Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Monday, September 29, 2014
Present: Michael Arbour (Chairman), Peter Beaupre, Jr., Sara Szado
Also Present: Tim Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator, Jeannie Guertin, Secretary/Clerk; Eric Madison, Josh Madison and Dan Chalue (Troop 776)
Mike called the meeting to order 6:01 p.m.
Peter made a motion to approve the August minutes, and Sara seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
Eric Madison, Josh Madison and Dan Chalue from Troop 776 appeared before the Commission. Josh presented a power point for an Eagle project to build and install two permanent three-tier 24’ x 12’ bleachers at the Monson High School soccer/lacrosse field. There is no place for viewers to sit, and they’re scattered in different areas around the field. This would give home and visiting viewers separate places to sit and watch soccer and lacrosse games. The bleachers would be installed on the far end of the field, opposite where the players sit. The project is planned for spring after snowfall so the field isn’t too soft.
Any structure with concrete support will have to be approved by the town’s Building Inspector. The cross country team runs through that area so spacing needs to be considered. Tim is definitely supportive but wants to make sure any obstacles are thought through. The Commission also supports this worthwhile project. Peter made a motion to accept Josh’s proposal of the bleachers project at Monson High School field. Sara seconded; all in favor and the motion passed.
Tim is on the Selectmen’s Meeting agenda tomorrow to discuss a proposal he submitted to make the Parks & Rec Administrative Assistant position full time. The Commissioners are invited to attend. The Parks & Rec Department will supply the monies needed for the additional salary piece, but the Town would have to fund the benefit part. A full time administrative assistant in the office would offer more accessibility to the community (i.e., evening and/or afternoon hours), and would like to time the effective date with the move to the new Town Offices.
Current concerns with Monson Summer Theatre were discussed. Mike was concerned about the language in the script (Footloose The Musical) that the kids were allowed to use, and audience members thought it was inappropriate. A beer bottle which was used as a prop was left behind. There were other problems such as a hole in the wall, and extra custodial fees we had to pay. The school feels because of these and other problems, they will not approve any permits in the future to Monson Summer Theatre. We don’t want to lose this valuable program, and Tim and the Commission agreed we should work with the school to see how we can continue the success of Summer Theatre. Tim will also speak with the producer about these problems. He has to meet
with the producer regarding a follow up on the season in general, and will invite her to a future meeting to discuss the above concerns.
Peter talked to Craig Levesque about rolling the field at River Hollow Family Golf Center. He thought it was a success having the field there, but the field does need work, which can be done after the season is over. Many individuals are approaching the Commission asking to help out and volunteer their services for field repairs and betterments. The owner’s father is very receptive to having work done to the field. Organization has to be done regarding who wants to help out and what needs to be done. Sara wants to move the benches to the other side of the field for Youth Soccer so the parents know not to sit in the same area as the players.
Damage has been made to Moriarty Field by the boys’ varsity soccer team by running conditioning drills during practices that have marked “lanes” of damaged grass at the field. Tim called Athletic Director Jen Gouvin about it and she was to address this with the coach. Brad Medeiros repaired the area; however, one side of the goal will need more work than the other side.
Sara asked if we had thank you notes from the Parks & Rec Department that we can send out to appropriate parties. The Commission feels that these are important and appreciated and more people are donating time and services to our facilities. Tim will price it out with Roberts & Sons Printing.
Peter would like to talk about the very successful night soccer games and thinks we need to be more aggressive about getting lights at the field. Dave Mitchell said eight wooden poles would be $10,000. The actual lights are $250 each. Peter looked at Legion Field in Palmer which has eight 60’ poles. If you put lights at Rogers Field instead of Moriarty Field, you wouldn’t have to be involved with school approval and jurisdiction. Sara has been working on a light project for a long time and she thinks Rogers Field would be a better location for a variety of reasons. There is already $10,000 in the athletic boosters lighting account. Having lights at Rogers Field would fit in with that area (Flynt Park) being a community space,
especially with the playground being planned. The Parks & Rec Department would be in charge of those lights. We may want to consider putting two poles up at the tennis courts while we are securing poles and lights for the bigger project. Planning is needed to position the poles and lights. Tim will see the Town Administrator to see what the steps should be to proceed and plan for installation for next fall.
Peter also wanted to talk about basketball CYO evaluations and wants to make changes for 3rd/4th grade evaluations. If a player cannot shoot a foul shot and hit the rim the player will not be happy. The current high school varsity coach wants to be involved in the evaluations. Peter wants the shooting to be a part of the evaluations. Tim will consider this when he sets up the evaluations for this season. He is always welcome to new people coming on the evaluation panel.
Sara wants to talk about youth soccer game soccer scheduling and the roundabout that happened this year with youth soccer. She suggests that next year we just put the schedule out. Tim tried to work around Peter and Craig Szado’s game schedules for their other teams which is why he asked for coaches’ input.
We hire two referees per game for youth soccer and the Commission discussed if referees are even needed for games. Tim asked that coaches think about that this season during games, and see if they still want to do that for next season. If you have coaches on the field helping instruct the kids while refereeing you need more parents to volunteer as coaches off the field, and we have a hard time getting coaches.
Tim was researching message boards for the tennis courts and presented a simple, one sided message board that is 23” x 30”, and has acrylic glass and key access. The primary reason for the board is for court reservations, and the goal would be to have it erected for the spring.
Today the Highway Department filled out the side of the road at Lower Rogers Field that was damaged due to washout. Exiting Flynt Park is a problem with cars leaving the area at unsafe speeds, and Tim wants to put up a stop sign and a stop line there, and is meeting with the Selectmen for approval.
The Constantino baseball field project is starting to wind down. Tim met with Brad Medeiros and Craig Szado regarding the infield; straightening the edges, eliminating the lip, and recutting and reseeding the pitcher’s mound. Brien Couture sprayed the infield for the clover and weeds. We need clay for the field and we have some money in the revolving fund. The total cost is $2,000. Peter made a motion that we fund infield material needed to finish Constantino Field, and Sara seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
Next meeting is October 20, 2014, at 5:45 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Secretary/Clerk
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