Newton Recreation Commission
Minutes
December 9, 2009
1. Call to Order: Chairman Rick Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm Bailey appointed Babcock to stand in for the evening.
2. Membership: The commission discussed the difficulty of getting new members and discussed closing some of the town facilities (town beach and Greenie Park) due to the lack of people to oversee and maintain them. They also discussed eliminating the swim program.
Holden suggested hiring a part time recreation director.
Bailey moved to submit a warrant article to hire a part time recreation director for a full year (12-months) position at 20 hours per week for $10/hour not to exceed $11,000 and to report to the recreation commission. Second by Holden. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Senior Trip: The Bright Nights senior trip was cancelled due to lack of interest. A new trip was set up – Amesbury Playhouse Christmas show. To be free and open to Newton Residents only. The costs are $280 for a school bus and $35 per person (52 maximum) for the dinner.
Bailey moved to spend up to $2,100 out of senior programs for the Christmas show at Amesbury Playhouse for Newton Seniors. Second by Holden. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Encumbered Funds:
Bailey moved to encumber any unexpended funds from the Senior Programs warrant article to be put towards a lobster fest trip on June 6th to Indian Head Resort or a St. Patrick's Day trip in March at Indian Head Resort depending upon the availability of a coach bus. Second by Holden. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Beach update: Holden announced that the old bench had been removed, but the new bench had not been installed yet. Mice had damaged the nylon jackets purchased for the guards. The umbrella was broken.
The dock is in storage for the winter in the road agent's depot at the transfer station.
Some of the picnic tables are in need of replacement. Holden suggested purchasing metal tables. A bulletin board is still needed. Holden said sand is needed. Bailey said that sand was brought in for the volleyball court, but not for the beach area. Babcock will check into when sand was last brought in and what the law permits regarding dumping sand.
Holden is working on getting quotes for the fence.
6. Fall Festival Update: The commission discussed the pros and cons of using a rain date. It was decided that requests for participants for the fall fair should be sent out at least 3 months in advance.
The commission reviewed some of the entertainment: McDonny's Farm – some members felt it was too expensive for too little. Mad Science – Babcock said the show was better than the "hands on" table.
7. Raffle Prize Money:
Bailey moved to donate the raffle prize money in the amount $71.01 from the Fall Fair raffles to Kyle Kozec for his Eagle Project (building a pavilion at Greenie Park). Second by Holden. Motion carried unanimously.
8. Other Business:
- Town Wide Yard Sale – Holden suggested having a town wide yard sale in conjunction with the "Amnesty Weekend" at the transfer station. She suggested having everyone set up at Greenie Park.
- Trails Committee – Bailey suggested having representatives from Recreation, Planning and Conservation meet to develop a proposal for the responsibilities of the committee to present to the Board of Selectmen.
- Bailey said he is willing to serve as an alternate on Recreation once his resignation is final.
- Bailey will begin drafting the town report and requests that other members send information if they have anything to add.
9. Adjourn: Bailey adjourned the meeting at 10:00 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Babcock, Secretary
Newton Recreation Commission
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