Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of Meeting
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 6:45 p.m.
Meeting Location: Parks and Recreation Department, 5 Broad St.
Members Present: Vice Chairman James Shea filling in for Chairman Amy Everitt, Chris Burke, Bob Callahan, Leslie Tuttle
Members Absent: Chairman Amy Everitt
Others Present: Doug Bollen, Director, Salem Parks and Recreation Dept.
Recorder: Stacy Kilb
Meeting Minutes—September 21, 2010
A motion to approve is made by Callahan, seconded by Tuttle, and passes unanimously
2. Installation of Antennas for reading water meters at Mack Park and Winter Island Park.
David Knowlton, the City Engineer, presents with Don Ladd, VP of Tri-Sales, Inc.
The installation of two meters at the above locations is part of a larger project to replace all water meters in the city, as some are as old as 20 years and many are no longer accurate. This is part of a larger project involving the installation of a total of seven antennae. Tri-Sales won the bid for this project and will provide the meters and radio system used to read them. Each meter will transmit to a nearby antenna, which will then transmit data to the Engineering Dept. The system will be much more efficient than the current one and will provide more data, which will allow Engineering to provide better customer service. Four of the seven will be installed on public property.
Mr. Ladd outlines the different types of meters and the setup of the antenna at Mack Park. It will be installed on the old house there as unobtrusively as possible. An A/C power source and stainless steel box will be installed, with a cable connecting them to the antenna that would be attached to the outside of the house. Mr. Ladd shows the Commission photos of the house exterior and outlines where the proposed antenna will be set up; the cable will run under the ivy and will not be noticeable. SS Towers and Antenna will be doing the installation; they have done some projects with the department previously. Data will be collected within 3 square miles of the antenna and will be sent to the Engineering Dept. on a daily basis.
Tuttle wants to know why the old Parks & Rec building (Mack Park house) was chosen, not the garages onsite. Mr Ladd replies that it is taller and much sturdier. He also outlines where the other meters will be installed.
Chairman Shea draws in the proposed setup on his photo to determine what it will look like. He questions the effects of the installation on the structure of the building. Mr. Ladd replies that SS Tower & Antenna is bonded and insured, and will not damage the building.
Callahan asks if the antenna will be owned by the City or if it will be private property. It will be owned by the City.
Tuttle asks what will determine antenna height. A propagation study has found that best the reception will be at a height of between 20 and 30 feet, so they will do further testing to determine if it needs to be extended beyond 20 feet but will start there. Tuttle says the height of building is about 30 feet already, and Mr. Ladd clarifies that the antenna would extend beyond that. Its total height must be between 50 and 60 feet.
Again it is asked whose responsibility it will be – Parks & Rec or Engineering – and Mr. Knowlton replies that this will be under the purview of the Engineering Dept.
The question arises as to why the cable can’t extend to the peak of the roof, with a smaller, less obvious antenna, and this is because the antenna must be closer to the circuit breaker. SS Tower had already suggested this setup. The Chairman and Tuttle debate with Mr. Ladd about appearances and locations. Mr. Ladd says that the garages won’t work as a site, as suggested by Tuttle, and also states that he will look into using a shorter antenna if it is able to be installed at the peak of the roof rather than the side of the house. It is a straight vertical antenna with no offshoots.
The possibility of using a flagpole rather than a building also comes up. Mr. Ladd explains that it would be a separate installation, and would have to be secured into the ground on its own; it can’t just go up the flagpole that’s already there. There is some discussion as to the height of flagpoles not only at Mack Park but also at Gallows Hill; installation in this fashion would require trenches to be dug and cables run and Mr. Knowlton states that he will check into putting the antenna on the roof peak. It will not need a guide wire.
Tuttle doesn’t like the idea of putting an antenna on this Greek revival style building when other DPW structures that aren’t historic are nearby. She wants to know if they explored using the garages. Knowlton said the installer considers the locations and picks the best and that the accuracy of the radio is the most important factor.
Flagpoles are brought up again – Mack Park and Gallows Hill are highest; Callahan wants the Mack Park flagpole explored. SS Tower can put up a new flagpole in a new location if necessary. He also opines that it wouldn’t be that much more expensive; Knowlton says they’ll look into it.
Also there is a 2nd antenna at Winter Island. The best height for it is on the hanger and would be up on the stack – as higher is better, the stack is high enough and they don’t need to go above it. The Commission does not have a problem with this.
One suggestion is to split the cost with a cell phone company. The point is made that a cell phone company would want to put in something unsightly, with power generators and additional structures. It is suggested that the City could make money out of it.
The Chairman states that if Tri-Sales insists on putting the antenna on the Parks & Rec building, it will have to come back to the Commission, but if they are willing to move it to a flagpole or garage, then they can approve the project now. The Commission would also like to see an actual drawing of the project.
Tuttle says that they [the installers] want to do this in the quickest and easiest place (for companies installing satellite dishes, that’s the front of the house, no matter how unsightly). The project is out of scale with the building.
No vote is taken with regards to the Mack Park, but the Commission is all set with the Winter Island one, so the Chairman suggests they approve WI so the project can commence.
Callahan motions to approve the Winter Island antenna installation, and to reconsider the Mack Park one based on further investigation. Bollen and Knowlton will work on finding out about installation on the garage, but if it will be on the house the issue must come back to the Commission.
Mr. Ladd says other locations will have installation beginning next week and would like to speed things up. Chairman Shea forms a sub-committee to work on this in a more timely fashion; Tuttle, Burke and Callahan are assigned.
3. Matt Caruso, Salem Jazz & Soul Festival
Mr. Caruso describes the Festival from this past summer; they are requesting the same thing for next year. The event will be on the 20th and 21st of August; they will be there all day but performances will occur from 10:30-8 Sat. and 11AM -6:30 PM on Sunday. He goes over the handout which outlines the dates, times, vendors, beer pavilion, and street closures. There was a lot of positive feedback from this past year’s festival and there were no issues, partly due to the street closures.
Up through 2009 the Festival has raised $15,000 total to contribute to music education. Last year that figure was $7,000. This year’s figures are not in, but may be less because some funds are being used toward investments and purchases of sound equipment in order to grow the festival and reduce long-term costs (of equipment rental, etc.).
The Chairman asks if there are questions or any conflict on dates. Bollen confirms that both dates are open. Shea confirms they the reason will not contribute as much as they did last year is because they are buying sound equipment, so this (and the rental) will not be an expense in the future, so they can give more back. Shea asks if revenue will increase if it’s nice on both days this time around; revenue also depends on local businesses; for example the Beer Pavilion was only 10% of revenue. Ipswich Ale had sponsored that last year. Callahan asks if they search around for vendors; they do put out an RFP. Tuttle comments on the nice looking tap wagon and locality of business with regard to the Beer Pavilion
Callahan motions to approve, is seconded by Tuttle, and the motion passes unanimously.
The Board agrees that the festival was successful and well run.
4. Paul Marquis, Renewable Energy
Mr. Marquis updates the Commission on the Winter Island Study, which is just ending its 10th month. An average speed of 6m/second is required (for the turbine to be profitable) at the height of the proposed turbine and the average speed thus far is 5.72 m/second, with two of the windiest months to come. The height of the test tower is only 50m and the actual turbine hub will be 35’ taller. The blades will add to that height, but Mr. Marquis is not sure by how much. An 80 meter tower would be a total of 250’ tall. Towers are not as obtrusive as you think depending on what’s around.
The only impact on the ground will be the tower and foundation. The proposed Winter Island turbine is compared to the one at Newburyport, which is smaller – the proposed would be comparable to the one at Hull. It will also be larger than the one on the Expressway.
P50 and P90 express the probability winds will be at this speed at the tower height. A smaller unit could work but the greatest Return on Investment would come from a larger unit. Payback period is also important. The “sweet spot” in terms of size is the largest of units and has a 10 year payback. Life expectancy is 20 years, and overall output could be worth $500,000 per year in electricity.
Shea asks if the city will make a half million per year – revenue will be $400-700K per year. Installed cost is 4.2 million, which would take 10 years to pay back. Shea asks if some grant money will fund the project – it will. He asks if the mayor can borrow $1 million but Mr. Marquis says that how to fund the project is unknown at this point, as there are several options. For example, someone else owns the turbine, and we buy power from them, but he would prefer not to go that way.
The Commission would like to wait for a full report, as there are many factors to consider including building methods and the cost of maintenance. Mr. Marquis reminds the Commission that this is just an update with public discussion beginning soon, though the project looks economically viable.
Tuttle asks if the actual turbine would be where the MET tower is now – it doesn’t have to be, and could go anywhere within ¼ mile of it. Shea says they want it to go by the Harbormaster and finds it interesting that there is no approval from mayor yet; Marquis says they have not had that conversation, since wind data could have been insufficient until now.
Shea wants them to come back with the support of the mayor, if it causes controversy at the Willows and at future meetings. Mr. Marquis says the mayor supports this project in principle and he will have detailed conversations with her.
Callahan asks if the task force looked at other areas – they did, and the initial look was based on high resolution wind maps from MAPC and other groups. Pickman Park is VERY windy and the condo board is looking at a wind system there. One of the highest elevations of city, the condo park has undeveloped site and would be ideal for phase three, but that is a discussion for another day.
A SODAR study was also conducted in places in and around Winter Island, and it is one of best areas also due to fall zone and other factors. Shea wants this fall zone explained – it is a safety zone that, in the event that a very high wind occurs, the turbine will not cause substantial harm if it falls. This almost never happens. Shea wants to know if the props can fall off – they can in extreme conditions. Mr. Marquis clarifies that it would have to be a category “6” hurricane for this to happen, in which case the island would be evacuated anyway.
Callahan wonders why tidal power has not been explored. Mr. Marquis says it has been discussed but is typically more difficult; it is an unknown quantity. He is looking into grants but has not seen any for tidal power. Callahan wonders with the North River flooding if having that discussion it would be a good idea.
Marquis says he will look into it but does not have time now.
Shea asks if Marquis comes back, he wants to see payback data, case studies of area turbines and what they cost and pay. Mr. Marquis states that he is basing this on current experience with other projects. We can draw on what we know to determine what we should expect. He will look at what other units are producing.
Bollen asks when the MET tower is coming down. It will be after December, which is the 12-month mark, and Mr. Marquis must coordinate its decommissioning with Parks &Rec and Winter Island, etc. The process will be the reverse of what it was when it went up.
5. Finance Report
The Witch House is doing well, up a bit, Oct. is always our biggest month, and we need that. October represents 1/3 of its annual income.
Golf is down a little, but had 3 or 4 years in the past that have done less, and last year was the best of the past 9 years. Callahan points out that we had a longer season this year – a good spring, good, hot summer, so people got to August and got “Golfed out” since last year there was no June so they didn’t start until July. So that is one possibility perhaps. Shea agrees with Callahan.
Winter Island was down and the store made $2K, Shea points out that things were done differently last year – fees were collected early (Jan./Feb.) this year, while normally they have been collected in April in past years. Bollen reviews the numbers. He has people filling in the Manager’s spot until a new manager is hired. The position may be going out in mid-November. He would like to put Naumkeag & the Marina in that position. May go out w/RFP for Naumkeag, could raise WI Pay and combine the two. Mayor thinks it is a good idea. It is the Mayor’s appointment and the Department is saving some of the pay for Oct., Nov., and December so could raise next year’s pay with that money; the job is not posted yet.
Meters. There is one more collection that is not registered yet. There has been talk of raising the meter fee but the mayor hasn’t approved it yet. This could double income from the meters.
Capital
For the Playground project, Bollen met with Pickman Park parents, and is meeting next Wed. with Broad St. Parents. The sign for one park is done, and they haven’t built playground yet, as Parks & Rec is building it with inmates. Shea asks if we notify the O'Leary family – we do so they can dedicate the park. DiBiasi playground and its dedication is discussed
Annual Report
Bollen hands out his Annual Report to the Commission..
Filming @ Gallows Hill is a moot point, as the filmers couldn’t make any meetings, and do not need to use any of our parks. They believe the original hangings were done at the Walgreens Parking Lot at the corner of Bridge and Boston Streets. They will be interviewing at that spot, and Richard Trask will be an interviewee, but in any case they don’t need Gallows Hill.
Olde Salem Greens
The manager (Dick) is retiring unofficially around January, and the Mayor may or may not have approached anyone for an RFP. Concession and golf cart leases are both up, and Parks & Rec needs to put it out there soon, Callahan says he is wondering if Bollen got a response from the Athletic director – he did get a phone call, and it was satisfactory but needs more looking into.
The Christmas Tree Bonfire is the subject of debate. Councilor Bob McCarthy is neutral on the bonfire stated Bollen, but the, mayor would like to see it canceled. There are some associated costs of cleanup for the dumpster and some overtime. Someone got burned one year though it was his own fault. Tuttle asks how to dispose of the Christmas trees otherwise – they are chipped. Bollen doesn’t know if the neighbors complain. Councilor Pinot speaks up and says it has to do with direction of wind, but hat the fire dept. tries to determine it. However, having the fire on the beach causes grass to grow there. leaves a mess and city has to pick up some costs to it.
Shea mentions a cleanup on Dead Horse beach, but still looks dirty. The City is looking into buying a new beach cleaning machine, not the old one in the hanger. They did sample runs at Dead Horse.
Shea asks if anyone wants to cancel the bonfire. Callahan motions to continue it as scheduled but there is no motion needed, only if they were canceling, which they’re not.
The Skateboard Park has many problems with graffiti, and the police are talking about shutting it down permanently but Shea doesn’t agree. They took the fence out rather than maintain it. Tuttle suggests using a camera like the one at High Street.
Bollen points out that the insurance company threatened not to insure the park because of these problems. If it is closed, it would get ripped out. Callahan wonders why not keep the graffiti as is?
Bollen says Beverly and Peabody have an 8’ fence around their parks and lock it for 2 weeks after graffiti incidents to punish kids. He says it’s an eyesore as it is. Chairman Burke asks if our skate park is used a lot – it is, so we should provide it.
Tuttle again suggests moving the High St. camera rather than close the park. Shea suggests getting the camera down there to catch the guilty, but not close the park. Callahan wants controlled graffiti, as uncontrolled is a problem. Kids may stop painting if they know it’s OK. The only thing to lose is painted blocks.
Chairman Burke clarifies that Callahan’s proposal is to stop cleaning it and see what kind of graffiti you get, and if it’s not offensive, leave it there, but do put the camera up.
Witch House Re-staining was completed by Fox Painting. Shea says they were working there on a busy Sunday, and probably should not have done it on a busy weekend. Bollen says they wanted to do it when the weather was good. They did the roof in June.
Camp Naumkeag
Bollen says he will put out an RFP soon though this will be for a Monday through Friday stint as it’s not being run as a camp by our department. Our camp is at Forest River Park. We would still rent it out for outings on weekends.
Rink on the Common – Parks & Rec purchased another one since last year’s got ripped up, at a cost of $1500. This was put up last year in December they going to do it again. The liner was what needed to get replaced.
Mack Park. The Little League has a new president, Freddie Gaudreau, with 5 people returning and 6 or 7 new people. Mr. Gaudreau liked the idea of Mack Park, and wants field built at the Willows. Bollen will discuss Mack Park with his board, a meeting with the MPNA (Mack Park Neighborhood Assoc.) will be scheduled, and he will also talk to the Community Garden people.
Beverlie McSwiggin and Councilor Steven Pinto, Liaison for the Council to Parks & Rec are also present.
Ms. McSwiggin thinks Little League would be good fit, but wants other community action groups to be able to use the house, since the Dog Park and other small associations don’t have a place to meet. Rosemary (another Mack Park leader) has said as far as getting the bathrooms handicap accessible, some tradesmen have offered their services, and she knows there would need to be permits pulled but they have laborers, plumbers, and electricians that could do that and do the work volunteering. Bollen would have to coordinate them.
Shea sees an issue with scheduling and wonders how to coordinate. Tuttle says to have the groups sign up on an online calendar to use the house. Bollen suggests having someone to live there and manage it, which is in the RFP, but other issues are who cleans it, etc. Bollen has the previous RFP that needs some changes.
Food Service at Winter Island has started, though the vendor goes home when it is quiet; a food truck is there now.
Winter Island Master Plan
The Committee is going to receive letters, there will be public meetings, and an RFP is out for a consultant. $30K has been set aside out of $140K for the Plan. Two members of this Commission are being asked so serve on Committee, and Bollen lists some others. The Mayor suggested a list of people to be on the committee. The whole process will take 6 months, and will be organized in next few weeks, with a consultant brought on, etc.
Senior Center Update: The design committee has met every two weeks and Gunderson, the Architect, and Elaine Bello, Interior designer and hope to break ground in the spring. The building will be 20,000 square feet. Although preliminary, all plans look good, and funding has been secured, permitting passed, etc.
6. Old/New Business
Callahan asks if the film crew came to the Witch House. Bollen says they did and were in and out in 2 days.
New Business:
Chris Burke says they are trying to put together an effort for Sat. Nov. 6th to plant Elm trees around town. An Eagle Scout planted a nursery on Greenlawn Cemetery but they got too big, so they are going to move them and put them in Mack Park, on the common, etc. Elm trees around city are being studied, and there are seven, with three of them on the golf course. Nov. 6th will be a trial run. They don’t want to put them on the street – Tuttle asks why not. It is because their roots would be bad, but it is pointed out that elms grow down, not out with their roots, so Burke will do more homework
A motion to go into executive session re: Endless Summer Barbeque is made by Callahan, seconded by Shea, and passes unanimously.
The Public portion of the meeting ends at approximately 8:30PM, Oct. 19, 2010.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stacy Kilb
Clerk, Salem Parks and Recreation Commission
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