Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Present: Steve O’Shea (Chairman), Peter Beaupre
Also Present: Tim Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator, Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk; Peter Sauriol (School Committee); Liz Manley, Pool Director; Jeff Roberts, Friends of the Pool; Craig Jalbert, Monson Water & Sewer Department Superintendent
Steve O’Shea called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
The Commissioners discussed the walk through of the pool they did with Liz on July 8. The condition of the dehumidifier was a shared major concern. Tim has told the School Department the dehumidifier is not working. Steve O’Shea said the manufacturer’s name he took off the unit is McCormick-Allum. Peter made a motion that Tim call McCormick-Allum to have them service the dehumidifier and Steve O’Shea seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
The caulking around the pool needs to done. Bruce Gross may have some of the caulking material. Tim will check into seeing what type of caulking is recommended.
Also discussed were repairs for the ceiling lights, diving block, locker room bench posts, eye wash solvent units, feminine product machines, floor drains and floor grates. Tim is thinking about closing the pool in October and maintenance and repairs could be done during that time. The length of time would depend on what work can be done, probably two to three weeks. Tim has received permission to have Paul Demaio help out with issues regarding maintenance of the pool.
There probably should be an MSDS (material safety data sheets) booklet available in the pool area. There also needs to be new “Please Shower Before Using the Pool” signs put up. The wet area of the deck should be sprayed and squeegeed every day, and the same should be done to the whole deck two times a week. A lifeguard will be asked to perform these duties before she/he leaves for the day.
Liz should be making sure these things are getting done, and Tim is to oversee Liz’s performance for those duties. Steve O’Shea brought up the possibility of having a pool sub-committee be responsible for the issues that have been discussed and any other items that may come up. The sub-committee could have a Parks & Rec representative, and Tim and Liz could also be on it, in addition to a Finance Committee representative. It’s important to have a Finance Committee involved so they realize the details of the pool’s operation and its financial implications. There was a pool sub-committee at one time, but it has been inactive. Tim will e-mail the Finance Committee about having a Finance Committee member serve on a pool sub-committee.
Liz distributed a cleaning list for the pool to the Commission outlining what she thought the cleaning jobs should be for the pool on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. It was discussed whether Pride is the appropriate choice for the responsibility of cleaning the pool. They are paid for 1 ½ hour per day to clean the pool, and that is not sufficient time to clean the area effectively. An independent contractor may be a more logical choice for this responsibility.
Tim commented that the locks on the door going to the pool aren’t working properly. Liz has asked for this repair for two months. Tim will get a price from the person who did the locks for the Hillside Building, and see if the locks to the pool doors can be repaired and possibly all accommodate the same key.
Jeff Roberts appeared before the Commission on behalf of an informal “Friends of the Pool” group. Their concern is the Pool Use Agreement that was recently approved by the School Committee. The main concern is that the school was maintaining too much control over the pool, and would like to see the Agreement reviewed more carefully. If Parks & Rec truly has 100% control over the pool, he felt the Agreement should reflect that. Areas of concern were the approval by the Superintendent of repairs over $500 and the approval of banners to be hung. The Commission felt that the pool is still housed in a school facility and the school needs to be involved in that capacity of control, and right now we are in a good position with the school. It was also felt it wasn’t
worth reviewing at this point, but if there were individual issues that arose which were deemed unreasonable, those issues could be addressed at that time. In moving forward, Jeff said there were a number of parents that are willing to volunteer and do some of the work that is needed to maintain and/or repair the pool.
Craig Jalbert appeared before the Commission to discuss the irrigation system project for the baseball field at the high school (Constantino Field). All agreed that Community Preservation Act funds would be an appropriate way to pay for the system. Water would be brought to the scoreboard area. The Water Commission will help with the cost. Electricity could be run underground while they are running the (water) pipe. It would cost approximately $8,000 for the whole project. They should plan for a water spigot for a hose or to fill water bottles, and also a water fountain. Tom Gregoire will do the backhoe work for $2,000. The Monson Youth Baseball Association will donate a shed. An enclosure and cement pad should be included at the shed for the set up. We should move forward with the next round of CPA applications and get together the estimates needed.
The Commission discussed Liz Manley’s salary as a follow up to Tim’s request to increase her salary at the last meeting. She has not received a raise in five years and she now has added responsibilities. She is now backwashing the pool, checking CO2 levels, administering chemicals and taking readings. The Commission would like to evaluate her performance of all her duties, but at the same time would like to recognize her with a merit increase, based on time and service. Peter would like to see some type of increase after seeing what her performance is in four months. Now that she is Pool Director and fully responsible for the operation of the pool, she will be accountable. Tim’s job is to oversee Liz.
Liz should be heavily promoting current and new programs for the pool to generate more income. Jeannie will check with Liz to see if she has advertised the programs in The Journal. If she hasn’t, Jeannie will e-mail Doug Farmer to see if he can feature Pool News in The Journal on a regular basis, and perhaps all our programs, as well.
Peter Beaupre made a motion to increase Liz’s salary by $1.00 per hour, and Steve O’Shea seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
There is $650 due in outstanding balances for baseball registration fees. Notwithstanding the balances due, the baseball program will still lose money. Tim will have to go up on baseball and softball fees next year. Instructional and Coach Pitch fees will remain the same, but the older age divisions will need to go up since fees need to fund the officials’ payments.
Peter would like to see the Instructional Soccer program move off of Veterans Field to Cushman Field. The playground at Veterans Field is too much of a distraction to the kids in the program. Peter would also like to see the 1st and 2nd grade soccer participants play other towns. He is looking into this already with other towns. Tim said that would be okay. Also, Peter will help with a pre-season soccer coaches’ meeting, and feels such a meeting should take place for each of the Parks & Rec sports programs.
Steve O’Shea asked how the tennis programs are going. Eve Falk did a great job organizing the Grand Reopening and had every spot filled for her free tennis lessons to kids. An Instructional Tennis program was discussed. Peter may know someone that could direct such a program and will reach out to him to see if he’s interested.
Peter Beaupre made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 25 meeting, and Steve O’Shea seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
The next meeting will be August 26 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
| 
