September Minutes
Castleton Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes – September 6, 2022
September Agenda- motioned M. Droege seconded by M. Hall
August minutes approved M. Droege seconded by M. Hall with correction. Under the Rec Director section, first line “form” to from”.
Department Updates (as necessary) 6:00
Youth Sports
Soccer
The transition from local soccer to Slate Valley Soccer has been fairly smooth with minimal
negative feedback from parents. The 3-4 grade level now has two teams in the league. Coaches
are David Carabino and Tim Smith. Castleton Rec contributed its registration fees, from
Eventbright to Slate Valley to Slate Valley Soccer to help defray cost of registration of the teams.
A motion was made (A. Niklasson, 2nd by M. Droege) to make a donation to Slate Valley towards
Uniforms and equipment, not to exceed $800. Motion passed.
K-2 soccer will start on September 17th. 36 players registered and 5 adult volunteers agreed to
coach.
Softball Update
Athletic Fields – Dewey Field sustained damage from vehicles, joy riding and doing “doughnuts”. M. Clifford will survey the damage and report back in October.
Crystal Beach
Beach close up is under way and should be complete by September 16 or within a couple of
days. Financial data will not be available for 30 days after the end of September. M. Clifford
suggested that the fee structure be reviewed before next season. In the past, the Commission
has tried to keep its fees comparable or below the State Park’s fees.
M. Hall suggested that there be more individual swing apparatus next year. M. Clifford agreed
To look into the purchase of more swing structures for next year.
Old Business 6:15
M. Clifford reported that there is $18,000 in the 22-23 budget for Sumer Camp.
CVS Building
A discussion about the pending posting of the sale of the CVS building the Commission will need
Create a plan in response. It was agreed that a petition will be created that asked the S.B.
Reconsider their decision to sell the building and to hold the ownership of the building in Town
ownership for 3 years to allow the Commission to develop a plan to make the building viable as
Town property. The Commission and the CVS Coalition will have 30 days to submit a petition
with signatures of 5% of the registered voters to the Select Board.
M. Clifford presented an alternate solution to “finding Rec a Home”. She stated that the
CVS building was in need of repair, leasing a portion of the building from a “private entity”
would cost the taxpayer a minimum of $36,000+ per year, year after year. There has been
a movement to explore town owned lands behind the present town office and fire station
to build a new Recreation Complex, as is stated in the town plan. The monies from the sale of CVS would be held in a reserve fund for that purpose. This would allow “seed money” for grant applications. There are also 5 parcels of town land that could be sold and monies go to the reserve fund. This was not well received by the Commission and most all members present still supported the CVS project.
Rec Director
M. Clifford reported that there are no active applications for the Rec Director. The town
manager is exploring local (Castleton University) avenues for new candidates.
New Business 5:35 Tabled until October 4th meeting
By-laws Review
Restructuring of Commission
Adjourn 7:30 N. Parker, A. Niklasson