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May 4, 2015 Recreation Commission Minutes
Newton Recreation Commission
   2 Town Hall Road, Newton, NH 03858
   Tel: 382-4405 ext. 13 * Fax 382-9140

NEWTON RECREATION COMMISSION
DATE: MONDAY May 4, 2015
TIME: 7 PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD

MEETING MINUTES

  • Chairperson Annie Collyer called the meeting to order at 7 PM.
  • In Attendance were Collyer, Sue Milner, Selectman Ex-Officio Matt Burrill, and Stephen St. Cyr.  
  • Introduction of Guests:  Bob Faghan and Road Agent Mike Pivero.  
  • Faghan expressed an interest in joining the Commission.  Collyer reviewed the procedure with him, and made a motion that the Commission recommend his acceptance as a member to the Board of Selectmen.  The motion was seconded by Selectman Burrill, and passed unanimously. Collyer reviewed the report from the bookkeeper, and said it would be a part of the minutes.
  • Approval of Minutes: Milner made a motion to accept the minutes of April 6 as written.  Burrill seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
  • Collyer added the Easter Egg Hunt to the agenda, and Burrill added cameras.
  • Easter Egg Hunt.  Milner was not able to obtain total numbers for the cost of the Easter Egg Hunt, but the cost was more than the $300 the Commission contributed.  In discussion, the Commission will plan to budget about $450 for both the Easter Egg Hunt and the Halloween Party in next year's budget.
  • Earth Day :  Burrill reported that NBSA parents volunteered, along with a few other residents, for cleanup at Greenie Park.  The Girls Scouts had maps of the trails, took people on a tour of the trails at Greenie, supplied free water and had Juliet Lowe birdfeeder crafts at Greenie.  The BSA cleaned the town beach.  Other residents did a lot of roadside cleanup and Burrill visited the Transfer Station where the Conservation Commission passed out free gifts to residents who brought in roadside trash. Collyer said that Ocasio's Black Belt candidates cleaned the Peanut Trail this past weekend.
  • Memorial Day :  Pivero brought in a map that will be posted on the town website of the new parade route.  Once the start time is set, Board of Selectmen Office Manager Mary Winglass will post the map and parade information on the town website and on cable.  Pivero suggested that the Commission put up Parade signs with no parking hours along the parade route a week before the Parade.  Faghan volunteered to put up the signs, and he and Collyer will work on them.  It was decided that the signs should be 18 x 24', and there are sign posts in the meeting room that can be used.  Collyer will check with Chief Streeter on the roads that will have parking bans.  She is working on getting commitments from various town groups about participation.  Milner will interview Grand Marshall Bill Thomas about his experience in service, and write up a one-page notice that the Town Moderator Robert Dezmelyk has agreed to read at the ceremony.  Milner will make up the programs, to be printed by King Printing.  Collyer will work with Town Administrator Wrigley on ordering plastic flags to give away at the Parade.  Also speaking at the ceremony will be Representative Ken Wyler on the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.  Representative David Welch has a cannon corps that will do the honors.  The High School Band will play taps.
  • Pivero has volunteered to supply vehicles to transport troops along the parade route.  Since the Veterans Club in Kingston has not yet announced the time for the Kingston parade, nor have they yet decided on their level of participation in the Newton Parade, Pivero will speak with the Veterans Club and with the VFW in Kingston, and let the Commission know the results.  He is also contacting the Kingston Road Agent to find out the time for the Kingston Parade.  
  • In the meantime, the Commission is planning to hold the Newton Parade at 10 AM, with marchers gathering between 9 and 9:30.  Parking will be suggested at the Memorial School, and Pivero has offered to transport marchers from the school to the Main Fire House, which will be the beginning point of the parade.  After closing ceremonies, marchers will be able to walk from the Whittier Cemetery to Memorial School to retrieve their vehicles.  
  • Collyer will contact the school principles to invite school groups to participate, with decorated bikes, floats or in whatever way they choose.  In addition to Town Boards and Committees, she will invite School Board and Budget Committee members.  Burrill will invite some of our Newton businesses to participate as well.
  • Security Cameras:  Pivero said he will be installing the poles, dig the trenches and put in the conduit in the next few weeks.  Winglass is coordinating the installation with the installer and Pivero.
  • Senior Activities :  Morin suggested an August trip to Mount Washington with lunch on a mid-week in August as the first Senior trip.  She will obtain more details so that we can take the proposal to the Board of Selectmen.  A chaperone will be needed, and Collyer suggested Selectman Jim Doggett may be willing to chaperone once again.
  • Dumpsters and Portapotties:  After opening day, they are in need of emptying.  Burrill reported that Wrigley has arranged for both to be done this week.
  • Movie Night:  Morin will talk with Newburyport and Fun Flicks to see about renting a popular movie for this year.  She suggested Movie Night be held in later August when the days are shorter, so that it will be darker soon enough for young children to attend the movie.  Burrill brought up the idea of having the police place cones on Heath Street if Movie Night is held at Greenie Park.  Pivero suggested it be held at Federal City.
  • Trophy Day:  No response yet, per Burrill.
  • Town Day:  Collyer said that the PTO does not yet have a co-chair for their 5K Race, so the date has not been set.  Discussion followed on the pros and cons of combining Town Day with the 5K Race.  It was determined that the Commission would like to combine Town Day with the PTO fundraiser if they will be holding it, but if not, then Town Day will take place, probably at Federal City.  Collyer suggested having a flea market at Town Day this year.  All agreed that the Bands are a big hit.  It is hoped that Town Day will not fall on the same day as Homecoming this year, as it has in the past two years. In June, the Commission will decide on how to proceed, to give the PTO time to see whether they will be holding the 5K race.
  • Announcements:  Collyer said that both Water Country and Canobie Lake Park discounted tickets will be available online this year instead of residents having to go to Town Hall to buy physical tickets.  The links will be posted on the town website as soon as the set up is complete.
  • Other Business:  Collyer reviewed the budget for 2015.  St. Cyr will be evaluating the playground equipment recently donated and work with playground suppliers on developing a plan for Greenie that will incorporate a plan for safe placement of the equipment.  The intent is to have a plan with costs to bring to the voters as a warrant article next March.  Collyer stated that there is money in the budget for some maintenance at both the Town Beach and at Greenie, such as lifting and lubing the merry-go-round, rebuilding the wall ball, repairs to the asphalt and skate park, and painting.  Collyer suggested painting a path for small bikes, a wall ball court and 4-square as well as the merry-go-round.  St. Cyr will plan for and coordinate the work at Greenie.  In addition, John Neveux obtained quotes last year for redistributing the beach sand and for removing roots at the Town Beach.  She will get that information to St. Cyr for follow-up.
  • Collyer made a motion, seconded by Burrill, that the Commission spend an amount not to exceed $400 from the supply line of the budget for 3 picnic tables, two for the town beach and one for Greenie Park.  St. Cyr noted that picnic tables are now on sale at Home Depot for less than $100.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Collyer made a motion seconded by Burrill that the Commission spend an amount not to exceed $400 to purchase 4 trash barrels.  Burrill amended the motion to make certain that the Town Maintenance man approve the barrels prior to purchase.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Correspondence:  none
  • Adjournment:  Burrill made a motion, seconded by St.Cyr, to adjourn.  The motion passed unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
        Respectfully submitted,


        Annie Collyer, Chairperson and Secretary