[Adopted 12-17-1954 STM (Ord. No. 6A); amended 6-3-1958 STM; by the Legislative Council 7-15-2009; 10-7-2009]
The Town of Newtown hereby authorizes the establishment of a
Parks and Recreation Commission, to consist of seven members to be
appointed as hereinafter provided, and whose purpose and duties shall
be as follows.
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall, at all times, supervise,
maintain and develop for recreational purposes such area or areas
of land as may be donated or purchased for such use to the Town or
assigned for such use by the Town. The Parks and Recreation Commission
shall have sole supervision of any and all buildings and equipment
installed in such parks areas.
Based on the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission,
the First Selectman shall have sole authority to employ such help
as may, in the opinion of the Commission, be necessary to properly
supervise, maintain and develop those areas of land and structures
and equipment within the jurisdiction of the Commission, provided
that the cost shall be kept within the funds available to the Commission.
A.
The funds available to the Parks and Recreation Commission or for
park purposes from any source shall be placed in the custody of the
Financial Director of the Town of Newtown, to be held, administered
and disbursed by the Financial Director as part of, and through, the
Town of Newtown General Fund.
B.
The funds available to the Parks and Recreation Commission or for
park purposes from specific gifts or bequest shall be placed in the
custody of the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown and shall
be kept by the Financial Director in an account, which shall be known
as the "Newtown Parks and Recreation Gift Fund," which account shall
be separate and distinct from all other Town accounts.
C.
The funds available to the Parks and Recreation Commission from the
Parks and Recreation Surcharge Fund shall be placed in the custody
of the Financial Director of the Town of Newtown, and shall be kept
by him, in an account known as the "Parks and Recreation Surcharge
Fund," which account will be separate from all other Town accounts.
A.
The Director of the Parks and Recreation Department shall authorize
the disbursement of all funds appropriated by the Town of Newtown
for parks and recreation purposes, by endorsement of his approval
on all invoices and bills based on the approved budget for the fiscal
year.
B.
Disbursements from the Parks and Recreation Gift Fund shall be made
on order of the Parks and Recreation Commission only, in accordance
with the terms of the specific gifts or bequests, which make up said
fund. With proper documentation, all checks drawn on the Gift Fund
shall be signed by the First Selectman and by the Financial Director
of the Town of Newtown. The funds referred to herein are for the exclusive
use of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
C.
Disbursements from the Parks and Recreation Surcharge Fund shall
be made on order of the Parks and Recreation Commission only, for
capital projects. With proper documentation, all checks drawn on the
Surcharge Fund shall be signed by the First Selectman and by the Financial
Director of the Town of Newtown. The funds referred to herein are
for the exclusive use of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
The Parks and Recreation Commission may charge a fee for the
use of any equipment or facilities in the park areas, if such seems
desirable, and shall have complete and sole authority to restrict
the use of the park areas. The fees collected form the Parks and Recreation
Commission Town Recreation Fund.
The Parks and Recreation Commission may make any rules it may
deem necessary governing the use of the parks areas.
All funds in the custody of the Financial Director in the Parks
and Recreation Commission Town Recreation Fund (collected from user
fees and not part of the Surcharge Fund) that have not been encumbered
shall, at the end of the fiscal year, be transferred to the Town of
Newtown general fund.
The Newtown Parks and Recreation Commission and the Director
shall draw up an annual budget and present the same to the Board of
Selectmen at a date determined by the Charter or the Financial Director.
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall designate one of the
Commissioners to act as Chairman and one to act as Vice Chairman or
Co-Chairman, and shall adopt rules of procedure for its meetings not
contrary to the terms of this article.
Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission shall serve without
compensation.
