Commissioner urges skater input as town weighs $70,000 for skate-park repairs

Commissioner Shantah told the commission during public comment that as a parent and frequent visitor she has seen the skate park decline and asked whether the town has plans for repairs. "It is in desperate need of some repairs," she said, and urged staff to solicit ideas from the skater community.

Charlie, a parks-and-recreation staff member, said the town reappropriated funds at last year’s town meeting for skate-park maintenance and that he would first ask a local vendor who handles concrete work whether they could do the repairs. "It's either 70 or 75,000," Charlie said when asked about the amount he believed was available, and he warned that the original appropriation language could limit spending to maintenance and upkeep rather than renovations.

Charlie said if the local vendor cannot do the work the town will put the job out to a skate-park contractor and that staff would review the appropriation language and explore whether any desired upgrades could be accommodated. The chair suggested interested skaters meet with Charlie directly so staff can gather input before soliciting quotes or bids.

The commission did not take formal action on the skate-park repairs at this meeting; staff will report back after confirming how the appropriation may be used and after collecting input and cost estimates.