Salem Park and Recreation Commission
Minutes of Meeting
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 28 2015 at 6:45pm – Rescheduled from April 20, 2015 at 6:45pm
Meeting Location: 5 Broad Street
Members Present: Chair Amy Everitt, Vice Chair Leslie Tuttle and Chris Burke, Bob Callahan
Members Absent: James Shea
Others Present: Ellen Talkowsky, Tim Short, Julie Pottier-Brown, Patrick Burke, Barbara Warren, Domingo and Moises Dominguez, Sara Monga, Albin Pszenny, Michael Medlock and Pam and Yianni Katsiris
Recorder: Marsha Finkelstein
Meeting Called to Order
The meeting is called to order by Chair Everitt at 6:46pm
Approval of March Minutes
Callahan motions to approve and Burke seconds. Burke had some questions and Callahan clarified both. Passes unanimously.
Approval of Special Meeting Minutes
Callahan motions to approve and Tuttle seconds. Passes unanimously.
Visitors
Patrick Burke & Andy Francis– Salem Fireman’s Relief Association requesting permission to hold the Jack Rubin Memorial golf tournament at Olde Salem Greens in September 2015
Looking to hold their annual golf tournament at the Olde Salem Greens. They raise money for a Salem High School scholarship for 2 student athletes. Burke clarified that the scholarships go to the 2nd semester of their first year to make sure the students are committed.
Partanen commented that Scott at the golf course needed more details about the number of holes and Burke is looking to do one flight and opening up the course for the 2nd flight.
Callahan moves to accept and Burke seconds. Passes unanimously.
Ellen Talkowsky – Requesting use of the Common on May 2 for Mass Poetry and Clean Salem Green Salem Day and May 16 for Beautification Committee plant sale.
Clean Salem Green Salem – Use the Common as a staging area. The recycling committee is doing their swap event that day and anything left over will be donated to “Recycle That”, a non-profit organization. Swap starts at 10 and pizza party at 1pm.
Burke motions to approve and Tuttle seconds. Passes unanimously.
Salem Beautification Committee Plant Sale – will be using the funds to plant and re-do the Mill Street traffic island.
Burke motions to approve, seconded by Tuttle. Passes unanimously.
Mass Poetry – A poetry event with a “twist” – with a carnival type theme. Other venues include the Peabody Essex Museum and Hawthorne Hotel.
Burke motions to approve and Tuttle seconds. Passes unanimously.
Ashley Steeves (In attendance) – Ellen Talkowsky presented on her behalf – B & S Fitness requesting the use of the Salem Common for a Pumpkin Palooza event during Haunted Happening and requesting permission to apply for an alcohol license.
Pumpkin Palooza – They are making it an all kids event on the 1st Saturday of October. Will have a fun zone, pumpkin themed food tasting, etc. All kids would get a medal. There will be face painting and fun houses. This is dependent on funding, etc. Will be part of the Haunted Happenings events Talkowsky would bring to the Commission.
Tuttle asked if the beer tent was still on and Talkowsky replied that it was removed. Callahan asked why the beer tent was removed and Talkowsky replied that it was a bit ambitious to do 2 events for the first time around. She added that depending on how it goes, they may try that next year.
Tim Short – Wicked Running Club requests the use of the Salem Common for The Miles Over the Moon race to be held on July 24, 2015
Short explained that the proceeds will go to the Salem High School Track Team and the event is sponsored by the Wicked Running Club. The set up will happen around 6pm and there will be music. The race starts at 8pm and the last runner should be done by 9pm. Short confirmed that the race fee is $150 and the common fee is $75.
Burke asked about the music and the timing. Short replied that the radio station will be there from around 5pm till around 9pm with attention paid to keeping it at a reasonable volume. Short asked if the $150 fee could be waived and the Commissioners discussed and agreed not to waive the fee, for the reason that it would set a bad precedent for the future.
Tuttle motioned to approve, seconded by Callahan. Passes unanimously.
Julie Pottier-Brown – Farm Direct Coop requesting the use of Leslies Retreat Parkway for the 2015 season
Pottier-Brown explained that she’s looking for approval for this year. Callahan motioned to approve, seconded by Tuttle. Passes unanimously.
Pottier-Brown asked if she could put in a small raised bed for sunflowers and the Commissioners agreed that was ok as long as it was raised and not in the ground.
Barbara Warren & Michael Medlock – Salem Sound Coastwatch is requesting permission to use Forest River Park for the 10th Annual Swim & Fin August 29, 2015 from 6am-3pm
Warren is looking for permission to hold their annual event. She explained that they begin cleaning the park the Friday night before to make sure the park is clean for the event. Warren added that they have all their permits and their races start at 10am and are done by 1pm.
Burke asked about the progress that’s happening on keeping the water swimmable. Warren replied that they’ve seen a lot improvement in the water quality and they’ve trained lots of volunteers to clean the beaches throughout the City.
Callahan motions to approve and Burke seconds. Passes unanimously.
Domingo and Moises Dominguez – Requesting the use of the Salem Common August 15, 2015 as an end route for a 1,000 person parade.
Domingo Dominguez described the event and has already requested permission from the Police Department. Callahan asked what the parade was about and Domingo Dominguez replied that it was a church-related parade. Partanen commented that Domingo Dominguez must submit an application to her first. Callahan added that after Partanen, Domingo Dominguez needs to go to the police and then get approval from the City Council.
Burke motions to approve, seconded by Callahan. Passes unanimously.
Sara Monga - Requesting use of the Salem Common for a birthday party on May 9, 2015 to include a bounce house, cotton candy, popcorn & snow cones for approx. 30 people.
Monga is holding a birthday party for her 1 year old. She’s looking to have traditional food and a BBQ. Wants to start setting up at 9am.
Callahan motions to approve, seconded by Tuttle. Passes unanimously.
Albin Pszenny - Joe Andruszkiewicz Scholarship Fund is requesting the fee be waived for the use of Camp Naumkeag on June 20, 2015
Asking for approval for their yearly event, now in their 18th year.
Callahan motions to approve, seconded by Tuttle. Passes unanimously.
Darlene Palazzi (Absent) –Requesting the use of City Parks to offer free yoga sessions (with a suggested donation of $15) to the public
Denise Regan (Absent) – Requesting permission to have an Elm Tree planted at the Salem Common on the Winter Street Side of the Park.
Partanen explained that Regan wants to plant a tree on the Common.
Callahan motions to approve, seconded by Tuttle. Passes with a majority of 3 votes, with Burke recusing himself from the vote, stating that Regan is his spouse.
Michael Medlock – Requesting permission to use the Willows June 21st for an actors contest. He would like to charge admission and serve alcohol.
Annual event at the Willows and wants to use the band shell. They also want to sell alcohol, fence in an area and charge admission.
Callahan asked about the selling of alcohol and Medlock commented that the alcohol would be served after the middle and high school events are over.
Burke commented that he likes the idea of this event and asked who’s benefiting from it. Medlock replied that it’s a fund raiser for the Salem Education Foundation. Medlock added that he’s running the event, which is why he signed the application. Burke expressed concern about serving alcohol, but stressed the importance of getting the correct permits and to clarify who’s the responsible party. Callahan commented that they only give permission to use the park and that Medlock needs to get the appropriate licensing to serve alcohol. Everitt asked about fencing and Medlock replied that he wants to use the soft orange kind commonly used at events.
Councillor McCarthy expressed concern about the frequency of using fencing in a public park.
Callahan asked what they were charging and Medlock replied that they haven’t finalized it, but it’s likely that adults would be $5 and children 6 years and up would be $3, and children under 5 free.
Callahan asked why Medlock chose that location and Medlock replied that it was ideal for what they’re doing. Callahan also asked if there could be an alternate location. Everitt commented that the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival does pretty well because they pass a donation bucket. Burke commented that they’re setting a bad precedent when the Commission ok’d the for profit festivals to fence in the park.
Callahan asked how they did last year (at a different location) and Medlock replied that they lost money.
Callahan motions that they approve the use of the beer tent, but there be no fence and that Medlock pass a bucket to collect funds. Everitt commented that if they pass a bucket, that they might do better than charging admission.
Tuttle seconds the motion. Burke commented that they should try it and see how it goes. Passes unanimously.
Pam Katsiris – Requesting permission to use Winter Island for their annual Greek Picnic. They would like to charge admission and serve alcohol.
Katsiris described how everything worked last year, including how they tracked all vehicles how they came up with a final tally, which was paid to Park & Rec. Katsiris commented that they paid $7 per car. Katsiris added that logistics were good and there weren’t any glitches. Katsiris stated that the port-a-potties weren’t used much and when they were cleaned them they noticed that they were barely used. Everitt commented that Katsiris should speak with David Gilbert, the Winter Island Park Manager to discuss this for this year. Katsiris commented that they’re going to be done by 8pm and out by 9pm.
Callahan motions to approve, seconded by Tuttle. Passes unanimously.
Superintendent’s Report
Revenue Report
Partanen commented that the golf course is looking good and Winter Island is about to open and that stickers are now being sold online for $25.
Department Hiring Status
Partanen commented that they’re reorganizing the department and passed out a new organization chart. She hopes that this restructuring will help get things back on track. She’s hoping to expand once they move into the new building.
Commissioners discussed various details of the new roles with Partanen.
Partanen also stated that the Marsha Finkelstein, the Commission Recorder is leaving the position.
Parks & Facility
Requesting approval of KS Enterprises, LLC to operate the seasonal concession at Olde Salem Greens
Partanen commented that the course manager Scott MacDonald would oversee it, but won’t be too fiscally responsible. Partanen added that they’re applying the liquor license and that’s in process. Partanen commented that this seems to be a good fit. Callahan asked when they’ll start and Partanen replied that they’ll get started right away.
Burke asked about the rent and Partanen replied that they’ve waived the rent this year and will revisit that conversation next year, depending on how they do.
Burke motions to approve, seconded by Callahan. Passes unanimously.
Golf Course is open, Winter Island to Open May 18th
Requesting approval for the department to enter into a Memo of Understanding with Coast to Coast of Beverly to operate kayak and paddleboard rentals out of the Willows.
Callahan asked about the purchase of kayaks as he noticed when he watched the City Council meeting that the City Council approved the purchase for this program to use. Callahan was concerned about purchasing kayaks for this company to be use in a for-profit venture. Partanen stated that the City of Salem owns them and that they’re going to run their program and that Park & Rec is getting 10% from each rental. Partanen also added that that we solicited the business.
Burke motions to approve and Tuttle seconds. Passes unanimously.
Old Business
New Business
Councillor McCarthy commented that his mother-in-law passed away recently and his family is requesting the City consider renaming of Bill Wilson Park (named for his father-in-law), located near his home in the Willows neighborhood, to the Mary and Bill Wilson Park.
Callahan motions to approve the renaming the park to the Mary and Bill Wilson Park, with the condition that it be sent to the City Solicitor for their recommendation. The motion is seconded by Burke. Passes unanimously.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:13pm
Next Meeting: May 19, 2015
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