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Brentwood residents, recreation commission urge full‑time rec director; select board to await job description
Summary
The Select Board heard public comment and the recreation commission's recommendation that the town retain a full‑time recreation director with benefits, and agreed to delay hiring until a job description and rec commission meeting (Oct. 15) provide clearer guidance.
Brentwood residents and Recreation Commission members urged the Select Board to keep the recreation director as a full‑time, benefited town position, arguing the role supports youth and senior programming and helps integrate new families into the community.
Julie (rec commission chair) told the board the commission and many residents favor a full‑time director. She said the position historically was full time and that town meeting previously approved a full‑time director and, more recently, a part‑time program coordinator. The commission and speakers said recreation programs have grown and serve families who cannot always afford private leagues, and that reducing the director to part‑time would harm program continuity and public access.
Board next steps Select Board members said they want a job description and further discussion with the rec commission before making a hiring decision. The board agreed to defer a final decision until the rec commission meeting scheduled for Oct. 15 and to revisit the matter at the next Select Board meeting (Oct. 21). Board members said they intend to run a diligent interview process once the job description is complete.
Public comments and context Residents and commission members noted the rec department also provides services for older residents and that the town’s demographics include a growing number of families as well as many residents over 55. Several speakers said the position should include benefits consistent with a full‑time municipal role, and urged the Select Board to honor prior town meeting votes that established earlier staffing levels.
Operational details Jason, the town’s part‑time program director, remains in the coordinator role. Commission members said they will prepare a draft job description and present a staffing plan, and the Select Board assigned board members to draft and word‑smith the job description to be used in recruitment. Board members also discussed the possibility of hiring a full‑time director or a combination of part‑time positions depending on candidate availability and the applicant pool.
