The town’s newly- formed Community Services Advisory Commission met for the first time Oct. 27 in what was basically an orientation session to familiarize members with aspects of the job that are new to them.

There are currently 14 commission members, all of whom served on one of the three advisory groups consolidated for the CSAC.

Those include the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Senior Services Advisory Commission and the Community Center Advisory Commission.

The group chose its leadership and selected Natalie Varela, who has served on the Parks and Recreation Commission as vice chairman, to chair the new commission

Sherman Abrahamson, who has served on the Senior Services Advisory Commission, will be the vice chairman.

While all current members of the previous commissions are assigned to the new CSCA, the number will eventually drop to nine commissioners.

Community Services Director Mark Mayer said that the four divisions of the department are coming together under a single advisory group. The Community Center, Parks, Recreation and Senior Services will rely on the new commission reviewing ideas and issues to advise the Town Council.

Each of the divisions’ supervisors talked to the commissioners about their mission and goals.

Parks Supervisor Don Clark outlined the background and facilities at each of the town’s four parks.

Mike Fenzel, supervisor of events and operations at the Community Center, talked about the highly-used facility and the support needed from the citizens advisory group.

Senior Services Supervisor Kelly Fonville discussed the support groups, social programs, presentations and special events offered Senior Activity Center members.

Home Delivered Meals is one of the largest programs sponsored by the center and it relies heavily on community volunteers to implement the program.

Recreation Supervisor Rachael Goodwin talked about the wide variety and number of activities, programs and educational opportunities offered through the Recreation Division.

Staff also talked about how the town works with the public and business in partnerships including Fountain View Village, which supports the Home Delivered Meals as well as social activities and events.

Recreation works with youth sports groups in developing programs as well as sharing facilities. Recreation staff also works with groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and businesses to help stage events such as the arts festivals, ballet, movies in the park, concerts in the park and many others.

The members of the new commission include Varela and Abrahamson, as well as Nancy Blumenstein, Gerald Colbert and Jim Judge who served on the Senior Services Commission; Patt Canning, Donna Yordy, Jerry Gorrell, Geoffrey Harper and Lynne Mott were members of the Community Center Advisory group; and Parks and Rec Commission members include Don Doty, Ron Ruppert, Danny Tancredi and Greg Woo.

Eventually the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission will be incorporated into the Community Services Advisory Commission, but the MMPC has been given until Dec. 31, 2017 to complete a trailhead project in the preserve.

Mayer explained that the consolidation of the commissions will improve efficiency, help with recruiting members and save money and resources in staff time.