NEWTON RECREATION COMMITTEE
DATE: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
TIME: 7PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
MEETING
- Call to Order: 7:00pm
- In Attendance: Sue DiMercurio: Chairperson, Jessica Brazier, Sally Woodman, Marilyn Landry: members, Diane Morin: Secretary
- Introduction of Guests:
- Approval of Minutes: DiMercurio motion to accept the March 13, 2013 minutes as written. Woodman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
- Scheduled Business:
- Update from Swim Director:
- Applications for lifeguards and swim aids:
Received an inquiry from the craigslist’s ad and Morin replied to the applicant with instructions.
- Empowered Martials Arts training on the beach.
Morin spoke with the owner and he is very enthusiastic about doing something at the beach. Morin will contact him and ask him to come to our April 27th meeting. Morin will also contact Ocasio True Martial Arts to see if they would like to offer summer lessons as well.
- Ice skating outing: Morin reported that the $250 has been paid for the extra 55 skaters we had on February 28. The requisition for the April 25, 2013 ice skating outing has been approved by the BOS for 75 skaters at $5 per person for a total of $375.
- Foxwoods outing: Morin reported that there are 12 people signed up. We still need 32 people to break even. We still have till April 12 for people to sign up. If we don’t have enough people we can cancel the trip. Morin will notify those that have signed up after the deadline whether or not the trip is on.
- Indian Head Resort: Because we may cancel the Foxwoods trip, we will wait on booking the bus. If we cancel we’ll use the deposit for the Indian Head Resort trip.
- Memorial Day Parade: No updates.
- Fund raising how do we do it and what can we do with the funds: Brazier recapped ideas for fund raising and how the funds can be expended. DiMercurio explained that the Capital Improvement funds can be used to improve the town property that the commission is responsible for but we need to specify what the money will be used for, i.e. a swing, consultant. The commission believes that Greenie Park is in desperate need of improvements. The commission will work on improvements this year. Brazier will research a consultant and check the plot lines for the park. Morin will ask the Town Administrator about the Capital fund account and if we need to be specific to the level of equipment or can we specify more generally.
Brazier inquired on how much it cost to run the events. DiMercurio explained that the commission does not usually expend all the money in the budget. The un-spent monies are returned to the town general funds.
- Town Wide Yard sale: Discussion took place on how it was run the last time. Landry explained how the Williamine folks held their neighborhood yard sale. Brazier suggested ideas on how to include the whole town. The monies raised would go towards the Greenie Park improvements. DiMercurio explained how the snack shack at Greenie Park came into being and how it is utilized now. The shack is certified to sell pre-packaged food and drinks.
- Thrift Store: Brazier still developing the idea for a monthly thrift store. Landry will contact the Friends of the Gale Library to see if we could have a table. She explained that it probably won’t be possible because the funds collected need to go back towards the Friends.
It was suggested that the Town Hall could be used once a month for the thrift store. Brazier suggested some ideas on how we could raise funds by offering specialty items such as school supplies sometime in August. We would buy the items in bulk and mark them up.
- Spring Fling/Fair: The date was set for May 4, 2013 and will be held at Greenie Park from 3-5pm after Newton Baseball Opening ceremonies. Brazier has contacted several organizations and businesses to get support. The Girl Scout would like to have a table to provide an activity. Baseball will check and see if they have the man power to have a table. Brazier will be meeting with Newton Learning Center to see what they would like to do. Boy Scouts have been contacted. The PTO will discuss it at their next meeting. Brazier will contact Sue Mears at the library. Brazier contacted Sanborn Soccer. Empowered Arts will contact Brazier. Brazier will contact the Country Pond Fish and Game club to see if they would like to participate. She will also contact C&M stables.
After further discussions it was decided to use this as a good will event and not charge any fees. Morin will ask Mary Winglass to add us to the BOS agenda for their next meeting so the Brazier can present her ideas for the Spring Fling.
- Town Day & PTO Involvement: Brazier attended the PTO meeting as a parent but ended up representing the Recreation Commission. The PTO asked if the Commission would like to participate again with their 5K road race. DiMercurio recapped what was done last year. Upon further discussion it was decided that we need to ask the BOS if they want to have 2 separate events or participate in just the 5K race. We would invite all the town departments to participate. Morin will ask Mary Winglass to add this to the BOS’s agenda for their next meeting.
- Vice Chair position: The by-laws state the commission should have a Vice Chair position. The Vice Chair will run the meetings should the Chair not be available. DiMercurio motion to elect Brazier as Vice Chair. Woodman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
- Newton Newsletter: Brazier will start a monthly newsletter that will inform the town what the Recreation Commission is doing and what events are planned for the month. The members will forward any news or events to Brazier.
- Water Country Tickets: Morin will check with Mary Winglass to see what’s left from last year’s tickets and if still valid. We will do the advance program. Landry will check with the Friends of the Gale Library to see what tickets they offer.
- Announcements:
- Other Business
- Sign requisitions: No requisition to sign
- DiMercurio will contact Heather Borowy about the movie screen rental. Dates will be set at our April 24th meeting.
- Landry motion to start the meetings at 6:30pm instead of 7:00pm. Brazier seconded and motion passed unanimously.
- Correspondence
- Adjournment: 8:45pm
Respectfully submitted
Diane M Morin
Newton Recreation Commission
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