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Parks & Recreation asks council to involve commission earlier when town land is considered for sale
Summary
The Parks & Recreation Commission told the council it wants timely notice and the ability to assess town parcels for open‑space or recreation uses before land is offered for sale; councilors acknowledged the request and said current reuse processes can incorporate the commission's input through department channels.
Mike DeFranco, chair of the Parks & Recreation Commission, told the Groton Town Council on July 20 that the commission wants earlier notification when town land is being considered for redevelopment or sale so it can provide recommendations on open‑space and recreation uses.
DeFranco said the commission reviewed master‑plan studies and community feedback and can offer rapid community outreach and use recommendations to inform reuse decisions. Elizabeth Hogan (commission member) described specific small parcels—such as a narrow lot near recent townhome development—that the commission had reviewed and for which it had recommended against park use because of size and isolation.
Mark Berry, director of Parks & Recreation, said the department already reviews property reuse lists and can solicit the commission's input; councilors discussed how that input would fit with the town’s existing property reuse process and RFP procedures. Several councilors supported giving Parks & Rec an advisory role without delaying land sales, and Mayor Parker advised the commission to coordinate through Director Berry and the existing reuse committee.
DeFranco said the commission could prepare a prioritized review of town‑owned parcels if the council wants that work done. The council thanked the commission for the presentation and indicated the town’s property reuse process could be adapted to solicit Parks & Rec recommendations earlier in the review flow.
