Seeking Support For Recreation Budget, Skate Park

By Kendra Bobowick

Skipping ahead to January 21, the calendar hanging in many kitchens is marked with a reminder: attend the Board of Selectmen’s meeting where the Parks and Recreation Department budget, for one, is on the agenda. Part of that budget is the long-awaited skate park, which stands to gain $50,000 —maybe.

“Here is the most important message of the year,” wrote Donate to Skate campaign head Lori Capozziello recently in an e-mail she sent to supporters who are working to see the park built at Fairfield Hills. She hopes to see residents out at the selectmen’s meeting to support the recreation department’s funding request.

“Let’s cross our fingers,” she wrote, after reminding those on her list that she hoped a few people would offer positive comments for the selectmen that evening.

Skate park proponents, along with the recreation department, hope that the $50,000 included in their line items will find approval. Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold also sent an e-mail about the upcoming hearing. To Ms Capozziello she wrote, “At the beginning of the meeting before deliberations, voters can comment on budget items they feel passionate about…” Ms Mangold wrote, “Show how many people are behind this project and how much it is needed in town…[make] a great representation from all who have been working so hard to make this happen and from those who need and want this facility.”

She, like Ms Capozziello, is hopeful: “This is a very hard year for budgets to get passed due to the state of the economy; however, it is time that the skate park move forward.” Speaking about the skate park this week, she thought back to the prior attempts to launch a fundraising campaign, which had lost momentum. “Other small groups have tried, but this is the most passionate group yet.” Visit DonateToSkate.com to learn more about the group, Newtown’s skating community, and fundraisers as close by as early February.

The popularity of skating “is soaring,” Ms Mangold noted, and the need for a place for skaters to practice is evident to her. Without a dedicated spot of their own, she said, “They are in the parking lots, in the streets; they really need a place.” She does not want to see anyone hurt, she said. A skate park would be “a great place to go” and give the teens “something to do and keep them out of trouble,” she said.

Looking up, she said, “We need to get through this budget process.” While she knows the Donate to Skate supporters are preparing for the budget hearing, Ms Mangold spoke realistically. “I understand it’s a difficult time [economically], but we have examined what we’re asking for. This [budget] is not a wish list.”

First Selectman Joe Borst knows this year’s budget season might hurt. “It’s going to be tough,” he said. “It’s going to be very cautious, that’s for sure.” Can the municipal budget come in at 95 percent of last year’s budget? “I don’t see that happening, but we’re looking for a zero increase. But, we have to wait for taxes to come in to see where we stand.”

January 21, the selectmen are holding budget deliberations at 7:30 pm at the Senior Center on Riverside Road for the Parks and Recreation Department. At the beginning of the meeting, voters can comment on budget items.