Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Present: Steve O’Shea (Chairman), Peter Beaupre, Michael Arbour (left meeting at 7:00 p.m. to attend Community Preservation Committee Meeting of which he is a member as Parks & Rec representative)
Also Present: Tim Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator, Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk
Steve O’Shea called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
The Commission discussed the age requirements for the basketball program as it will appear on the basketball Registration Form. There are changes being made from previous years, primarily for age requirements for the younger players. There will be a “First Start” program, which would be for boys and girls who have turned age 3 by 12/7/13 (the first date of practice). This program would be for children who have not yet played basketball and we would encourage Kindergarteners to start at this level if they have never played before. It will not be mandatory that those children who have never played before register for First Start. The registration form will state that an adult must be available at practices for each participating child.
The next division would be “Youth Basketball” which would be for boys and girls who are in Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade. Second graders can also try out for CYO basketball or sign up for recreation basketball. There may be some confusion the first year with the new guidelines, especially for 2nd graders who have three options.
Peter made a motion to approve the age requirement guidelines appearing on the basketball Registration Form, and Mike seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
Basketball evaluations were discussed and it was decided to keep the same procedures in place as done in previous years.
Jeannie will look at the lacrosse Registration Form and see if any changes need to be made for age requirements and discuss at the next meeting.
The pool will be closed from October 7-18 for maintenance. Liz Manley, Pool Director, will be out of town the month of October. Linda Shorette will oversee the administration of the pool, and Tim will oversee the maintenance. Bill Pegoraro of Sun Splash Pools is going to provide an estimate for caulking around the pool. He will also look into the diving stand. Tim is still waiting on more prices for the dehumidifier. Applications for two positions for pool custodians are being accepted until October 7.
Peter asked if we’ve heard from the School Department regarding the doors in the pool area. Liz thinks it was rust in the doors. They (the school) say it’s the flags and keep putting them down. Tim thinks it’s the cover. They may change where the sensors are.
Peter talked to Steve Gordon about mowing the fields shorter and leaving the grass longer around the field area. Steve is working five days a week, and Nick Szwarckop is working two days a week. It was agreed that the fields are looking good and mowing time will decrease once the weather gets cooler.
There is a new cross country trail and Parks and Rec is helping with the maintenance of the trail.
Tim showed the Commission the design of the new skate park which is being funded with tornado insurance money and grant money. We should invite kids into the next meeting with the intent of getting input from them regarding the design.
There will be a jamboree on the last day of 1st/2nd grade soccer and Peter is going to request sundaes be donated from Friendly’s for the jamboree.
Peter made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 29 meeting, and Steve seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
Mike made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 10 meeting, and Peter seconded. All in favor (Steve abstaining due to this absence at meeting) and the motion passed.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 15 at 6:15 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
| 
