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South Berwick awards recreation grants from Elizabeth Harmon Fund, approves skating rink upgrade
Summary
Council voted to exceed the typical 70% distribution from the Elizabeth Harmon Fund and approved grants for youth safety equipment, a scoreboard, and a new permanent skating rink system among other projects.
South Berwick — The Town Council agreed to exceed the customary 70% annual distribution from the Elizabeth Harmon Fund and approved several recreation-related awards for 2025, including $22,500 toward an upgraded skating rink.
Town staff reported the fund’s earnings for the last calendar year were $8,634; the standard distributable amount (70%) is $6,044. The council noted a total fund balance near $390,000 and a requirement in the fund terms to keep at least $100,000 principal; after discussion the council unanimously voted to allow a larger-than-typical distribution for 2025.
Awards the council approved included:
- $1,836.99 to Marshall Youth Softball (AED for games and practices) — approved 4–0. - $10,000 to Marshall (Marshalls) softball (partial contribution toward concession stand repairs) — approved 3–0 with one abstention; an initial motion to award $17,000 failed after an abstention left the motion without the required affirmative votes. - $10,000 to Marshall (scoreboard) — approved 3–0 (one council member absent for that vote). - $360 to South Park Recreation (replacement fuel tank) — approved 4–0. - $22,500 to South River Recreation Department for a permanent rink upgrade (drains, permanent curb and resurfacing approach intended to reduce liner purchases and make seasonal operation easier) — approved 4–0.
Two other requests failed or did not pass: a $1,500 request for community center chairs and a $4,800 request for Adirondack chairs to place downtown (both votes failed by council majority).
Why it matters: The Elizabeth Harmon Fund was established to support recreational activities with an emphasis on winter recreation. The council’s decision to spend more than the usual distributable amount for 2025 reflects both one-time project needs and the town’s current fund balance.
What’s next: Approved awards will be processed by the town staff; the skating-rink project will proceed with site work and a plan to install drains and permanent curbing so the rink can be flooded and left to freeze when weather permits. The council noted some awards are partial contributions and that grantees must comply with town policies and any follow-up reporting requirements.
