Now a new effort is being made, headed by Moretown's Amy Brooks, to
find a place where moms and their kids can get together to play and
learn early socializing skills before they are sent off to school. The
Town Hall was chosen as a starting point for this new playgroup on the
recommendation of the elementary school principal. It is big enough, it
is available, and it was the starting point for the original playgroup
years ago.
It seems, however, that the Moretown Select Board and not the children
are the ones who could use a lesson in sharing. The proposition given
last Monday was "If the hall is not in use, could the parents of
Moretown use it as a gathering spot for a parent-run playgroup as it
had been used in the past?" This would only be once a week early Monday
mornings. This playgroup is an easy way to invest in the children of
Moretown. It costs nothing, but it would mean a place for our kids to
stretch their legs during winter and a place for parents to interact as
well. In what appeared to be a no-brainer decision, the select board
had to take a two-week break and think about it.
The Town Hall is available, the issue of insurance has been addressed,
Mrs. Brooks is willing to keep a flexible schedule should a conflict
arise, parents are volunteering to help, grants for activities and
supplies have even been procured. So what is the problem?
The select board said before they can let the kids in, the town must
first come to some sort of general agreement as to how they want the
Town Hall to be used. I don't see how this playgroup could get in
their way. It was suggested that children in the Town Hall could scuff
the floors. I wonder how the parents of Moretown feel hearing that the
wood floors we just spent all that money on restoring are now too good
for their children's feet. Friends join me in supporting a free
Moretown playgroup. Mrs. Brooks has been jumping through hoops since
early spring. Enough is enough!
Burmester lives in Moretown.
