Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Present: Steve O’Shea (Chairman), Steve Slozak, Michael Arbour
Also Present: Tim Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator, Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk; Leslie Duthie and Valerie Beaudoin (Tree Planting Committee); Dan Laroche, Peter Wells and Amanda Beaumier (Veterans Park Master Plan)
Steve O’Shea called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
Leslie Duthie and Valerie Beaudoin appeared before the Commission to present the tree planting planned for Flynt Park. To commemorate the second anniversary of the tornado, the tree planting is planned for Saturday, June 1. Leslie presented three proposals for planting trees detailing the types of trees and locations of the plantings. One is to plant four trees in a semi-circle in the “amphitheater” area near the third field. The second is to plant pear trees along the road going along Upper Rogers Field. The third area will be plantings of saplings interspersed with shrubs in the area of the third field bordering the Keep Museum property. This is meant to be a community event, and the Committee will probably purchase water bags and soil for the plantings.
Peter Wells of The Berkshire Design Group presented two plans to the Commission for Veterans Park. One plan was Phase I of the project, and the second was the conceptual design of the completed plan for the master plan. The latter included a 60’ baseball field, a 90’ baseball field, 2 soccer fields, spray park, small picnic area, enlarged basketball court, skate park, and a walkway with exercise stations around the perimeter of the whole area, with a sidewalk leading to the park from the Town Hall parking lot. Once the playing fields are constructed, it is advised that they have two growing seasons before they can be used. The plan also included the new Parks & Rec storage building. Approximately 30-40 shade trees are included in this plan in different areas
along the perimeter and within the picnic area.
The plan for Phase I included the walkway from the Town Hall parking lot to the existing playground, the new storage building, renovated basketball court, half of the skate park element, three exercise stations, and the tree plantings. It was suggested some kind of screen be near the exercise stations for safety reasons to protect users from baseballs. The Commission liked the overall master plan and there was much discussion about the amount of tree plantings, primarily the high degree of maintenance which would be required for them. Parks & Rec doesn’t have the manpower to facilitate the trimming of grass around the trees, and the leaf removal. Some trees were eliminated due to the proximity of their location near the playing fields. It was agreed that the tree
planting plan would need to be looked at separately, given the different issues surrounding it.
The location of the storage shed was discussed with concern of where Parks & Rec trucks would be stored and if there would be enough room for parking the trucks, as well as turn-around space for towing and parking the trailer. Peter will make room for a “yard” area next to the building for storage of equipment, including a natural screen around the yard. He will also look into alternative locations for the storage shed and yard to allow for better utilization.
Amanda Beaumier discussed the skate park and different ways to fundraise for monies needed for the Skate Park. She will work with the local kids to get them involved in the fundraising. Community Preservation Act monies could be used to fund the master plan, or at least individual aspects of it, for example, the spray park. Peter will incorporate the changes in the plans as discussed and return to the Commission around the end of May, or beginning of June.
Regarding the pool status, the Finance Committee was happy with the information Tim had provided showing income and expenses. There will be special Town Meeting to give us enough money to operate the pool until June 30. At the regular Town Meeting, there will be a vote allowing the town to give us money to operate the pool on an annual basis. Nationwide Aquatic Consulting is going to look at the pool on Monday to see what kinds of repairs are needed.
There is $1,105 outstanding in baseball registration fees, and $660 outstanding in lacrosse registration fees. E-mails were sent to parents to remind them of their balances. There are still outstanding balances for basketball. Letters have not gone out yet, but will be mailed shortly to parents to remind them.
There will be a gate at Flynt Park at the end of this week or early next week depending on weather. The existing gate will be used, and will cost $1,900 to relocate. There will be a gate at Cushman Field, which will cost $1,600, and will be mostly new and use the existing poles.
We have not mowed yet for the Senior Center of the Water Department yet, so there is no money owed from either.
Picture Night for baseball and lacrosse is Wednesday, May 22, beginning at 4:30 p.m, and the last team scheduled for 6:45 p.m. There is an open house event at Quarry Hill Community School that night at 6:00 p.m.; therefore, the younger teams have been scheduled prior to 6:00 p.m.
Steve Slozak made a motion to approve the April 22 minutes. Mike Arbour seconded; all in favor and the motion passed.
The next meeting date is Tuesday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Steve Slozak made a motion to close the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Mike Arbour seconded; all in favor and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
| 
