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Town of Union approves multiple park permits, denies Moss House commercial use request
Summary
The board approved pavilion use for a Girl Scout bridging ceremony, road closures for July 4 events and a shelter rental for the West Corners Fire Auxiliary, but denied multiple Moss House Educational Forest School park-use requests after legal counsel said the program would be a commercial use of town property.
The Town of Union Board on May 21 approved several park and event requests for summer activities and declined a permit series requested by the Moss House Educational Forest School.
Motions moved by Councilman Thomas R. Augostini and seconded by Councilman Frank J. Bertoni carried to approve Meaghan Pariseau’s request to use Pavilion 7 at Highland Park for Girl Scout Troop 30019’s Bridging Ceremony on June 19 from 5–8 p.m. (fees to be waived and logistics referred to Public Works Recreation). The board similarly approved a request from Visions Federal Credit Union to hold the annual “4th on the 4th” road race on July 4, 2025, with road closures from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and approved a requested street closure for a neighborhood Whiffle Ball tournament and block party on July 4; operational details for road closures and public-safety coordination were referred to the Commissioner of Public Works and the Highway Superintendent.
The board approved a request from the West Corners Fire Auxiliary to use Shelter 2 at Glendale Park for a picnic on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., with rental fees waived.
The board denied a request from Jamie Walerko on behalf of Moss House Educational Forest School for multiple uses of Highland Park and related requests (dates requested included June 25–27, June 30–July 3, July 14–18, August 4–8, August 11–15 and August 18–22, and recurring Thursday sessions). Deputy Town Attorney Mark Spinner explained the denial as a legal concern about operating a commercial business in the park and the legality of donating town property to a commercial enterprise. As Spinner put it: "it appears that you are operating a commercial business in the park. It is against the constitution of New York State where we would be donating town property to a commercial business without compensation." When co-owner Maggie Hopersburger asked whether paying rent would change the decision, Spinner said renting a shelter for the entire duration would still be treated as commercial use.
Robert Weinberger also asked for clarification about Music in the Glen Shelter 1 dates, raising questions about food trucks and event banners; Supervisor Robert Mack directed Weinberger to coordinate event dates with the Deputy Commissioner of Public Works — Recreation and vendor matters with the Town Clerk’s office, and said banners may be hung the day of an event.
Next steps: park event approvals were referred to Public Works and Highway staff for operational details; the Moss House co-owner may pursue alternate arrangements but the board cited constitutional and municipal property concerns as the basis for denial.
