CORNWALL — A new Park and Recreation director has been hired, and the move promises new directions and procedures for town programs.
Becky Hurlburt will bring her experience in sports as a coach and a parent, as well as time served as a volunteer on the Park and Recreation Commission, to the paid position.
She is also the chair of the Cornwall Board of Education.
She replaces Bethany Thompson, who was suspended in March, and later resigned and admitted to embezzling $10,500 from the Berkshire United Soccer Club. (See story, this page.) Her case is pending in Bantam Superior Court.
About $1,200 in Cornwall recreation funds are also missing, but there has been no arrest in that case.
Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Ron Laigle told The Journal it was a tough decision, choosing from six qualified applicants — all but one of them from Cornwall. It is a time not only to re-evaluate procedure, but also to seek improvements to the program overall.
“We will have an office and regular office hours at Town Hall. That’s a first,� Laigle said. “That should eliminate the complaints in the past of not being able to reach or hear back from someone. We will work with Becky to determine those hours.�
The plan includes expanding the programs that are offered. Currently, seasonal competitive sports for youths are offered, as well as events and lessons in various sports, such as karate, for all ages.
“We will evaluate current programs and figure out what is being used, and what people want,� Laigle said. “There seems to be quite a bit of interest in tennis right now, so we may get that going.�
The commission currently receives $42,946 from the town, with $18,446 going to salaries. It collects fees from program participants.
Laigle, who sits on the Berkshire United board, too, said there will be checks and balances used to keep track of Recreation Commission finances. Cash will no longer be accepted.
As for Hurlburt’s school board service, Laigle said the commission was not concerned about a potential conflict of interest. The school board makes decisions about use of the school facilities, which sometimes includes the recreational programs. But Laigle pointed out that it is a town-owned building.
“The school board and Park and Rec are dealing with totally different issues. We’re not concerned, and we don’t want to penalize someone for volunteering for something else. We are lucky to have so many talented people willing to work hard for their town. Small towns need to rely on people willing to take on multiple tasks.�
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