Does Town Need F-T Rec Director?
The Parks and Recreation Commission votes 2-1 to go before the Barrington Town Council in March and pitch the need for more than a part-time director.
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Does Barrington need a full-time recreation director?
The Parks and Recreation Commission voted Thursday night to take a step toward turning the current part-time post into a full-time job. But the 2-1 vote with an abstention by an alternate member still leaves the seven-member board’s support for a full-time recreation director in doubt.
Indeed, chairman Michael Seward, who voted against a motion to go before the Town Council in March and push for more hours for the position, said he’s simply not sure Barrington needs a full-time director.
“I don’t think we have a case,” he said. “I think we’re at a draw right now.”
Vice chairman Edwin McKinlay, who seconded the motion, and commission member Anthony Arico, who made the motion, disagree.
In fact, McKinlay not only sees a need for a full-time director, he also sees a need for a staff, a recreation department, and a budget.
“We need someone to take ownership of the recreation department,” he said. “Right now, volunteers tend to lead a program. When that person disappears, the program disappears as well.”
He used the badminton program at the Barrington Middle School last year as a prime example. There were about 40 players in the program. It doesn't exist now because the volunteer who led it moved away.
Town Council President June Speakman, the council liaison to the commission, agreed with McKinlay that Barrington recreation programs tend live and die with volunteers.
“There is a lack of organizational continuity,” she said.
But the recreation commission still needs to show the Town Council that there are “unmet needs,” she said.
“You want programs, we’ll give you programs,” Arico said in supporting his motion to go before the Town Council.
Part-time Recreation and Leisure Services Director Michelle Geremia, who has been on the job only a few months, also is not seen as being able yet to provide much guidance – although the Town Council would certainly like to hear what she has in mind, said Speakman.
Is there a problem? Speakman said. And, if there is a problem, is it solved by a full-time director or something else?
What do you think Barrington needs? Are there "unmet needs" in recreation and leisure services? Use the comment box below.
Gary Morse
1:05 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
The debate needs to be refocused on property taxes, and how high they should be.
Outside of the summer colonies of Jamestown and Block Island (statistical anomalies), we are currently the highest taxed in the state on a per capita basis, and soon to be higher with the new teachers contract.
Manifold Witness
1:06 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
How does the math work on that vote?
It's a 7 member board? And there were only 4 eligible to vote? And one abstained? So the 2 "yes" are not even a simple majority of those present, let alone of the board?
And this constitutes a "yes" recommendation to the Town Council to expand to full time the "Part-time Recreation and Leisure Services Director Michelle Geremia, who has been on the job only a few months, also is not seen as being able yet to provide much guidance"? (Wasn't she really, really qualified and going to "hit the ground running".....and all that?)
So...any numbers on the cost of all this highly scientific, "You want programs, we’ll give you programs" stuff?
Meg Jones
4:14 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
We have a YMCA, youth soccer, youth basketball, cyo, scouting, a library, tennis courts, basketball courts, playing fields, a playground and little league. Parents may bring their children out and make use of all these wonderful areas that the town has provided. We are a town rich in activities school sponsored and private business sponsored. I own a pottery studio in town and there is another business offering classes to learn to sew as we'll as dance, voice and acting. There is a music school and Karate studio in my plaza, as well as two other dance schools in town. It seems we have programs in recreation which are already running successfully without town management or funding. It would be fiscally frivolous to even consider funding a part time rec director and reckless to consider funding a full time position.
Townie
7:03 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
One thing that Barrington is extremely good at is spending money. Is it any wonder that our taxes are sky high. Wait for the next round of raises for teachers and you'll need a cocktail when seeing your next tax bill. The Barrington motto: When in Doubt, Spend".