North Reading Parks & Recreation
Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 23, 2010
Attendance: Rita Mullin, Mike Fitzpatrick, Pat Filmore, Lauren McMullen, Sergio Coviello, Bill Luker
Staff: Marty Tilton, Maureen Stevens
Quorum present, 7:08PM - Meeting called to order by Lauren McMullen, Chairperson
Audience: Peter Swart, Michael Gustafson, Joe Landry, Bill Reed
Acceptance of Minutes: 7/19/2010
Michael Fitzpatrick made a motion to accept minutes of 7/19/2010
Bill Luker seconds the motion
Accept: 6 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0
NEW BUSINESS
North Reading Youth Soccer
Joe Landry was present along with Peter Swart and Michael Gustafson of North Reading Youth Soccer (NRYS) Joe Landry wanted to present the concerns of NRYS.
Field Conditions - Chestnut Street (Maguire Fields).
Joe Landry stated that it had been 2 years since the work was completed and wanted to relay to the Committee the following:
1) The back field still has saturation issues in the back 20 to 30 yards of the field.
2) The overall condition to both fields with worn out areas, crabgrass and drainage issues.
3) As of today (8/23/10) there was standing water on the field.
Marty Tilton responded by stating the crabgrass had been recently treated and was responding to treatment. Marty is treating the worn areas with new soil. In regard to the drainage issues, he felt that today it had been actively raining for 2 days and there would be standing water. Joe Landry responded by stating the work completed 2 years ago should have resolved the drainage issues. Marty responded that the plan of work chosen did not include the complete repair of the drainage issue. Marty felt that the clearing of the street drain in the Spring also assisted with drainage and that the Spring 2010 produced record rainfall. Testing of the soils have come back good. Marty noted that the work done at Chestnut Street by the prior Parks Director he adamantly was against but yet he
has been left with the fallout of the effects on the fields. It was agreed that Marty would contact Dennis at Sports Turf Specialties to arrange a meeting for this week with North Reading Youth Soccer.
Lights
It was asked by Peter Swart if NRYS could rent the portable lights for Maguire field. Marty responded that North Reading Youth Football had already requested the lights for the practice field at the High School.
Soccer Net
Joe Landry stated that we owned a set of soccer nets at Ipswich River Park and that the post was cracked on one of them. It was felt all the nets were NRYS but maybe one set was an original set when the park was developed. Whatever the case, it was stated by Joe Landry that Jim O’Rourke was going to look into getting it fixed for use.
Concert/BBQ Update
Courtney Beverage was invited to attend the meeting as she held the BBQ Coordinator position but could not attend as she was sick. Maureen Stevens passed out a BBQ financial report for the 5 dates that were held. The only date not held was 7/14/10 due to rain. The date was not re-scheduled due to the loss of a sponsor. The report was reviewed to stated that the BBQ Coordinator position was reduced by 10/hours/week (from 30 hrs to 20 hrs) but that maybe Marty Tilton had to perform more duties to make-up the reduction which may not be a wise use of the Parks Director’s time. Maureen Stevens stated that Courtney had requested that next year that she have a paid assistant. Maureen stated that if a paid assistant were to help on the day of the BBQ it shouldn’t be necessary for
Marty Tilton to assist in any set-up as all of the set-up should be able to be done by two people. Maureen stated the Committee members being involved this year made a world of difference. Rita felt the parks employees shouldn’t be used for the BBQ as they would be best used for parks duties during the week. Maureen responded that the Gate position should either be a Committee member or paid employee not a volunteer. Also it needs to be someone who can be handle the personalities that come to the gate. Rita Mullin stated that she would like to have 7 dates. Bill Reed stated he felt that a volunteer orientation should be done at each BBQ. Marty Tilton has requested to be released from the Concert/BBQ duties. Maureen Stevens requested that she be considered to manage the Concert/BBQ duties. Rita stated she would like Pat Filmore considered for the role of BBQ Coordinator next year to which Pat Filmore responded that she did not
want to be considered as she is completely happy assisting in the capacity she did this year. Since Courtney was not in attendance the review and management of the Concert/BBQ was tabled.
Renewal of Town Meeting Space (Committee Meeting Dates)
It was decided that the Committee would meet on the following upcoming dates:
Wednesday, September 8th
Monday, September 20th
Wednesday, October 6th
Monday, October 18th
Monday, November 1st
Monday, November 15th
Monday, December 6th
Monday, January 3rd
Wednesday, January 19th
OLD BUSINESS
Community Garden
Lauren McMullen will follow up with Lindsay Barnes-Felix as to get an update.
Fence at Turf Field
The High School has requested that Parks & Recreation pay half of the $12,000 cost to erect the final fencing around the turf field. It was advised that we do not have any budget for the fence. Lauren McMullen will contact Carl Nelson to discuss the situation. It was asked about the banner advertising status and Rita Mullin will connect with the High School Athletic Subcommittee.
Signage at IRP Bathroom – Recognition of Donation
It was asked if there was going to be any signage placed at the Ipswich River Bathrooms in regard to the fundraising and gifts received for their purchase. There will not be any direct signage of gifting at the bathrooms. Rita Mullin will discuss with LUC should there be signage in regard to the willed gift from Meredith Scott.
Parks Director Update
Marty Tilton attended a capital budget meeting with the DPW and requested a $51,000 line item for a large capacity mower. This Toro mower would be about 11’ wide. The current equipment is very old and in constant need of repair. The Parks demo’d a John Deere unit but that is not the unit that is preferred.
Turf field was lined last week for field hockey and the hash marks were also done.
The trees at the turf field still need to be removed. The tree hearings took place already, and the cost is estimated at $2,500 by Viking Tree and will be budgeted from the Park budget. It was requested that all costs for the turf field be listed on a separate line item.
Marty was contacted by Jeff Yull about a fundraiser for the skatepark at Ipswich River Park due to the need to upgrade some worn out boards. He has a meeting with him for Thursday, August 26th.
Little League wants to erect a pavilion at Benevento Little League complex. Marty advised them to come to a meeting with a proposal.
The steel plates have arrived and are installed at Ipswich River Park.
Recreation Director Update
Lynne Clemens was absent from the meeting due to vacation but requested Maureen Stevens update on the following:
The scholarship recipient that was reduced by committee vote to 9AM to 3PM status has been adhering to the new time guidelines and there have been no further issues with being late.
All summer program registrations have been very low. The summer was very hot which may have contributed to the Summerscape playground program not being well attended. Tennis program ran fairly well due to dry weather with very few rainouts.
There was a head lice issue at the Summerscape program during the last two weeks at the Middle School. Lynne contacted the Board of Health and the Superintendent of Schools. Lynne controlled the situation by doing head checks of all children, counselors and CIT’s attending.
Operations Director Update
Just a quick update to state that Maureen was busy with the paperwork, fiscal year end, and bathroom project details.
LUC Update
Rita Mullin advised that the annual LUC golf tournament will be held on Sunday, October 3rd. Rita Mullin is the Tournament chairperson and would like everyone’s assistance in making it the best tournament ever. She passed out the flyers that she developed that had pictures of past accomplishments at Ipswich River Park and past sponsors listed. The flyers were impressive and were printed in color. A mass mailing to golfers and sponsors was being conducted this week by a senior volunteer and coordinated by the Parks & Recreation office staff.
Friend of North Reading Parks & Recreation Committee
Lauren McMullen updated about the Sports Equipment sale this Saturday, August 28th 9AM to 1PM at Stop & Shop. Assistance will be needed on Saturday morning with delivery of the items from the barn to Stop & Shop. Trucks will be needed for transport.
OTHER BUSINESS
Concession Stand at Turf Field
Rita Mullin advised that volunteers would be at the concession stand on Saturday, August 28th to assist with the rehabilitation of the concession stand.
Marty is going to meet with Leagues to coordinate use of the concession stand. The possibility exists for the leagues to be in unison with where to store items and coordinate purchasing large kitchen products or appliances.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, September 8th, 7PM, Town Hall
Agenda for next meeting
Lauren McMullen requests that a change of venue for the Summerscape program be on the next agenda. She asks that Bill Luker do research on type of temporary housing for programs at the park.
Adjournment
Michael Fitzpatrick made a motion to adjourn the meeting
Bill Luker seconds the motion
Accept: 6 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 0
Meeting adjourns at 9:35PM
Minutes taken by Maureen Stevens
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