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Greenfield Recreation & Facilities Committee
July 7, 2009
DRAFT Minutes
Committee Members Present: MaryAnn Grant, Lori Weeks, Neal Brown, David Buchanan,
Recreation Coordinator: Stephanie Lamothe
Absent: Lisa Hall, Rhonda Cilley, Conrad Dumas, Lee LeBlanc, Melissa Champagne
Meeting called to order at 7:10 pm
1. June 30th Minutes
Approved
2. Sunset Beach
- The Rec Committee was informed via email on July 1st that all volunteers around children and the elderly were required to complete an application and a criminal background check for a $25 fee
- Lori met with Deb (town Administrator) to determine the most pressing needs at Sunset concerning concessions; it was confirmed that only when one lifeguard was instructing swim lessons and the other was watching the water was it difficult to keep concessions open
- Considering that there was only a need for volunteers during a couple of hours during peak hours coupled with the new information about a $25 background check, it was even less practical to pursue resident volunteers – the concessions could just be closed during swim lessons
- Stephanie proposed the idea of installing snack and drink vending machines – delivered by a company and the town would only be responsible for stocking it. There is enough room for 3 vending machines comfortably. There is an initial investment to stock it and a cost for restocking (products only bought through the vending company)
- MaryAnn asks what if we make no profit after a great deal of labor
- Dave asks what about dated food and suggests that vending machines could just be there for a convenience and not a profit endeavor
- Neal pointed out that the machines would generate trash and maybe use considerable electricity; also they attract vandalism because of the money in the machines
- Stephanie expressed her willingness to pursue the vending machine installment if the BOS liked the idea; however, she was concerned about soda and junk food competing with an overall wellness mission inherent in recreational opportunities. She added that it is within Stephanie’s job description to handle concessions and the Rec Committee could be feasibly left out of the matter if it wishes
- Neal asks what is that the town’s people want the most from their beaches.
- MaryAnn believes that they want a clean and a safe beach – and folks are not going to stop going to the beach if a popsicle isn’t waiting there for them
- A motion to NOT have the Rec Committee part of a possible vending machine project was approved
3. Oak Park Playground & Grounds
- MaryAnn witnessed the state inspection on July 1st of the playground’s safety – the report is not yet available; however, from the inspector’s comments MaryAnn understood that there was generally something wrong with almost every piece of equipment:
- The slide had a host of problems including too much open space at the top and risk of strangulation; she predicts a decision to take it down.
- The swings are not an appropriate distance apart; also the bolts are too exposed as 5 or 6 threads (vs. an acceptable 2) are showing.
- The geo dome will probably have to come out all together as some support pieces were slit. The see-saw seats are torn, risking hazard.
- One of the biggest issues is the surface of the playground. Wood chips would be fine a base if at an appropriate depth, which varies with different equipment – apparently the exposed roots are of little concern because they are not close enough to equipment.
- Not sure when report will be in. There has been concern about tree limbs falling too. The Town Administrator did say there are things that DPW can do immediately to make the playground safer – some equipment simply needs to be removed (i.e. the slide and geo dome)
- Stephanie suggested that if so much of the playground equipment needs removal, than it might be better to just relocate to start over in a different part of the park - away from the trees, the parking lot and the outfield fence
- Stephanie proposed a long term goal: a granite installment project, maybe called “Friends of Oak Park,” which would consist of constructing a patio of bricks worth $100 and granite benches for a larger donation (i.e. $1000 donation) to generate funds.
- Most of the profit would go towards installing new playground equipment and a landscaped patio sitting area would display the bricks and benches (the patio and benches are relatively inexpensive to install compared to the donation).
- This would be a year-long, or more, fundraising project and Stephanie would also pursue grant money.
- Brochures would be made and a point person could open up and manage an account.
- Lori likes the idea stating that this is why she joined the Rec Committee, to pursue these kinds of improvements and maybe this would boost some town spirit. She added that perhaps the town Historical Society would play a part in developing ideas on how to present a bit of history at the park; maybe plaques or photos about past events and how people contributed to the park’s/town’s heritage (i.e. harness racing; individual contributions, etc.).
- Neal asks how to get the Oak Park Committee energized to become a part of this endeavor.
- Lori suggests sending a formal invitation to the Oak Park Committee that includes encouragement to bring the two committees together in a joint focus on Oak Park as the town’s center of community building.
4. Oak Park Concessions
- The question posed: how feasible would organizing a volunteer-based weekly concessions operation be; would profit-sharing be enough incentive, especially considering the $25 volunteer application/background check requirement?
- Neal comments that the application requirement is immense and he doubts there is a lot of profit to be earned; he believes the essential question is how much would we be doing for how much return?
- Stephanie concurs that a rolling volunteer staff with background checks is very impractical
- Neal questions whether people truly feel they are serving the community when it’s routine – people are inspired during big events – town volunteer groups make a chunk of money during such events and give it to the town. He adds that allowing the Monadnock Mountaineers to use the concession building is not wise; however, because town organizations/residents feel more of an ownership of the building and take better care of it – keep it clean and in good working order. He recalls that the Mountaineers said they would bring in their own equipment to run any concessions during games.
- Stephanie believes that with more town events, the hope to increase usage of the concession building could be fulfilled.
- MaryAnn points out that in the past, the Rec Director asked the GIVers to volunteer their time to run the concession stand every Friday night. It was not what people wanted to do - not one GIVer volunteered.
- Neal points out that someone has to order the food , calculate the cost of food versus revenue, and maintain the bookkeeping, etc.
5. OTHER ACTIVITIES: Stephanie shares some of her brainstorming:
Animal Festival
- “Paw-athon” to raise money – walking laps; “Dog Days of Summer” event; music and entertainment, maybe a horseshow, a owner-dog-look-alike contest; groomers and dog trainers could be there, animal shelter (i.e. Sato out of Temple), vendor stands; blue-ribbon chicken contest, etc.
- Committee members gave a positive response to this idea and suggested sometime in the fall
Community Picnic
- Harvest Fair at Oak Park: bring your own lunch – maybe get a sponsor for dessert; have local entertainment; share food, sell produce like a farmers’ market; byob; entertainment
- Entertainment possibilities for "Picnic Lunch Series at Oak Park?”: Stephanie would like to bring in smaller entertainers during weekdays; folks could bring a bag lunch and listen to speakers or poetry readers, etc.
- Bringing in someone/thing once a month to build community gathering
Classes and Workshops at the Meeting House
- Stephanie spoke to Cynthia from Nightingale Fibers to offer a knitting seminar
- Who else can teach? Ellen Dumas?
- MaryAnn liked the idea of using the Meeting House during the winter months as there is very little to do then
Bus Trips
Thoughts on a bus trip to Boston? Cost would be $1,200 for the day – 55 seats - $20 per person if full.
- Friday July 24th ?
- Suggestions to find out group rate tickets in the area – Aquarium and look into meeting with folks at the Commons to get their feedback and interest level
- MaryAnn says she knows that residents at the Commons have been wishing for the town to host a free dinner as Greenfield is the only town that doesn’t do a free dinner. The churches do a lot of them; however, many towns organize them.
- It was suggested that maybe the Women’s Club, who do a ham and bean dinner during Earth Day round up and/or the Fire Dept may want to work together to host a dinner – the GIVers would help.
- What about a bus trip to Foxwood?
Community Yard Sale
- The idea is that everyone plans their personal tag sale on the same day at their homes
- Dave has had previous experience with this type of community event in which each participant was to pay $10 to register; however, for everyone that did, 6 didn’t – this happened in the largest town yard sale in state of Maine
- Stephanie isn’t too worried about that problem because her idea was not to charge residents participating from their homes.
- Neal asks about collecting money in order to pay for maps or advertisement
- Stephanie believes that those residents who live too far out could be charged for a table space at Oak Park, which could be a central locations for the tag sale
6. Other Business
a) Getting sworn in with the Town Clerk: This past Monday no paperwork was available for one Rec member; however, one member had been sworn in two weeks ago. Lori will contact the Town Administrator to find out.
b) What is the best way to communicate with residents regarding events? What works, what does not?
- Word of mouth? Spirit readership? How many people are really going to the town offices to pick up the Spirit?
- Stephanie would like to experiment with Face book to reach out to younger families –those people that don’t yet participate; Twitter even!
- Signs work well – an agreement that they probably work the best
- Kid events – advertise at Library; the Library just hosted 103 people this past week for an event!
Next Meeting
- Next Meeting not yet scheduled
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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