2002-07-10BEVERLY GOLF & TENNIS COMMISSION
134 McKay Strozt
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS 01915
Commission Members
John D. Kenney, Chairman
Michael P. Pierce, Vice Chairman
Marianne M. Doane
Kevin F. Hobin
Donald E. Joncs
David J. Lang
Martin S. Lawler, III
Ellioti C. Margolis
Lawrence Nelson
Ida Beaver, Recording Secretary
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
July 10, 2002
August 5, 200
Absent: None.
Guests: Doug Johnson (Johnson Golf Management); Thomas Crean (Mayor of Beverly);
Bill Coughlin (City Councilor); Marc Fortier (Salem Evening News); Louis Bennett and
Guido Liporto.
Call to Order:
Mr. Kenney called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm. He introduced and welcomed
the guests. It was noted that a correction should be made to the minutes of the previous
meeting of June 11th, that under the Management Contract section, a statement should be
added that the subcommittee did review the contract and based its conclusion on the
terms of the contract regarding the calculation of the rate increase for 2002. A motion
was made by Don Jones to accept the amended minutes. David Lang seconded the
motion, and it was approved with all in favor
Management Contract:
Mr. Pierce made a motion to accept the report on rate increases as presented by ·
the subcommittee. This motion was seconded by Larry Nelson and was unanimously
approved. Mr. Ke.nney advised Mr. Johnson that the subcommittee calculated the rate
increase payment for 2002 in accordance with the terms of the contract and that the City
was still owed $4,113 as stated in the subcommittee report. Mr. Johnson disagreed and
said that he would have his attorney look into the matter.
Facilities:
Mr. Lawler of the Facilities subcommittee handed out monthly Income and
Expense Reports for July. A motion was made by Michael Pierce to accept the reports,
which was seconded by Kevin Hobin and accepted unanimously.
The commission discussed of the Gale Report capital improvements and the status
of the veranda repairs. Mr. Kenney reported that Ray Bouchard said the Gale Associates
work on the bid specifications was on schedule.
Present: John Kenney, Chairman; Michael Pierce, Vice-Chairman; Marianne Doane,
Kevin Hobin; Elliott Margolis; Donald Jones; David Lang; Martin Lawler; and Lawrence
Nelson.
Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting
Page 2 of 3
Policy and Grievance:
Mr. Margolis of the Policy and Grievance subcommittee referred to Mr.
Johnson's letter regarding the amendments to the rules and regulations. He stated that Mr.
Johnson agreed with most of the amendments, but did not agree with section H of the
penalties, where he needed the Commission's approval for enforcement of penalties. Mr.
Johnson felt that the Commission's job should be to mutually agree with the rules and
back him on enforcement. Mr. Johnson would also like the junior golfers to be able to
make tee times one day in advance instead of three days. Also on weekends and holidays
juniors will not be permitted to play until 3pm unless permission is granted by
management or a green fee is paid. A motion to accept these changes to the Rules and
Regulations handbook as stated in Mr. Johnson's letter was made by Mr. Margolis and
seconded by Mr. Hobin. The motion passed with a vote of 7 in favor and 2 opposed.
The Commission discussed the subject of its members voting on issues that may
have a personal effect on them. The chairman suggested that the Policy and Grievance
subcommittee would talk to the City Solicitor, Peter Gilmore regarding what the ethics
policy should be. A further discussion followed regarding the Mayor's Cup Golf outing.
Mr. Pierce, who did not attend the outing, asked to go on record stating that it was a
personal decision and a matter of public trust and thought that it could be potentially
perceived as a conflict of interest. Mr. Hobin also stated that he thought it was a bad
idea. Mr. Margolis disagreed and stated that he saw it as an opportunity for city
employees to view the course and its conditions. Mr. Lawler applauded the outing and
advised the others to "get over it!" Mr. Nelson made a motion that only the Chairman of
the Commission should speak to reporters. Mr. Margolis seconded the motion for
discussion. Michael Pierce strongly objected to the motion because he felt that the
Commission should not accept any form of a gag order. The motion was defeated by a
vote of eight to one. Mr. Kenney also suggested that when the Policy and Grievance
Subcommittee meets with the City Solicitor, that they include a discussion of these
potential conflicts of interest.
Old Business:
The status of the practice range was discussed. Mr. Johnson stated that he was in
the process of adding signs to ensure the use of short distance clubs on the range. A new
letter from Mr. Modugno was received and is attached to these minutes. A motion was
made by Mr. Laug to have the Facilities subcommittee investigate the practice range to
change it from a shag field to a full scale driving range. Mr. Pierce seconded the motion,
and it was passed with all in favor.
New Business:
A permit holder attended the meeting and took issue with the pool membership
rates for 2002. He stated that his rate had increased to $200 over last year. Mr. Johnson
advised him that the YMCA directly operates the pool, and it sets the rates with his
approval.
The Commission received a letter from Robert Mitton who lives on Goodyear
Street. His automobile was hit by a golf ball and he sent an invoice for the repairs. The
Beverly Golf & Tennis Commisgon
Minutes of the Monthly Meeting
Pag¢3 of 3
Commission is not authorized to settle any property damage claims on behalf of the City.
Mr. Kenney agreed to send Mr. Mitton a letter to advise him that the City's policy is for
this type of claim to be brought before the City Council.
Mr. Margolis made a motion for the Facilities subcommittee to take pictures of
the golf course to have documented conditions of the course. Mr. Hobin seconded this
motion. The motion was carried by a vote of 6 to 3.
Adjournment:
Mr. Lang made a motion to adjourn at 9:30 p.m., which was seconded by Mr.
Pierce with all in favor. The next regular monthly meeting of the Commission is
scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. downstairs at the Beverly Golf
& Tennis Club.
Ida Beaver
RecordinS Secreta~
Jim Modugno
Ten Colgate Road
Beverly, Ma. 01915
Home Phone 978-922-8964
June 18, 2002
Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission
C/O Mr. John Kenney
Bcvm*ly Golf & Tennis
McKay Street
Beverly, MA 01915
CC: Mayor Thomas Crean, Peter Gilmore, Mr. Roger Morency, Mr. William Coughlin, Mr. Tmothy Flaherty
Council President Mr. Paul Quanci, Doug Johnmn of Johnson Turf Management
I wish to thank Mr. John Kenney of the Beverly Gulf & Tennis Commission for the opportunity to appear and
speak before the Beverly Golf & Tennis (BG&T) Commission on Tuesday June 11th, 2002. I would also like to
extend a thank you to allcommission members as well as Mr. Doug Johnson of Johnson Management for their
ability to listen to the issue, for their patience in undestanding the key elements of a save shag field and their help
in developing a solution.
In the course of the evening it was evident that there is much misinformation concerning the Shag Field and its
safe use. Being a resident expert (excuse the pun) on the history of the shag field and its successes and failures I
can confidently state that if BG&T Commission along with Johnson management enforce the adopted action then
it poses no serious daager whatsoever to thc neighhors of Colgate Road.
The three major elements to a safe Shag Field are 1) having a clearly marked area with signs stating no hitling
beyond this point. 2) stating boldly & clearly what can be used ( Sign -7, 8, 9, PW, SW ONLY, no bags), 3)
enforcement - managing, monitoring and enforcing the rules and the pemalty for failure to comply. These three
elements are in the motion presented by Mr. Martin Lawler and approved by 6 other memebers. Let's give this
plan a chance to work. In the past when the Commission and Management team worked the issue, several years
went by without an issue. I am confident the same can happen.
Two members said this action was a band aid and that nets were the permanent solution. I couldn't disagree more.
I would be happy to meet with these members and help them understand the issues and the facts better if this would
be of help to them. Please permit me to restate the key elements of a safe Shag field What you hit?, Where you hit
from? and management oversight. Without the elements... nets are the band aid! If you truly desire a 100% sure
thing then I respectfully suggest that the two members should be advocating the closing of the shag field.
In closing I wish to acknowledge the efforts of all parties in forging this solution and for you permitting me the
opportunity to attend any discussions of netting by the facility group. I shall keep in touch with Mr. Kenney and
other members on the progress of our mutual actions. Thank you.
I can be reached during the day at 978-282-2258.