Newton Recreation Commission
Minutes
February 11, 2009
Page 1 of 3
Newton Recreation Commission minutes of 2/11/09.
1. Call to Order:
Chairman Rick Bailey called the meeting to order at 8:04 pm with the following members present: Chairman Rick Bailey, Treasurer Nancy Slombo, Bob Donovan, BOS ex officio, and Alternate/Secretary Lisa Babcock. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Lisa Babcock.
Bailey appointed Babcock to stand in for the evening.
2. Greenie Park Field Maintenance Bids:
Newton Baseball members Gene Pasto and Bob Morton were present. Mr. Morton distributed an updated field maintenance specification sheet. The number of cuts was reduced to 30 per season. Mr. Morton expressed concern over Recreation’s suggestion to allow the maintenance contractor to decide when to make the cuts. He said that Newton Baseball preferred to have regular cuts (Mondays and Thursdays) during the height of the season – weather permitting.
NBSA member Rich Thompson arrived at 8:10 pm. He will be the liaison to Newton Recreation.
Mr. Morton said that NBSA will provide a game schedule to Recreation. The maintenance contractor can then fill in the dates when he will do fertilization and other treatments.
Mr. Morton asked if trimming, fertilization and irrigation were included in the bid. Bailey said that fertilization, grub treatment and irrigation were included but that trimming around the field and park was not. He said that with the lower of the two bids he thought that Recreation could get most of the work on the specification sheet done but that Rec would have to review the budget before making a final decision.
Mr. Morton asked if insurance and licensing would be required. Babcock said it was included as a requirement in the invitation to bid and that the contractor would be required to submit proof of insurance and licensing to the town.
Mr. Pasto asked if NBSA would be able to look at the scope of work for the contract once it has been negotiated. Bailey said the Commission and NBSA will meet after the contract is negotiated to go over everything. Mr. Pasto said they would like to see exactly what work will be done so that NBSA can negotiate any additional services and absorb those costs.
Bailey said that NBSA will be informed about any services that Recreation can’t afford to pay for so that NBSA can decide whether or not they want to fund it.
Mr. Morton suggested applying weed killer around the fence line before the season to minimize the growth of weeds.
Bailey asked the NBSA members to fill out a field permit application which is required of anyone using the fields and to attach a schedule to it.
Bailey informed the NBSA members that Recreation’s focus in the coming year will be on improvements to Greenie Park. Recreation will be scheduling a public meeting in the near future to discuss the park and get public input. He said that Recreation must consider the best interests of the town as a whole when making decisions about the park.
Mr. Pasto added that if the park was more family friendly there would probably be less vandalism. He said that the police department had suggested installing a security system.
Mr. Morton informed the Commission that Greenie Park clean-up day is April 18th and opening day is May 2nd.
Babcock informed NSBA that the Girl Scouts will be using Greenie Park for a carnival on May 30th, probably between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
Babcock will contact Pete’s Septic to have a handicap chemical toilet brought to the park for April.
NBSA will attend the March 8th meeting to discuss the finalized field maintenance contract. Bailey will call the contractor to finish negotiations.
3. February 25th meeting cancelled:
There will be no meeting on February 25th as several members will be away.
4. Vacation Week Activity:
Holden had tried to contact Cinema 95 to set up a movie night, but had not gotten a call back. She had also suggested ice skating or a Mad Science event.
Slombo moved to authorize Holden to spend up to $500 for a vacation week activity. Second by Donovan. Discussion: Donovan said he would like to book Skateland as that seems to be a popular activity. Bailey said to use the credit card to pay for an event at Skateland. Motion carried unanimously.
5. March 11th meeting agenda:
Finalize the Greenie Park maintenance contract & discuss with NBSA.
Set up a date for the Greenie Park public meeting.
Discuss an activity for April vacation.
Bailey said the Commission needs to find out if the swim director will be returning this year. He also said the Commission should begin working on the summer schedule and flyer. The Commission will work on the calendar for the rest of the year at the April 8th meeting.
6. Set up Table at Voting Day:
Donovan suggested setting up a table at voting day to recruit new members. Bailey said he would type up a flyer. Babcock said she could sit at the table in the afternoon. She will ask Holden if she has any time to work the table that day.
7. Adjourn:
Bailey called the meeting adjourned at 9:16 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Babcock, Secretary
Newton Recreation Commission
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