New Durham Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 12th, 2008
Page 1 of6
APPROVED
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
August 12th, 2008
A business meeting of the New Durham Parks and Recreation Commission was called to
order at 6:07 PM at the New Durham Elementary School in the teacher’s lounge located
on Main Street.
Present:
Sheri Joy, Chairperson
Dwight Jones, Commissioner
Kristyn Bernier, Commissioner
Lucinda Erwin, Commissioner
Marcia Berry, Treasurer
Paula Gehl, Commissioner
Also Present:
Jessica Bailey, Director
Laura McCarthy, Daycare Director
Scott Quigley
Ken Quigley
Excused Absence:
Wendi Fenderson, Commissioner
The meeting started with Laura McCarthy showing the commissioners the t-shirts that
have been made for the daycare participants.
Eagle Scout:
Scott Quigley presented his idea for an Eagle Scout project he would like to do down at
the ball field. He has proposed building an observation deck near the pump house which
would look out over the water. Motion Kristyn Bernier, second Sherri Joy for Scott
Quigley to move forward with his plans for an observation deck. Vote was
unanimous.
Daycare Program:
Laura McCarthy met with the commission and updated on where she is at with the preschool program. All the paperwork has been returned to the State and she is waiting on a
call from the State on whether not the state approves it.
The daycare had their annual cookout at Pawtuckaway. She has redone the contracts for
the before/after school program and the new preschool. The new contract gives the
parents a place to check how many days a week their child will attend. It also shows the
price for the number of days they choose.
Laura McCarthy told the commissioner that the computer they had donated to the daycare
is not compatible with the server. Motion Sherri Joy, second Lucinda Erwin to
New Durham Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 12th, 2008
Page 2 of6
APPROVED
purchase a new computer and printer for the daycare program. Vote was
unanimous.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion Dwight Jones, second Kristyn Bernier to approve the minutes of July 8th
,
2008 as amended. Vote was unanimous. Jessica Bailey asked why she was not
notified that the agenda for the work session had been changed. She stated that if she had
been notified she would have attended.
Ball Field:
Sheri Joy told the commissioners that the water pump at the concession stand has most
likely been struck by lightning and is going to need to be repaired. Paula Gehl suggested
that while the pump is getting fixed, it might be a good idea to install a small hot water
heater. Sheri explained that the water has to be tested in May and July every year.
Kristyn Bernier asked if this should be done by the health officer, Bill Griggs.
Directors Report:
Jessica Bailey submitted invoices for expenses for the month with explanations on each
item. Laura McCarthy has requested that a set of walkie-talkies be purchased for the
daycare to use on field trips. Kim Nottidge has a set for sale. Dwight Jones stated that he
could get them for cost and is going to check into how much they would cost. The
commission has requested that Jessica get pre-approval of purchases. If it is something
that can not wait until the next meeting, she can e-mail the commissioners to get their
approval.
Jessica reported that the lake swim went well. There were 9 swimmers, 4 kayaks, and 1
boat for the trip across and due to inclement weather boats were used to bring everyone
back. The Chalk Art event had eleven artists. Some of the prizes were donated by
Johnson’s Seafood, New Durham General Store, & Fox Tale’s Books. Jessica also
purchased several small items to give as prizes.
Sheri Joy mentioned that she had been approached by the parent of one of the children in
the swim program who did not want to purchase a life jacket for the class. Jessica
explained that the children swap off life jackets and some who have extras bring them.
Jessica suggested that she could ask parents to donate life jackets their children have out
grown. Marcia Berry asked if there would be a liability with using donated life jackets
and Jessica assured her that the life jackets are certified.
Jessica let the commission know she will be attending the New Hampshire Park &
Recreational Association annual retreat on September 17 & 18.
Events Schedule:
Jessica Bailey presented an events schedule to the commission. She explained that she
had listed the on-going events with the addition of one extra thing. She has added the
Adult/Senior Christmas shopping trip which the commission had requested last year.
Sheri said they had asked her to look into it to see if it would be financially feasible for
seniors. Jessica explained that she put it on a Saturday to include anyone, but Sheri
explained they wanted it to be a senior event. Jessica stated that it would be hard to fill
the bus if it was limited to just seniors and the bus is expensive. Kristyn said she had
New Durham Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 12th, 2008
Page 3 of6
APPROVED
talked to the Alton Recreational Director and she stated that yes the buses can be
expensive depending on what type of bus you get. However there are companies that
have older school buses that they use. There is a charge to the seniors to help cover the
cost of the bus. Marcia Berry pointed out that a lot of the seniors have family members
that take them places on weekends, but they don’t have anywhere to go during the week.
There is a chance that Alton and Farmington seniors would want to go also which would
make it possible to fill the bus. Suggestions were made as to how to handle advertising to
get the word out to the seniors, i.e. newsletter, posting in public places, free public
announcement on TV. It was decided that more research is needed to find affordable
bussing.
The senior Christmas dinner will be held on December 7th . The commissioners discussed
whether or not they would provide a band like they did last year. It seemed to be a
success last year and more of seniors stayed later to listen to the band.
Sheri Joy announced that the commission is doing a luau at the beach on August 24th at
3:00 PM. Sheri stated she had purchased several decorations. The Fire Department is
going to do a barbeque. The Recreation Department is going to sell frozen non-alcoholic
drinks. There will be a limbo pole. Sheri purchased beads for the children to string. She
also purchased a couple of beach balls for a volley ball game on the beach.
Sheri asked Jessica how often and when the port-o-potties were emptied. She told her
they are done on Mondays. She is going to call and see if they can come and empty it on
the Friday or Saturday before the luau.
Message Board:
Jessica asked the commission what kind of message board they would like to have down
at the field for soccer season and that could also be used to list sponsors at the basketball
games. She told them she had done some research and gave the commissioners a print
out of several different types of message boards. A discussion took place as to what type
of message board would be needed to use at both the soccer games and the basketball
games. Marcia Berry looked through a school supply catalog. Motion Sheri Joy,
second Marcia Berry to purchase the 3 x 4 with aluminum frame for the gym and
concession stand. Vote was unanimous.
Babe Ruth Awards:
Jessica explained that Phil Erwin and Will Chase will be presented their Babe Ruth
achievement plaques at the August 18th Board of Selectmen meeting. She will be
contacting the newspaper to let them know.
Concert:
Jessica asked the commission for $500 for a band. She would like to have the band on
September 13th, which would be the opening day of the soccer season. The commission
discussed whether or not that was a good weekend for a concert. It is the same weekend
as the Rochester fair. She told the commission that Chris Bacon has a band. Sheri stated
that another band would be the Ron Jones Band. The commission has asked for demo
tape. There was some discussion as to when a good time to have a concert would be.
New Durham Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 12th, 2008
Page 4 of6
APPROVED
Events Calendar:
Jessica handed out a calendar of events for the following year. She asked the
commissioners to let her know if there were other events they would like added. The
commission thanked Jessica for making the event calendar.
Volleyball:
Jessica has gone down to the ball field and measured out a volley ball court and discussed
what would be involved with Bob Hamilton. The size allotted is not big enough. It
would have to be pushed out about ten feet. Sheri stated she had talked with Bob and he
had indicated it would take ten truck loads of sand. Jessica explained that only half of the
board is under ground and would take about five truck loads of sand. She also explained
that she had someone donating the sand. She will check to see if he is willing to donate
that much sand. Jessica told the commission that she had been approached about Sunday
evening volleyball at the school. Several of the commissioners felt that Sunday would
not be a good night because someone from the Recreation Commission has to be there.
Sheri stated that they have done it on Saturdays before and she would be willing to try
Saturdays again. It was also stated that Barbara Reed does not really like having events
at the school on weekend nights. A discussion followed as to the possibility of doing it
on a week night after basketball and between 6:00 – 9:00 PM. It was decided that Jessica
could schedule a meeting with Ms. Reed and discuss the possibility of volleyball at the
school.
Movie License:
Max Crowe has expressed a desire to share in the cost of a movie license if the PTO does
not want to do it. There is a possibility of doing a three way split. The licenses would
only cover one location. Sheri said she will speak to Max.
CPR/First Aid/AED Class:
Kristyn Bernier told the commission that she is still waiting on a date from Terry Jarvis.
Jessica indicated that she would like to incorporate it into the coaches meeting. Sheri Joy
expressed the need for the coaches to watch the film and take the test right then, not be
able to take it home. The suggestion was made that there should be two different nights
set for meetings. If a coach can’t make one, then he needs to attend the second night.
Criminal Background Policy:
Sheri Joy said the Board of Selectmen empowered the commission to contact other towns
to see what they have for policy and to write a policy and bring it back to them. Kristyn
Bernier said Barnstead is not doing a town wide policy. She went online and pulled up
policies from all sorts of organized sports. She feels that the biggest issue is the records
retention. Dwight Jones suggested that they write the policy and present it to the
Selectmen. It would also have to be reviewed by Town Counsel.
New Durham Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 12th, 2008
Page 5 of6
APPROVED
Soccer:
Jessica asked if players have to play on Rec and have the option to play travel. They
have to attend Rec practices not just go to travel.
Walking Path:
Sheri Joy stated that she will be down at the ball field on Friday to work on the walking
path. She would like to meet with Paul Zuzgo to walk the bound
Ball Field Maintenance and Repair:
The guard rail is in and the road is wider. However, the break for the bleaches is at an
angle and is a safety issue. Sheri spoke to Bob Hamilton about putting in stairs and a
level path to the bleaches. The middle section of the retaining wall has been repaired.
However, there is still a run-off issue. Marcia and Sheri would like to go ahead and do
the front side of the wall. Marcia felt the last section is also going to need to be done.
Bob Hamilton has indicated that he could schedule it in for this year if they let him know
soon. Motion Kristyn Bernier, second Sheri Joy to proceed with getting both sides
of the retaining wall done and the path to the bleachers. Vote was unanimous.
Hot Chocolate Machine:
Sheri would like to get a hot chocolate machine for the concession stand. She stated they
sell gallons of it and it is hard to keep up with it. Sheri agreed to do some research into
the price and e-mail everyone with the information. It was also suggested they check into
a hot dog machine at the same time. Lucinda Erwin found a frozen drink machine at BJ’s
for $180. Motion Dwight Jones, second Kristyn Bernier to purchase the frozen
drink machine for the concession stand. Vote was unanimous.
Concession stand awning:
Marcia Berry is going to be getting an estimate on the cost of a wood awning being
installed over the concession stand and the door.
Picnic Tables:
Jessica told the commission that she has had two picnic tables donated. Sheri Joy said
that she had also been approached by someone in town who would like to donate a picnic
table for the walking path.
Batting Cage:
Marcia Berry asked Jessica when the batting cage will be taken down. Jessica explained
that it would be taken care of along with the other baseball equipment will be taken care
of this week and next. The suggestion was made that the batting cage could be pulled
after games start. People can be notified that the batting cage will be up until a certain
date.
Non-Public Session:
Motion by Krystn Bernier, second by Sheri Joy to enter into non-public session
under RSA 91-A:3 II(c). Roll Call-Lucinda Erwin – Aye, Sheri Joy – Aye, Krystn
New Durham Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes August 12th, 2008
Page 6 of6
APPROVED
Bernier – Aye, Marcia Berry – Aye. The commission went into non-public session at
8:47 PM.
Discussion ensued concerning accident/incident reports, finances, and employee salary.
Motion by Sheri Joy, second by Krystn Bernier to return to public session. Vote
was unanimous. The meeting returned to public session at 9:50 PM.
Motion by Sheri Joy, second by Kristyn Bernier to increase the salary of the Day
Care Director 5%. Vote was unanimous.
The next meeting will be on September 9, 2008 at 6:00 PM in the New Durham
Elementary School.
Motion by Sherri Joy, second Paula Gehl to adjourn. Vote was unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:57 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Laura Zuzgo
THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD
ON SEPTEMBER 9TH AT THE
NEW DURHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AT 6 PM
| 
