LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen will consider a proposal Monday to consolidate the Jay and Livermore Falls summer recreation programs into one to be held in Livermore Falls.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 5, at the town office.

If Livermore Falls selectmen approve the measure, the proposal will go before Jay selectmen at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at their town office.

The agreement would be valid from Nov. 1, to June 30, 2013. Voters in both towns would vote on the summer recreation budget at annual town meetings.

Livermore Falls Town Manager Jim Chaousis and Jay Town Manager Ruth Marden have been working on ways to consolidate some running programs that would save taxpayers in each town money. Jay had offered to share its transfer station with Livermore Falls but residents in the latter town decided in September they want their own station.

“I think it is a good idea. It’s a longer program and there are more things to do. It’s cooperative. These kids already know each other through (Area Youth Sports),” Marden said. “Our kids do get bused (to the Jay program). If we continue to bus, then that would be something Jay would have to pay for.”

The proposal calls for Jay to contribute $12,000 to the Livermore Falls program to reduce user fees of the Jay residents.

“The money Jay will contribute would offset the portion of the user fee that we charge to participants from out of town,” Chaousis said.”This plan would just create a bigger program at the same cost that Livermore Falls has become accustomed to. Essentially, a larger program will see better justifiable expenses, but there will be no more additional expense to Livermore Falls.”

There is a possibility to create more in-house activities because there are more participants and counselors, he said.

“The structure of those activities will be determined when we hire a new (recreation) director. This plan is why Livermore Falls has waited in hiring a director,” Chaousis said.

Combined 267 children participated in both programs this year with 90 enrolled in Jay and 177 in Livermore Falls.

Currently, Jay runs a five week program that is available to children entering first grade through sixth grade. Voters raised about $20,000 to run it this year, Marden said Thursday.

Livermore Falls operates a six-week program for children entering first grade through eighth grade. Residents raised $26,850 to run it this year.

Residents in each town currently pay a registration fee for children to attend respective programs.

Under the new proposal, it would be a six-week program for children entering first grade through eighth grade. Resident children of Livermore Falls and Jay would pay a user fee of $30 for the first child and $10 for each additional child.

Livermore resident children may participate in the program for an increased fee of $60 for a child and $30 for each additional child. That town does not raise money for a summer recreation program but since the program is run at the Regional School District 36 facilities in Livermore Falls, which Livermore students attend, that town gets a reduced rate.

Other towns’ children may participate for a $100 user fee.

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