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Recreation director reports winter maintenance, program growth and field work plans
Summary
At a January meeting, the recreation director reported routine winter park maintenance, trail clearing after storms, expanding youth and adult programs thanks to new gym space, and ongoing planning for school-field improvements; the commission approved minutes and asked staff for follow-up on playground fencing and a state grant decision expected in April.
The recreation director told the committee that park conditions are “consistent with what we would expect for this time of the year,” describing routine winter plowing, spot repairs and recent work clearing trees and wet leaves from the jogging trail and the Handy Pond Trail to remove safety hazards. The director said crews are prioritizing small repairs — from picnic tables to damaged posts and rails at several parks — as weather permits.
The director said the department has reopened gym access at area schools, which has relieved space constraints for youth leagues. “We have more than enough space,” he said, noting the department is running separate boys’ and girls’ basketball leagues for grades 2–3 and 4–5, estimating about 13 to 14 teams and one weekly practice slot per team. He added that a pre-K instructional program began that weekend and a women’s program and middle-school and men’s leagues will start in coming weeks.
On facilities, the director reported ongoing conversations about turf and infield work for middle-school and high-school fields. He said sports-turf vendors have been consulted and one outside quote to bring in a contractor and perform laser grading on infields was “talking about $22,000.” He said the town is weighing whether to contract out the work or obtain equipment and material to do more in-house maintenance.
Members raised questions about landscaping around recent gym projects and playground planning at Sales Hill, including whether a wooden guardrail would separate a future playground from a parking area and whether a fence would be added along a drainage ditch below the lot. The director said playground plans are still being developed and he will follow up with the school and report at the next meeting.
The department also announced event planning: the town has an approved DOT parade permit and the summer concert schedule was finalized with a fifth concert added on Aug. 22; other dates mentioned included Aug. 1 and Sept. 5. Director noted programming depends in part on vendor and food-truck availability for additional events.
Committee members praised routine maintenance but flagged recurring issues. Bill Gojo said roadside trash barrels sometimes fill rapidly and might be receiving illegal dumping, but added, “Everything’s well maintained, and it looks pretty good to me.” Another member noted lingering graffiti at a pond-side shed and areas where pavilion shingles and bleacher paint will need spring attention.
Procedural business: the committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting by voice vote and later moved to adjourn after hearing no public comment. The director listed several follow-ups for the next meeting, including a report-back on a state recreation grant decision expected in April and clarification from the school about the drainage-fence question.
The committee did not take formal action on field-turf purchase or contracting at this meeting; members instructed staff to gather cost options and vendor input before any procurement or budget recommendation.
