Newton Recreation Commission
8 Merrimac Rd
Newton NH 03858
603-382-4405 x 13
Minutes for November 21, 2016
Call to Order : Chairman Bob Faghan called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM
In Attendance: Bob Faghan, Selectman Ex-Officio Matt Burrill, Annie Collyer, Steve St. Cyr, Christine Kuzmitski, Angela McVey, Vanessa Burrill and Vinny Murphy.
Guests in attendance: Kelli Twiss, Chief Jewett and ?
Approval of minutes of November 7, 2016: Ms. Collyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Faghan that the minutes of November 7, 2016 be approved as written. The motion passed unanimously.
Teen Activity Coordination with Kingston Rec: Ms. Twiss presented forming ideas for a teen center at the Kingston Recreation Center, a heated and mostly unused building that would provide access for teens from Kingston, Newton and Fremont. Past ideas for teens have been the Regional Y, but the challenges are that 1- teens want to hang out, not be overly organized, and 2- a bus crossing District lines is a logistical problem. Instead, the idea is to have a supervised space for teens to gather, perhaps with video games, ping pong, computer access. Ms. Twiss noted that staffing with volunteers is always a challenge. Chief Jewett said his officers might be interested in off-hours, not as official duties. Mrs. McVey suggested the Knights of Columbus could be a resource. Ms. Twiss said there is thought about developing internships outside of the center as well. There will be an organizational planning meeting at the High School on Wednesday, November 30 at 2:30 PM, and Ms. Collyer
will attend. _____________ spoke about her daughter’s death with heroin ten years ago, and that she is convinced that lack of available activities was a big contributing factor.
Warrant Articles for 2017:
Selectman Burrill made a motion, seconded by Mr. Faghan, that we propose a warrant for $4200 for Senior Activities. The motion passed unanimously.
Selectman Burrill made a motion, seconded by Ms. Collyer, that we propose a warrant for $7000 for Newton Towne Day. Discussion followed that fireworks if any could be sponsored by town businesses. Chief Jewett said he will arrange for a ‘Touch a Truck” with vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, helicopters, and cruisers at no cost for the event. The Commission agreed by consensus that free activities such as the fun house, trampolines and climbing wall were a big hit two years ago. Ms. McVey commented that gaining support for Newton Towne Day prior to the warrant articles being issued might be helped by positive publicity on town events like Trunk or Treat, Christmas Tree Lighting, and past Towne Day, with the benefits for the community of coming together in
events that are a draw for all, especially those that have been no cost to the taxpayers. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Collyer made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Kuzmitski, that we propose a warrant article for safety upgrades to the playground at Greenie Park for $19,800 as last year. After discussion, it was decided that the Commission would think further on this warrant, and Ms. Collyer withdrew her motion.
Senior Holiday Lunch : Mrs.Kuzmitski will work with Mrs. McVey on a flyer for the Holiday Lunch, and will be present at Town Hall one morning and one afternoon for signups next week.
Greenie Park Dugouts: Selectman Burrill said he will obtain information on the status. It may be necessary to encumber the funds for the roofing shingles. It appears that the damage was due to either wind or age, or a combination.
Town Beach Raft Status: Mr. St. Cyr has the wood and panels, and will make the repairs as his time allows. The Commission thanked him for his efforts on this.
Year-End Improvement Recommendations:
Mr. St. Cyr made a motion to spend up to $180 for materials to repair the picnic tables at the Town Beach. Seconded by Ms. Collyer, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. St. Cyr made a motion to spend an amount not to exceed $800, including shipping for a replacement storage bin at the town beach. Mr. St. Cyr will recheck to make sure application of rustoleum would also work, prior to proceeding with the storage bin, noting the current bin is very heavy and sturdy but an eyesore at the Beach. It is used primarily to store the buoys and lines. There was discussion of storing them in the shed, but there is not room enough. Seconded by Ms. Collyer, the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Murphy presented thoughts on improvements at Greenie Park. Extensive and permanent repairs to the tennis court would cost $7500 plus $4500, and would need to be a future warrant article. The Basketball Court could be filled, sealed and repainted for $1050 by Chase. The tennis court could be similarly done by Chase for $1400. He noted that the crack and seal-coating for the tennis court would mean that future non-replacement options would no longer be possible. Ms. Collyer made a motion that we propose $2550 to make the repairs to the basketball and tennis courts with Chase, and $3450 to make them with Petra should Chase prove to have no insurance. The motion was seconded by Mr. Faghan and passed unanimously.
Ms. Collyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. St. Cyr, that we propose an amount not to exceed $1000 for siding for the beach shack. Ms. Collyer inquired whether the siding could be done by the Town Maintenance man, Tony, and Selectman Burrill said that was doable. The motion passed 4-1, with Mr. Faghan dissenting.
Christmas Tree Lighting: Chief Jewett stated that he has found a tree that is 20-25 feet high and that Mike Pivero, Road Agent, will help with felling, transporting and raising the tree at the Safety Complex. He has contacted Tina O’Rouke regarding a “Fill a Cruiser” for canned goods and other non-perishables to be distributed to local food pantries and End 68 Hours of Hunger. He offered that his officers will donate hot chocolate for a tree lighting ceremony and has lined up lights for the tree. Possible additions would be donated giant bulbs from Home Depot, perhaps in future years. He is already working on lining up future trees. Ms. Collyer made a motion, seconded by Selectman Burrill, that Recreation spend an amount not to exceed $25 for hot chocolate
for the event. Mrs. Burrill noted that Recreation now has containers for hot chocolate as well as some hot chocolate and cups left over from Trunk or Treat. The Police Association will donate cups and perhaps marshmallows for the hot chocolate. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Collyer will contact Mr. Bradd at the District to see whether the HS and/or MS bands and/or choir will be able to participate in a tree lighting. It was agreed that the tree lighting will take place on Saturday, December 10 at 4:30 PM. Earlier that same day, Santa will be at the Fire Station, so seemed a good choice.
Other Business: none
Adjourn: Ms. Collyer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Faghan, to adjourn. Passing unanimously, Mr. Faghan adjourned the meeting at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Annie Collyer,
Secretary
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