OXFORD — Oxford’s Recreation Director Kayla Laird provided selectmen with a recap of last summer’s day camp program, which launched in June, at last Thursday’s select board meeting.
Laird had pitched the idea to town leaders last January, a few months after she began her position with Oxford. At the time she estimated that with as many as 100 kids would enroll.
Oxford Recreation Director Kayla Laird at Pismo Beach in July. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat file
Activities would gravitate between the Station House Community Center and Pismo Beach.
Laird planned an aggressive program that included weekly field trips to amusement parks, the ocean and other summer staple pastimes. as well as special guests to provide entertainment close to home.
Thursday night, she confirmed that the program did attract 100 kids.
“We had 69 kiddos from Oxford, and 31 who are non-residents,” Laird told the select board. “Parents were very pleased with our program and have been asking about next year” since it ended.
The cost for kids living in Oxford was $75 a week, with non-residents paying $150. All families received a 10% discount for additional signups after the first.
Start-up costs that ran at about $2,200 were absorbed during the first year included a large party tent that was installed at Pismo Field, as well as various sports and activities equipment.
Laird was able to hire an experienced swimming instructor, a small coup among Maine summer camps when staff with certifications have been difficult to attract.
She recommended a few changes for next year. One is to eliminate the “day rate” in favor of part-time tuition of 1-2 days and full-time that will cover 3-5 days. More structured scheduling will make staffing day-to-day more efficient, streamline financial management and help the bottom line in both areas.
Laird also said she was open to increasing tuition rates but Selectperson Sharon Jackson said rates should remain the same so that years 1 and 2 can eventually be analyzed with consistent benchmarks. Selectman Caldwell Jackson agreed that using common factors to measure success was more feasible.
Laird reported that overall all, Oxford’s recreation programs have been well attended by all age groups. Summer ball teams grew in number, adult classes at the community center are usually full and private rentals are up.
After she shared that the majority of private events are booked by people from other towns, the board agreed to set a pricing scale for resident and non-resident use. Sharon Jackson requested that Laird prepare a proposal for rentals, and include the current lease agreement for review.
The board thanked Laird for the energy she has brought to Oxford’s recreation department.
“I would like to commend you for the work you’ve done to expand our recreation,” Sharon Jackson said. I attended one of the ceramics classes. It was packed and everyone had a great time.”
Town Manager Adam Garland added that Laird has done a great job.
Other business
In other business, selectmen granted a tax abatement to Grover Gun Drilling for $70,745.89, based on an error on the part of KRT Appraisal during its revaluation, a $3.934.38 rebate to Oxford Advent Christian Church, which included taxes paid that the church should have been exempted from, and a $1.76 rebate to one resident whose shed had been mis-measured by KRT.
Assessor Colleen Halse recommended that one rebate request in the amount of $763 be refused. The resident refused to let appraisers from KRT into her home during her assessment. When she provided interior photographs during the appeal period, KRT adjusted its value in her favor.
However, the resident wanted more relief, and then refused to grant Halse access to the home. Halse said that the the absence of in-person assessment that the concessions KRT had made followed a fair market review.
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