PARKS AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
October 21, 2008
PRESENT: Jack Davis, Matt Gilbert, Karen Jones, Diane Moore, Steve Tenney and Faith Varney.
Meeting called to order at 4:07 p.m.
It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2008 meeting.
Discussion was held on the term changes and new guidelines for Town Council appointed boards and committees as well as the number of members on the Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee. There are “five members” listed in the Town’s Code of Ordinances but the committee has had six to seven members in the past few years.
Under Section 7 of the new ordinance concerning the terms of members on boards, commissions and committees, “Parks” was omitted from the title of the Community Programs Advisory Committee. Possibly an amendment needs to be directed to the Town Council to add “Parks” to the title under this ordinance?
Five committee members, the terms would be:
New member – one year
Karen Jones – two years
Steve Tenney – two years
Faith Varney – three years
New member – three years
Seven committee members, the terms would be:
New member – one year
New member – one year
Karen Jones – two years
Steven Tenney – two years
Faith Varney – three years
New member – three years
New member – three years
Community Facilities Planning Committee:
Steve Tenney a member of the Community Facilities Planning Committee reported on the meetings that have been held with group discussions on ideas, needs, available facilities, square footage, selling buildings to abutters, the historical significant in the buildings, etc. Groups in Town were identified and will be notified for a future group discussion in the spring. The town hall, Plummer/Motz and Lunt schools, library, Pleasant Hill fire station are buildings that may be available in the future. Ideas for these properties are possibly a park and ride area, Town center around the school area, village green, an area for arts, etc.
Mission/Philosophy Statement Update (DRAFT):
Falmouth Community Programs Department
The Department is divided into the Adult Education, Recreation and Facilities Scheduling divisions and is responsible for providing comprehensive recreational and instructional athletic opportunities and community education/enrichment programming, as well as for the scheduling of all school/town facilities for community use.
The staff works closely with the Division of Parks, Town Manager, School Superintendent, Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee, community leaders, other Town departments and State government agencies to coordinate resources and appraise community needs.
Falmouth Community Programs Department
Mission Statement
It is the purpose of the Falmouth Community Programs Department to provide supplementary educational, active and passive recreational as well as social and cultural opportunities for citizens of the community.
Parks Division
The Division of Parks, under the direction of the Public Works and Parks Department is responsible for the enhancement and maintenance of over 50 parks and open spaces.
The staff works closely with the Community Programs Department, Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee, community leaders, booster groups, other Town departments and State government agencies to coordinate resources to enhance and maintain Town parks and open space areas for community needs.
Parks Division
Mission Statement
It is the purpose of the Division of Parks to enhance the quality of life for residents by providing the best possible recreational facilities and open natural space areas for all citizens.
Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee
Philosophy Statement
In meeting its responsibility to its citizens, the Falmouth Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee believes that education is a lifelong process, that recreation and leisure pursuits should be comprehensive in nature and that all residents should have access to the best possible recreational facilities, parks and open space areas.
Report Request by Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee:
The committee requested the Director of Parks and Public Works or the Parks Supervisor to present a monthly report of activities within the Parks Division.
Falmouth Community Programs Department Report:
Matt Gilbert reported the department had worked with the school department to schedule five programs, i.e., sewing, arts and crafts, skate boarding, etc. for the middle school students this fall. Sign ups for basketball, skiing and early release days are on going. Lucky D’Ascanio presented at both the NPRA conference in Baltimore and World Leisure Congress in Quebec and while at both, attended sessions on “Community Center Planning” . All sessions from the NRPA conference are on-line and are available to view by other staff members.
Interactions between Town Council and Council Appointed Boards and Committees:
Faith Varney reported on the term changes and guidelines between Town Council and Council Appointed Boards and Committees. One of her concerns was the required “Annual Work Plans” which the boards and committees are to develop between September and January.
New members on boards and committees are appointed in January and should be part of developing work plans for the upcoming year. Faith also questioned the required “work plans” for this committee as it is not like other boards and committees functions only in an advisory capacity. Faith read parts of the guidelines, i.e., “Annual Review of Charge and Governing Directives (Rules, Ordinances and Bylaws”, “Council Liaisons”, “Web Site” and “E-mail Policy”.
Next meeting of the Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee will be held on Tuesday, November 18th.
Meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
Diane Moore
“Secretary of the Day”
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