Board approves MOU clearing way for Boys & Girls Club to pursue Rec Park site

The Highlands Town Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 16, 2025, to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau (BGCP) to locate a facility on the town’s Rec Park property, the site formerly occupied by the Houston House. The board approved an amendment to the MOU language to clarify that the program is intended for youth who reside in or have parents/guardians who work in the "Highlands area of Macon County."

Account Manager Josh Ward told the board a committee convened to draft the MOU and that the town attorney reviewed the document. The committee recommended approval so the BGCP could review the town’s draft, present it to their board, and begin fundraising and final lease negotiations. Josh said the club requested that programming include public-access hours; the draft was adjusted to reflect that and will go to the BGCP board for formal review.

Commissioners debated a phrasing point about eligibility language on the MOU’s Section 2(a), which read originally "Highlands, Macon County." Concerned that phrase could be interpreted as limited to town limits only, the board discussed alternatives such as "Highlands area of Macon County," "Highlands township," or the Plateau. After clarifying that the intent was to serve residents of the Highlands Plateau area and essential workers whose guardians work in Highlands, the board approved the motion with the revised wording.

A commissioner noted that some resident concerns raised about operations and terms were not included in the MOU; those issues will be addressed in a later formal lease. The MOU approval authorizes the town to send the document to BGCP and continue with community and partner review and fundraising. The motion passed by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.