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June 27, 2016 Recreation Commission Minutes
NEWTON RECREATION COMMISSION
DATE: Monday June 27,  2016
TIME: 7 PM
LOCATION: Town Hall Rear Meeting Room

MEETING MINUTES



  • Call to Order:  Vice Chair Annie Collyer called the meeting to order at 7 :02 PM.
  • Members in Attendance:  Selectman Ex-Officio Matt Burrill, Steve St. Cyr, Christine Kuzmitski, Annie Collyer, and arriving at 7:30, Angela McVey.
  • Guests:  None
  • Approval of Minutes of June 6, 2016:  Mr. St. Cyr made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kuzmitski, to approve the minutes of June 6, 2016 as written.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Movie Nights: The Movie night of June 17 discussion was tabled until Mr. Faghan can be present.  Selectman Burrill suggested the possibility of holding a movie night in October after the frost as something to consider.  
  • Town Beach:  Mr. St. Cyr said he has moved the buoys out to surround the raft.  Ms. Collyer said she observed a number of teenagers enjoying the raft tremendously.  Mr. St. Cyr said he has still to attach two more of the anchor chains to the raft, but with the time he had available, he prioritized moving the buoys to enclose the raft in the swimming area.  He will finalize the raft installation this Friday,.  
  • Mr. St. Cyr said that there is a cracked panel on the raft again.  Selectman Burrill will work with the police to try to identify who broke it and how with the use of the video.  With the sensitivity in the community for and against the raft, identifying the cause of the vandalism would help.  Once we learn what we can find out, we will publicize the need to respect the raft and safety in order to keep it in place.
  • Greenie Park:  Ms. Collyer said she attended the Safety Meeting last week.  With a new insurer for the town, she would like to obtain a ruling on liability coverage for the conditions at Greenie Park, where recommended but not mandated safety standards for the playground are not in place.  With the Commission’s approval, which was granted by all, she will complete the online safety form for the Safety Committee, who will then forward it to the Board of Selectmen, so they can obtain a determination of coverage from Primex.  
  • Senior Events:  Mrs. Kuzmitski has investigated the costs of the cog railroad trip for Seniors this year.  She will obtain feedback on dates in September, most likely on a Wednesday, and then obtain quotes for a bus and for the cog railroad to bring to the Commission for approval.  The process is then for the Board of Selectmen to approve it, and then advertising and signups can take place.  The Commission agreed that it makes sense to use $3000 of the $4000 of the Senior Warrant Article for this purpose in order to keep the cost at about $25 per person.  
  • Mrs. Kuzmitski will look into various options for a holiday party for the balance of $1000 in the Senior Warrant Article.  It was noted that Seniors will need to pay cash for their portion of any Senior trips, due to town policy, and the town will then cut a check for the total of the cash receipts as well as a check from the Warrant Article Fund.
  • Non- seniors and non-residents will be able to attend for full price if so desired.
  • Town 5K Race Sept 10:  Selectman Burrill reported for Mrs. Burrill, who was ill.  She requested an okay from the Commission to sign up for the race with Active who runs cool running.  She got the OK.
  • Mrs. Burrill proposed a fun run beginning at 9:30 AM for ages 10 and under, .5 miles long.  It will be laid out on the side of the police building.  The idea of a charge for participation in the fun run was rejected, and the Commission felt it should be a free event for the kids.  Medals for kids who take part should be awarded.
  • She proposed that runners and walkers start at 10 AM.  The cost will be $20 for online signup and $25 on the day of the race.  Those who sign up by August 20 will be entitled to a free t-shirt.  
  • The idea of a t-shirt logo design contest was put aside for future years with the concentration this year on the race itself.  Mrs. McVey noted that when there is a contest, it is important to set the format of dimensions, and post at Town Hall, the library and the main post office.
  • Registration will begin at 8:30 AM.  Jamie and Laurie Bezanson have offered to handle registration and water stations again this year.
  • Bob Faghan is contacting a couple of vendors, but there will not be a lot of activity except for the 5 K Race and Fun Run, since Newton Olde Home Day was not funded at the voting booths in March.
  • Selectman Burrill will look for a free DJ/announcer for the race, perhaps a community member who will donate services for the good of the community or who is looking to get started as a DJ.
  • Selectman Burrill made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kuzmitski, that the fees for the race be $20 for online enrollment and $25 on the day of the race.  The motion passed unanimously.
  • Other Business: the next meeting will be held on Monday, July 11.  Ms. Collyer will post an event on Facebook.
  • Adjournment:  Mrs. Kuzmitski made a motion, seconded by Mr. St. Cyr, to adjourn.  It passed unanimously, and Ms. Collyer adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Annie Collyer, Secretary