Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Present: Michael Arbour (Chairman), Peter Beaupre, Jr., Sara Szado
Also Present: Timothy Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator; Jeannie Guertin, Administrative Assistant; Craig Szado, Karen Nothe-Valley, Keith Valley, Guy Hill, Joe Trivisonno, Scott Johnson, and Dave Jacobs.
Mike called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
The recent baseball evaluations were discussed. Of the participants for U9, one team of 13 was evaluated to go into the John L. Sullivan League in Palmer (JLS). Wilbraham had informed us that we could join their Pinto League for those participants that were not evaluated to the JLS team. Wilbraham has reneged on their original offer, saying they have too many teams. As a result, Tim reached out to Palmer and we each have two teams that will be in the Pinto League. Gary Weber from Palmer said he would reach out to Ware to see if they have any interest in joining. Games will be played in Palmer and Monson; six home games and six away games.
All the participants of the U11 evaluations were placed on one team. Based upon the evaluations it was decided to place the one team in the Suburban (rec) league and Matt St. Martin is coaching that team.
As a result of the U13 evaluations we have a Tri Town team and a Suburban (rec) league team. Suburban league is following the old Tri Town Cape Cod rules except for change in cut-off date. To allow for the kids being held back in school it will be by grade and not age. We only had one sign up for U15.
For participants for 2nd/3rd/4th grade softball we have 20 for one big team to be entered into the Belchertown league. With that many players we’d have a split squad scrimmage, also, to get them more playing time.
For 5th/6th grade softball we have eleven girls registered. Heather Korzek is coaching with the assistance of a college player. Mr. Petit (middle school health/gym teacher) helped recruit girls by going into every 5th and 6th grade classroom. There will be a free softball clinic held by the Varsity coaches and players on April 11 which may help recruit more girls.
We had five 7th/8th grade girls register. Palmer called and was looking for a couple more players, but took all five of our players so they would have a place to play.
The basketball coaches from the high school appeared before the Commission to discuss a possible basketball camp and clinics. Present were Joe Trivisonno (Varsity coach) and Scott Johnson and Dave Jacobs (Junior Varsity coaches). Joe wants to be involved with clinics either through Parks and Rec or the high school. Tim said when he was Varsity coach they always had a fall clinic through Parks and Rec and charged a minimal fee. The clinic was once a week for five or six weeks. Tim would be interested in doing that again. Joe distributed a draft of a camp which would generate interest in basketball and help raise money. He would like to have a summer camp, fall clinics, and maybe a winter tournament. If you go to the camp you could
get a voucher for attending fall clinics.
Our current basketball camp is the first two weeks of August and is directed by Tim Gerry. He took over when Tim Pascale discontinued coaching, and he took over as the Varsity boys coach. Peter said we would like to be involved and be supportive and advertise for it. He feels Joe’s proposal has a lot of advantages. Our camp is already set up for this year, and this could be another option. Joe’s camp would pay high school kids as counselors, and would also generate money back into the basketball high school program. Parks and Rec would like to get all the high school coaches involved with our programs. Joe gave examples how he gets his players involved in community events to help keep the program visible in the town.
After discussion, the Commission agreed to allow Joe to run a summer basketball camp through the Parks and Rec, and to hold fall clinics. Peter made a motion to accept the program of the camp and a fall clinic program, and Sara seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
The Commission also discussed the fact that instructional programs for our sports need to be changed, since kids that are leaving our young instructional programs and entering league teams are ill equipped for competition. We need to do this for our basketball program and are making changes in our baseball program. We are also making available to our volunteer coaches more resources to help them coach teams. There is a Coaches Corner on our website with links to instructional websites, and we need to continue with pre-season coaches clinics.
Peter made a motion to approve the March 12 minutes, and Sara seconded. All in favor and the motion passed.
Karen and Keith Valley had concerns over our basketball and baseball evaluations. Peter said from a Parks and Rec standpoint, we brought individuals in to do evaluations. There are no coaches or handpicking. Everyone is evaluated against their peers. Karen didn’t feel it was appropriate to have one person conducting evaluations, such as we do for baseball. She felt that if it is was a panel discussion it would be fairer. She also feels that a specific group of kids are neglected. Keith has been in the system as a coach and parent, so while he knows what happens, he may not know the “inner workings.” When he coached baseball there were problems getting practices and field times and he had 22 players on his team when
the league allowed a maximum of 18, which was unmanageable. After discussion, there was realization he had players on his team that had not been registered and that large number could have been avoided if there was communication between him and our office.
For the basketball team their son was on there was a problem getting practices and gym time. The Commission and the Valleys discussed the basketball season, the concerns the Valleys had and how the Commission attempted to approach those concerns. Both parties agreed there are some kids that are “uncoachable” either because of lack of skills or they were only involved in sports because it’s their parents’ desire and not theirs. This does effect the kids that want to develop and improve.
The Commission also explained to the Valley’s that the purpose of the Parks and Rec Department is to give kids the opportunity and a place to participate in sports. The Department doesn’t have the resources to develop each individual player. Karen Valley said she did not realize that developing players is outside the scope of the department.
Guy Hill said there was confusion last year after basketball evaluations because there were two CYO teams formed and letters went out to both teams looking for a coach. A coach stepped up for the first team, and players evaluated onto the second team didn’t realize they were still lacking a coach. The letters didn’t differentiate between an A team or a B team, which led to the confusion.
Guy will be coaching the U13 Suburban baseball team and asked questions to Tim and the Commission about the season. Keith Valley offered to assist Guy.
The Commission discussed the Parks and Rec Department having a specific mission statement and having it visible on our website, letterhead, newsletters, etc. It would be helpful if residents knew what the purpose of the Parks and Rec Department is and could alleviate negative perceptions by the town of the department.
There was concern that the JV baseball field isn’t ready and vehicles/equipment can’t get to the field for any type of preparation. This is due to material being stored there from the construction of the new town office building. Moriarty Field is also in poor condition, and the track team needs to be more careful during their practices.
Mike announced that he is stepping down as Commissioner in June and won’t be running for re-election.
The next meeting is May 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannie Guertin
Administrative Assistant
Timothy J Pascale
Director/Program Coordinator
Monson Parks and Recreation
110 Main Street
Monson, MA 01057
413-267-4105 - Phone
413-267-0327 - fax
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