Berlin Recreation Commission Agenda (minutes)
The Berlin Recreation Commission met on August 14, 2026, at Berlin City Hall with attendees Tony Valliere, Bernie Martel, Alex Terry, Natalee Croteau, and Crystle Dickinson. The commission approved the minutes from July 9, 2026. They established an Open Gym Policy for the school year, available to sixth graders and above, requiring registration for participants under 18 and implementing a "Three-Strike Rule" for behavioral violations. Hours are set for 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM. The department will coordinate youth programs with Berlin Elementary School, offering fall soccer and field hockey for Kindergarten through 2nd grade, winter co-ed basketball, and potential spring mini-camps. Summer programs may include soccer, baseball, softball, and tennis. The commission voted to meet monthly on the second Thursday at 4:30 PM, with the next meeting scheduled for September 10, 2026. Future agenda items include summer program review and Halloween event planning. Source: https://www.berlinnh.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08132026-178
Berlin Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Date: August 14, 2026 Location: Berlin City Hall Attendees: Tony Valliere, Bernie Martel, Alex Terry, Natalee Croteau, Crystle Dickinson Approval of Previous Minutes: Meeting minutes from July 9, 2026, were approved by commission members on August 14, 2026. Public Comment: No public comment. I. Open Gym Policy for School Year • The Berlin Recreation Center will offer open gym programming for children in sixth grade and above during the school year. • Eligibility i. Open gym is available to youth in sixth grade and above. ii. Any participant under the age of 18 must have a completed registration form on file before participating. • Registration & Attendance i. A parent or legal guardian must complete a registration form for each individual under the age of 18 who wishes to participate in open gym. ii. The Berlin Recreation Center will continue to utilize a sign-in and sign-out sheet for all participants attending open gym. iii. Participants are expected to sign in upon arrival and sign out when leaving the facility. • 3 Strike Rule • The Berlin Recreation Center will implement a Three-Strike Rule to promote safety, respect, and appropriate behavior during open gym. i. Participants will receive up to three behavioral strikes for violations of Recreation Center rules or expectations. ii. Staff will document each strike and communicate concerns to the participant as appropriate. iii. Upon receiving a third strike, the participant and their parent/legal guardian will be informed that the participant is no longer permitted to attend open gym. iv. The Recreation Center reserves the right to address serious or unsafe behavior immediately and may take action beyond the Three-Strike process when necessary to protect participants, staff, or the facility. • Open Gym Hours i. Open Gym Hours: 1:00PM – 4:30PM ii. Open gym hours may be adjusted by the Berlin Recreation Center based on staffing, facility availability, holidays, special programming, or other operational needs. II. Timeline on School & Recreation Programs • The Berlin Recreation Center will work collaboratively to coordinate youth recreation programs with Berlin Elementary School athletic programs, with the goal of creating a consistent pathway for youth participation in sports. • The Recreation Department will serve as a feeder program for Berlin school athletics, with the primary focus on introducing children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade to a variety of sports in a safe, affordable, and developmentally appropriate environment. i. Fall Programs The Recreation Department will offer or coordinate: • Soccer – Kindergarten through 2nd Grade • Field Hockey – Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Programs will focus on fundamental skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and creating a positive introduction to organized athletics. ii. Winter Programs The Recreation Department will offer: • Co-Ed Basketball – Kindergarten through 2nd Grade The program will emphasize fundamental basketball skills, teamwork, participation, and enjoyment of the sport. The Recreation Department will also explore the possibility of re- establishing a youth ski program through Wildcat Mountain, as well as exploring opportunities to improve the youth hockey program. iii. Spring Programs The Recreation Department may offer introductory sports mini-camps throughout the spring. Mini-camps may include exposure to different sports and activities based on community interest, facility availability, staffing, and available partnerships. Potential offerings may include: • Baseball • Softball • Pickleball • Tennis iv. Summer Programs The Recreation Department will coordinate and explore summer athletic opportunities, including: • Soccer – NCYSL • Baseball • Softball • Tennis Summer programming will be developed based on available facilities, qualified instructors/coaches, community participation, partnerships, and funding. III. Agenda Items for Next Meeting • Summer Program Review • Halloween Event • Hockey Program: Outline what program will look like • Open Gym Update • Fall Sports Update Future Meeting Schedule: The Recreation Commission voted to meet on the second Thursday of each month at 4:30 PM at Berlin City Hall. Scheduled meeting dates include: • September 10, 2026 • October 8, 2026 • November 12, 2026 • December 10, 2026 Adjournment: Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Crystle Dickinson Recording Secretary