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October 5, 2015 Recreation Commission Minutes
NEWTON RECREATION COMMISSION
DATE: Monday October 5, 2015
TIME: 7 PM
LOCATION: Town Hall Rear Meeting Room

MEETING MINUTES



  • Call to Order:  Chairperson Annie Collyer called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
  • Members In Attendance: Annie Collyer, Selectman Ex-Officio Matt Burrill, Sue Milner, Steve St. Cyr and Bob Faghan
  • Guests: None
  • Approval of Minutes of September 28, 2015 and October 1, 2015:  Mrs. Milner made a motion, seconded by Mr. Faghan,  to approve the minutes of September 28, 2015 and of October 1, 2015 as written.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Town Day Review:  Ms. Collyer stated that there were about 350 people in attendance throughout Town Day, such that parking was full.  The 30 vendors were happy with the turnout.  There were 25 runners, an excellent first start.  The movie drew 20 attendees, and there were 100 + for the fireworks.  Ms. Collyer suggested that it is important to see whether a Friends of Recreation can form in order to grow Town Day through sponsorships, more vendors, and more free activities.  She said that the volunteers from Empower, the Girl Scouts and the HS Glee Club were amazing in helping with everything.  She is looking into the costs for 2 movies for next year, one a matinee for little ones with babysitting during the 5K Race and then sell tickets for a dinner and have a movie at about 5:30 PM, followed by fireworks.  In addition, she suggested we look at doing Town Day in June instead of in the fall, so as not to conflict with the big Fall festivals and avoid any Homecoming conflict.  The Memorial PTO could then revive their 5K fundraiser in September, should they so decide.  She also credited the bands, the Lions, the police and fire departments and chiefs, and town officials as well as the Bezansons and O'Rourkes for their many contributions to Town Day.
  • Selectman Burrill stated that the Commission may want to consider making Town Day a warrant article for next Spring so voters can endorse the event, because it is not just Recreation but so many others from the Town who make this happen.  He pointed out that Mr. St. Cyr's recommendation that we provide free stuff was a strong draw.
  • Ms. Collyer said that the October 19 Recreation meeting will be a recap, review and beginning of planning for the next Town Day.  Mr. Faghan will write up a list of the vendors and sponsors with contact information, a checklist for developing sponsorships and vendors, and recommendations for the coming year.  Ms. Collyer has invited key players to attend:  Jaimie and Laurie Bezanson, Amanda McVey, the Police and Fire Chiefs, Town Road Agent Mike Pivero, Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley and Town Manager Mary Winglas.  The Commission expressed thanks to the many of our community who volunteered for the day
  • Halloween Party:  Ms. Collyer said she received a note from Boy Scout Leader Rick Bailey asking Recreation to help them by renting the popcorn machine for them.  She has told Mr. Bailey that we need an invoice in order to proceed.  Ms. Milner will work with Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley to obtain previously-approved twelve $10 Walmart gift certificates for prizes for the party.
  • Town Beach:  Mr. St. Cyr reported that the sand redistribution done this past Spring is allowing grass to poke through.  He argued that the town needs to make periodic investments in town properties.  He will gather the costs for a permit and sand replenishment for the 1/4 acre of beach for discussion at the Recreation November 2 meeting.  Mr. St. Cyr will also contact Town Maintainer Tony to put away the volleyball net.  Selectman Burrill will arrange for removal of the swim buoys.  Ms. Collyer brought up signage for the Town Beach:  Beach Closed in winter, No Smoking signs on the beachfront, premises under surveillance.  She will bring quotes for metal signage to the November 2 meeting, as well as confirm what is already in place.
  • Greenie Park  :  Mrs. Milner will obtain quotes for 5 4x8' Pressure Treated 3/4 " plywood boards and material to paint them for the October 17 meeting.  Commission members will do the work to replace the wall ball, and Selectman Burrill will arrange for Selectman Donovan to help since he is in the construction business.  Mr. St. Cyr reported on the resurfaced areas at Greenie.  He does not believe repainting the lines on the tennis court or on the basketball court makes sense.  He said that skateboarders report that there is some wheel sticking on the skate park in the heat, and that they would like some of the smaller structures removed that other skaters have added over the years, because the structures impede good flow for skating.  Mr. St. Cyr will be replacing the swing hooks Recreation bought this year.
  • Mr. St. Cyr will develop a plan with costs for the playground.  He made the point that it is the Town's responsibility to invest in the safety of the playground.  He will propose a multi-year plan for ongoing maintenance and investment in safety at Greenie Park, and then the Commission will strategize on the best ways to request funding for the needed work.
  • Ms. Collyer said that Ms. Winglass, who has been overseeing the installation, reports that the security cameras are in place and almost online.
  • Current Budget Review:  Ms. Collyer will distribute electronically the September 29 budget status to the Members.  She mentioned that much of the Recreation budget expenditure for Town Day, a major portion of the 2015 budget, is not on that accounting, but that the budget is in good shape.  The money approved for Town Day by the Commission and by the Board of Selectman was underspent due to not using the timing company for the 5K Race, and to the Bezansons' supplying after race snacks instead of Recreation, for a combined total of approximately $700.  Mrs. Milner asked whether there are items previously planned that have not been done this year.  Ms. Collyer said we did not lift and lube the merry-go-round, since it had not been needed at this time.  She suggested that holding skating over the coming holidays is not a good use of Recreation Commission members time.  If a member wants to chaperone a skating event, it could still be scheduled and held, however.
  • Budget Setting Process for 2016:  Ms. Collyer reviewed the Budget setting process, which begins with the Recreation budget meeting on November 2, making recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on November 17, public hearings and then a townwide vote in March.  She said that the Commission will be operating on a default budget in the Spring until the March vote in finalized.
  • Budget Priorities for 2016:  The Commission will seek to do the Snow tubing once again this Winter.  Investment in safety and maintenance at the town properties is needed on an ongoing basis.  
  • Warrant Articles for 2016:  Possibilities under consideration are the Senior Warrant Article and a Town Day warrant article.  The Commission prefers to put investment in town properties for safety and deferred maintenance as operating budget items.
  • Other Business:  Senior Warrant Article.  Mrs. Milner suggested a holiday luncheon with poinsettias in December.  She made a motion, seconded by Selectman Burrill, to hold a luncheon at Roma's in Bradford at a per person cost of $17.76 inclusive of taxes and tip, with favors of poinsettias at $6.00 each, to exhaust the balance of the Senior Warrant Article, at no charge to Seniors.  Selectman Burrill agreed to be a chaperone for the event, and will check to see whether Selectman Doggett will also so serve.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Correspondence:  Request for a permit to use Greenie Park for Sanborn Youth Football.  Selectman Burrill made a motion, seconded by Mr. St. Cyr, to allow the use of Greenie Park on October 24 from 8:00- 11:00 AM by Sanborn Youth Football for flag football for 40 kids and families from Kingston, Newton and Fremont.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Meeting Calendar and Goals for Balance of 2015, Spring of 2016:  Ms. Collyer proposed that the Commission meet on the first Monday of each month in November, December and January.  She said that except for Budget-setting and the Senior Luncheon, there is not any activity planned until Snowtubing in March.  The Commission agreed.  It is hoped to work out a way for residents to pay a small amount for snowtubing with the resort, such as discounts available at Canobie and Water Country.
  • Adjournment:  Selectman Burrill made a motion seconded by Mr. St. Cyr that the Commission adjourn.  The motion passed unanimously.  Ms. Collyer adjourned the meeting at 8:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,

Annie Collyer, Secretary