Recreation Commission to recruit new member after one member moves to Select Board; Phil Griffiths nominated to land-use subcommittee

Commissioners discussed an upcoming vacancy after a recreation commission member will move to the Select Board in June. The commission agreed to publicize the vacancy and recruit candidates, emphasizing outreach to families with children who use town recreation programs.

Commissioners talked through recruitment channels: an announcement to local media (the Concord Bridge), email blasts, social media, outreach to youth-sports volunteer groups, and directing applicants to the town volunteer-card process at the Town Manager's office. The commission proposed a timetable: publish notices in late April/early May, solicit interest for about two weeks, and ask applicants to indicate interest by mid-May so the commission can forward names to the Town Manager's office for appointment.

At the meeting a commissioner nominated Phil Griffiths to serve on the Select Board's land-use study subcommittee; the nomination was seconded during discussion. Phil said he was willing to serve on the subcommittee but said he would step down as Recreation Commission chair if he accepted the position because of time constraints. Commissioners discussed rotation of the chair role and the commission size; staff said the administrative code currently sets the commission size at five members appointed by the town manager, and changes to that number would require select board action or a charter/administrative-code change.

Commissioners agreed to keep recruiting for the one vacancy and to consider expanding the commission later if suitable candidates were found. Staff committed to drafting an announcement and coordinating the outreach schedule.