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Wayne select board to meet jointly with Lab Recreation Center board to refine governance ordinance
Summary
After weeks of drafting, the select board voted to invite the Lab Recreation Center board to a joint workshop to clarify whether the center will operate as a town department or under an operating agreement and to resolve budget, staffing and liability questions.
The Town of Wayne Select Board voted on Feb. 17 to schedule a joint work session with the Lab Recreation Center (LRC) board to develop clearer ordinance language governing the center's programs and operations.
Board members debated whether the proposed ordinance should place the LRC programs under town department status or define a separate operating arrangement. Concerns raised included budget timing (members suggested moving a proposed budget submission deadline from April 1 to March 1), which entity hires and supervises staff, and potential town liability if the town paid staff and exercised ultimate control. Several board members and the town manager said certain questions require input from LRC representatives and recommended a public joint workshop followed by smaller subcommittees to resolve details.
Eric, identified in the meeting as the LRC board chairman, told the select board the LRC board is prepared to meet in a joint session: "If you do approve this motion and go forward, yes, the lab center board is interested in meeting in the joint session," he said.
The board passed the motion to contact the LRC board and schedule the workshop. The select board directed town staff to arrange the meeting at a convenient evening time (the board suggested 06:30) and indicated the workshop would be a public meeting; subsequent subcommittees could be formed to work out details.
Why it matters: The ordinance will determine who oversees programming, how staff are paid and supervised, where program revenues are recorded in the town budget, and how liability is allocated between the town and the LRC board. The board said it hopes the joint session will produce language concise enough to send for legal review and, if appropriate, include warrant language for the next town meeting.
Next steps: Town staff will contact LRC representatives to schedule the joint workshop and prepare a list of specific questions for legal review and for the meeting, including ownership and responsibility for grounds versus programming.
