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March 23, 2015 Recreation Commission Minutes
NEWTON RECREATION COMMISSION
DATE: Monday, March 23, 2015
TIME: 7 PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD

MEETING MINUTES


  • Call to Order:  Acting Chairperson Sue Milner called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
  • In Attendance:  Sue Milner, Acting Chairperson; Matt Burrill, Selectman,  Ex-Officio; Steve St. Cyr; and Annie Collyer by phone.
  • Introduction of Guests Angela McVey
  • Approval of Minutes Selectman Burrill made a motion to accept the minutes as written.  St Cyr seconded, and without objection, the motion passed unanimously.
  • Earth Day: McVey reported on the Girl Scouts plans for Earth Day on April 18.  She has contacted Amanda Moulassio of the Key Club, and is waiting to hear back how they may want to become involved.  McVey reports that the Girl Scout sponsors Highland  Dental and  Empower Martial Arts are willing to help the Girl Scouts financially with Earth Day.  They are planning games and activities such as making Juliet Lowe bird feeders which are pinecones rolled in crisco,or honey or nut butters the rolled in seeds, tied with twine, and hung in the woods.  Also under consideration are water bottles,  fairy houses, and  letter boxing  which is a kind of scavenger hunt.  It is not easy to plan because attendance is unknown.  They will probably do 40 of the pinecones, for instance.  The Scouts plan to map the Trails on April 4, with the Surrettes,    who have maintained the trails for years.  They will take the trail signs and blazes from the Rec room to put up to mark the trails.  They will then be able to make the trail map digitally, and will share it with JohnHenry at the High School so he can make the permanent trail map as a part of his Senior project.  They will print up a number of paper maps and laminate them for use on Earth Day,and will be posting the maps at Greenie as well as throughout the town on the town website.  Wood has been donated- 6 trees 20’ long, 2’ feet wide - for benches and possibly a foot bridge.  They are now looking to find a miller to help with benches.
  • Selectman Burrill reported on the meeting he and Collyer attended with the Conservation Commission.  Conservation is planning to coordinate with various town organizations for roadside pickup, supplying trash bags available at the Transfer Station and perhaps alsoat the Fire Station. Most will be taken to the Transfer Station, and roadside pickup will also be available, Conservation said.  They may look into some Audubon or other agency for small plants that can be given out on Earth Day.  Burrill has agreed to do a flyer to announce all Earth Day events and will be in contact with Conservation, the Fire and Police Departments and other town agencies as well as the Girl Scouts to flesh out the needed information.  Included too will be the NBSA information for the weekends surrounding Earth Day as they prepare for opening Day.
  • Winter Vacation Snowtubing Report  St. Cyr said it went well with 63 attending.  Collyer said that per her polls on Facebook, it was a very popular event and worth repeating.  The Town Administrator would like to have an easier way to handle ticketing and payments if possible, Collyer reported.  She is hopeful that the New England Sports Park ownership will help with online ticketing at a reduced pricing for Newton Residents that we buy in the future.
  • Trails Update- included in Earth Day discussions above.
  • Memorial Day Collyer has begun to reach out to town boards, committees and groups for May 25.  She has sent out invitations to our Representatives and Senator, as well as to Governor Hassan.  Burrill noted that it is not likely Hassan will be able to attend, but it is good to invite her  The Selectmen will be working on obtaining a Master of Ceremonies.  We will also need a hero to honor.  Selectman Burrill suggested that he and Collyer have a meeting with the Fire and Police Chiefs as well as Mike Pivero, who has some ideas regarding a longer route.  He will set that up.
  • Trophy Day  Selectman Burrill reported that we are on the Patriots wait list  and he will continue to follow up.
  • Town Day-  Collyer has not yet heard what date the PTO is planning.  Milner said that she understands they are still looking for a co-chair for the 5K.  
  • Porta Potties – Greenie Park and Town Beach.  The Commission agreed that the dates for install and removal respectively for   portapotties and dumpster for Greenie Park will be April 15  and November 1.  For the Town Beach they will be May 15 and October 1, and these dates will be in effect in future years until changed by future Commission action.  Collyer will report these dates to Town Administrator Wrigley.
  • Announcements Burrill reported that the warrant article Recreation membership and quorum passed.  Collyer noted that the senior warrant article for $4000 for activities for Seniors passed.  Discussion followed with ideas for future activities.  Burrill  mentioned that the High School has recently produced ‘Anything Goes” and suggested that plays such as this classic could be good opportunities to build community relations by obtaining discounted tickets for Seniors.  Other ideas discussed were theatres at Merrimac Repertory Theatre, Leddy, Portsmouth and Manchester, as well as to a nearby casino.  The casino idea was rejected by the Commission, noting that Plaistow provides these trips regularly.  Burrill inquired whether there could be other gathering places besides the Park and Ride, and it was decided that the best parking at lowest inconvenience was at the Westville Park and Ride.
  • Other Business  Selectman Burrill will schedule a public meeting for the  proposed change to the town beach ordinance recommended by the Commission several months ago.  Following potential approval by the Board of Selectmen, direct mailing will be made to commercial enterprises, such as the campgrounds and the Learning Center that they need to obtain permits prior to any beach usage, just as other groups need to do.
  • Milner reported that the Easter Egg Hunt will be done by the Girl Scouts, and they will submit invoices for supplies to be paid by town credit card.  To reaffirm Commission support, Milner made a motion, seconded by St. Cyr, that we spend no more than $300 for this event.  The Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Friday April 3 from 6:30 to 8 PM in the Memorial School gym.  The  motion passed unanimously.
  • Correspondence- Received a communication from Funflicks to put on outdoor movies.  Milner will check into current costs.  As discussed in prior meetings, we will seek to obtain a more current and sought-after release for an outdoor movie this year.  
  • Adjournment-   Burrill made a motion, seconded by St. Cyr, that we adjourn the meeting.  The vote was unanimous, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:57 PM.