Beacon Falls Parks & Recreation nominates Peter Monti as vice chair, reviews summer events and maintenance

The Beacon Falls Parks & Recreation Commission on May 18, 2026, nominated member Peter Monti as vice chair and reviewed routine maintenance and summer-event planning at a meeting that opened at 7:03 p.m.

Caitlin Battis moved to approve the April 20, 2026 minutes; the minutes record Laura DeGeorge as seconding the motion and show the vote as "All ayes." Later in the meeting Battis and Morgan Betti jointly nominated Peter Monti for vice chair; the minutes record the nomination as carrying with "All ayes." The minutes are signed by Nicole Pastor, clerk to the commission.

The commission noted several maintenance items. Victor Santos said the light at Riverbend Park remains out. Commissioners discussed aging bridges over wetlands and Peter Monti suggested the Boy Scouts might be able to do repair work as a service project. An AED cabinet for Pent Road has arrived and awaits mounting; a water bottle filler for Pent Road has been ordered and is pending delivery. Commissioners also said they will cover the "Residents Only" text on a Matthies Park sign temporarily while permanent signage is updated; Morgan Betti is working on new signs across the parks.

Commissioners discussed the community garden, which still lacks water pending Aquarion's work; a resident made new wooden numbered signs for garden plots. Summer camp applications are coming in and staff are ordering supplies. For concerts, Caitlin Battis said two dates remain open and a family/kids concert is scheduled for June 17; she reported eight bands have signed on in addition to the kids concert and planned to send performers contracts and fee notices the next day.

Event wrap-up and planning items included a fishing rodeo that "went well," a Family Movie Night that needs volunteers, and a family day/fireworks event for which Victor Santos said he secured a bus and a band. For the Halloween hayride commissioners discussed needing water, possible wooden stairs, and adding a speaker.

Under new business commissioners agreed to request recycle/dumpster bins for parks after Victor Santos noted access issues when parks are closed. On capital planning, Matthies parking lot paving and a guardrail are planned (listed for 2027 in the capital plan); Santos said paving is planned to finish this year though no date was set, and Peter Monti offered to speak with the town engineer about the upper pavilion and bathrooms.

There were no updates on YMCA matters, the FY27 budget, DEEP Recreation Trails Grant work, or other listed grant planning. The commission recorded a motion to adjourn at 8:38 p.m., which the minutes list as carrying with "All ayes." The meeting minutes are dated May 18, 2026, and signed by Nicole Pastor, clerk.