The Park and Recreation Commission held a meeting on Tuesday August 17, 2010 at 6:45 P.M. at the Park, Recreation and Community Center located on Broad Street.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: ABSENT:
Chris Burke James Shea
Bob Callahan
Leslie Tuttle
Amy Everitt
Chris Burke made a motion to approve the minutes from July 2010. Bob Callahan seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke James Shea
Bob Callahan
Leslie Tuttle
Amy Everitt
Visitors
Peter Porcello, Pat Chasse, Jeff Lajoie, Tom Crane – Little League
Discussion on Mack Park building usage
Peter Porcello led the discussion for Little League. They are interested in leasing the Mack Park building for its program. Little League would like to use the building for meetings, storing equipment, holding registrations and offer to other Salem organizations an opportunity to use the building. They would invite organizations such as Mack Park Association, Youth Soccer, and Community Gardens to use the buildings for meetings and other needs. They currently store equipment and have meetings at the Knights of Columbus and would like to move everything to Mack Park. They also would like to have the bathrooms available for their league which plays there. They currently rent port o potties for the program. They have read previous RFP’s for Mack Park and feel they could install a new handicap accessible bathroom.
Leslie Tuttle pointed out that they would need an historical architect to look over their plans before any renovations start as well as the building inspector. Little League played a major role in building the girls softball field and having lights installed about ten years ago. They also work very well with our department in assisting with paying for maintenance needs at the all the fields they use.
The Commission directed Doug to ask the city solicitor Beth Rennard if Little League’s ideas for the building would be permissible according to the deed left by Dr Mack. Doug will report back at the September Commission meeting.
Financial Report
No Revenue report was given this month as Finance Department did not have the figures available at this time. Doug will send them to Commission when he receives them. We did review Capital projects for FY 2011. We discussed some improvements to Pickman Park, Broad St playground and McGrath Park. We discussed the $50,000 for repairs to the Common fence. Commission would like to have fence companies give us proposals for what they can do for improvements for that amount. We discussed the purchase of the float and gangway and wanted to make sure Pier is in good condition structurally before we make the purchase.
Capital Projects
60,000.00 For playground upgrades
50,000.00 for gang way, public float at the Willows 50,000.00 For the fence at the Common – Discussion took place regarding the decision to hire a consultant. The Commission felt it may be a better idea to get proposals from fence companies. Bob Callahan is going to send Doug a company that PEM has used.
Superintendent’s Report
Programs & Clinics – discussed how successful programs have been this summer and the great attendance at almost all of them. Very good feedback from parents on programs and especially our Day Recreation program at Forest River Park.
Pool – We have sold over 2500 pool passes this summer, the most ever; previous high has been about 1700. We had motor problems during recent rain storms and fire at pool pump house. Wesson & Samson repaired it and pool was shut down for two days. It could have been much worse.
Fall Recreation Rec booklet – We are currently working on fall/winter brochure and selling ads. We expect Rec booklet to be mailed out in late September. The ads have been very successful in the past few years.
Art contest – The winner of the contest was Tommy Gagnon from Salem and he has started working on the cement blocks at the Willows, please check them out.
Special events – The special events this summer have been going very well. Our intern student Meghan Botticelli directed the city wide lip sync contest at the Willows Shell during Heritage days. The Wicked Kidz race in July attracted nearly 90 youngsters, The kid’s track meet drew 40 kids and the annual swim meet attracted about 25 swimmers and families. We expect the Derby St Mile to have a big crowd as each year it has grown. It will be on Friday night August 20.
Golf – Bob Callahan mentioned the putting contest put on by Dick St.Pierre with the Bass River House for the mentally challenged. They are still conducting a 3-week tournament for their clients and are thankful to Dick Drew and our department.
Park and Facility Report
Witch House re-staining – Putting out to a bid with purchasing department to have the Witch House re-stained.
Park signs – had new park signs made and installed at Tracy walkway and McGlew Park.
Camp Naumkeag – Trying to work out with finance director and Mayor a way to hire and pay a caretaker for Camp Naumkeag. We sell out every weekend and expect to RFP the weekdays for a camp next year and need a caretaker. Sandy George has been filling that role for a number of years and does not stay there overnight.
Mack Park – Little League has an interest in having an RFP put out for the Mack Park house and using it for their needs for meetings, storage, registrations and to have bathrooms available to their teams which play there. They also would be willing to partner with other leagues and organizations
Float & Gangway – We are looking to purchase a float and gangway for public use at the Willows we have capital money to make the purchase.
DiBiasi Park – We expect to be installing a new playground at Dibaisi Park in mid September.
Salem Common - ordinance- We discussed that the ordnance had first passage for the Common and a second vote will take place in September. The vote only affects the Common, not the rest of the city. The ordnance idea to require all requests at all parks to require city council approval is in committee with the city council.
Activities on Common – Doug asked the Commission about certain activities on the Common such as soccer that has been taking place and the Commission felt that this activity was appropriate for the Common as long as it was not an organized team or league play and we do not permit it. They felt it was good to see activity on the Common.
Food service at Winter Island – The RFP has been out for a mobile food service vehicle for Winter Island and the bid will be open on September 1
Splaine Park committee – Resident Stan Schwarz is trying to form a neighborhood group to assist in the maintenance and upkeep of Splaine Park. He has met with Foreman Tom O’Shea and Doug to discuss ideas to improve the Park. He is interested in fundraising and having work days to maintain it.
OLD BUSINESS
Baseball meeting – Chris Burke discussed having the meeting and sent Jason Silva an email on having a meeting to discuss finding a new baseball field in Salem or upgrading Palmer Cove for our high school team.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next Park and Recreation Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the Park and Recreation Community Center located on Broad Street at 6:45 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Park and Recreation Commission Chris Burke made a motion to adjourn. Leslie Tuttle seconded.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes Nays Absent
Chris Burke James Shea
Bob Callahan
Leslie Tuttle
Amy Everitt
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