Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Present: Michael Arbour (Chairman), Peter Beaupre, Jr., Sara Szado
Also Present: Tim Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator, Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk; Jen Gouvin, Monson High School Athletic Director, and Kyle McFarland, Administrator of Secondary Academics; Lynn and Michael Bechard, owners of River Hollow Family Golf Center
Peter calling the meeting called to order at 6:08 p.m.
Jen Gouvin, Monson High School Athletic Director, and Kyle McFarland, Administrator of Secondary Academics, appeared before the Commission to discuss the relationship between the Parks & Rec Department and the School. Jen wants the JV soccer team to work with the soccer instructional program. Varsity Coach Mike Rouette is going to talk to some Varsity players to help out, too. Jen would like to have Mike set out instructions and a curriculum for the assistants (JV and Varsity players) to follow, which would include skill levels that the kids can move through, then have a free play soccer game at the end of the session. Peter talked to Mike and he will do a coaching clinic. Peter wants to see this for all the sports. We have not had many
willing volunteers in the past for our younger age divisions. Jen said the basic coaching philosophy of the high school should be followed for all sports. Peter said more communication between the school and the Parks & Rec will help. Jen is using MIAA.net for scheduling which should be more accurate than what was used previously. This should help the Parks & Rec when planning on preparing fields for competitions, especially when there are changes to the original schedule. Jen would like to see Pioneer Valley soccer at the Monson High School. This would get the community to the field, and they would be more vested in the field by being more familiar with it.
Because of the administration levels of the school, all sports will need a waiver for 7th and 8th graders to play JV. Boys soccer and cross country have waivers. You can request waivers for just 8th graders. Waivers are going to be requested in September for basketball. Parks & Rec would need to know of any rule changes that affect the way a field is prepared. High school needs usually have first priority for field maintenance.
Josh Madison was scheduled to appear before the Commission to discuss a bleacher project for the high school soccer/lacrosse field. He was not at the meeting, but Jeannie updated the Commission as to what his plan is. The building of bleachers would be a Boy Scout project and he would like to build two three-tiered galvanized steel bleachers on the field opposite where the team benches are. He would like to do this work in three weekends in September. The Commission’s concern is what would be under the bleachers, and they would want a material there that would not impede field maintenance (mowing, trimming, etc.). Josh would also have to work around the high school’s soccer schedule.
Lynn and Michael Bechard, owners of River Hollow Family Golf Center, appeared before the board to offer part of their property to be utilized for Parks & Rec programs (field space). Peter thanked them for coming to the meeting, and asked what their vision is. Lynn wants to be part of the Monson community, and has space to offer. Mike wants to promote golf, she wants to work with children when she retires, and wants to promote quality family life and Mike promote sports. They want to see kids outside and being productive. They have 29 acres and the left side floods when there is a lot of rain. In the spring it is wet and stays very wet until late May. Sarah said there is more space than she thought. The left is probably the
best piece of land if they could keep it dry. The right side stays drier for a longer period of time. Peter wants to know about liability. Tim will ask the Town Administrator and/or Town Counsel what would be sufficient for liability. There are benefits for both parties if the area was utilized for field space. It is probably big enough for batting cages. There are lights only inside the driving range and mini golf areas. There is a bathroom you can enter from the outside that can be used, and there is room for parking. River Hollow closes Columbus Day so a “porta potty” may be needed if we had a soccer program there through November.
The Bechards have talked to their insurance agent, and she wanted to know more details regarding what the use of the field would be. For the fall we would need soccer fields for Grades 1 through 6, and Instructional space. We would have to cut the grass shorter than it is cut now by River Hollow. Peter suggested we find out what the Town needs for liability before any further planning. We should also research what would happen if a Parks & Rec employee gets injured while on River Hollow property.
Sarah asked about a field that could be used for the annual softball tournament, formerly run by the Fire Department. Vets field may be available for the tournament if we move youth soccer off those fields. Using Constantino Field for the tournament is not a good idea because of the new sprinkler system going in. Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to Monson HEARS. Both fields at Veterans have been sprayed, rolled and rototilled. The intention is to be a community event and Sara would like to have the tournament on a Monson field. Once we hear about River Hollow and possibly could use their space for youth soccer, Veterans Park could be available. September 13 is the target date for the tournament.
The party room for the pool is being prepared to house the Transportation Department, which is moving out of the Hillside Building into Quarry Hill Community School. Without the use of that room, Parks & Rec can no longer use if for pool parties, and the pool boosters can no longer use it for their concession sales.
The Parks & Rec Department is definitely moving to the new office building. The workers will be in the new storage building behind the Fire Department.
The State Department of Health and Safety has been out to inspect our equipment as a result of the accident with the mower at Conant Brook Dam. There is now an actual sheet Parks & Rec workers have to sign, one time upon hiring. They also have to have a safety checklist. Procedures need to be changed and Tim has been working with Evan Brassard, Town Administrator, about a protocol to follow for seasonal employees. They are checking with legal counsel as they proceed.
Tim has been e-mailing with a vendor back and forth with prices for a playground at Flynt Park, as a possible future Community Preservation Act project.
Sarah made a motion to approve the June minutes; Peter seconded. All in favor, and the motion passed.
Next meeting is Monday, August 11, at 6:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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