1.7.2026 Joint Town Board Meeting

Joint Meeting

Marion Town Board and

Parks and Rec Advisory Board

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

6:30pm, Marion Library

Meeting Minutes

in Attendance:  Ron Lonneville, Julie Herman, Mike Cramer, Mary Johnson; Holly Bovet, Justin Minier, Joan Fisher, Jarrod Savory, Barb Schoonerman, Tim Holohan, Christy Nelson

Rec supervisor hiring update-The town's current policy doesn't include allowing a member from Parks and Rec to be involved in the interview process so it was proposed that they would add to the next meeting agenda, a resolution to allow up to two members from the Parks and Rec Advisory board to be a part of the interviewing process.  The Parks and Rec members have a good understanding of the role and responsibilities involved in in this new position, as well as providing insight as to how this position could expand the recreation department.  The timeline is expected to have the interviews and hiring process completed in January or early February.

Programming 

Tim’s hiking project-Tim presented on his program "Challenge Accepted" and discussed support he needed from the town board as well as ways that current programs can help to market and promote the program.  The Town Board agreed that Tim could be appointed as a volunteer coordinator for the program.  The scout troop can help with donations and businesses can help sponsor the program.  Discussion around fiscal and legal obligations of the town and a relationship in having donations to help fund this program.  The Challenge Accepted program will also highlight some of the businesses and organizations within the town of Marion.

Program Discussion:

Fall ball was added and met with great success.  Adult recreation noted that an ongoing cornhole league was not successful, with limited turnout.  Discussion about using cornhole as a one day activity during special events might bring about better participation.

Discussion around how difficult it is to implement new short term programs, i.e. one day activities that might be of interest to the community.  Without access to an active social media account and/or use of registration enrollments into a data base to help with ease of 

marketing, short term programs have not been able to be utilized.

Park improvements:

I. Lighting:  needed lighting on exterior of the lodge was discussed with Town Board in agreement.  They will be discussing this at their meeting.  

II. Field safety (unlevel fields)-Justin will organize a time period in which fields can be re-done (in the fall) with help from people who volunteered equipment as well as resources from the town.

III. Port-a-potty cleanliness-board will check but supposed to be supporting the cleaning of the port-a-potties on a weekly basis. 

IV. Speed barriers on the road-discussion took place and concerns were raised about the difficulty with plowing if there were permanent speed bumps.  Temporary barriers were discussed.

V. One way signage-discussion took place without resolution. 

VI. Fencing around playground-discussion around part of playground that was closest to the road. 

VII.  Parking on grass-many vehicles park on the grass during summer soccer games.  Discussed ways to alleviate this. 

Short term

I. Outdoor bathroom door-recent break in has changed discussion.  More money will be needed as a result of recent damage to the outdoor bathroom.

II. Barrier between park & dirt pit-all agreed that fencing should be installed around dirt pit.