One item at the meeting was the announcement that the women’s soccer team from Ammeris College would coach local children, providing a more structured soccer experience. This collaboration was facilitated by a connection from the local college, and the committee expressed excitement about the potential benefits for the community. The coaches were expected to arrive on Sunday, with plans to send a town announcement to encourage participation. The soccer program had seen varying attendance, with around 20 children participating in the first week. The involvement of college athletes is expected to boost interest and attendance.

Jessica Carlson Baler, who works at the local school and leads the “Moose on the Move” program, was introduced as the newest member of the committee. Her experience in promoting physical activity among children and her enthusiasm for fostering community collaboration were warmly received by the committee. Jessica’s connections with various age groups in the community were seen as valuable, as she proposed new activities such as basketball and historical walks for seniors. Her background in community engagement is expected to add a fresh perspective to the committee’s efforts.

During budget discussions, it was clarified that the committee has an annual budget of $3,000, with a portion allocated to support library fitness classes. The soccer program is volunteer-driven, with equipment provided by the committee, and community members occasionally stepping in to help manage soccer sessions. Jessica suggested involving local high school students needing volunteer hours to assist with events, which could further strengthen community ties.

The committee also voted to sponsor the upcoming townwide birthday party on October 5th, approving a $100 contribution. This decision was made swiftly. Additionally, plans were made for a night sky viewing event, led by an amateur astronomer named Tom. To simplify planning, the committee decided to set a single night for the event, with Barbara tasked with notifying previous attendees.

The meeting also covered potential future activities, including a geology walk led by Al Warner in the spring, a partnership with the local library for birding education, and the resumption of knitting groups as stitching groups at the town hall. The committee showed interest in organizing hiking meetups, aimed at encouraging community members to explore local trails, and discussed purchasing snowshoes for community use, particularly for storage at the new library. A budget draft for this initiative was considered, with the possibility of purchasing several sets of snowshoes.

An anecdote about a bear encounter during a hike sparked interest in local hiking areas, particularly the South Conservation Area and trails like New Boston Road and Pine Brook. The committee acknowledged the potential for monthly hikes and the importance of flexible scheduling to accommodate various participants. The idea was to encourage those hesitant to explore alone to join group hikes, fostering community engagement through shared outdoor activities.

The committee briefly discussed potential changes to the town meeting bylaw, proposing to shift the annual town meeting from April to May and establishing a predictable fall town meeting date. Members noted that the current scheduling in April might conflict with other community events, and the proposed changes were seen as a way to improve participation.