and Recreation membership change: The council also adopted amendments to Section 2-66 (Parks and Recreation ordinance). Miss Allard explained the change adds a standing seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission for the Cheshire High School athletic director, or a designee of that director, ensuring there will always be direct athletic-department representation on the commission.

Why it matters: Both changes affect committee composition and the mechanisms by which stakeholders and department representatives participate in municipal advisory work. The beautification amendment broadens the pool of citizen appointees; the parks amendment formalizes the high-school athletic director’s role in recreation decisions.

Actions taken: Both ordinance amendments were adopted by unanimous vote. The council said the beautification committee would soon have an additional appointment and that the Parks & Recreation Commission’s revised membership will be reflected in future appointments.

Ending: Councilmembers thanked the Ordinance Review Committee and volunteers for the work leading to the amendments; the clerk was directed to publish the adopted ordinance language.