Minutes of the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Present: Peter Beaupre, Jr. (Chairman), Sara Szado, Mark Bodak
Also Present: Timothy Pascale, Director/Program Coordinator; Jeannie Guertin, Administrative Assistant; Kim Evans, Monson High School Athletic Director
Peter called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Peter wants to start a men’s adult basketball program. We had a men’s basketball program that ran on Wednesday evenings, but Tim does not want to do this at that same time because it took away gym availability from our basketball game schedule. Also, we would need to employ a gym monitor. Peter would like to do this on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. After discussion, it was agreed to start the program December 6 and go until March, unless they wanted to continue further. It will take place at Granite Valley Middle School, and the fee will be $3 per person, which is what we charge for our volleyball programs. We could publicize through Facebook and Newsletter.
Kim Evans commented on the fundraising programs the boys basketball team is doing. There is a Mohegan Sun bus trip on November 13 which will help fund the boys’ varsity basketball team to go to New Jersey to play games and participate in some community events. There is a 3 on 3 Tournament November 21 which will benefit the boys’ basketball program, and an Alumni Game on November 28. Joe Trivisonno, the boys’ varsity coach is directing all three fundraisers. Kim is happy with the connection Joe has made with the Parks and Rec Department. Finals for varsity soccer would be November 14 or 15, so there won’t be a conflict with the bus trip. Joe is also coaching our 5th/6th grade CYO team and they will practice at the
high school.
Kim said there are waivers for 8th grade for boys and girls to try out for basketball, and 7th and 8th graders for the swim team. She and the Commission also discussed the upcoming schedules for the high school soccer playoff games.
Sara said she sent an e-mail out that the new Constantino Field sign is going up at the baseball field tomorrow. It will be two sided so it will be visible from the road and the field. The sign was approved by Superintendent Cheryl Clarke and Monson High School Principal Bill Metzger.
Tim had sent Kim a picture of damage to Moriarty Field just off the field between the goal and the shot put area. The varsity soccer coach had the team doing a drill last year that had damaged the field. Brad Medeiros brought in some fill and hydro seeded the field to repair it. Parks and Rec pent $600 fixing the field this year. Most of this year the team has been okay and not damaged the field. However, recently, the drill was run again during practice that has caused a “zig zag” pattern and damaged the field again. Kim will ask the varsity coach to discontinue practice drills that damage the field.
Mark commented that during the school day middle school students should stay off the field during recess, especially near the goal mouths. The principal has been asked to communicate this to the students, but it still seems to be happening. A general discussion ensued regarding the various fields and the resting and rotating of those fields. Mark asked if Quarry Hill soccer field could rest next year. The Commission also talked about various locations to put a small soccer and lacrosse field, including a small soccer field at Cushman Field, or a small soccer and lacrosse field at Upper Rogers Field.
Mark asked about outstanding summer field fees for soccer. We have not received the summer soccer field fees yet, but have been told the manager has the money, but just hasn’t brought it in. The same individual runs the co-ed volleyball program. We will let him know that the volleyball program will not be able to start until we receive the payment for the field permit for summer soccer.
Mark asked about the status of Ed Yesu offering to help erect a barrier along the first base line at the upper field at Flynt Park to stop balls from going into the woods. Ed did come by the office shortly after he met with us and was going to measure the area.
The Commission discussed progress on planning for field lights. Peter approached Mike Angelica of Collins Electric, and met with him and someone who designs lighting systems. They looked at the fields in Monson which were being considered for lighting, and also looked at the metal poles that are on the grounds of Granite Valley Middle School. They should have a plan with preliminary costs soon and will meet to discuss what’s presented. Sara suggested a sub-committee be put together for this project. Peter said we have access to more poles at Craig Levesque’s company’s yard. The biggest expense is, if we go with metal poles, the concrete base. Metal poles would be best for aesthetics and longevity. The plan
would be to fund this through Community Preservation Act funds. There already is an amount of money raised by the Monson Athletic Boosters and committed donations towards the total cost of this project. Mark suggested adding a lighting fee of $5 to registration fees to help pay for the lighting costs once it’s operational. We would probably have Upper Rogers Field the first field targeted for lighting.
Peter asked if is there is any possibility of flooding the tennis courts this year for ice skating. The Commission discussed various cost effective ways to construct an ice skating rink with wood and tarps. Tim will talk to Town Administrator Evan Brassard first about liability to the Town before any plans proceed.
Tim updated the Commission on the construction of the new storage shed. Construction began on October 26, and it is planned to be completed in February. The foundation and footings are done.
Steve Gordon had an accident while removing leaves at Flynt Park. He lacerated and broke two fingers while trying to unblock an apparatus of the mower. He will be out of work for a time, and Tim will be mowing and painting fields.
Bryon Lewis (BLTees) has ordered sample uniforms for our 3rd and 4th grade boys and girls CYO basketball teams. C.R. Levesque Trucking has donated money so we are able to purchase four sets of uniforms. The uniforms will all be the same so we can mix and match among the teams as needed.
All basketball evaluations are over and participants have been placed on Suburban and CYO teams. The CYO Jamboree, in which teams will be placed in appropriate divisions, will probably be held before Thanksgiving, and the games won’t start until first week of December.
Parks and Rec spent $3,000 for wood chips for the playground at Veterans Park, and at Town Meeting it was voted that the Town reimburse us for the expenditure.
Sara made a motion to approve the October minutes, and Mark seconded. All in favor and the motion passed. The next meeting is December 1 at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 7:27 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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