Parks Commission Adhoc Committee

Purpose and Authority 

The Conservation Commission, Trails Committee, Recreation Board, Select Board, town staff, and many others have varying degrees of interest in and stewardship of municipal properties (including real property, easements, and rights-of-ways) within the Town of Readfield. Their diverse roles and responsibilities rarely conflict but often times overlap.

The purpose of the proposed Parks Commission is to review and consider the relationships of the above-referenced groups and facilitate the efficient management, stewardship, and use of public properties. The Parks Commission is formed pursuant to a vote of the Select Board. The Parks Commission is advisory to the Select Board.

Organization and Administration

1. Term - The Commission shall be in effect for a term of one year.

2. Membership - The Commission shall consist of seven voting members who shall serve without compensation and shall be appointed by the municipal officers. The Select Board will consider the following recommended representation in making appointments, whenever possible, with the understanding that this representation is not a requirement:

  • Up to two members of the Conservation Commission
  • Up to two members of the Recreation Board
  • Up to two members of the Trails Committee
  • At least one at-large Readfield Resident
  • One non-voting ex officio members in the Town Manager

3. Appointment - The Commission shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen in consideration of the Procedures for Application and Appointment. Appointments may be terminated without cause by a majority vote of the Board of Selectmen.

4. Member Term - Members shall serve for an initial term of one year.

5. Chairperson - The Commission shall elect a Chairperson from among its members. The Chairperson shall call meetings as necessary or when so requested by a majority vote of the Select Board. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings.

6. Vice Chairperson - The Commission shall elect a Vice Chairperson from among its members to serve in the absence of the Chairperson.

7. Secretary - The Commission shall elect a Secretary from among its members. The Secretary shall maintain a record of all proceedings including all correspondence of the Committee and regularly submit the records to the Town Clerk.

8. Notice - All meetings shall be held in a public place and scheduled through the Town Manager or Clerk who shall provide reasonable notice to the public.

9. Quorum - A quorum necessary to conduct business shall consist of at least a majority of voting members.

10. Support - The municipal officers and town staff shall cooperate with and provide the Commission with such information as may be reasonably necessary and available to enable it to carry out its duties. The town staff shall also provide assistance updating electronic records as necessary.

11. Public Meetings and Records - All meetings and records shall be subject to the Maine Freedom of Access Act, 1 M.R.S.A. Sections 401-410 and the Town of Readfield FOAA Policy.

Tasks

The Parks Commission shall, in no particular order:

  • Review the programs and stewardship responsibilities of all groups involved with the use or management of public property in the Town of Readfield.
  • Collect and review information on public properties currently used for recreational purposes in the Town of Readfield.
  • Identify additional properties that may hold potential for future recreational use.
  • Hold public meetings and pursue other outreach to solicit input from the community on matters of parks, recreation, and the use and stewardship of public property.
  • Involve relevant committees, organizations, institutions, and interested parties. This may include regional organizations like the Kennebec Land Trust and others.
  • Make recommendations to the Select Board regarding the management and stewardship of public properties.
  • Report to the Select Board a minimum of quarterly.

Committee Members

Name Title
Marianne Heinrich-Perry Public at Large Representative
Jerry Bley Conservation Commission Representative
Thomas Donegan Recreation Committee Representative
Nelson Peterson Member