China Recreation Committee sets rules for field uses

Internet photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brendan-c/5722220187

by Mary Grow

Four of the five China Recreation Committee members met April 21 to talk about recreational field use and related topics.

They reviewed and expanded the requirements for using town-owned recreational fields near China schools and approved Thad Barber’s request for baseball and T-ball games during the month of May. They also agreed to subsidize the cost of field lights for Barber’s program, up to $750, for this one time.

Future requests to help with lighting costs will be considered, for in-town groups only, after committee members get updated information on Central Maine Power Company charges. Because of Covid, the lights haven’t been used in over a year, committee Chairman Martha Wentworth said.

Requirements and criteria for field use include:

• Proof of insurance;
• A fee for use by non-resident organizations that include non-resident participants;
• Priority in scheduling for China users;
• Fields to be left in original condition, with equipment and trash removed;
• No smoking in any form;
• No sitting on fences;
• No vehicles on the fields without town permission, except for emergency vehicles.

Committee members discussed needed work at the fields and agreed on measures to be taken as soon as possible, without interfering with baseball.

The recreation committee’s request for $31,400 for 2021-22 is included in Art. 5 in the June 8 town meeting warrant, with the subject Boards and Committees.

Wentworth plans to investigate scheduling a community movie night in August. Scott McCormac volunteered to talk with Thurston Park Committee members about possible joint projects.

The next China Recreation Committee meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 19.