St. John Parks & Recreation board approves vendor contracts, sets community center opening

The Town of St. John Parks & Recreation Board on Aug. 19 approved a slate of vendor contracts and purchases related to programming and the new community center, and set a grand-opening time for the facility. The board voted unanimously on each item called in roll call.

Board members approved independent contractor agreements for adult classes, entertainment and a range of equipment and maintenance contracts. The board accepted a contract with Adrian Elkins to teach an introductory creative writing class and approved Christine and Dixie Grigson to provide Taibo classes. It also approved a $2,450 contract for the group Felix and Fingers to perform at the upcoming community SIPs event.

Why it matters: The approvals finalize vendors and purchases needed for the community center to open and host town events this fall and winter. Several votes allocate funds from this year’s trail/repair and events budgets and commit multi-year services (fire alarm monitoring), so the decisions affect operating costs and event revenue for the remainder of the year.

Among the notable approvals, the board authorized a one-year liquor sales agreement with Progressive Dining Group to handle alcohol service at town-sponsored events through December. Under that arrangement, “we’ll be getting back 20%, after, obviously, cost to them,” the presiding official said during discussion. Board members confirmed that any private rentals that want alcohol would need separate agreements with the vendor, and the board agreed to review the arrangement at year-end.

On facilities and equipment, the board approved a five-year fire alarm monitoring and installation agreement for the community center; staff reported the annual monitoring fee at $780 and the initial month’s charge (including installation and equipment) as indicated in the staff presentation. The board also approved purchases that include a bottle cooler and ice maker from Big 3 Restaurant Equipment for $7,344, permanent holiday lighting around the community center from Ray’s Holiday Lights and Urban Lion Services for $23,580 (with a limited warranty), and 53 seven-foot car stops from Holland Asphalt for $5,300 to equip the community center parking area.

Maintenance and grounds work approved include a $12,500 contract with Sutton Asphalt LLC to repair a pathway at Hartland Park, $9,870 for Lake Hills asphalt maintenance from CAM Seal Coating, and $4,250 for topsoil, seed and mat from Plum Valley Landscaping to restore turf along a new internet line trench at Gates Park. The board also approved windscreens for the pickleball courts from Beacon Athletics for $4,520.68 and a monthly dumpster service from Republic Services for $55.56 (plus a one-time delivery fee of $47.95).

Sam, a town staff member, announced community events tied to the rollout of the center: “This Thursday at 5PM, it'll be our community center grand opening,” he said, and outlined planned activities including a picnic, vendors, music and a car show. The Saint John volunteer fire department will handle concessions at some events.

The board approved an accounts payable voucher dated Aug. 9, 2025, representing payroll, supplies, services and equipment for the Parks & Recreation Board and the Town of St. John totaling $544,778.05. No members of the public signed up for comment, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll-call vote.

Next steps: The board said it will review the liquor-sales pilot at the end of the year and will monitor initial performance of the contracted services and equipment as the community center comes online.