Select Board adopts recreation field‑use policy and approves several special events

The Hollis Select Board on Aug. 10 adopted a new recreation event field rental policy and approved multiple forthcoming special events.

Recreation staff (S7) told the board policy and application language now gives the Recreation Commission authority to approve or deny events and reserves final approval for the select board; the policy includes a fee schedule, damage responsibility and a 90‑day lead time for events forwarded to the select board. The board adopted the policy by motion and voice vote.

Under that policy the board approved several event permit requests: the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure (Aug. 16) — a small pit stop using a parking lot and a temporary water station; an Operation Delta Dogs 'hot dogs and service dogs' event (Sept. 2) with the board noting the barn/bounce‑house policy; Tommy’s Trot (Oct. 24), a kids' fun run and fundraiser to benefit a local family, presented by Helen (S12); and an Old Home Days 'village homesteader' showcase on Sept. 19 highlighting small/family farms and historical programming. In each case staff or department heads had reviewed plans and told the board they had signed off on necessary public‑safety details.

"We don't have a policy. We don't even have an application. We don't have a fee," the recreation lead told the board during discussion of the new policy; the board praised the policy as filling a needed gap. The approvals were conditional where policy restrictions apply (for example, no bounce houses unless the select board overrides the policy).