Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Monday, August 11, 2014
Present: Michael Arbour (Chairman), Peter Beaupre, Jr., Sara Szado
Also Present: Tim Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator, Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk
Mike called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Tim discussed adding more hours to the Administrative Assistant position. We have more programs going on and, especially when we move, Tim will be out of the office more with the storage building and its contents being off site at the Water Department, in addition to the added responsibilities of the Pool. The Administrative Assistant has never been a union position; it’s always been part-time, but it was funded by the town. The salary had been cut, and now the town gives approximately $5,000 towards the salary. Anything over 20 hours is considered benefit eligible and union. Before Tim approached the Town Administrator he wanted to make sure that the Commission was in agreement. He would like to add evening hours to increase customer
service, and would like to have the Administrative Assistant present at more programs for administrative information. The Department would fund the salary piece, but the Town would have to provide benefits. The Commission unanimously agreed to support Tim requesting increased hours of the Administrative Assistant’s position.
Regarding the Parks & Rec Department’s usage of space at the River Hollow Family Golf Center, the area to the left is too uneven for field use. The right side looks fine but probably not large enough for a standard game field, but you could create two smaller lacrosse fields, or two smaller soccer fields. The Selectmen will discuss this at their meeting tomorrow. Veterans Field is not safe with the amount of construction, nor is the Monson Developmental Center (MDC) field, since it is littered with rocks and holes. Sara and Peter can attend the meeting and discuss our need for additional field space.
The Junior Summer Theatre needs a generator for power for their performances this weekend. Microphones and a few lights are needed. Peter suggested that they run extension cords out the window, and Sara said they’ve done that for night soccer games. If you use the power from the scoreboard, it could short out. Ticket prices will be $10 for general admission. The hill will be mowed so audience members can sit on the hill.
The tennis clinic for children is going well. Tim went to the courts while lessons were going on. An adult inquired about tennis lessons; we can give out Eve’s contact info if someone calls our office inquiring about the same.
There are two different locations where the playground can go at Rogers Field. It will be 45’ x 75’, and the cost is approximately $75,000-100,000 for this project, which would include a road to the third field. At some point, Tim would like to put a pavilion type structure in this area with picnic tables, etc. Tim was also thinking about putting a basketball hoop at the end of the parking area. We will have two remaining hoops when the new basketball court is completed at Veterans Park. O’Brien and Sons will put together a proposal for the playground based on the space available, and geared toward 5-12 year olds. That area could be a great place for families to spend time. There is hiking, the ball fields, and in the future could
possibly have a playground and picnic area.
Carl Tassinari received 18’ x 35’ nets from Springfield College’s track and field program which were being replaced. They could be donated to Parks & Rec if we wanted them. We could use them at Lower Rogers to keep balls from rolling into the rough and rolling down the hill. They could be mounted on telephone poles.
A final version of the scoreboard donated by the Burson family in memory of their son was presented to the Commission. The board will go at the far end of the Granite Valley Middle School gym. This will be more visible to fans, and if you wanted to divide the gym in half for two games, each game would have its own scoreboard. Fairplay will put it on the wall, and Rich Bingle will complete the electrical work.
The pool water level will be lowered on August 25, and the pool’s strainer basket will be replaced on August 26, as well as other maintenance work. We talked about purchasing new starter blocks, but probably shouldn’t apply for CPA funding for that project because of the anticipated expense of the playground. An option would be to repair just the one starter block.
Sara asked if anyone contacted Tim about the change in security at the schools. There are going to be swipe key entries. Sara said the school is going to ask all the coaches to turn in their keys.
A tour of the new town office building was given to the town employees, and the anticipated move in date is the first week of November 2014.
Outdoor Movie Night is August 25 and Disney’s “Frozen” will be the movie shown. Monson Savings Bank has donated the money for this event, and the Monson PTSA will be there to sell concessions.
Peter made a motion to approve the July minutes; Sara seconded. All in favor, and the motion passed.
The next meeting is Monday, September 22, at 6:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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