2002-03-13Commission Members
John D. Kenney, Chairman
Michael P. Pierce, Vice Chairman
Marianne M. Doane
Kevin F. Hobin
Donald E. Jones
David J. Lang
Media J. Lawler, III
Elliott C. Margolis
Lawrence Nelson
Ida Beaver, Recording Secretary
BEVERLY GOLF & TENNIS COMMISSION
134 McKay Street
BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS 01915
March 21, 2002
Minutes of Monthly Meeting
March 13, 2002
Present: John Kenney, Chairman, Marianne Doane, Kevin Hobin, David Lang, Martin
Lawler, Elliott Margolis, Lawrence Nelson, Michad Pierce and Donald Jones.
Absent: None
Guests: Doug Johnson and Don Lyons (Johnson Golf Management), Peter Harrison (Par
for the Course), Roger Morency and Ron Costa (City Councillors) and Marc Fortier
(Salem Evening News).
Call to Order:
Mr. Kenney called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm. He introduced and welcomed
the guests. A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the previous
meeting. Mr. Margolis amended the motion to correct the omission of his name from
those present. The emended motion was approved with all in favor.
Mr. Kenney introduced Mr. Jim Modugno, whose property abuts the golf course,
and allowed him to voice his concerns about golf balls landing on his property. This
poses a danger to his family and the possibility of damage to his property. (See attached
letter). Mr. Moduguo said that he is committed to getting this issue resolved, and that he
was willing to work with Johnson Golf Management to achieve this Some suggestions
were the use of netting and/or short distance golf balls. Doug Johnson stated that they
could also possibly move the tee so that balls would be aimed in a slightly different
direction. Mr. Modugno agreed to work with Don Lyons to implement actions to resolve
the problem.
Management Contract:
The management contract is to be signed on Friday, March 15, 2002. Mr. Kenney
passed out a letter written by Marianne Doane to Mayor Crean listing some of the things
that were discussed at the City Council Legal Affairs meeting. (See attached letter). Mr.
Kenney handed out an Estimated Permit Increase Calculator and stated that Settlement
Agreement and the contract provide that the permit increases would go to the City, and
the green fees would go to Johnson Golf.
Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission
Minutes of the March 2002 Meeting
Page 2 of 3
A question was asked if the Tennis rates were going to remain the same or also be
increased. Doug Johnson stated that there is a new tennis pro (Mike Mercier), and there
would be new tennis rates. It was felt that any increase in tennis rates would need to be
approved by the Commission, and that a special meeting should be held. It was strongly
suggested that the City Council is subject to approve any rates before the Mayor signs the
Contract. Councilors Costa and Morency stated that they had not been allowed to approve
any rate increases, and that the rates for this year have already been set, but they would
try to make their concerns known to the Mayor before he signs the contract.
Policy and Grievance:
Doug Johnson stated that mailings were sent out today (March 13th) to the
Honorary Members. It was also stated that the senior members (over 80 yrs old) would
have a reduced rate of $500 for Beverly residents and $650 for non-residents for this
year. A suggestion was made to have an outing day to earn money to cover the costs of
the senior memberships.
Doug Johnson also stated that the Rules & Regulations are being drafted by the
end of the week and the tee time policies will be posted in the pro shop.
It was stated that requests for leaves of absence must be submitted in writing to
the Commission prior to March 15 for a full refund of the permit fee.
Citizen's Day would remain in the contract.
A letter from Mr. Robert Call (see attached) was received and sent to the Policy
and Grievance subcommittee. Mr. Johnson stated that there are about 500 names on the
waiting list, and there are no phone numbers or addresses to contact these applicants to
see if they are still interested in being members. A suggestion was made to post these
names in the Pro Shop and an announcement be placed in the newspapers.
Facilities:
Mr. Kenney stated that he is arranging for the City Council to tour the Beverly
Golf & Tennis facilities next Thursday, March 21, 2002 to view the conditions and
repairs that are needed. It was also noted that the clay tennis courts are in need of repair
before the June and July tournaments. The cost of this is estimated at $4,500.
Mr. Kenney asked Mr. Lawler to arrange for the Facilities subcommittee to meet
with the new Finance Director, Tom Durkin regarding the Enterprise Fund, and the
general financing of repairs to the facilities.
Old Business:
The Facilities subcommittee will meet with Peter Harrison to determine the
appropriate action to take on outstanding invoices that may be the responsibility of the
City or Friel.
New Business:
Mr. Johnson reminded the Commission that a new permit holder category was
created to allow non-residents to have a Husband and Wife membership. Mr. Kenney
Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission
Minutes of the March 2002 Meeting
Page 3 of 3
gave the Facilities subcommittee an information package on the Massachusetts Historic
Landscape Trust. The Golf and Tennis clubhouse may be eligible for a grant because it is
on the National Historic Register.
Adjoumment:
Mr. Lang made a motion to adjourn at 9:30 p.m., which was seconded by Mr.
Lawler with all in favor. The next regular monthly meeting of the Commission is
scheduled for Wednesday, April 10th at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ida Beaver
Recording Secretary
Jim Modugno
Ten Colgate Road
Beverly, Ma. 01915
Home Phone 978-922-8964
February 22, 2002
Beverly Golf Commission & Johnson Turf Management
Beverly Golf & Tennis
MaKay street
Beverly, MA 01915
CC: Mr. Roger Morency Ward 3 Councilor
On May 5th 2001 I wrote the following letter to Mike Farrell and the Beverly Golf Commission. I also appeared at
a commission meeting a few weeks later and explain in detail my concerns. Promises were made and as always
broken. Therefore, with a new commission and management team in place I would like the opportunity to meet
face to face with someone you charge with resolving this persistent safety problem.
Mike, with another golf season well underway I am very concerned that teh safety of my family is once again at
risk from errant golf balls coming from your driving field directly into my yard. Matter of fact I had a golf ball
land in my pool some 75 feet inside my property line. On two occasions I have approached and spoken to members
that had been hitting drivers with a tial wind about the danger of their actions. On both occasions the gentlemen
understood my concern and the liability of their actions.
Several years ago BG&T agree to take several actions such as 1) putting up signs warning of homes with children,
clearly defining no hitting beyond a certain point, 3) stating that only irons such as 8, 9, PW and SW shuold be
used, and 4) a letter was sent to the members stating liability. These actions improved the situation greatly and at
one point the situation was eliminated. However, I believe the action previuolsy taken need to be revisited. Last
year the signs warning of homes with children was placed along the tennis court side which resulted in them
becoming overgroan. Not hitting beyond this point was only enforced when I did the notification. This year not a
sign is in sight and to make the situation worse BG&T has placed target flags 200 yards up the range, which
has the effect of encouraging and challenging members to air it out. Many a member had been seen taking a
driver and hitting it in the direction of my home from the area beside the 9th green just to get loose.
Mike, you have at all times been very receptive in addressing and controlling this situation. I am very concern that
with the success and increase use of the funcitons/events at the club, that not enough attention is being to this very
serious problem. Therefore, I am requesting the immediate attention and action by the BG&T Golf Commission. I
am requesting that the range be either managed and to me this means; 1) the range is clearly posted, 2) hitting
areas clearly marked, 3) club selection noted, 4) members and guest notified, wanred, and penalties enforced, 5)
the area must be supervised or CLOSE it down! I am requesting that you set a meeting up with me, you and the
commission within the next 10 days to forge a lasting solution. While this meeting is being called I am strongly
requesting that the range be closed until the five points above can be met. Continual disregard for the safety of my
family shall be considered an attacked on my family and shall result in the exercising of my legal rights to close
the range as was the written opinion of a previous City Solicitor.
I fully understand that the actions of a few reckless and careless individuals are at the root of the issue. Clearly this
small minority, but a dangerous minority, may adversely impact the majority of level headed responsible members
and guest of this fine golf club. I look forward to working closely with you and others to eliminate the danger to
my family as welll as the other families with children along Colgate Road.
Sincerely,
James H. Modugno
I can be reached during the day at 987-282-2558. I look forward to meeting with you on solving this issue.
March 11, 2002
Dear Mayor Crean,
I believe our meeting last Friday night with Doug Johnson was positive. The permit holders
hope to have all the changes included in the contract. Below is a list of some of the things
we discussed:
1) On the weekends and holidays there is a exclusive 7 ½ hour window for permit
holders tee times. They will be allowed to bring up to three guests one time per
weekend. Permit holders have the first option to adjust this window with seasonal
changes in tee times.
2) JMG would allow our elected president to set up the weekend tee
times for the permit holders. This will work on a rotation basis that is fair to all
3) Wednesday and Friday time slots, 10 to 2, would be open only to permit holders for
the first two and a half days of booking. The remaining tee times would be available
to the public four and a half days prior.
4) The men's Tournament schedule was agreed upon, provided the members
include a ten dollar per player pro shop credit. This was also approved for the two
day member-guest, as long as the tournament can provide an acceptable number of
participants to justify closing the course.
5) Half cart rates will be available to the handicapped players.
6) The non-resident husband / wife fee was added at $3,000.
7) The senior rate was changed to $500 for a Beverly resident and $650 for
nonresidents. This includes restricted play of two rounds of 18 holes or four rounds
of nine holes.
8) These changes are to be included in the contract for the term of the contract.
The membership is hoping for a smooth transition of management companies. They would
like to be assured, that if there are to be any future adjustments to the contract, that they
would be approved by the city, the BG&T commission and possible input by the permit
holders.
Please contact me if you have any questions. Looking forward to a great golf season.
Thanks,
Marianne Doane
2/20/02
Beverly Golf & Tennis Commissioners
Gentlemen
Am about to be 75 years old in a couple of weeks.
Have been on the wait list for several years, based on the rate of new applicants
being accepted, it is obvious I will be under the grass before I will ever be a member.
Prior Commisisoners and management had a very poor public relations and
yet would not consider a refund.
Hopefully New Commissioners, management and a new Mayor will return
this operation to some common sense.
Your latest decision that members that play must pay makes sense. Out
of town applicants that will not live long enough to be members also makes
sense to refund their applications.
Respectfully yours,
Robert F. Call
Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Call
5250 Fox Hollow #501 Foxfire
Naples, Fl. 34104