James Shea, Chairperson
Chris Burke
Dr. Pat Curtin
MaryAnn Curtin
Laura Swanson
The Park and Recreation Commission held it’s meeting on Tuesday May 20, 2008 at 6:45 P.M. at the Park, Recreation and Community Center located on Broad Street.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: ABSENT:
Chris Burke MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
MINUTES
Laura Swanson made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 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
Golf Consultant – Mark O’Neil Operational Analyst of Essex Golf Group Old Saybrok CT.
Background of himself
Hand out. He received complete and total cooperation from the staff at Olde Salem Greens.
He said Dick Drew does a great job with the budget provided. Also the maintenance building and equipment needs major improvements. The equipment is in rough shape and is over 10 years old. The facility is small and manageable. He said to take advantage of what you have to offer. He refereed to renting tee times just like renting hotel rooms. He said a Golf Course Superintendent and a Golf Course Manager are two full time positions and Dick Drew is doing both jobs. Having no manager on duty on the weekends is unheard of. He said that you need to have someone in charge present at all times. Discussion regarding blocked tees times.
He advised the Commission to look at the golf cart rates.
Strong recommendation to look at Golf Course management, a professional golf course operator.
Look carefully at the 7-day passes, he said weekends should be key revenue. Passes only on Monday – Friday.
Tee times should be a very simple process; the ones at the course are very difficult to understand.
Need more signage in the city for the golf course.
James Shea commended Dick Drew for doing both jobs for so long for one salary. James told Dick Drew the City owes him a debt of gratitude.
Don Butters – stated that the leagues are taking over the weekends and no one else can get a decent tee time. The public deserves to get tee times. Chris Burke stated that the leagues are there early in the season and late.
Sail Salem – Dave Smith – space is all worked out with Charlie Arnold. They talked about parking for the out of town adult members of Sail Salem. Charlie Arnold proposed for then to pay $100.00 for parking. James asked how many adults this involved. 20.
Dave Smith would like to pay $20.00 per adult this year.
Chris Burke made a motion to have out of town Sail Salem members pay $20.00 for a parking pass at Winter Island for the 2008 season. They will report back to the Commission, with the figures of how many were purchased. This opportunity is for Sail Salem participants only. 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 allow all Sail Salem instructors to given a free parking pass for Sail Salem use only. Chris Burke seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Salem Willows
Ideas to post signs with time the park closes.
Ruth Campbell owner for 37 years – She said a lot of people go down the Willows later at night and if they post that the park is closed they won’t come and it will hurt business.
She stated that the young adults are speeding down Fort Ave and driving up onto the grassy hill and doing damage.
The Commission says it’s a Police/Enforcement issue.
Chris Burke would like to get more information and go down the Willows to take a look at the area.
John Goff – Pioneer Village report
The Commission would like a letter written to Brian LaRochelle for all his hard work and time he has given to reconstruct the dugouts at the Village.
Superintendent’s Report
Pat Curtin made a motion to allow people to receive Park parking stickers with proof of residential property taxes and or having your car registered in Salem. Chris Burke seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Golf Course is doing well
Budget meeting coming soon
Site visit at the Willows bathrooms
Boat storage/ Shrink wrap at Winter Island – Doug Bollen will get more details and get back to Commission
McCabe Marina open
Witch House surcharge discussion
Pat Curtin says that it sets bad precedent. People will want us to put a surcharge on every ticket for something.
Laura Swanson said, the only way to do anything creatively is through a revolving fund.
Chris Burke made a motion to charge 25 cents surcharge for every admission ticket to the Witch House on the condition that the City Council approves the revolving fund previously requested. This 25-cent surcharge will then go into the revolving fund. Laura Swanson seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke Pat Curtin MaryAnn Curtin
James Shea
Laura Swanson
Old Business
None.
New Business
None.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Park and Recreation Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday June 17, 2008 at the Park and Recreation Community Center located on Broad Street.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Park and Recreation Commission Laura Swanson made a motion to adjourn. Mary Ann Curtin 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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