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NEWTON RECREATION COMMISSION
DATE: MONDAY June 1, 2015
TIME: 7 PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
MEETING MINUTES
- Call to Order Chairperson Annie Collyer called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM
- In Attendance: Matt Burrill, Selectman Ex-Officio; Steve St. Cyr; Sue Milner; Bob Faghan; and Annie Collyer, Chairperson.
- Introduction of Guests: None
- Approval of Minutes: Milner made a motion to accept the minutes of May 18, 2015 as written. Seconded by Faghan, the motion passed unanimously.
- Memorial Day Review: The new longer parade route seems to have gone well. Collyer stated that there were not enough programs this year, and next year the Commission will order 400 instead of 300, as well as another 144 flag favors. Burrill said that his wife who passed both out suggests that programs be distributed mostly at Willow Grove, and then to others. Flags will be passed out to marchers at the parade beginning, along the route and at the cemetery. The distance seems to have worked for almost everyone. Next year it would be good to have water at the cemetery for walkers and veterans. The parade order will have some marchers precede vehicles then more marchers, followed by diesel vehicles, for better pacing. The members agreed that the early participation in planning by the cemetery trustees, the
Road Agent, Police and Firefighters helped make this parade successful. Flowers for VIPS were donated once again by the Newton Greenhouse. Next year the Commission will request that the Police place cones to prevent parking bottlenecks along Whittier.
- Town Beach: St. Cyr has not yet heard back from LaBrie about their quote from last fall, and will continue to follow up so that the sand at the beach can be redistributed to cover more completely. He has been staining and will soon be assembling the two new picnic tables for the Town Beach as well as one for Greenie Park. Burrill and Faghan will help him place as well as dispose of the old ones at the transfer station. Steve will scout out the buoys and will arrange with other members to put them in.
- The Volley ball net is being put up by Tony, the Town Maintenance person.
- The raft was pulled last season due to vandalism by pounding the surface with rocks until it cracked, resulting in injuries to one of our other residents. Burrill made a motion, seconded by Collyer, that the Commission take the necessary steps to investigate selling the raft. He stated that the raft is a potential liability to the town. Milner said that vandalism such as has occurred may be preventable with the new security cameras. St. Cyr said that he would prefer waiting to see how the cameras work, and reevaluate next year. Burrill and Faghan voted aye, and Collyer, St. Cyr and Milner voted nay and the motion failed to pass. Collyer made a motion, seconded by St. Cyr, that the Commission defer action on the raft until next year. The motion passed with Collyer, St. Cyr, Faghan and Milner in favor and
Burrill against.
- Greenie Park: St. Cyr has been notified that the supplies for painting the merry-go-round are in. He has a quote for crack filling for $1191 for all three surfaces: tennis court, skate park and basketball court. He suggested that prior to spending money on filling, the Commission look into the cost to resurface the tennis court. Collyer said quotes in former years from the minutes state that the cost of resurfacing was looked at and ran into many thousands of dollars. However, St. Cyr said he is willing to look again and find out if there is something less expensive as an alternative that would make the court usable for tennis again.
- There was discussion of the skate park, which needs some surface as well as structure repairs. St. Cyr is gathering more information. Burrill will seek to speak with the skaters to find a potential leader, to help with the maintenance planning. St. Cyr will obtain quotes for separate surface repair of the skate park and basketball court.
- Senior Activities: Milner suggested one of two trips on the MS Mt. Washington on Winnipesaukee: on August 19, a day trip from Weirs Beach to Wolfsboro for 2.5 hours for lunch and shopping, then back to Weirs for $30 for boat only; or on the evening of August 17, a dinner trip with entertainment from 6-9 for $40 per person inclusive. The bus will most likely be about $900. She will do some research to find out what preferences some Seniors have, and will talk with Selectman Jim Doggett about chaperoning.
- Milner suggested bringing back the Holiday Luncheon in December for the second trip, with poinsettias for all. Roma's was the site two years ago, Collyer said. Burrill suggested Kame in Epping as an alternative.
- Movie Night: Collyer said that the cost to rent a movie from Fun Flicks is about $300 for movies that are also available at no cost at the Library. Because the Commission does not charge admission, use of a library or purchased movie is not a problem. Burrill said that DVD's of recent releases are available a few months after initial release, and one can be found closer to August that would be popular with residents.
- Trophy Day: Burrill reported that the Patriots are not willing to send the trophy to Newton as the Red Sox were. He will do further investigation into possibilities however.
- Town Day: Collyer said that the Memorial 5K Race does not yet have a co-chair, so is not scheduled to take place at this point. Milner said there is one more PTO meeting on June 11, and perhaps a co-chair will be found. The Commission decided that if not, Town Day will be held at 8 Merrimac Road on October 3. Under consideration are: antique car show, Town Flea Market, Vendor tables, Bands, Dunk Tank, Fun House, Zoo Creatures, Smokey the Bear, Canine Demo, 5K and/or bike rally, as well as participation by other Town Boards and Committees. There was discussion of inviting the PTO to offer some events as a way of their continuing to raise funds.
- Announcements: None
- Other Business: None
- Correspondence: None
- Adjournment: St. Cyr made a motion, seconded by Burrill to adjourn at 8:35 PM. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Annie Collyer,
Chairperson and Secretary
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