James Shea, Chairperson
Chris Burke
Dr. Pat Curtin
MaryAnn Curtin
Laura Swanson
The Park and Recreation Commission held it’s meeting on Tuesday November 18, 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
MaryAnn Curtin made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 2008 meeting. Pat Curtin seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
MaryAnn Curtin Chris Burke
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
VISITORS
Ray Mount and Ginny Lavoie – Salem Willows residents Ray Mount would like an open and honest dialog with the Little League regarding their new baseball field. He wants to determine if the good outweighs the bad? He wants to know if they really need a fourth baseball field. He claims that the police have supervised and been called to Little League games because of problems. James Shea said that in 20 years of being on the Park and Recreation Commission he has never heard of such a problem. James Shea asked them to hold their comments until the public meeting, when both sides can be heard. Ray Mount also would like to know how much his property value will he lose because of this baseball field being built. James Shea replied that it would probably go up.
Virginia Lavoie – resident lives directly across the street for 60 years. She said she used to participate in the games having relatives playing, but the lights, speakers were going all night. Since disbanding the softball field she feels it has been pretty peaceful, besides the cars, trucks going back and forth to the Willows. She also presented pictures of the field flooded and said it has always been a problem. Her suggestion is to take the donation of $400,000.00 and give it to the school system instead of building a new baseball field, that way girls and boys would benefit from it.
Ray Mount would like to ask residents around Harry Ball field what they think of having a ball field so close.
David Goss – Pioneer Village Report – Hand out
He would like to have a bill/invoice to send a check with.
James Shea said it is important to get this information out to the Salem School System – He suggested that Doug Bollen take care of that.
Matthew Caruso – Salem Jazz & Soul Festival Donated $6,000.00 to the Salem School System
Derby Square on August 15 &16
Laura Swanson made a motion to approve the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival at Willows on August 15 and 16th with 40 vendors. Pat Curtin seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
MaryAnn Curtin Chris Burke
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Holly Grose – Forest River playground - She said the big kid’s playground is worse off and they can’t replace both the tot lot and the older kid’s playground. He suggestion was to replace the 5 – 12 year old playground area and leave the tot lot for another time.
Ideas were:
5 – 12 years olds – climbing wall, spider web, different slides, money bars, tunnel
1 – 3 year olds – a one-piece toddler structure, at least one-bucket seat, maybe go with component pieces.
Environmental Designs is going to come to Forest River and take a look at what there is to work with.
Paranormal Investigators – would like to go into the Witch House to see if there is any haunting going on there. He would like to have around 6 people in the house for about 3 hours around the midnight hour. He will be using the night vision video and taking audio recordings also. They don’t make any money they really believe in this and think this would be an amazing opportunity.
James Shea says it’s a great idea. He would like to check the company out before giving any consent. Spirit-finders.com is their web site. There will be a vote on this next meeting.
Laura Swanson asked who contacted them to do this? They said they contacted the Mayor. Eric Frays is the Witch King of Salem – says they were interested in the Old Salem Jail but that was not possible. He thinks the Witch House may have some Haunting going on. He is working with the Discovery Channel on a project now. Laura Swanson asked what the end product is? They said they do this because they believe in it. The video is put away in the archives and if the City would like it for any reason they can have it. They don’t do this for money. Audio’s go on the web site not the videos, they know they can be sued.
Sara Gaddipatti – Common Playground Parents United
She would like to keep the Commission informed of their progress.
Parent’s United is legally a 501C3 organization
Historical Commission and their Group approved the plans for the tot lot.
They have a $20,000.00 balance right now. Jason Silva of the Mayors office is committed to $50,000.00, Doug Bollen thinks that is questionable. He said he has never heard that number from him. The playground will cost $150,000.00 including the rubber flooring. (Flooring is $50,000.00)
They would like to sell "dedication" benches and picnic tables for a fundraiser.
Try to sell 10 benches and 2 picnic tables, also selling bricks for $100.00 each.
Financial Report
Witch House – revenue doing well
Golf Course – down
Willows meters – down
Boulders need to put up on the dirt hill at the Willows; Bob McCarthy says it needs to be done this winter. Also no parking signs, police take notice, etc.
Capital Report
Willows bathrooms should be done soon.
Moving ahead on the playgrounds.
Need new drains and drain covers for the pool, new laws for safety precautions.
Superintendent’s Report
Recreation Appreciation Night – January – need all input from Commissioners regarding nominations.
Wild Turkey race – 650 pre entrees
Little league architect working around a sewer pipe. Have Little League back in on January 20, 2009 @ 5:30 for a public meeting.
Tennis Courts need to be looked at a lot of them are in bad condition
CBDG Projects
New fence at Palmer Cove
Basketball court resurfaced
Swings for MaryJane Lee Park
High Street Park new fence
Golf Fees
Laura Swanson says let the fees remain the same as last year, no increases are necessary. The Commission agreed.
Golf Position
Description hand out
45 – 50,000.00 per year from golf course receipts
Year round position
2 year contract
City employee with benefits
Laura Swanson made a motion to approve the proposed position by Doug Bollen. Mary Ann Curtin seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
MaryAnn Curtin Chris Burke
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Laura Swanson made a motion to fix the minutes from last month she was absent from the October meeting. Pat Curtin seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
MaryAnn Curtin Chris Burke
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Old Business
Camp Naumkeag – all rates will stay the same, no changes.
Willows Shell – all rates will stay the same, no changes.
Next Month’s Agenda – Leagues at the Golf Course/ Charity Tournaments
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Park and Recreation Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday December 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 Laura Swanson made a motion to adjourn. Pat Curtin seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
MaryAnn Curtin Chris Burke
James Shea
Dr. Pat Curtin
Laura Swanson
Colleen A. Thibodeau
Clerk
| 
