General Duties

The 2011 Town Charter established a combined Parks and Recreation Commission. 

The Commission shall have the care, management, and control of all parks and grounds used for park and recreational purposes and all structures thereon, excepting the public golf courses located within the Town together with all structures and buildings thereon. It may improve and adorn said parks and grounds and do all things necessary and incidental to the development, care and maintenance thereof. 

The Commission shall have the power to make and alter from time to time all needful rules and regulations for the maintenance of order, safety and decency in said parks and grounds, both within and without the limits of the Town, and affix penalties for disobedience thereof, provided however, that nothing herein shall prevent the Council from enacting ordinances concerning the maintenance of order, safety and decency in park areas.

Town Charter Description

Section 11. Parks and Recreation Commission.

A. Composition and appointment. The Town shall have a Parks and Recreation Commission. which shall consist of nine members appointed by the First -29- Selectman for three year terms. The terms of three members shall expire each year.

B. Officers and employees. The Commission shall elect annually a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, and a Secretary. It shall have the power to make rules and bylaws for the transaction of its business, and to appoint or employ such employees as it may deem necessary, except as provided in chapter Ill, section 12 A, and shall prescribe and define their respective duties.

C. Duties in general. The Commission shall have the care, management, and control of all parks and grounds used for park and recreational purposes and all structures thereon, excepting the public golf courses located within the Town together with all structures and buildings thereon. It may improve and adorn said parks and grounds and do all things necessary and incidental to the development, care and maintenance thereof. The Commission shall have the power to make and alter from time to time all needful rules and regulations for the maintenance of order, safety and decency in said parks and grounds, both within and without the limits of the Town, and affix penalties for disobedience thereof, provided however, that nothing herein shall prevent the Council from enacting ordinances concerning the maintenance of order, safety and decency in park areas.

D. Power to regulate use of utilities. No sewer or utility line or device in connection therewith shall be laid, erected or otherwise constructed on property or grounds under the control of the Commission, without the prior written consent of the Commission, which may designate the place and the manner of constructing the same, and may provide that the same be altered at such time and in such manner and under such conditions as the Commission shall deem best.

E. Power to consider gifts. The Commission shall consider the acceptance of gifts, donations, legacies or devises for park purposes, and recommend the acceptance or rejection thereof to the Town Council.

F. Transition Terms. The members of the Parks Commission and the Recreation Commission as of the effective date of this Charter shall remain in office as members of the Parks and Recreation Commission until their terms expire. No appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission shall be made until December 2012, when the First Selectman shall appoint two members for a term of three years. In December 2013, the First Selectman shall appoint three members for a term of three years. In December of each subsequent year, the First Selectman shall appoint three members for a term of three years.