Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Present: Steve O’Shea (Chairman), Peter Beaupre, Michael Arbour
Also Present: Tim Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator, Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk; Mark Bodak
Steve O’Shea called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m.
Mark Bodak coaches a Western United team and has a field permit to use Upper Rogers Field. He noticed while practicing that Lower Rogers Field was being used and the coach said that someone in town gave him permission to use the field, but he did not have a permit through the Parks and Recreation Department. Sean Gouvin said it was okay for that team to use Lower Rogers. Jen Gouvin uses that field in the spring, but she is allowed to do so since she helps out the Parks and Rec. Peter will talk to Jen about this.
Mark asked if they could use the shed to store portable goals that fold up. There isn’t enough room in the wooden shed, but he could use the green one. Mark said he wouldn’t need it until the spring.
Peter wanted to discuss possible conflicts of interest with department programs, specifically if one of the commissioners is being paid for participation in one (coaching, directing, etc.). Tim met with Nancy Morrell, Town Clerk, and they will only talk to the person who has the potential conflict. If there was a commissioner that was compensated for a Parks and Rec Program, and the commission was voting on an issue relative to that program, that commissioner would have to abstain from the vote. There is an on-line certification for conflict of interest the commissioners and employees should take. Jeannie will get the paperwork for Pete for him to complete as new commissioner.
Pete Beaupre and Jen Gouvin will split responsibilities for running Instructional Soccer. Pete will ask Jen to be at the first practice on September 7 since he will be out of town. There will be a meeting for coaches to take place prior to 10:00 a.m. when the Instructional Soccer practice starts.
Pete will hold a first practice for 1st/2nd Grade Soccer on Thursday, September 5, at Moriarty Field for all players signed up. We have two established teams with Coaches Pete Beaupre and John Murphy and need to form at least two more teams and get coaches in place. Pete will attempt to recruit coaches at that practice.
Steve O’Shea revisited setting up a Pool Sub Committee to just deal with pool issues. There was concern that there was too much time discussing pool issues during the Parks & Rec Commission meetings. Things are getting done at the pool, including the new eye wash station, the water chemical levels are up to par, new signs are up, and water testings are being done by Sun Splash Pools. Bill Pegoraro, owner of Sun Splash Pools, has been a big asset to the pool. The pool will be closed for two weeks in October for more maintenance. There should be much less to discuss regarding the pool as time passes. The Commission should consider having Liz Manley appear at meetings, perhaps on a quarterly basis, to discuss pool issues.
Mark Bodak is a regular lap swimmer and said he thinks we should charge more for use of the pool. The contract with Pride Cleaners has been terminated because of dissatisfactory performance. Tim would like to hire two part-time employees to clean the locker rooms and pool area. One position would be during the week, and the other would be weekends. The Commissioners agreed to have Tim fill these positions.
Gretchen Neggers said the town could pay $8,000-10,000 to repair the dehumidifier because of money saved purchasing the two new mowers and pick-up truck; however, Tim received a quote of $23,000. He will get more prices from different companies.
Peter has been talking to someone in Brimfield who runs their soccer program and discussed our sports programs in general. Brimfield is part of the five towns that make up the Tantasqua Regional High School district. There is potential for Monson to be a part of that group, and we should take advantage of that opportunity, especially with our numbers being low. Peter is going to go to their next meeting to discuss this.
We need to distribute registration forms for basketball within the next few weeks. Jeannie asked about the Instructional Basketball program and would there be any changes to that or any other aspect of the basketball program. Much discussion followed regarding the Parks and Rec’s policy of age requirements for programs, especially the instructional programs. Mike felt that whatever is printed on the registration forms for each program be considered the department policy for that program. However, we do make exceptions that don’t correlate with what’s written on the forms. What should be considered the formal policy of age requirement for the department? It was decided that a meeting be scheduled to discuss the Instructional Basketball program and what the
age requirement policy should be. There should be separate discussions and decisions on each sports program following that.
Steve O’Shea had noticed that one of the drainage areas of Moriarty Field is sinking in and is unsafe. Tim will look into.
Steve will e-mail Andy Linkenhoker about putting up the sign at Constantino Field.
The Community Preservation Act grant application has been submitted for the irrigation system at Constantino Field.
Use of the tennis courts was discussed and the possibility of having more lessons available. Mike had the name of someone who was willing to come and provide and certify 20 people so that they may be able to give lessons, and would also supply our department with equipment to do so. Jeannie will contact that person to get more information.
Peter Beaupre made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 18 meeting with the omission of Mike Arbour’s name (since he was not present at that meeting), and Steve O’Shea seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
The next meeting will be September 26 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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