Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, May 19, 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. Steve Slozak made a motion to accept the April minutes and Mike seconded. All in favor and motion passed.
The Exmark mowers have had numerous problems and continue to be repaired as needed. There are other problems with much of the Department’s equipment, including the 1985 pick up truck, which are outdated and have a lot of wear. It was decided that rather than focus on repairing the tennis court, the Commission must concentrate on spending any available funds to purchase much needed, newer equipment.
Some of the outstanding balances for basketball registration fees have come in.
Tim has been working on completing the third field at Rogers Field. The Highway Department is helping out. The infield has been cut and rolled. The rolled pieces could be used to repair the soccer goal mouths. Tim is hoping to have the field finished by next week. The infield material will come from Rosati Contractors in Agawam. Driving up to the field may be a problem for cars, and that will have to be looked into.
The lacrosse and soccer seasons are going well with no complaints. Baseball/softball picture night went well.
There is a group that wants to start a summer baseball pick up league for 9-13 year olds. They would like to use Veterans Park #3; however, there are two 12-14 teams that are using that field this summer. Once we receive both 12-14 game schedules we can let the pick up group know when that field would be available.
Pam West is the new Skate Park Committee member in charge of the Skate Park. Erin Randall is also helping. Erin lives in an apartment building next to the Skate Park and she locks up at night. Mike was at Veterans Park one night and noticed that no helmets were being worn by kids on skateboards and bikes in the Skate Park. The Parks and Rec Department has been told by the insurance company that there is no liability for injury since there is a sign posted stating helmets must be worn.
There was discussion about holes being made in front of the pitcher mounds on some baseball fields. These holes are made from pitching during batting practice in the area in front of the pitchers mound. There are portable practice mounds that can be purchased, but they cost $1,000. Steve O’Shea will discuss this with the Monson Youth Baseball Association and see if there is a less expensive option. Asking Tony Dismukes to build a portable pitching mound in his high school class may be an option. The portable pitching mound would have to be light and portable enough so that people could easily use it. Another concern is the abuse the backstops are taking and there was discussion on what could be done to eliminate that problem.
Tim gave the Commissioners the report that he was asked to maintain from the last meeting. The report detailed Tim’s office responsibilities in hope that he could transfer some of the responsibilities to Jeannie so he is able to work outside more often. When the baseball program is up and running, Tim is able to be outside the office more often. He can come into the office in the morning to answer e-mails, check correspondence, prepare for meetings, etc., and then for the remainder of the day he is available to work on outside projects and keep aware of his staff’s progress. Tim is able to communicate with Jeannie via a cell phone if an issue comes up that he has to attend to. There are office duties that he sets aside to accomplish on rainy days when work cannot be done outside. This system has worked in the past and continues to be a reasonable approach rather than to keep set hours for inside work and outside work.
This summer the soccer teams will be using Moriarty Field in order to give Upper and Lower Rogers some attention.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Steve Slozak made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m., and Steve O’Shea seconded. All in favor; meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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