North Haven BOE planning facility use fee revisions

The Board of Education is in the process of revising its fees for groups that want to use a field or space inside one of the schools.

A subcommittee was expected to start looking at the structure during a Jan. 10 meeting.

During its Dec. 14 meeting, Randi Petersen, chairwoman of the subcommittee, also provided the board with possible updated forms users will have to fill out if they want to rent the fields.

“It’s just a draft, so it is a work in progress but it is definitely on its way,” she said, during the meeting.

Petersen told the board during its November meeting that the subcommittee is trying to strike a balance between keeping fees fair for users, including recreational sports leagues, while also bringing in revenue to maintain fields and facilities.

She noted the installation of fencing and bleachers at a turf field at the high school will make it easier for groups to attract audiences and charge admissions.

She also told the board at the November meeting that the fee structure would likely be tiered, charging North Haven groups less than out-oftown users.

The draft documents provided to the board on Dec. 14 requires users to provide proof of insurance, give some details about the event and indicate that they’ve received approval from the North Haven Police and Fire departments. to Petersen said the subcommittee is leaving it to the two departments to decide if users need to hire police officers, medical personnel or other employees for safety reasons.

Other board members did not comment on the document during the meeting, but Chairman Ronald Bathrick encouraged them to provide any questions or feedback ahead of the Jan. 10 subcommittee meeting.