The meeting opened with a presentation by Kevin B from Middleboro Gas and Electric, who discussed the installation of eight Level 2 EV chargers across two town locations: the Town Hall and a designated public lot. These chargers are part of a utility maker program, with the utility company responsible for maintenance and repairs for the first three years. During this time, usage data will also be reported to the state. Kevin B addressed concerns about charger availability during election times, ensuring that they would remain operational for at least 12 hours daily, with possible temporary shutdowns during special events. He explained that the chargers are required to be public and accessible 24/7 to comply with grant stipulations.

Discussion emerged over the proposed location of the chargers, with suggestions to relocate them to the better-lit and more secure police station area. However, Kevin B cautioned that any change in location would necessitate reapplying for the grant, potentially delaying the project. Furthermore, the chargers must comply with accessibility requirements, dedicating at least 5% of the charging ports to individuals with disabilities.

As the meeting progressed, attention turned to the park’s financial sustainability. Concerns were raised about the reliance of the park’s Enterprise fund on subsidies from the general fund. The discussion clarified that an Enterprise fund, under Massachusetts General Law, should ideally operate independently, funded primarily through user fees. The financial model currently in place sparked debate, with members questioning its sustainability and effectiveness.

The idea of transitioning the park’s budget from an Enterprise fund to being part of the general fund was also explored. The implications of such a move were thoroughly examined, with comparisons drawn to other towns like Middleboro, which utilize revolving and donor funds instead. The potential for establishing a donor fund for Lakeville parks was discussed, considering the feasibility of soliciting donations as a town entity or through a nonprofit “friends group.” Questions of legality and practicality were raised in relation to establishing accounts for donations, with specific concerns about the solicitation of donations for projects like walkways.

Further complicating the financial discussions was the debate over payroll responsibilities for a DPW employee dedicated to park work. Suggestions were made to reclassify this employee as a park employee to better align financial responsibilities and streamline budgeting. This highlighted broader issues of indirect costs and departmental budget allocations, emphasizing the need for a clear understanding of financial operations, especially if the parks department were to de-enterprise.

The commission also tackled the intricacies of park maintenance and associated staffing costs. A proposal to budget for an on-call maintenance person at an estimated $60,000 annually was brought to the table. This sparked a broader dialogue about the financial strain on the park’s budget and the need for strategic financial planning.

In addition to financial concerns, the commission reviewed and approved minor corrections to previous meeting minutes and deliberated on a new league fee schedule for 2025. A proposal to increase participation fees by a dollar was met with opposition, prompting a compromise to raise the fee to $25 per player. The commission recognized the need to communicate these changes transparently to the community.

The meeting also addressed the application process for field use, notably discussing a flag football camp proposed by Eric Stanley. The commission emphasized the importance of completing necessary documentation, including insurance and application fees, to ensure compliance with event approval requirements. The proposal to use cones instead of permanent paint for field lining was favored to prevent confusion and mess.

In a notable development, an email from Amy Stanley highlighted concerns over equitable access to field use, sparking a discussion on resource allocation and perceived favoritism. The commission encouraged the field hockey program to apply for space promptly, recognizing past shortcomings in fulfilling requests.

As the meeting drew to a close, the commission addressed an update on security cameras, which faced communication challenges with the vendor. Additionally, the resignation of a member effective April 5th was announced, prompting discussions about the process for filling upcoming vacancies. The future use of the old fire station for office space was also considered, contingent on new station plans and the potential for renovations.