Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Present: Steve O’Shea (Chairman) Michael Arbour and Steve Slozak
Also Present: Timothy Pascale, Director; Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk
Steve O’Shea called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m.
The Monson Lacrosse Association was scheduled to appear before the Commission to discuss the Parks & Recreation Department taking over the lacrosse program. Jeannie reported the MLA Board has changed their mind about turning over the program this year. MLA has agreed to 100% fund the Monson High School Varsity Lacrosse boys and girls teams for the first two years. The second season is coming up and MLA has to raise money to be able to meet this obligation. The MLA board feels that they can more effectively fund raise if they have direct access to players and their contact information, rather than work through the coaches, which is what they feel they would have to do if the lacrosse program was run through the town. MLA will propose to the school that for the Varsity lacrosse
program’s third year, they fund 50% of the cost. At that time, MLA would feel more comfortable turning the developmental lacrosse program over to the Parks and Rec Department.
Tim said that lacrosse may not be able to use the high school field at all because of the wet conditions of that field. The school will have to start thinking about what field can be used for the spring if that’s the case.
Steve O’Shea wanted to discuss the $20,000 shortfall that still exists to fund Quarry Hill pool. He wants to keep on the forefront of this issue to make sure that they keep this topic active. Parks and Rec is making the $1,800 payment each month, but that doesn’t fix the shortage still due. The boosters had agreed to help out financially and raise this money. There is currently a Little Caesar’s pizza fundraiser, but this won’t be enough. Liz is in constant contact with the boosters, but they are not a very strong group. Steve wants to make sure we are doing everything we should be doing to meet this shortfall. Tim will send Liz a letter regarding the booster club and ask what the status is of their fundraising efforts. They will also be invited
to the Parks and Rec Commissioners’ January meeting.
The status of the temporary storage containers was discussed. The area where they will go has to be prepared, and the highway department won’t do it. Pete Lloyd will level the area for two 10’ x 25’ units. These will be rentals that the insurance company will pay for. Tim will also submit the bill for the preparation work to the insurance company.
Tim is working on the design of the new Parks and Rec building with Associated Builders. The building has to go on the exact same spot as the one that was destroyed by the tornado. The plan is for a 30’ x 30’ building, but he’s trying to extend it a little more. The new building will have two stories, and hopefully, a bathroom facility. Steve Slozak said his brother has a propane heater that he’s selling for $150, and maybe Tim could use that to heat the building.
Steve O’Shea and Mike Arbour went to a Selectmen’s Meeting to discuss the blue truck and its possible repair or replacement. They were told to prepare a warrant for the town meeting in May for this request. They may also include the purchase of other equipment for the Parks and Rec Department. Steve O’Shea mentioned that Fathers & Sons may be able to help with the repair of the truck, which involves replacing the engine. Tim has been sent some information regarding leasing mowers, which would be less expensive than having to purchase new ones. He will look into this.
The bleachers at Granite Valley Middle School are not working, and because of this CYO and Suburban basketball games had to be moved to the high school for the weekend. Tim has asked Don Smith what the repair costs would be to fix these, and has offered to help pay for the repairs. He has not heard back from Don. The principal and assistant principal of GVMS said since they only use the bleachers twice a year that they don’t need to be fixed. There is also a spending freeze at the school. Parks and Rec has been blamed for trash from concessions sold left under the bleachers that could have contributed to the bleachers being broken. Tim was told that the bleachers can be opened manually, and they may use one by doing this. Steve O’Shea commented that he
tried to reach out twice to the school in the last couple months and has received no response.
There is $28,258 in the revolving fund. Rick Malo, who is coaching our 5th/6th Grade boys Suburban basketball team asked his employer, Lamcotec, to donate $500 for the CYO fees for his team. Lamcotec gave Rick checks for $5,000 to not only cover the CYO fees, but to put towards a donation for the Parks and Rec basketball program. This is in addition to the $10,000 they had already donated towards tornado relief for the department. Lucy Dearborn, a former Monson resident donated $3,000 to the Parks and Rec Department through her company, Lucia Lighting and Design in Lynn, MA.
The wood policy was discussed in the context of the fact the Tim and Steve Gordon were reprimanded because Steve used the Parks and Rec’s grey truck to transport wood to his home. The wood was being cleared at Rogers Field and had been put in the truck. After Steve got out of work he drove the truck home to unload the wood. After looking at the entire wood policy posted on the town’s website, it states: “The wood will be delivered using town equipment (within town limits) directly from a job site whenever possible to reduce costs.~ Again this would be left in large sections that would need to be cut and split for use. ~This distribution of wood must be approved by the tree warden and can only occur as directed by the highway surveyor after the resident signs a form holding
the town harmless for any damage to private property due to wood delivery.” Therefore, it would have been acceptable to use the truck to deliver the wood to Steve’s home if he had received permission from the tree warden.
This year the department has reinstituted a high school boys’ rec team, and there is enough boys registered to have two teams. There are 15 girls registered for the high school rec team.
One ticket has been sold to the Springfield Armor basketball game on January 7.
Steve Slozak made a motion to accept the minutes of the October 19 meeting. Mike Arbour seconded; all in favor and the motion passed.
The next meeting will be held Wednesday, January 25, at 6:30 p.m.
Steve Slozak made a motion to adjourn at 7:15 p.m., and Steve O’Shea seconded. All in favor; meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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