Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes

September 8, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.

Attending: Pete Cahn, Tom Giroux, Carrie Harlow, Jen McCuin, Frank Twarog, Mike Bissonette, Katie Bissonette and Al Barber.

Al Barber – Fire Chief 

July 4^th is biggest fundraiser for Fire Dept.  Attendance was low this year. Fire Dept. brainstormed about how to increase numbers, keeping people in town after parade.

Would be willing to host a Flea Market/Farmer’s Market from 2-6 pm.

Recommend recruiting members to create July 4^th Committee to increase activities and interest.

Ideas for activities: Kids Quidditch Match, softball game between local businesses, advertising in Record, Hometown News of BFP, Front Porch Forum to facilitate more interest in July 4^th, a contest to choose July 4^th theme would involve people or tap into a new Disney movie, like Toy Story to increase interest, Bounce Castle, Wet N Wild slide, a band at HCS Gazebo from 1-4 pm. Fireworks Fund may eventually be part of the Recreation budget.

Recreation Discussion

Fields continue to be a priority, but a community pool is a popular wish.

Frank discusses a pool exploratory consulting fee to include in 2010-2011 budget.   

Waterbury pool is successful and serves children/adult recreation in summer.

Location for community pool in landlocked parcel behind Middlebury Bank? Frank give overview of previous Recreation budgets with no significant increases in hopes for approval of the large recreation project – a significant recreation parcel with fields and space. Mike wonders if Rec. Commission has asked for too little. He reports of other projects and money that is allocated, such as trees and conserved land. Are we doing enough to serve our youth? Mike is familiar with beginning a project such as acquiring field space and recreation fields and asks for budget timeline.

The Recreation budget is due to the Town Administrator by 10/5 and due to Select Board by 10/12.

Next Meeting is October 13 at 6:00 pm.