In Response to 'Turf Battle' Complaint, Parks Commission Evaluates Need For Committee To Manage Events on Town Property

Groton Parks Commission discussed whether or not to form a Celebrations Committee that would be charged with planning certain events that are held on Park Commission (town-owned) properties.

Discussion of a Celebrations Committee came about as a result of a complaint issued at their July 9 meeting by Groton Fire Association President Betsy Reeve regarding the July 4th Fireworks event held at Town Field. Reeve claimed that the GFA was the exclusive food vendor at that event and that they contracted with other food vendors, taking 15 percent cut of each vendor's proceeds for the GFA. According to the minutes of the July 9 meeting, Reeve claimed that the GFA had exclusivity on selecting vendors although there were some other vendors present this year. There were also one or two complaints to Town Clerk regarding the event.

Commissioners noted that the vendors at this event, including food and trinkets, needed a state license and that license apparently also includes a CORI check.

The 4th of July fireworks event dates back to 2005 when the town celebrated its 350th anniversary, and they were so well received at the time, that they are now an annual event. Commission of Trust Funds pays for the fireworks at the event, and Park Commissioners pay for the porta-potties. In the past the bands that perform were paid from some of the vendor proceeds.

Reeve acknowledged to the Commissioners that the GFA did not pay the $125 to participate as a vendor in 2013 nor did GFA agree to pay $1 per burger/dog as requested to help defray other costs. According to one member of the Commission, he believed that the he Groton Fire Association is not a 501C3 - non-profit organization.

Commission member Jon Strauss said that he agreed that Park Commissioners should have closer communications with event's organizers so that everyone has the same information on how they event will be run and who is responsible for checking on such things as licenses and CORI checks.

Commissioners Chairman Gineane Haberlin said she was looking for a "more transparent" way to conduct events, and supported the concept of a Celebrations Committee.

Member Matt Frary said he was not sure of establishing a committee that might micromanage an event, suggesting that, as it is now, and one person would coordinate an event. "It seems unnecessarily punitive."

Haberlin said she wanted the commissioners to get behind the idea of a Celebrations Committee. They didn't rule out this, but will address it at a later time.

Following further discussion, Commissioners agreed that the first thing they need to do is to determine what they want and don't want on park commission properties.