HANSON – The Select Board’s final two meetings of 2023 featured discussions of rates at Camp Kiwanee, which the board approved, as well as policies and procedures – including a tougher policy on dogs.
Camp Kiwanee Commission Chair Frank Milisi said rates were being increased to $8,500 for wedding receptions/vow renewals with additional hours costing $250 per hour. Weddings and vow renewals on-site are $750 for the ceremony, including rehearsal on the back deck of the lodge.
He said he did not have historic fees with him for comparison.
Campground facilities for weddings with the bridal and groom’s cottage is $1,500 at the entire south end of the facility. Daily rental is $150 each for those cottages.
Parties, company events, nonprofit and charitable fundraisers fees are $700 for five hours with additional hours costing $100 per hour with an extra $150 fee if they plan to use the ovens and stoves in the kitchen. Vendor and craft fairs will cost $1,500 for seven hours with additional hours at $150 each and kitchen fees at $150 per hour.
Company workshops will cost $1,500 for seven hours with an extra $150 for each additional hour and a $150 fee for kitchen use, if needed.
A kitchen-only fee would be $200 for five hours, with long-term use open to negotiation with the commission.
Hanson residents receive a 25-percent discount, and a 10-percent military discount is available for use of the Needles Lodge.
“I don’t want to second-guess a committee that we’ve got empowered to do this,” Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said.
“There’s a little bit of a controversy about our dog policy,” Milisi said, explaining that it has actually been policy to not have dogs at the camp from June 1 to Sept. 1.
“Correct,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said. “You even have a sign that says that.”
Milisi said the policy has previously excluded service dogs, but also excluded comfort dogs.
“We removed the comfort dogs out of there,” he said. “I don’t know what a comfort dog is. If it’s a service dog, it’s a service dog, it’s ADA federally protected at the camp. A comfort dog – my dog gives me comfort, I don’t want to take it to the camp.”
FitzGerald-Kemmett said the Hanson Police Department’s dog, Ziva, is a comfort dog.
“Ziva will have no problem getting into the camp,” Milisi said. “We have issues with people coming up there, having their dogs all over the grounds, leaving their mess everywhere. They don’t pick it up and things like that, so it’s going to be strictly enforced this year.”
Milisi also said the signs note that “pets” are not allowed during the summer season so people don’t try to get around the no-dogs policy be bringing other animals.
They are also looking into providing dog bags for people to use in cleaning up after their pet when they are allowed on the grounds outside of the summer season.
The board approved the policies and procedures contingent on town counsel having no issue with them.
Town Administrator Lisa Green said she had not seen the policies, but said she would review them and forward them to town counsel for their review, as well.
The Camp’s Facilities Manager will be retiring at the beginning of the year, but will stay on for a couple more months to allow his replacement Chris Hoffman, who was approved by the Select Board for 19.5 hours per week, effective immediately, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, to familiarize himself with camp protocols and procedures.
The Hanson PTO has also been granted a discounted rate of $25 per hour to hold its fundraising Polar Plunge, totaling $150. The same per-hour fee was also granted for the Plymouth County Beekeepers holiday party, totaling $100 with member Ann Rein recusing herself from that vote.
“We’re happy to be the new home of the Beekeepers,” Milisi said.
“The town is abuzz about it,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.
Hanson Youth Football also had a rate of $25 per hour approved for their events.
Milisi made plain he had abstained from the HYF vote on the commission.