One notable issue centered on the potential increase in registration fees for youth sports programs due to escalating maintenance costs for recreational fields. The commission acknowledged that the current fee structure, unchanged for several years, was insufficient to cover maintenance expenses. Concerns were raised about the risk of facing a significant fee hike in the future if incremental increases are not implemented soon. One member highlighted the challenge, stating that even a modest increase of $5 could help mitigate the financial strain, though it wouldn’t fully cover costs.

The commission discussed data-gathering efforts to inform these decisions, emphasizing the importance of obtaining accurate registration numbers to determine appropriate fee adjustments. However, incomplete data from user groups hindered this process. There was a consensus on the importance of informing families about any fee changes before registration begins, with a caution against arbitrary fee increases.

Further complicating the fee discussion was the management of field usage, with unauthorized fall usage of fields highlighted as an issue. This sparked a broader conversation on effective communication and oversight, given the limited hours of the recreation director. A proposal emerged to conduct a workshop in February to address these management concerns comprehensively.

The meeting also saw plans for a community event involving road closures to accommodate vendors and attractions like a petting zoo and food trucks. The proposed event date is May 10, coinciding with Mother’s Day weekend. The commission explored logistics, including parking arrangements at local schools and the possibility of a hayride service to transport attendees. Liability considerations for activities such as bouncy houses and dunk tanks were discussed, with the need for volunteers and proper screening acknowledged.

Part of the event planning involved potential collaborations with local organizations, such as the Lunenburg Business Association and the 300th Anniversary Committee, to enhance community involvement. The commission expressed openness to allowing community entities to set up informational tables without incurring fees, provided they do not sell products.

The commission also approved the installation of a Little Free Library at Wallace Park, following a request from a community member. The library, funded personally by the requester, aims to promote reading and enhance the park experience. The commission discussed potential locations for the library to prevent vandalism, with the decision made to proceed with installation coordination shortly.

In addition to these discussions, the commission addressed ongoing project coordination with the design team and Owner’s Project Manager (OPM), emphasizing the execution of plans despite funding challenges. The commission secured $2,250 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the design phase of the Marshall Park project, excluding a wetland area. The commission also discussed grant opportunities, with a push to reapply for previously sought grants and explore new funding avenues through the Green Communities program.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the need for a full-time grant writer to bolster funding efforts. Comparisons were drawn with other towns and school districts that have dedicated grant writers, highlighting the potential return on investment for Lunenburg. Additionally, the resignation of a member from the Master Planning Committee was noted, citing issues with meeting attendance and logistics.