Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Present: Michael Arbour, Steve Slozak, and Steve O’Shea (Chairman)
Also Present: Timothy Pascale, Director; Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk; Steve Gordon, Assistant Director; School Committee Member Jeff Lord; Superintendent Pat Dardenne; Selectmen Richard Smith
Steve O’Shea called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Superintendent Dardenne distributed materials regarding pool expenses: 2011-2012 Pool Expense Models; Full Year Pool Operating Cost FY ’11, July 1st 2011-June 20th 2012; and Varsity Swim Pool Operating Cost FY ’11, July 1st 2011-June 30th 2012. It is his intent to keep the pool open until the end of July. By early to mid-July “we need to know where we’re going.” July 1 is the start of the new fiscal year. The Parks and Rec Department needs a firm commitment of the amount of funds they need to come up with. A contract between the two departments (Parks and Rec and School Departments) was discussed. There is money in the revolving fund from the Palmer Stripers rental fee, but Palmer won’t start using the
pool until May. The budget will be proposed at the Town Meeting in May, and $21,280 will be proposed for Varsity Swim, leaving a $41,000 shortfall for total pool expenses for the year. Varsity Swim would use the pool from November through February, and the elementary school’s “swim and gym” program would run during that time.
The pool expense spreadsheets will be forwarded to Liz Manley. Liz and members of the Pool Sub-Committee will be invited to come to May’s Parks & Rec Commission Meeting. A figure has to be guaranteed, and a firm financial commitment made as to how much money can be raised towards the $41,000 shortfall.
Steve Slozak made a motion to accept the March 30 minutes, and Mike Arbour seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
Gretchen Neggers and Debi Mahar looked line by line at the budget for the whole town. They were looking at decreasing the Director’s hours (Tim) and Assistant Director’s (Steve Gordon) hours from 40 to 35 per week. Tim’s positioned is salaried, and with that proposal, he would get paid $6,250 less per year. This will also result in less sick time and vacation time, and will affect retirement benefits. Once those hours are decreased, they would be difficult to get back. The Parks and Rec Department has lost half their full time labor force. The secretary/clerk position is now being paid from the revolving fund 10 months out of the year (partially from the pool revolving fund).
Selectmen Richard Smith said the selectmen are trying to make the best of a bad situation. Essential services are being preserved at a high level. Sports and recreation are considered less than essential services for the Town. Those areas were targeted more than departments that generate revenue for the Town.
Dr. Smith stated that he was accused of harassing Tim and distributed an e-mail that Tim had sent on April 19 in response to learning that his and Steve’s hours may be cut to 35 hours a week. Gretchen had contacted department heads to let them know of the proposed budget cuts, including the decreased hours of the Parks and Rec positions.
Tim distributed a Budget Overview Worksheet for Fiscal 2012 that showed the budget reductions for the town. The total amount of the proposed cut hours came to $11,020 a year. The final decision of how this amount can be cut would be up to the Parks and Rec Commission.
Tim distributed a worksheet he generated “25 ways to come up with the $11,020 recommended by selectmen.” After reviewing the sheet and options with the Commission, it was decided that the first option was the best for the department. This would be to have the Director and Assistant Director remain at 40 hours a week, but $4,449.00 be cut from Secretarial and $6,571.00 be cut from Seasonal help. That would result in the secretary/clerk position being paid from the revolving fund 12 months out of the year instead of 10 months, and seasonal help being cut by 625 hours. Steve Slozak made a motion to allow for the budget cuts to the department to be determined by the option as stated above. Mike Arbour seconded; all in favor and the motion passed.
The deteriorating condition of the mowers was discussed, and the dire need of the department for a new mower. Older mowers are continuing to break down and be repaired on a regular basis. Steve Slozak made a motion that the Parks and Rec Department purchase a new Dixie Chopper mower at a price not to exceed $12,500. Mike Arbour seconded; all in favor and the motion passed.
There were no Accounts Receivable items to discuss.
Mike Arbour would prefer not to have the Parks and Rec Department maintain school grounds if we are not getting paid by the school on a timely basis or being paid in a sufficient manner. A portion of Tim and Steve Gordon’s salaries are paid by the school. Mike feels we spend recreational funds to maintain the school grounds. Steve O’Shea would rather not pursue this feeling and believes it would create an adversary relationship with the school.
Summer Fun Week and the Mustang Basketball Clinic are moving back to Monson High School. If the pool is open it can be used as an option for participants in each camp. The playground at Quarry Hill School will also be an advantage for those in Summer Fun Week. Summer Art Camp will still be housed at Granite Valley Middle School.
Baseball games are starting next week. This year checks are being cut to coaches for one sum for all home games referee payments. Coaches will cash checks and make cash payments to refs at the games. Hopefully, more refs will show up for games knowing they will get cash payments at game time rather than wait for payments to be processed with the regular billing cycle.
Steve Slozak nominated Steve O’Shea to continue as Chairman of the Monson Parks and Recreation Commission. Steve O’Shea accepted the nomination. It was decided that after every town election in April that the Commission will make a nomination for the Chairman’s seat.
The next meeting will be held Wednesday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Steve Slozak made a motion to adjourn at 8:03 p.m., and Mike Arbour seconded. All in favor; meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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