More Discussion Due On Regional Recreation

ORLEANS – Officials in Orleans and Brewster are continuing to work toward a pilot program exploring how recreation offerings could be shared between the two towns.

 Talk of regionalizing recreation began earlier this summer upon Tom DeSiervo’s decision to relinquish his role as Orleans’ director of recreation, culture and community events. DeSiervo remains employed by the town without the title of director.

 Town Manager Kim Newman told the select board Oct. 28 that both towns are continuing to work toward an intermunicipal agreement outlining how a shared recreation program might work. It has been discussed that Brewster Recreation Director Mike Gradone would oversee the pilot program if launched. 

 “What we’re talking about potentially is a pilot program that shares an employee of a different town,” Newman said. “So it’s a legal agreement that gets agreed to by both communities about the sharing of those employees.”

 The agreement also would outline what Orleans’ financial contribution to the pilot program would be, the town’s expectations and what reporting requirements would be called for as part of the program, Newman said. With both towns looking at fast-approaching fall town meetings on Nov. 16, she said conversations between both towns will continue following those sessions.

 The pilot program would run for a year. Initial discussion of regionalizing has been met with concerns, particularly from Orleans’ recreation advisory committee, that Orleans’ programming would fall off through a partnership with Brewster.

DeSiervo said he and Gradone have been meeting bi-weekly to ensure that the program would work for residents in both towns if adopted.

 “We’re just sitting down making sure that if this pilot program were to be put in place that both Brewster and Orleans residents don’t feel any hiccup or bump in the road,” he said.

 Newman said that an agreement could be ready in December for select boards in both towns to consider in executive session. She estimated that it would likely take one or two meetings for each board to come to terms on the agreement. If all goes according to plan, the pilot could begin in January.

 Both towns would also take time during the pilot to research grant opportunities to further explore the feasibility of regionalizing recreation in the long term, Newman said.

 Select board Chair Mefford Runyon asked if there could be a public meeting on the pilot proposal to keep residents up to speed on the program. Newman said a “town manager-appointed” advisory committee with members from both Orleans and Brewster could be established to help track the pilot process.

 DeSiervo, meanwhile, said winter recreation programming is in place and will not be impacted by any developments regarding the pilot. He said he expected registration to open for winter programs on Nov. 2.