Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Thursday, August 26, 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 6:37 p.m. Steve Slozak made a motion to accept the July minutes. All in favor and motion passed.
Tri-Town Evaluations will be held September 7 through September 10. There was hope that they could be held a week earlier, but there wouldn’t have been enough time to publicize. The 8-10 evaluations will be September 7 and 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Quarry Hill, and the 10-12 evaluations will be September 9 and 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Quarry Hill.
There are plans to have lights go up at the varsity softball field at Quarry Hill.
It will cost $12,000 to repair the drainage at Rogers Field. This is just for materials; the Highway Department will perform the work. This doesn’t qualify for Community Preservation funds. Tim will send a request to the Board of Selectmen asking for any suggestions on how to fund this project.
The Exmark mower is still going despite its many repairs, and is expected to last through the season. Eventually purchasing another mower, possibly a brand other than Exmark, should be explored. The Exmark was purchased in 2002.
None of the summer camps made money, and altogether lost approximately $4,000-5,000. Summer Fun Week lost the most; Art Camp lost approximately $600; and the Basketball Clinic lost approximately $1,000. The loss was primarily due to low turnout. Even though the camps lost money, it was acknowledged that this is a valuable service that is provided to the Town and there won’t always be a profit.
We currently do not have enough coaches for Instructional or 1st/2nd Grade soccer. The numbers are low for 7th/8th grade soccer, but we will wait until after JV tryouts to see if any more register.
Field usage was discussed and perhaps the Application for Field Use needs to be modified. Teams need to be given more specifics, especially regarding make up dates, so that the problems experienced at Veterans Field this summer could be eliminated. Also, primary and secondary fields could be indicated. Ages of those participating in the “activity” may also have to be specific as to avoid possible injury. It appeared as if very young children were participating in the pick up games meant for 9-12 year olds. Steve O’Shea made a motion to modify the current Application for Field Use form to incorporate changes that were discussed, and Steve Slozak seconded. All in favor and motion passed. Jeannie will make changes on the Application for Field Use for the
commissioners to review at the next meeting.
A completion date of the third field at Rogers Field was discussed. The infield material was delivered and the Highway Department will roughly spread it out and will fix the driveway. Volunteers will be needed between now and October to complete the spreading. The field should be 100% finished by next spring, and, also, the driveway repaired.
There are more baseball teams joining the John L. Sullivan league. Tri-Town will make us field an A division 10-12 team. It was noted that there are fewer and fewer soccer rec teams because more players are going to Pioneer Valley.
Steve Slozak mentioned a conflict between the Summer Track Program and summer soccer at Moriarty Field. There were soccer games almost every night and the Track Program ran from July 5 to July 16. During the nights when there were soccer games the throwing events for track were asked to be moved to the back of the school. The track spectators should know to be away from the area where a soccer game is taking place. This was the first time Moriarty Field was used for summer soccer.
The sprinklers were down in a couple areas of Moriarty Field. The goal mouths were reseeded but it didn’t take. Upper Rogers is coming back but Lower Rogers is dry. The High School field is the second nicest field we have now. This field gets abused by lacrosse. More work on the goal mouths will be done in the spring.
Steve O’Shea checked to make sure that our agenda is sufficient to meet the requirements of the new open meeting laws. He was told that our agenda that is being posted is perfect. It doesn’t need to be elaborate and detailed.
The performance dates for Monson Summer Theatre are September 10, 11, 17 and 18, and the ticket price is $9. There is still no fee associated with participation. On one of those dates they are going to dedicate and name the auditorium after Tess Pellissier. The signs advertising Monson Summer Theatre go up Monday, August 30. Courtney Gilligan has been rehired temporarily and will help put up the signs.
The next meeting of the Parks and Rec Commission will be Wednesday, September 22, at 6:30 p.m.
Steve O’Shea made a motion to adjourn at 7:38 p.m., and Steve Slozak seconded. All in favor; meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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