Newton Recreation Commission – Minutes
March 26, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Newton Town Hall
Recreation Commission
Minutes of March 26, 2008
Page 1 of 4
Call to order
Rick Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm with the following members present: Rick Bailey, Bob Donovan, BOS Ex Officio and alternates Nancy Slombo and Deb Holden. Minutes were recorded and transcribed by secretary, Lisa Babcock.
Bailey appointed alternates Slombo and Holden for the evening.
Also in attendance: Mike Bonin from the Newton Baseball and Softball Association and Jim Hill of Screamin’ Green lawn service.
Newton Baseball
Mr. Bonin informed the Commission that he had the following quotes for lawn care at Greenie Park: Screamin’ Green would mow the 3 ball fields at Greenie Park at $153.84 each for 26 mowings plus 2 free (this also includes mowing at the Town Beach). Mr. Hill added that he would like to put a sign up on the fence at Greenie Park advertising his business. The total for mowing is $3,999.84.
Mr. Bonin had a quote from The Greenskeeper Law & Irrigation Services for fertilizing, grub, insect, crabgrass and weed control, and irrigation. The quote was for $3,100.00.
Slombo asked if baseball will contribute to the costs. Bonin stated that NBSA would be purchasing clay for the infield at a cost of $600.
Mr. Hill stated that there were holes on the field that needed to be filled. He also stated that last year, there was often trash on the fields and the barrels were full. Mr. Hill said the fields should be aerated each year to soften them up. He estimated the cost for aerating to be around $200. He also suggested purchasing a rain meter to keep the irrigation system from turning on when it rains. He said each zone should only be on for about 15 minutes.
The sprinkler system needs to be fixed. Recreation encumbered funds to pay for it.
Mr. Hill said that he would fax his certificate of liability to the Town Hall. He was informed that he should contact Mr. Bonin with any problems at the field.
Donovan said that if field maintenance goes over the budget of $7,100, that NBSA would be responsible for paying any overages.
Slombo moved to have Screamin’ Green mow the fields at Greenie Park at $153.84 each for 26 mowings and 2 free mowings and mow the Town Beach and to have The Greenskeeper do insect and weed control and irrigation per the quote addressed to Mike Bonin and dated 3/20/08 at $3,100.
Donovan amended the motion with – any cost over $7,100 is the responsibility of NBSA. Bailey further amended the motion to allow Screamin’ Green and The Greenskeeper to work directly with NBSA. Second by Donovan. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. Bonin then gave the Commission 3 news keys to the shed at Greenie Park and a list of people with keys. The keys were distributed to Bailey, Donovan and 1 key to be kept in the selectmen’s office. Bailey asked the secretary to contact NBSA and have them get keys for the police department and fire department.
Greenie Park
Donovan stated that the Recreation Commission needed to look at the equipment at Greenie Park and determine if any repairs were needed. Bailey called for a site walk at Greenie Park for Sunday, March 30th at 9:00 am to inspect the equipment and facilities.
Background Checks
Donovan informed the Commission that each member needed to fill out a background check form and have it notarized and turn it in to the selectmen’s office.
Lifeguard Policies
Donovan informed the Commission that written policies are needed for the lifeguards. Policies should cover items such as: no personal phone calls, appropriate clothing (red/orange 1 piece swim suits), no reclining on beach chairs. Bailey suggested that the Commission work on setting the policies at the next meeting. He also stated that they needed to work out a payment/refund policy, start the swim program earlier and discuss advertising for lifeguards. Slombo suggested getting a lifeguard chair for the beach.
April Vacation
Bailey moved to rent Skateland for Friday May 2nd, 5-7 pm and pay up to $300.00. Second by Slombo. Motion carried 4-0.
The secretary will put up the sign. Holden will contact the middle school and elementary school to advertise in the newsletter. Bailey will submit to CTN after the next meeting.
Organization
Donovan moved to elect Bailey as chair of the Recreation Commission. Second by Slombo. Motion carried 3-0-1 with Bailey abstaining.
Bailey suggested that both Holden and Bonin become regular members of the Commission and submit letters of inquiry.
Senior Programs
Holden informed the Commission that she spoke to the woman who does the Good Old Days Song and Hat Show. She is not available for May but might be able to do June. If the show is to be held at Packer Meadows, it would have to be limited to residents of Packer Meadows. Donovan suggested having 2 shows in one day; one for the residents of Packer Meadows and one for the general population to be held at the town hall or the elementary school. Holden will check with the singer to determine her availability. The secretary will check with the elementary school regarding availability of the school gym.
Calendar
Bailey said he wanted to get a flyer to the school for all the summer programs prior to the end of the school year. Some ideas for summer programs were: swim program, Skateland, fishing derby, Chunkies, beach party, ice skating and bowling.
Scheduled events:
April Vacation – Skateland, May 2
Swim registrations – June 23 – 28
Song & Hat Show – June
Swim lessons begin – June 30
Beach Party – August 2 (Raffle Water Country Tickets)
Memorial Day Parade – May
Bailey will e-mail Col. Vos and the SRHS band director. Donovan will discuss with Ray Thayer. Bailey will advertise for citizen volunteers.
Ice Skating – July 22 (other ideas include bowling, roller skating)
Family Fall Fair & Road Race – September 20th
Halloween Party – October 24
November, December – TBD
Bailey asked the members to think of other activities for July/August. Ideas included – volleyball, Wayne from Maine.
The secretary will type up the calendar for the Commission to review a the next meeting.
Other action items: secretary will check on the number of Water Country tickets, more may need to be ordered and check with Kingston/Exeter recreation re: baseball tickets.
Town Beach
The secretary will draft a letter to the owner of the campground regarding – use of town beach is limited to town residents only, possibly in conjunction with the Planning Board.
CIP
Slombo had represented Recreation at the last Planning Board meeting to inform the Board of proposed capital projects. They were listed in the following priority: 1. tennis/basketball court, 2. playground, 3. multi-use ball field.
Slombo informed the Commission that the Planning Board would discuss the CIP at their April 22nd work session. Recreation could attend to plan how much money will be expended and in what years for the projects.
Bailey asked the Commission to think of ideas for the CIP for the next meeting.
Other Business
Bailey asked the secretary to send a letter to NBSA to inform coaches to empty the trash barrels after each game.
Adjourn
Motion by Bailey with second by Donovan to adjourn at 10:15 pm. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Babcock,
Secretary
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