Greenfield Parks & Recreation Committee
Meeting Minutes
9/23/08
6:00 p.m.
Present were:
Conrad Dumas-Chairman
Molly Anfuso
Neal Brown
Lee LeBlanc
Melissa Champagne
Lisa Hall
Rhonda Cilley
David Buchanan
Lori Weeks
Absent were:
Dorene Adams
Meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m.
A suggestion from the committee chairman was to start meetings on time even though people may not be on time. Review of the minutes can catch people up later on in the meeting.
Discussion of a mission statement for the recreation committee:
Conrad handed out a draft of a mission statement.
Lisa asked if all of the things that he is proposing are things that the Selectmen are supporting. Conrad feels that this should be a committee’s job is to think, talk and communicate the needs of the community.
Lisa asked if this committee will advise as to splitting up the Parks and Recreation. Lisa would like to be clear that since we are the committee speaking on the behalf of the town, that the BOS hear the committee. Conrad feels that we could be a strong voice on behalf of the people.
Rhonda was not here about the first meeting. She asked had we had already been given a job description. Last one done in 2000. Rhonda indicated that it’s a good mix of people that are here on a committee. Rhonda is here because she has direct discussions with Molly and members of the town. The common goal is to make the department the best that is can be.
Others stated why they are here as discussed last meeting.
Lee would like to see parks and recreation separated.
David Buchanan indicated that he would like to re-define the responsibility. What is the definition of Parks and Recreation? Outings, activities, etc. It’s a part of growing up and an important piece of the town.
Melissa Champagne would like to be more involved with the town. She was a t-ball coach for two years. Based on the discussion last week, she had no idea about some of the things that Molly does.
Maryann Grant is here because she works for Parks and Recreation. A couple years ago, she was at a meeting, which was one of the years that Parks and Recreation was on the firing squad. Back then, it was a couple parties, but it wasn’t anything like it is today. The job she has is to do the flowers. For two years, she has done all the buildings and the town signs. She was strapped for time. There was no job description. She has come because Oak Park has always been a mystery. She does not know what it’s about and would like to see what the parameters are.
Neal Brown was the chair of the town recycling committee. He has worked closely with Molly and the GIVers. Cooperative NH Lakes program collaboration.
Mission Statement draft were read
Conrad’s draft reads:
It is the purpose of the Greenfield Recreation Committee to advise and support the Board of Selectmen and the Director of Parks and Recreation in the following areas:
-the duties and responsibilities of the Director
-the development of the Department’s annual budget
-to research and to align the Department’s efforts with the wishes of residents
-to the education of residents about the Department
-to fundraise in support of the Department
Melissa’s mission statement: Read her draft
The Parks and Rec. committee in conjunction with Molly while being over seen by the BOS will communicate to the town the on goings of the dept. The committee will advise and support the P&R to help further the involvement of the town
Molly said that NHRPA has asked these same questions about committees. Would it be beneficial to get more information on others?
Lisa has a friend that is on the Pboro committee that are new but active. Shall we have them come in?
Lisa would like to adopt Conrad’s draft, as a work in progress (amendable) as read, including the words “and support”. Rhonda second.
Vote to approve and adopt, as amended, Conrad’s draft of the mission statement. All in favor.
Discussion ensued about Oak Park and some of the problems that have occurred. Vandalism, such as kids putting tables near dugouts, trash, kids taking the shingles off the roofs of the dugout. Molly ASAP will bring this to the attention of the Selectmen.
Molly did not get the Spirit items in, so she would like to do her own mailing. This would be a good time to introduce the recreation committee. Conrad will be typing a letter to introduce the Committee.
Football seems to be a time where this is more prevalent. Discussion.
Discussion about the current duties of the Parks and Recreation Director. Molly filled out a survey for the Wages and Benefits Committee back in 2005 with reference to current job duties. She discussed some below:
*Research, design, coordinate, advertise and implements a whole array of activities for community. This includes not only coming up with classes that are best suited for the community, but more importantly, through trial and error, finding programs that will be a success. Sometimes this requires MUCH more research and development. This includes belonging to many different organizations and committees to help with ideas and to “not re-invent the wheel” so-to-speak. The research is what takes the most time.
Committees include: NRPA, NHRPA, Cal Ripken, Mountaineers, District Area Coaches, JLMC, Oak Park, GIVers, and JAMboree.
Supervisory role includes: employees, volunteer and contractors:
*Groundskeeper & Gardener for all town properties with weekly meetings (cemeteries, town office, meeting house, oak park, library, old town office, waste water facility and 2 town beaches.
*Lifeguards, ads, interviews and hiring process, filling in for vacations, sick and other reasons.
*Instructors: R&D of programs and carryout of each.
*Volunteers: Adults and community service kids
Contractors:
*Porta Potties and others that are hired for misc. jobs. All writing of bids for contracted work having to do with trees, maintenance of OP, fields, fertilization, porta potties or others that may come up any given year.
Oak Park:
Oversee all rentals and records thereof, which includes key distribution, orientation to buildings, training of equipment, walkthrough (before and after)
Other:
*Grant research, development and writing
*Budget development, presentation, and carry out.
*Cleaning of building and bathrooms (bathrooms are once per week minimum). Trash pickup for some activities at OP and the summer at the beaches and take to the dump
*Any maintenance items that cannot wait (vandalism that creates liability for the town especially), docks, or anything else that may come up.
Lengthily discussion surrounded about the current duties.
Discussion of meeting minutes and when they need to be turned in, which was decided to vote on the minutes the end of the meeting so all are in agreement.
Next meeting October 7th, 2008 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Conrad asked how frequently the committee needs to meet? Feedback is to meet about every two weeks, at least in the beginning.
Meeting minutes read and accepted as read, all in favor.
Committee adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Meeting minutes taken and respectfully submitted by Molly Anfuso
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