Newington Parks Commission Approves B&M Tree Service Sponsorship, Previews Summer Programs

Town Council · Meeting of June 17, 2026

CT NEWINGTON — Newington Parks Commission approves $1,500 B&M Tree Service sponsorship and greenlights 2027 venue deal as summer season opens. The commission voted unanimously Tuesday to accept a public-private partnership with B&M Tree Service, which will sponsor an interactive corn toss game at the Life-the-Innit Extravaganza at Mill Pond Park, July 15 through 18. The board also unanimously approved the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association's use of the Newington Community Center on February 12, 2027, for its annual entertainment showcase, with facility fees still to be negotiated after a dispute over fire-watch staffing requirements at the prior event.

Superintendent Scott Karras told softball program leader Mike Phelps, attending remotely, that he and staff are working with the town's grant writer to pursue Eversource funding to replace halogen lights at the Little League complex with LEDs — a move made urgent because replacement halogen bulbs may no longer be commercially available. Mill Pond Pool and Churchill Pool open Saturday, June 20, with more than 50 staff on board, and Camp Recreate is drawing above-average enrollment across all grade bands, with sixth through eighth graders at 118 participants against a roughly 120-slot total capacity.

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Source: the Town Council meeting of June 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

NEWINGTON — June 17, 2026 — The Newington Parks and Recreation Commission approved a $1,500 sponsorship agreement with B&M Tree Service and authorized the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association to host a 2027 entertainment showcase at the town's community center during a wide-ranging meeting Tuesday night.

The two formal votes capped a session dominated by staff reports on summer camp, aquatics, and the upcoming Life-the-Innit Extravaganza, scheduled for July 15 through 18 at Mill Pond Park.

The Full Story

Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Scott Karras opened by addressing a public commenter, Mike Phelps of 108 Tremont Street, who had submitted prior written notes about the town's Little League complex. Karras told Phelps that he and staff member Clay had already consulted the town's grant writer and were exploring Eversource funding to replace aging halogen light bulbs at the complex with LED fixtures. Karras cited Rocky Hill as a nearby town that completed a similar conversion through an Eversource grant.

"Clay and I have talked to the town's grant writer and we're trying to see if there's going to be some funds that we can get specifically for the bulb replacement at your complex." — Scott Karras, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation

Phelps, attending remotely, said softball participation had grown roughly 25 percent over the six years he has led the program and that coordination with town staff had been strong. He acknowledged youth boys numbers at the high school level were down, attributing that partly to competition from other activities as students get older.

Commission member Trish moved and the board voted unanimously to accept the $1,500 public-private partnership agreement with B&M Tree Service to sponsor an interactive corn toss game at the Extravaganza. The board also voted unanimously to approve the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association's use of the Newington Community Center on February 12, 2027, for its annual entertainment showcase, with facility rental, school bus, fire watch, and miscellaneous fees to be negotiated with the superintendent. Staff noted that a disagreement with the fire marshal over staffing requirements at last year's event was still being resolved, which is why the fee structure remained open.

Program reports covered a broad range of summer operations. The Creative Playtime Preschool concluded its 2025-2026 school year with 50 students, including 12 graduates celebrated in a gymnasium ceremony. A personalized yearbook produced by staff member Jessica was noted for the detailed work involved. The Summer Sunshine camp opens June 22 with a maximum of 30 students; a handful of spots remain for weeks one, two, and eight. Camp Recreate summer enrollment was described as strong, with sixth through eighth graders — historically the smallest group — showing 118 participants, well above the roughly 120-slot total capacity for that grade band.

Mill Pond Pool and Churchill Pool are set to open Saturday, June 20. Staff confirmed more than 50 employees, including substitutes, are on board. Both pools received their state public pool licenses, with the wading pool awaiting retesting of chlorine readings before its license is finalized.

On the Extravaganza, Karras reported 23 food trucks confirmed with a goal of 26, fireworks paperwork submitted for state review, and a shooter confirmed. Revenue from the two preceding outdoor events on June 12 and 13 totaled $2,859 combined, with food truck gross receipts of approximately $6,850.

"I don't know why she helped her over there. If we can pull her in, but she's not able to speak on that side." — Unidentified speaker, regarding remote attendee Nancy Capella

Candlewick Park was also discussed. A landscape installer photo shoot is scheduled for June 24, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony to be announced. Staff also referenced discussions with the town's grant writer about ADA accessibility upgrades to a nearby park; completing that project would make all town parks ADA accessible.

Commission members discussed potential fall programming to fill the gap left by the discontinued water lantern event, with ideas floated including a half-kilometer fun run around Mill Pond, a Halloween-themed family movie night outdoors, and a mini field day. A board member noted that when she served as parks director in Bolton, she secured a grant to purchase a projector and screen, eliminating recurring rental costs.

Why It Matters

The Extravaganza is the commission's largest annual fundraiser, and the fireworks permit from the state of Connecticut is the remaining critical item before the July 15 start date. Karras committed to following up with applicant Roderick's on getting signed paperwork to the state promptly. The pending Eversource LED grant for the Little League complex, if secured, could replace a lighting system for which replacement halogen bulbs may no longer be commercially available, posing a longer-term operational risk to the fields. The ADA accessibility project for the final unrenovated park also remains an open grant-funded goal that staff said they want to complete as soon as possible.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Approve minutes from prior meeting Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Accept $1,500 public-private partnership agreement with B&M Tree Service to sponsor the interactive corn toss game at the Life-the-Innit Extravaganza, Mill Pond Park, July 15-18, 2026 Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Approve Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association to host the entertainment showcase at the Newington Community Center on February 12, 2027, with fees to be negotiated with the superintendent of parks and recreation Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Newington's community access TV: Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, June 17, 2026