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IROC asks for money from Derby |
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Wednesday, 27 August 2008 |
By LAURA CARPENTER
Express Staff Writer
Phil White, president of Indoor Recreation of Orleans County (IROC), advocated for more than a half -hour Monday night to convince Derby selectmen to give a part of Derby’s $30,000 for recreation funds to IROC to help pay for Derby kids. Recently a former Newport resident, Terry Lucas, gave a $17,500 grant to IROC to pay for Newport City students to attend IROC for one year.
White said the hope is to hire a youth coordinator and expand
activities at IROC to include more informal and fun activities
targeting kids in the after school hours.
Selectman Beula-Jean Shattuck said that she is fully supportive of IROC, but noted that it is a private business.
“I am here to represent the taxpayers,” Shattuck said.
Selectboard chairman Brain Smith offered the possibility of using IROC
as Derby’s Recreation Department, and then later said the board needs
time to think about what White was asking for.
White said that any amount of money would be fine with him, but
reiterated that Derby does not have a recreation department and pointed
out that more kids live in Derby than in Newport. He estimated that
there are 1,300 kids in Derby.
Selectman Steve Gendreau said the board would like to use a part of the
recreation budget to fix up the tennis courts, possibly expand the
beach house, and some of the budget is to be used for logging.
Selectman Laura Dolgin took offense to White’s original request of approximately $20,000.
"I'm in favor of a recreation department for Derby, but you’re asking for too much at $19,000 plus,” she said.
White pointed out that Newport spends far more money on recreation than
Derby. He added that whatever Derby donates, he thinks he can find
matching funds.
Selectman Karen Jenne questioned transportation issues and 21st Century
grant money. White replied that he has opened dialogue with
Orleans-Essex North Supervisory Union Superintendent Bob Kern about
having bus stops at IROC. He said 21st Century grant money will not
last forever.
The selectboard finally agreed to take time to absorb White’s proposal.
During public comment, residents Susan Taylor and Cindy Lawrence-Trahan
said they did not want to see taxpayer money being given to IROC
because it is a business. However, they did say they support IROC.
“Why did it take almost an act of Congress to give Derby Line a little
more money for Derby Line Day,” asked Lawrence-Trahan, when Derby gives
IROC money easily.
"They're a business,” she pointed out, “and were talking about
taxpayers’ money here...to hand them that kind of money." Taylor said
she would like to see the money given to something that belongs to the
town. Lawrence-Trahan pointed out IROC was given 10 years of tax-free
status.
During the road report, Gendreau said that the town was able to save
between $15,000 to $20,000 by not mowing the sides of the roads.
The Sept. 8 selectboard meeting will be held in Derby Line at the
Village Hall. An ATV trail discussion will take place with Scott
Jenness who has trail information and responses from landowners near
where the trail would run. There will also be a discussion regarding
the bridge in Derby Line that passes over Interstate 91 on Caswell
Avenue.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 September 2008 )
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