HAMPDEN — Parks and Recreation Director Dan Blanchard and Eastern Hampden Shared Public Health Services Director Finn McCool asked the Selectboard to weigh in on whether the annual summer program operated by the Parks and Recreation Department at Memorial Park was a “camp.” It was more than just semantics, as camps are more heavily regulated than recreation programs. The Selectboard was the body ultimately responsible for deciding whether it was a program or a camp.
Blanchard did not think the program qualified as a camp. He cited state regulations that define a recreational camp for children as one that operates for profit, serves five or more children or is not staffed solely by municipal employees. The program does not meet any of those criteria. The regulation states that programs that have advertised themselves as “camps” are classified as camps, regardless of the other conditions. Selectboard member John Flynn pointed out that several Town Reports have referred to the summer program as a camp.
Further clarification from the state specified that programs that are exempt from the regulatory criteria for camps must be “single purpose classes, workshops, clinics or programs sponsored by municipal recreation departments.”
The term “single purpose” was the crux of McCool’s reasoning for classifying the program as a camp because it includes several activities. Without the more stringent regulations in place, the town could be liable if there is an accident, he said.
While the Parks and Recreation Department already follows “90%” of the regulations that are required of camps, Blanchard told the Selectboard, “If it comes down to licensure, it’s done. We just won’t do it anymore. We don’t have the staff and the hours to do what this document requires.”
Flynn said, “This is something that the town’s kids have enjoyed for years. How can we protect the town but still give the [Parks and Recreation Department] the ability to run this?” He recalled that the program used to operate with themed activity weeks. He suggested that the Parks and Recreation Department could structure the current program in a similar manner, adhering to the single purpose requirement.
The board voted to categorize the program as such.
Transfer Station costs
Based on an examination of the past few years of data, Flynn announced, “The [Transfer Station] Enterprise Fund is a money-losing proposition.” The issue is that costs are rising and would likely rise again when the hauling contract with McNamara expires. Permit fees had been increased, but he said it covers a small portion of the costs.
“Honestly, we’re going to need a substantial increase in the bag charge,” Flynn said. He motioned for an increase in the cost of small bags, from $15 to $25 for a 10-pack. Large bags were to increase from $30 to $40 per 10-pack. The Selectboard approved the rise in prices.
