« Blame GOP for Ogonowski's loss | Main | Patient safety job No. 1 »
October 24, 2007
Keep camp open
Westford Special Town Meeting voters made a good decision Monday night when they agreed to continue a summer camp at the East Boston Camps property.
By voting in favor of the article, residents have authorized the Board of Selectmen and the Conservation Commission to enter into a lease or contract with a camp operator. Although the vote is nonbinding, it is clear that residents want a camp to continue, and they prefer a camp that will include low- and moderate-income children from inner-city areas.
Nearly 400 residents signed a petition stating they wanted a camp to be operated on the property. In fact, the citizens' petition is what sparked the Special Town Meeting warrant article.
The petition states that residents support a camp program that includes at least 20 percent of children come from low- to moderate-income homes. Residents also want a program that will encourage more Westford children to apply.
A request for proposal will be drafted, and interested camp programs can apply. Unfortunately, it seems that the East Boston Social Center, which operated on the property for 70 years, will have a difficult time competing because the successful bidder is expected to fund the financial expenses associated with the camp, maintain the buildings and pay a share of the caretaker's annual salary.
It is unlikely that the East Boston Social Center, which runs an excellent program for inner-city children, will be able to come up with that kind of cash. That would be a disappointment.
However, we certainly hope that whatever organization is awarded the camp contract, that group will include a significant percentage of low- to moderate-income children who would otherwise not be able to experience the wonders of the outdoors in a beautiful rural setting.
By striving to continue a camp that includes needy youngsters, Westford parents would be setting an excellent example for their own children.
Posted by Admin at October 24, 2007 4:13 PM
