Council reviews request for 28-hour recreation coordinator as participation climbs

Nikki, South Berwick—s recreation director, asked the Town Council at a budget workshop to add a 28-hour program coordinator to help plan, advertise and run growing recreation programs and to provide building coverage at the community center.

Nikki told the council the department has seen notable growth in registrations and attendance: the annual egg hunt grew from about 75 to 130 participants, soccer registrations have increased, and Powder House Hill sold nearly 2,100 lift tickets on a recent season day. She said the department currently operates with a small staff (one full-time director, a 24-hour employee and an 18- to 20-hour employee plus part-time seasonal staff) and that a new 28-hour position would let staff maintain existing programs, expand some adult offerings and add Friday morning building hours for seniors.

Town Manager Tim and several councilors said Nikki has been highly active across events and expressed concern that her workload is unsustainable. Supporters called the recreation department a community pillar that helps keep youth engaged and supports volunteer-run youth sports organizations. Opponents and cautious councilors asked about fiscal timing given broader budget pressures and whether this is the year to expand staffing.

Councilors discussed trade-offs and long-term staffing plans. Nikki and the town manager described a staged plan: additional part-time help first, then more hours, and eventually moving one or two roles to full time if growth continues. Nikki said she has identified collaborations with local schools and Berwick Academy that the department has not been able to pursue because of limited capacity.

No formal vote took place at the workshop. Councilors asked staff to include the 28-hour position in budget scenarios with supporting job descriptions and to track participation and revenue to reassess the need in future budgets.