The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Town creates recreation complex advisory board
PORTLAND>> The town is seeking applicants for a steering committee that officials hope will build support for the Route 17 Recreational Complex.
The Board of Selectmen voted last week to establish the committee. Officials intend to place a referendum question involving the recreation complex on the November 2016 ballot.
A plan for the complex calls for a wide range of uses — from passive bird watching to more active pursuits, including hiking trails, a splash pad and several fields located on nearly 30 acres of town-owned land.
The steering committee that was formally established last week has a three-part charge, according to the resolution adopted by the selectmen.
First is education. The committee will be asked to “continue the efforts to reach out to citizens to educate them on the purpose, design and benefits of the complex,” according to the resolution.
Committee members will be asked to “make presentations or represent the project at such events as the Town Agricultural Fair, sporting events and private group meetings, and be available to answer questions at town locations and businesses.”
The second part of the charge involves grants.
The committee members will be asked to “Research and identify potential grants opportunities that may be available to help reduce the overall cost of the implementation of the complex.”
The third and final component of the charge involves financials.
The committee members will work with the Board of Selectmen and town staff to find sources of funding.
The potential dollar impact to residents must be determined so that the evaluation of the true impact on the project’s funding is available, according to the resolution.
What’s more, the committee will also need to “obtain insight from the public safety, maintenance, public works, and parks and recreation officials to gather the particular additional staffing and operational costs associated with the complex,” the resolution reads.
The committee will be made up of seven members, including two alternates.
Additionally, the chairman of the parks and recreation advisory committee, the parks and recreation director, and one member of the Board of Selectmen will serve as non-voting ad hoc members.
Residents interested in serving are asked to submit letters of intent to the first selectman’s office.