James Shea, Chairperson
Chris Burke
Dr. Pat Curtin
MaryAnn Curtin
Laura Swanson
The Park and Recreation Commission held a Public meeting on Tuesday September 23, 2008 at 6:00 P.M. at the Park, Recreation and Community Center located on Broad Street.
Jeff Lajoie presented his proposal for a baseball field at Salem Willows Park.
He described a grass filled infield, 4 light poles, 16 lamps with a low light spillage.
There are 700 children to play baseball ages ranging from 5-6 years playing tee ball, 6-8 years playing farm league, 8-12 years playing minor league and 10 –12 year olds playing major league.
Ray Mount – a resident at the Willows asked about the parking, how many cars will be parking for the average game, and where will they park. Jeff responded that there will be games at 5:30 p.m. and then 7:30 p.m. with all the lights to be out by 10:00 p.m. and they will park in the lot and along the street by the beach. Little League is only up to 12 years old. It will be available for public use by permit only through the Park and Recreation Department.
Pat Curtin asked what would happen to Forest River Park? Jeff said they will still use it, they are only looking for more fields. The numbers they have can not work without another field. He said they lost Jackman field, Witchcraft and the small field at Memorial.
James Shea asked how these new lights worked and to asked Musco Lighting representatives explain. They explained that the “light structured green” system will only shine on the field because of the visors they have on them they will only shine 25 yards.
Andy Lyle – Asked about the Soccer kids and wonders if they will now be displaced? Doug Bollen said there would still be room. The Soccer program only used the field for practices. Steve Walmere asked if Tom O’Shea measured the Soccer field with the baseball field in the spot proposed. Doug Bollen said that it would fit.
James Shea said the Public Announcement System may be a problem, he said sound does travel. They said it would be used 16 –17 nights at the most. For the tournaments only.
Ray Mount said that this would be a problem because it will bother his inner peace.
Jess Hanson –Fort Ave. resident said he thinks it will be just as loud and no different than when the Men’s League was there.
Mike Ryan – lives directly across from the old softball field’s home plate. People park everywhere and the sand was awful. They explained that this would not be sand.
Ray Mount asked why build something new? Why not use this money towards baseball only. James Shea said the little league’s numbers are high (700) and they need it.
Bob McCarthy said that Little League would need to seriously consider the flooding issue and drainage at this park. He also asked who is going to maintain this field. Doug Bollen said that the Park and Recreation mows the grass and lines the field, the rest is the Little League’s responsibility. Miller Golf will help explain about the level of the field.
Laura Swanson asked if they have a written assessment with a written report regarding this park, we don’t want anything else impacted by this construction.
Jeff Lajoie said that an anonymous Company would privately fund this project.
There will be a chain link fence, concession stand, and Park and Recreation will do trash removal.
James Shea would like a sight plan to be in available before approval.
Marie Buckley asked if this use is a “good use” for this area. She said that trash and traffic are huge problems. Little League will provide their own trash barrels and Park and Recreation does pick up the trash seven days a week.
T.C. Riley – Said that Fort Lee area is the proposed Senior Center.
The Commission would like a written report. Doug Bollen and Tom O’Shea will talk to the Miller Company and the City Engineer.
Mr. Pinto – He said it’s a great spot, and a great Park. He said to get all the issues addressed and get a grip on the situation and this could happen. He said it is all for the kids and would like to see this go.
Pat Curtin asked Councilor McCarthy what the neighbor’s think. He said most of them were ok with the baseball field but they have legitimate concerns (drainage, noise,).
MaryAnn Curtin made a motion to continue the Public meeting on November 18, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. The Commission would like to invite a representative from the Company to give an in depth written report about the baseball field and all the concerns surrounding it. Laura Swanson seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Park and Recreation Commission Meeting September 23, 2008
The Park and Recreation Commission held it’s meeting on Tuesday September 23, 2008 at 6:45 P.M. at the Park, Recreation and Community Center located on Broad Street.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: ABSENT:
MaryAnn Curtin
Chris Burke
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
MINUTES
Laura Swanson made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 2008 meeting. Pat Curtin seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
VISITORS
Ellen Talkowsky -City of Salem, Michael Coleman –Salem Common Neighborhood Association
Diagram of Salem Common to discuss Haunted Happenings/ Family Fun for October 2008
Pat Curtin made a motion to approve all activities on the Common for Haunted Happenings proposed. Laura Swanson seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Laura Swanson made a motion to approve the African Development through Drum and Dance permit for Friday 7-24-09 – Sunday 7-26-09 with no music to be played until 12:00 noon on Sunday. Chris Burke seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Pat Curtin made a motion to post a park closing sign at the Salem Willows at 11:00 p.m. in the summer (April 1st – November 1st) winter closing at 9:00 p.m. (November 2nd – March 31st). Chris Burke seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Pat Curtin made a motion to approve the request for the Temple of Nine Wells the use of Gallows Hill Park 2:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on October 31, 2008 for their annual Samhain (Halloween) ceremony. Mary Ann Curtin seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Mary Ann Curtin made a motion to approve the Chamber of Commerce request to use the strip of Hawthorne Boulevard for the Haunted Biz Baz weekend (Saturday, October 11th and Sunday, October 12th). Laura Swanson seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Financial Report
Hand Out
Golf – Witch House – Meters at the Willows
Capitol Report
Superintendent’s Report
Guest Speakers – Nancy Clark – Neil Tejwani
Intern Student – Anthony Peruffo
Caretaker Lease – Scott Henderson at Forest River Park
Pat Curtin made a motion to approve Scott Henderson’s lease for one year (pay 600.00 per month plus utilities, and monitor the park and open bathhouses) Laura Swanson seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Pioneer Village Advisory Board – Mary Ann Curtin
Doug Bollen will invite Dr. Hersey to the next meeting to ask for a progress report regarding Pioneer Village.
Salem Woods Grant - $7,500.00 to fix the trail
Boat Storage letter from Peter Gifford received and filed
Common Fund – buying sand stone, flags
Golf Position – Golf Pro/ Manager – Need a Golf Meeting
Old Business
Camp Naumkeag – revolving fund
Mary Ann Curtin made a motion to send a letter to Mayor Driscoll requesting a revolving fund for Camp Naumkeag for all improvements needed. Pat Curtin seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Park and Recreation Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday November 16, 2008 at the Park and Recreation Community Center located on Broad Street.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Park and Recreation Commission Pat Curtin made a motion to adjourn. Laura Swanson seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke
MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Colleen A. Thibodeau
Clerk
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