[Adopted 1-26-1999]
On October 1, 1951, the Long Meadow Lake Committee was established.
Along with maintenance of the lake quality, the Long Meadow Lake Committee
was responsible for recreation programs associated with the beach
and surrounding area. On October 4, 1965, a Recreation Commission
was established; however, the Long Meadow Lake Committee continued
to carry out the recreational functions that had evolved in the past.
Through the years, the park maintenance responsibility evolved to
the Board of Selectmen through the Public Works Department (formerly
Roads and Bridges). The intent of this article is to combine all of
these park maintenance and recreation functions into a Parks and Recreation
Commission.
[Amended 5-28-2015]
Except as modified by § 10-38 of this article, there is hereby established in the Town a Parks and Recreation Commission consisting of nine electors of the Town appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Members shall be appointed for terms of four years on a rotating basis as terms expire in the month of May. All vacancies shall be filled by the Board of Selectmen for the unexpired term of the vacating member. Members of the Commission shall serve without pay but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their office and duties.
The members of the Parks and Recreation Commission shall elect
their own Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary and any other necessary
officers, who shall serve for a period of one year or until a successor
is elected and qualified. The Commission shall have the power to adopt
rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings. A majority
of the appointed members shall constitute a quorum, and the Commission
shall hold regular meetings at least once a month. Special meetings
may be called by the Chairman at any time and shall be called upon
the request of any three members. Minutes of all meetings, including
reports of lack of quorum, must be filed in a timely manner with the
Town Clerk in accordance with state statutes.
A.
The powers and duties of the Parks and Recreation Commission shall
be exercised and performed as provided in this article and in conformity
with other ordinances of the Town and the statutes of the state.
B.
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall:
(1)
Have the duty to create and organize recreational programs and policies
for the benefit of the residents of the Town of Bethlehem with equal
emphasis as to age and sex insofar as it is practical. This duty may
be exercised through coordination with local single-purpose nonprofit
organizations, such as Bethlehem Baseball and Woodbury-Bethlehem Youth
Soccer.
(2)
Be responsible for the supervision of any real property used for
park or recreational purposes, recreational building or equipment
owned by the Town of Bethlehem. Such real property includes the Town
property contiguous to Long Meadow Lake, all ball fields, tennis courts,
basketball courts, volleyball courts, North and South Green, the woodland
area west of the Little League field and all lawn areas surrounding
the Town buildings.
[Amended 1-2-2013]
(3)
In conjunction with the Board of Selectmen, prepare rules and regulations
for use and care of any real property used for park or recreational
purposes, recreational building, apparatus and equipment owned by
the Town of Bethlehem.
[Amended 1-2-2013]
(4)
In conjunction with the Long Meadow Lake Management Committee and
the Board of Selectmen, prepare rules and regulations regarding the
use of Long Meadow Lake.
(5)
Hire and provide supervision for the personnel in the field of recreation,
such as a Recreation Director, a Waterfront Director, lifeguards,
swimming instructors, etc.
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall have the authority
to make reasonable charges for any programs and for the use of facilities
for amusement, entertainment, refreshments or transportation of the
public as provided. All sums received from such charges shall be paid
over to the Town Treasurer as revenues of the Town.
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall be authorized to consider
the acceptance of gifts, donations or devises of land or other personal
or real property for park and recreational purposes and may recommend
to the Town the acceptance or rejection thereof.
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall prepare and transmit
to the Board of Finance a report of its activities for each fiscal
year. Such report shall be received by the Board of Finance no later
than the 15th day of August of each year.
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall file with the Board
of Finance no later than March 1 of each year, on forms prescribed
by the Board of Finance, detailed estimates of proposed expenditures
and receipts for the ensuing fiscal year.[1]
[Amended 12-20-1999]
The Parks and Recreation Commission hereby created shall succeed
to all the rights, obligations, liabilities, contracts, privileges
and undertakings of any previous Recreation Commission or recreation
function of the Long Meadow Lake Committee.
