Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Field Rental Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brentwood recreation commission holds rates at $25 an hour while planning tiered system
Summary
The Brentwood Recreation Commission reviewed field maintenance costs and comparative rates from neighboring towns, heard that current rental income may not cover maintenance, and agreed to keep the $25/hour flat rate for the coming season while developing a tiered charging system for later.
Speaker 6, presenting maintenance and comparative data, told the Recreation Commission that Brentwood’s field maintenance costs for the last three years are tracked in a detailed breakdown and that the commission currently charges a flat rate of $25 per hour for field rentals. "So we're set at $25 an hour right now," Speaker 6 said while explaining the comparators from nearby towns and noting turf fields should carry higher fees.
Commission members compared Brentwood’s practice with an Exeter-style tiered model that classifies users (town programs, nonprofits, fundraising groups, and for-profits) and uses qualification criteria to determine fees. Speaker 6 described Exeter’s “tiered usage” approach and recommended a deeper review of their qualifying criteria and application process before adopting anything similar.
Members debated whether to measure charges by size of field space or by the number of distinct field spaces used. Speaker 4 proposed a simple interim rule: multiply the hourly rate by the number of field spaces an organization uses ("So not necessarily the total space, but the number of field spaces," Speaker 4 said), to keep billing straightforward for the upcoming season.
Discussion also focused on discounts and nonresident rates. Some commissioners said organizations that contribute labor or upkeep could reasonably receive reduced rates; others cautioned that discounts should be clearly defined. Speaker 1 noted that field-related expenses can be substantial, citing recent line items and maintenance contracts: "I also spent $12,000 on Lawn Doctors" for treatments, and that total field maintenance costs may exceed what the rental income covers.
The commission reviewed last year’s gross rentals from major field users (about $13,700 from large-field renters) and compared that with cited maintenance costs and town subsidies. Members emphasized that local budget subsidies vary by town, so direct comparisons are imperfect. Speaker 8 urged a cautious approach: keep the current schedule for now and use the next year to develop a tiered, objective policy.
Outcome: After discussion, members agreed to retain the existing $25/hour flat rate for the upcoming season while staff and commissioners continue research and draft a tiered system and clearer field-space definitions for future adoption. The commission did not adopt new rates or discounts at this meeting; the decision instead was to prepare a more detailed policy for later consideration.
