Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Present: Steve O’Shea (Chairman), Peter Beaupre, Jr., Michael Arbour
Also Present: Tim Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator, Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk
Steve O’Shea called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
Tim requested $6,895 from the Finance Committee for the pool’s compressor. Because of a faulty compressor, the pool’s temperature had dropped and as a result, programs had to be cancelled. Since resolving the problem with the compressor, the temperature of the pool has been increasing steadily. Tim met with Debi Mahar and Evan Brassard and as a result the dehumidifier is on the list for capital items. They are researching other ways to address the problems with the dehumidifier, such as changing controls, or buying our own computer, which would be less expensive. The dehumidifier was working, but not consistently. We are having a working relationship with Cote Plumbing and Heating, and they have identified some problems that
can be rectified. Tim will set up a service contract with Cote. Most of their contracts are quarterly. These will be trying months financially for the pool; however, after March we have approximately $13,000 in the operating budget.
A list of possible projects which could be funded with Community Preservation Act monies was compiled after discussion at last month’s meeting. The Commissioners went through this list and discussed what the priorities would be and estimated costs.
Steve O’Shea made a motion for the following two projects to be put forth for the next round of CPA applications: (1) Replacement of pool starting blocks, a pool strainer, and pool locker room benches; and (2) Playground at Flynt Park.
Peter Beaupre seconded, and after discussion, Peter made an amendment to the motion, which was to add a third project, (3) bleachers at Flynt Park. Steve O’Shea seconded the amendment. All in favor and the amended motion passed.
The Parks and Rec Commission is on the School Committee’s agenda on Wednesday, April 30 at 7:15 p.m., to discuss the pool’s maintenance and repair. They will discuss what repairs have been done to date, and what concerns still remain to be addressed.
Jeannie gave information to the Commission regarding a tennis program which would teach participants how to instruct tennis to groups of children ages ten and under. Mike Arbour spoke with Mike Kolendo at the grand reopening of the tennis courts last year regarding this program. There are two organizations that certify this type of instruction: USPTA and PTR. Participants would go on-line to www.coachyouthtennis.com and complete a series of 6 on-line courses, which
takes 35-45 minutes. They should take at least 4 of these courses before they attend a workshop. The workshop would be free and would require at least 20 participants and would be 3 ½ hours. The object of the course is to teach participants how to manage and instruct large groups, and would take place on the court. Mike will have someone e-mail Jeannie with more information.
Kathleen Delaney met with Tim to discuss a program for children in Grades 2 through 8, which would be a “theatre in the park” theme, and wanted to use the area at the bottom of the hill outside of Moriarty Field. This could be an extension of Monson Summer Theatre and could help boost participation by involving kids in theatre prior to the age required for the older group. The hill would act as natural bleachers. Kathleen and Tim discussed a six week program which would meet twice a week for five weeks, then the week leading up to the performance may go every night. Granite Valley Middle School would be used inside if there was rain. The set is basically a jungle gym with a Shakespeare theme. This would be a great option to reach
out to kids that may not be playing sports. We have some money in the Summer Theatre budget that we can provide to this program if they need “starter” funding. Similar to Summer Theatre, we will allow non-residents at a higher registration fee. The performance dates would be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the week before high school soccer tryouts begin. The next step is for Kathleen to propose a budget to Tim.
Craig Szado is running the first few practices of U8 baseball until we get a volunteer to coach a third team.
We need to move the shed at Veterans Park to Quarry Hill, since baseball activity is taking place at Quarry Hill #2. Monson Youth Baseball Association is donating a storage shed which probably should be located at Flynt Park.
Mike Arbour made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 26 meeting, and Peter seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
The next meeting is Wednesday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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