BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON — On July 13, the Canton Town Board adopted a policy where Canton residents wanting to use municipal recreation facilities to run programs or activities would have to go through a five-step process.

On Wednesday night, July 20, the Canton Village Board held off endorsing the policy, citing the need for more clarity and redefinition.

The Joint Town and Village Recreation Community Based Proposals Policy was put together by the joint town and village recreation committee. Comments, suggestions and concerns from board members will be forwarded to Trustee Beth Larrabee who sits on that committee.

Both municipal boards need to approve the policy for it to be officially adopted.

If the town passed it, questions on our end are moot,” said Trustee Carol Pynchon. “I was expecting more specifics about what might be or might not be. Some clarity and filling out will make a big difference.”

Trustee Anna Sorensen said the policy needs some parameters.

She noted that Step 1 involves a general conversation with the recreation director who decides if the project or activity is worth pursuing. A positive response will require that person or persons to make that request in writing as a comprehensive plan, using a policy form.

The recreation director will then present the proposal to the joint Recreation Committee along with a recommendation on the project. Any disagreement between a Constituent and the Recreation Director will be addressed at this step.

“It’s a little confusing. It needs to be better spelled out to the public,” said Sorensen. “Is the director dismissing it in Step 1 or does it all go to Step 2?”

“It’s an overly good starting point,” stated Larrabee.

The matter could be resolved at a joint Town/Village board meeting on Wednesday, July 27 or extend to the village board’s next board meeting on Aug. 17.

The Canton Town Council and Canton Village Board of Trustees annually vote on financial shares for the Joint Recreation Program. The Town of Canton encompasses the Village of Canton, Village of Rensselaer Falls, and hamlets of Morley, Pyrites and a portion of Crary Mills.

The Town/Village Boards are responsible for enforcing all laws, liabilities, insurance, and finances (if budgeted) for recreation services. The Village of Canton is the established municipality to administer the program, the proposal reads.

The role of the Joint Town/Village Boards Recreation Committee is to meet with the Recreation Director for updates that adhere to the law and establish policies that fall within the approved budget. All recommendations are then brought to the respective municipal boards for further consideration.

The job of the Recreation Director is to provide overall administration of joint recreation services in the Town of Canton under the direct supervision of the Village of Canton Mayor.

The role of the Recreation Advisory Group is to meet with the Recreation Director on a regular basis to provide feedback, ideas and general support on recreation programming and services within the Town of Canton under the approved budget. This group is not authorized to set policy, approve projects or direct the Recreation Director. Their primary purpose is to provide judicious advice from a citizen's perspective to the Recreation Director.

This Policy for Constituent Requests for Community Based Proposals will take effect on the final date approved by both Town and Village Boards.

Step 1 - Should a constituent(s) request establishing a particular project/program/services, they must first meet with the Recreation Director for a general conversation. If the Director feels this is something to consider, the person(s) making the request will need to put it in writing as a comprehensive plan, using the attached form.

Step 2 - The Recreation Director will present the proposal to the Joint Town/Village Board Recreation Committee along with a recommendation on the project. Any disagreement between a Constituent and the Recreation Director will be addressed at this step. It is the responsibility of the Joint Recreation Committee to make a final decision(s) on moving forward with a project after seeking Town and Village Board support.

Step 3 - lf adjustments mid-project need to be considered, an addendum to the proposal detailing new requests, need to be provided to the Recreation Director for review and consideration by the Recreation Director, Joint Recreation Committee and both Town & Village Boards.

Step 4 - Projects that require funding by the Town/Village Board, will require approval of both Boards. Projects that require administrative services for donations will require Village of Canton Board approval

Step 5 - The Recreation Director will report on project(s)in their monthly board reports. The Joint Town/Village Board committee will report out on project(s) at regular monthly meetings.