Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Present: Michael Arbour, Steve O’Shea and Steve Slozak
Also Present: Timothy Pascale, Director; Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk
Steve O’Shea called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Mike made a motion to accept the March minutes and Steve O’Shea seconded. All in favor and motion passed.
The $7,000 quote to repair the tennis courts was discussed and if we had enough money in the revolving fund to spend on this. Given the dismal look at the budget for the next fiscal year, we probably shouldn’t be using that money. Steve O’Shea commented that because of that reason, we should consider funding the tennis courts through the revolving fund. The longer we wait the worse of an eyesore that area will be for the town. Already, there are bottles and trash being thrown on the courts. Mike said that Attorney Sam Bilotti had expressed interested in helping to fund the repairs. It was decided to table this discussion until after the Town Meeting on May 8, when we’ll know more of what the fiscal future is of the Parks and Rec Department.
The 10-12 baseball field at Rogers Field which was funded through Community Preservation Fund money was discussed. Steve O’Shea would like to get some volunteers to work on that field so it can be completed as soon as possible. Parks and Rec can cut out part of the field. Once Steve gets the volunteers, Tim will adjust the Department’s schedule to accommodate when the volunteers are available. This field should be completed as soon.
Baseball umpires were discussed. Steve Gordon is in charge of this and has a list of names of those who have umpired in previous years. Adult umpires will get games first. Tri-Town game schedules were just received today.
The Highway Department just installed a berm on State Street along Veterans Park to help keep the water from washing away the woodchips. The berm may be a trip hazard where it crosses the gate opening. That portion of the berm can be painted yellow so people will notice it.
There is still no hot water in the red building. While it would be nice to get it fixed, it’s on the bottom of the priority list. The hot water heater has been replaced four times in ten years.
The Pitch, Hit and Run competition is this Saturday, April 24. The net for the batting cage will be used and lines will be painted 45 feet from the target on the net.
There was a disagreement between Coaches Jim Joyce and Ed Yesu about conflicting practice times for Wednesdays. Tim resolved this and asked Jim to go from 5:15-6:30 p.m., and Ed to go from 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Coaches should be careful if they want to perform any maintenance on the baseball fields. There should be signs up letting people know what they can and cannot do to the fields (raking, moving water onto grass, etc.).
Monson Basketball Association is holding a tournament Saturday and Sunday. Finals are at Tantasqua Regional High School and there are 13 teams participating.
Mike presented a proposal for Office/Outdoor Time Management presenting 10 hours office time and 30 hours of outside labor per week for Tim. Maybe Jeannie could do more of Tim’s duties so he would have more time to help outside, and there would be more of a balance between administrative and outside responsibilities. Steve Gordon and Kyle Demaio are working outside now, and another seasonal employee will be hired soon from the five applications we’ve received. Tim will record his duties he does in the office on a daily basis which will give the Commissioners an idea of what his office hours consist of.
Harry Rogers can do drainage work on the third field at Flynt Park. There is already stone there and a pipe that comes out on the bank.
The basketball hoop has not been repaired yet, and the feeling is that even though it is leaning, there is no need to worry that it is going to move.
There were kids in the Skate Park the evening of the meeting, but the Skate Park isn’t officially open yet. Kids may be entering through a hole that was cut in the fence. The Monson Police Department cannot do anything since there is not a “No Trespassing” sign on the Skate Park. Faith Esposito has resigned from the Skate Park Committee. Tim will contact Lori Stabile about putting an article in the paper asking for those who are interested to join the Skate Park Committee.
Tim presented to the Commissioners a list of those who had not yet paid their basketball registration fees for the 2009-2010 season. The total of the outstanding fees is $1,030. Each person on this list had received three notices that were given to the coaches to hand to them. Jeannie will call each person on the list and let them know that according to our records we have not received payment yet.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m.
Steve Slozak made a motion to adjourn at 7:55 p.m., and Steve O’Shea seconded. All in favor; meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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