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August 17, 2015 Recreation Commission Minutes
NEWTON RECREATION COMMISSION
DATE: MONDAY August 17,  2015
TIME: 7 PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD

MEETING MINTUES

  • Call to Order:  Acting Chairperson Sue Milner called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
  • In Attendance:   Selectman Ex-Officio Matt Burrill, Steve St. Cyr, Bob Faghan, Acting Chairperson Sue Milner and Annie Collyer, by phone.
  • Introduction of Guests:  Angela McVey, Amanda McVey, Mike Pivero
  • Approval of Minutes:  Burrill made a motion, seconded by Faghan to approve the minutes of August 3, 2015.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Trails Update:  Amanda McVey reported that the Girl Scout Troop #22748 has walked the Peanut Trail, the Peanut Spur Trail and Old Lower Road.  She reported because it is marshy nearby there are lots of mosquitoes this time of year.  Collyer said the trails are best in the Spring and Fall.  She and Angela McVey said there is horse manure on the Spur Trail, and riders could be cautioned to be more respectful toward walkers.  McVey also said that Old Lower Road from the Spur to Whittier is pretty overgrown, while it is clear to Wallace.  She also noted that Marshal House Trail is also overgrown.  They intend to make pdf's for Recreation review by the end of September, and Amanda plans to work on clearing trails, making benches and other projects to work toward her Gold Award, while the work done this past year is to earn her Silver Award.  The Commission thanked them for all that they are doing.
  •         McVey said that the trails stay cleared by being used by horses and dirt bikes.  Discussion followed about ways to open the trails to motorized vehicles without making them uncomfortable for use by horses, dog walkers and biker and hikers.  McVey suggested the Commission could consider opening the trails, with Board approval, to motorized vehicles on occasion, such as one Saturday per month from 10 to 4.  Snowmobilers would be able to use some of them in winter on those occasions as well.
  • Town Beach:  Collyer said she has had some reports of MA plates at the Town Beach, and has advised Chief Streeter.  Burrill says he has heard residents raving about the beach this year since the sand was turned and redistributed, and new picnic tables added.  Faghan said that smokers have been at the Town Beach, outlawed on all town properties as Burrill said.  Collyer said Recreation should consider some additional signs for No Smoking, for Town Beach closed from Dec 1 to May 1, and for no Trespassing, use by Newton Residents only.  She will obtain quotes to present at the next meeting. She said the security cameras are due to be installed in early September per Mary Winglass, Office Manager, who has taken on coordination of the installation.
  • Greenie Park:  Milner and St. Cyr have checked Greenie Park and do not find that the picnic table is in bad condition…not brand new, but used by skate boarders and in a nice cove.  St. Cyr reported that the merry go round is all painted and the swing hooks are in and he will be installing them.  Burrill suggested pictures of the improvements be posted on Facebook, so residents know what their volunteers and tax dollars are accomplishing for the town and its properties.  Milner said the wall ball definitely needs repair.  The boards are in need of replacement, but the posts are in good condition.  Collyer will obtain quotes for the next meeting for 5 4x8 5/8" PT plywood, paint in green and white and 4" galvanized nails so Recreation members can do the work to repair the wall ball.  
  • Senior Activities:  Milner said the August 24 event is ready to go, and Jim Doggett and Mary Allen will be chaperoning.  She is coordinating with Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley for snacks and water.
  • Movie Night:  Scheduled for August 26 at 8 Merrimac Rd, Dragon Mosquito has advised the town that the mosquitoes are too bad and the threat of EEE makes them advise the event not be held.  Milner has arranged for use of Town Hall instead, but the
  • Town Day Commission felt the chairs and environment would not be great for kids for Movie Night.  Burrill made a motion, seconded by Faghan, that Movie Night be shifted to coordinate with fireworks at Town Day, with the Movie being shown beginning at about 6 PM, followed by fireworks.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Town Day:
  •         5 K Race:  Collyer said the Plaistow LIons have offered their canopy and tables for registration.  She needs volunteers to help with registration.  The Bezansons have volunteered to handle the water table.  FiveKsports will be handling timing, signage along the route, supplying custom bibs for $534, and an additional $227 for 50 t-shirts for the first 50 registrants. Once the Town Day plans are approved by the Board of Selectmen, she can finalize these plans and order signage.  Discussion of give away bags followed and it was decided not to offer them this year.  Faghan expressed concern that the Commission is taking  on too much and should abandon the 5K Race.  Collyer said it will be key to have an experienced 5K organizer mentor the Commission through the 5K race, and to have 4-5 volunteers for registration.  She will work on this, and if not obtained, she would agree doing the race is taking on too much this year.  She will be contacting the Plaistow Lions Club through the Bezansons, Wendy Takesian at the Y, the High School Key Club and others through Mr. Stack, and Empower Martial Arts.  Burrill made a motion, seconded by Collyer, that the cost to race be $15 for early registration, and $20 on the day of the race.  Faghan reiterated that he thinks the Commission is taking on too much for this year.  Voting in favor were Burrill, St. Cyr and  Collyer, nay were Milner and Faghan.  The motion passed 3-2.
  • Faghan made a motion, seconded by Milner, that the Commission cancel the race this year.  St. Cyr stated that if something were to be canceled, it should be the fireworks, since there are tons of fireworks all the time in people's backyards in Newton.  Voting in favor were Faghan and Milner, against were Collyer, St. Cyr and Faghan.  The motion failed to pass by 2-3.
  • Milner went through the proposed requisitions for Town Day, to be brought before the Board of Selectmen on the 18th.  Mike Pivero offered a flatbed trailer for staging for the bands, saving the town that expense.  He also offered to contact antique car owners and motorcyclists about a small show on Town Day.
  • Milner made a motion, seconded by Burrill, that we hire a Sound Engineer for $500.  He noted that other quotes he has obtained are for $1000, $1680 and one for $650 with no insurance.  The proposed Sound Engineer is a band  member and will do it for the price paid for last year's Sound Engineer - who is not available this year.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Burrill made a motion, seconded by Milner, that we approve spending an amount not to exceed $250 for 25 signs for Town Day.  Collyer will send a proof of the signs to Burrill for presentation to the Board.  The motion passed unanimously. Burrill volunteered to put up the signs.
  • Collyer made a motion, seconded by Milner, that we rent one regular portapotty for $85 and one handicapped portapotty for $125 from Triangle, the vendor the town uses.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Milner made a motion, seconded by St. Cyr, that we hire Zoo Creatures for $350.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Milner made a motion, seconded by St. Cyr, that we rent an inflatable Obstacle Course for $455.  Collyer said she is seeking a lower price if possible from Taylor Rental, that Grand Rental says this is the preferred bouncy house for a venue such as ours.  Burrill said this is lower on the list for him.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Milner made a motion, seconded by Collyer, that we rent Extreme Combo for $2150.  This is a combination of rock climbing wall, and bungie trampolines, that is enormously popular with kids.  The vote was Milner, St. Cyr and Collyer aye, and Burrill and Faghan nay.  The motion passed 3-2.
  • Burrill is looking into Star Wars characters who will attend and roam for a donation to their cause for $100.  He will report on this and other ideas next meeting.
  • Burrill made a motion seconded by Faghan, that we hire Maine Pyrotechnics for $2500 for a fireworks display.  Collyer said that she contacted two other vendors who failed to reply.  Faghan, Burrill and Collyer voted aye and Milner and St. Cyr voted nay.  The motion carried 3-2.
  • Faghan reported that we now have 12 vendors and business organizations who are planning booths.  He will be checking with the Health Officer on what is required and then pursue food vendors as well.  Kingston Lions would like to do sausages and burgers.  Collyer said she just got an email from another potential vendor.
  • Burrill said he is lining up bands, and something most often offered is free food since they are not being paid.  He will develop some ideas for this for our next meeting.
  • Milner will put together all the finalized requisitions, send the summary information to Burrill and Collyer and submit the requisitions to Wrigley.  Collyer will update a spreadsheet with proposed sources for money to pay for the requisitions and forward to Burrill, so he can present to the Board of Selectmen on the following night.
  • Announcements: none
  • Other Business: None
  • Correspondence: None
  • Adjournment:  Collyer made a motion to adjourn.  Seconded by Burrill, the motion passed unanimously and Milner adjourned the meeting at 9 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Annie Collyer,
Secretary