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NEWTON RECREATION COMMISSION
DATE: Monday February 1, 2016
TIME: 7 PM
LOCATION: Town Hall Rear Meeting Room
MEETING MINUTES
- Call to Order: Chairperson Annie Collyer called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
- Members in Attendance: Selectman Ex-Officio Matt Burrill, Bob Faghan, Steve St. Cyr and Annie Collyer. Sue Milner was excused due to a prior obligation.
- Guests: None
- Approval of Minutes of January 4, 2016: Mr. St. Cyr made a motion to accept the minutes of January 4, 2016 as written. Mr. Faghan seconded. There being no discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
- Signage and Security Camera Review: Ms. Collyer said that the sign is installed that the Town Beach is closed during winter months. She noted that the town now has limited its liability should someone park at the beach lot and access the ice over the water from there.
- Warrant Article Review: Ms. Collyer thanked Mr. Faghan for being at both the Newton Public Hearing and the Deliberative Session. She also thanked Mr. St. Cyr for his presentation of the two warrant articles for Greenie Park: for improved safety at the Skate Board Park and at the Playground, as well as for all his work on those items. Selectman Burrill presented on the Senior Warrant article, noting that it has traditionally passed without a problem. He said that it is a very small give-back to the Seniors of Newton who contribute so much to the taxes for all the town's obligations. Ms Collyer read an email from a Senior citizen who has enjoyed the events Recreation has conducted, and wondered why the amount is only $4000. She pointed out that we are not able to start planning any events until the Warrant passes in
March, so there is not much time to put together more than the two events we do. She also pointed out that had this person been at the Deliberative, he could have offered an amendment to the Article to increase the amount. If that were to happen next year, Recreation would do its best to put together more events for Seniors.
- There has been a change in how payments can be done through Town Hall in the past year or so. It used to be that we could charge a portion of the cost for an event. Now, we have to pay for the entire event and just take sign ups at the Selectman's office window. Ms. Collyer said that a larger warrant in future years could mean an additional completely free event. The Warrant used to be $5000, so Recreation can consider asking for an increase in the future. She will send him an email with these comments.
- Ms. Collyer presented both warrant articles on Greenie Park, pointing out that they are Safety issues. She also presented the Olde Home Day Warrant, pointing out that Recreation removed the cost for the event from the budget to give townspeople the opportunity to vote to have the event. Selectman Burrill pointed out that Olde Home Day will happen if the warrant passes, but will not happen if it fails to pass.
- Selectman Burrill stated that he plans to introduce to the Board of Selectmen the concept of forming an Olde Home Day Committee to make the day happen, should the warrant pass. The one held last October was successful due not only to the work of Recreation Commission members, but also to the participation of Mike
- Pivero, Road Agent; the Police and Fire and many town officers and volunteers, including Key Club members from Sanborn Regional High. Ms.Collyer asked how he would see that interface with a new Friends of Recreation group. Selectman Burrill said that the Friends group could take on an aspect of Olde Home Day, such as vendors and sponsors to support additional events. The Friends would have their own organization and bank account and procedures, and work with the rest of the Olde Home Day Committee.
- Selectman Burrill asked whether members will be available to help promote our Warrants at the Transfer Station, and all agreed. Ms. Collyer will be there during the middle weekends in February and Mr. St. Cyr, Mr. Faghan and Selectman Burrill will handle the last week of February and the first weekend in March. In addition, Mr. Faghan will be available to help pass out information at Town Hall on Election Day, March 8.
- Mr. Faghan made a motion, seconded by Mr. St. Cyr to authorize Ms. Collyer to write some copy for a flyer to pass out at these events. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Burrill will share the flyer with the Board of Selectmen, and will arrange for printing. Mr. Faghan made a motion seconded by Mr. St. Cyr, to pay no more than $300 from the Supplies Line Item for printing 1000 3 " x 5" flyers on index card stock. The motion passed unanimously.
- Election of Officers for 2016-7: Ms. Collyer said that she is pleased to continue to be a member of the Recreation Commission, and that she believes that it is the most healthy course for an organization to share leadership. She would like to continue to be involved as Secretary, and make room for someone else to be the new Chairman. Mr. St. Cyr nominated Mr. Faghan to be recommended to the Board of Selectmen to serve as Chairman beginning March 1. Selectman Burrill seconded. The motion passed, with Mr. St. Cyr, Selectman Burrill and Ms. Collyer voting aye and Mr. Faghan abstained. Selectman Burrill made a motion to recommend to the Board that Ms. Collyer serve as Vice-Chair beginning March 1. Seconded by Mr. Faghan, the motion passed with Selectman Burrill, Mr. St. Cyr and Mr. Faghan aye, and Ms. Collyer
abstaining. Selectman Burrill made a motion to recommend to the Board that Ms.Collyer be reappointed to the Commission as a member and as Secretary for a new 3-year term until 2019. The motion passed as did the prior motion.
- Other Business: Snowtubing. There has been some use of the snowtubing tickets, but the weather has made icy conditions. Ms. Collyer will check on the remaining ticket balance so that we can buy more if needed as winter continues.
- Adjournment: Selectman Burrill made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. St. Cyr. It passed unanimously and Ms. Collyer adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Annie Collyer,
Secretary
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