Recreation Commission
2 Town Hall Rd., Newton, NH 03858
Tel: 382-4405 Ext 13
NEWTON RECREATION COMMISSION
DATE: WEDNESDAY July 13, 2011
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL RD
MEETING
I. Call To Order:
Chairman Dupuis called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m. In attendance were Chairman Pauline Dupuis, Secretary Susan DiMercurio, , Members—Matt Maskrat and Thomas Hansen and Jennifer Klopotoski. Guest attendee: Lisa Babcock, swim coordinator. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Secretary DiMercurio
Minutes were read from past meeting.
Chairman Pauline Dupuis motioned to accept the Recreation Minutes dated June 22, 2011 as written. Seconded by Matt Muskrat. Vote: Unanimous
New Member:
Jennifer Klopotoski has been voted in by Selectmen as a member of Recreation, but has not been sworn in or signed her appointment paperwork. The board advised her that she was unable to vote on any items until she goes to the Town Clerk to complete this part of the process. She will do as soon as possible however, we wanted her input.
Motion made by Ray Thayer to allow Jennifer Klopotoski to speak during the meeting and give her input but until she signs her appointment, she will not be able to vote on any issues discussed at this meeting. Seconded by Matt Muskrat. Vote: Unanimous Motion passed
Greenie Park:
Recreation Commission made a site visit to Greenie Park to inspect the skateboard park and to review the repairs which have been done by Tim Hajjar. Several issues were discussed…they include; removal of all wood items (handmade ramp, handmade seating area), removal of some of the handmade ramps which pose an extreme hazard, and the incomplete repair job started by Tim Hajjar.
Motion made by Matt Muskrat to see if Recreation can get Mike Privera to give an estimate on the removal of the handmade objects from the skateboard park (designated by Recreation) which are unsafe. This estimate would also include the removal of ALL wood items and unwanted debris as well as the cost for moving in a picnic table from the town beach for seating. Seconded by Tom Hansen Vote: Unanimous Motion Passed
We have received a proposal from Quality Welding to fix one of the ramps at the skateboard park. The proposal is for $300.00 to just fix the ramp in the back of the park. For an additional $100.00, he will spray a “Rhino-lining” to make it safe. Before Recreation can accept this proposal, we will check with Tim Hajjar regarding his proposal to fix the same issue.
The commission has also discussed getting signs for the park. Secretary DiMercurio received a current Parks and Recreation Ordinance which gives the park rules. The board had discussed getting a small sign to keep out pets, however, with the amount of rules, we feel that a larger sign would be more appropriate. Secretary DiMercurio to look into the cost of larger signs which will be able to list all of the rules we need.
Town Beach:
Lisa Babcock, Swim Coordinator, discussed several issues from the beach. Swim lessons are doing well…30 students in attendance. She is suggesting revising the beach hours so that the lessons can start earlier. She gave us a list of new items we may want to purchase for next year. She has brought up an issue with the raft (dock). She listed the pros/cons of having this at the beach, and after discussion, the board agrees with her that it is a hazard to the town. A copy of her agenda for discussion is attached to these minutes.
Motion made by Matt Muskrat to contact Bill Baker, Fire Chief, to get his recommendation about removing the raft (dock). If he suggests to remove it, the board agrees to remove the item. Seconded by Tom Hansen. Vote: 4 Yes 1 No Motion Passed
Lisa has also informed the board that drills are set for Sunday morning. She has set this up with Trisha McCarthy.
New Lifeguard:
Recreation was looking for one more Lifeguard to fill the necessary position. We have a new person who as applied, and the board has reviewed his application.
Secretary DiMercurio made a motion to accept Daniel Carbone as the new lifeguard at the town beach. He will start his duties as soon as he passes his certification class. Second—Chairman Dupuis. Vote: Unanimous Motion passed.
Vice Chairman:
Chairman Dupuis is going out for surgery and will not be able to attend meetings for several months. The board needed to vote for a vice chairman to fill her shoes while she is recovering.
Matt Muskrat made a motion to vote in Susan DiMercurio as Vice Chairman. Seconded by Tom Hansen Vote: Unanimous Motion Passed
Fall Festival:
Discussion occurred regarding the Fall Fun Festival and whether Recreation should hold this event. In past years, a lot of effort was put into this event with no response from town’s people. The board feels that it would be a waste of time and money to hold this event, however, other committee’s and town employee’s feel that it should be held. The board also feels that with other state-wide fairs occurring at the same time, no one would want to come. Chairman Dupuis has made some suggestions of things we could do during this event that may draw more town’s people to it. Other members of the board feel that this amount of money could be better spent doing other children’s events which may have a better draw…Jenn Klopotoski to come
up with some other ideas which may be a better idea.
Matt Muskrat made a motion to not do the fall fun festival this year and to put the money for this event toward other children’s events. Seconded…Tom Hansen. Vote: 1 abstain 3 yes 1 no Motion Passed
IV: OTHER BUSINESS
Secretary DiMercurio presented three requests for payment to the board for approval
- $9.34 for raffle gifts purchased for July bus trip. Payable to Pauline Dupuis
- $24.93 for whistles for lifeguards and a long telephone cord for beach shed phone. Payable to Pauline Dupuis
- $21.65 for Kaspersky Internet Security Software – put onto Secretary DiMercurio computer for internet use. Payable to Sylvania Maddock,
Mat Muskrat made a motion to accept all of the above requests. Chairman Dupuis seconded. Vote: Unanimous Motion Passed
Secretary DiMercurio presented several other issues for voting:
- Lisa Babcock’s Swim Contract had an error when typed up…she was put down for hourly pay and should have been salaried. Her first week of work she worked overtime. The Board needs to approve this overtime.
- Secretary DiMercurio has re-written Lisa Babcock’s contract to be a salaried position. She will receive a total amount of $4830.00 for the summer of 2011 employ.
Mat Muskrat made a motion to accept the above. Tom Hansen seconded. Vote: Unanimous Motion Passed
.
Chairman Dupuis motioned to adjourn at 9:15 p.m. Seconded by Tom Hansen
Vote: Unanimous
Respectfully Submitted
Susan DiMercurio
Secretary
Recreation Commission
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