PR12012022 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
0 Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Beverly Parks and Recreation Commission
Subcommittee:
Date: December 1, 2022—6:30PM
Place: Beverly Depot Restaurant
Board Members Present: Mark Casey, Jan Jefgood, Kevin Hobin, Bill Lowd, Nancy Marino, Justin Repp, Robin
DiDonato, Henry Pizzo
Board Members Absent: Caroline Larson
Others Present: Bruce Doig - Parks, Recreation &Community Services Director; Jon Paddol —Assistant Recreation
Director; Valentino Eramo— Recreation Facilities Coordinator; Janet Doig —guest, Danielle Paddol —guest, Jaclyn Eramo
—guest, Maureen Hobin —guest, Joscelyn Ruelle-Kersker— Mayor Cahill's Chief of Staff
Call to Order—6;30PM
Minutes: The minutes for the 11/3/22 meeting were approved 8-0 as written, after a motion by Kevin Hobin and a
second by Justin Repp.
Assistant Director's Report: Jon Paddol, Asst. Recreation Director—Jon reviewed the following in his AD report -
The Last Year: 2022 has been a great success. It was our first fully planned and staffed year since my coming back to
the Rec in 2020. A few highlights and areas to grow upon:
• We successfully and profitably kicked off school vacation programs in both February and April. Registration
numbers were slightly below what we expected, but we were able to adjust the program's staffing needs to
ensure solvency.
• Within our camps, we were able to successfully reinstate overnights at Lynch Park. This was met with a lot of
enthusiasm.
• We grew our basketball offerings including the expansion of the women's division of the summer league as well
as the introduction of the Unified League. I anticipate continued growth in 2023.
• We hosted our first used costume sale to much fanfare. It was an original event that generated a good amount
of buzz. We took in approximately $500.
• We solidified and continued to grow our Cornhole League throughout our second and third seasons (the later of
which just wrapped). We have increased the amount of teams into the double digits and have attracted those
from surrounding towns as well.
• We completed multiple electrical projects to better our facilities with the helping hands from Essex Tech. They
reconfigured some of the electrical in our offices and are currently redoing the lights of the shell. Using their
labor, overseen by their licensed teaching staff has saved us, possibly $10k in labor costs over the span of both
projects.
• We worked with Green Beverly to host EarthFest at Lynch and continued our partnership with the Harbor Master
on HarborFest. Both of these events saw enormous turnout.
Coming in 2023:
• I continue to work towards beginning our first, new Art based summer camp out of Camp Paradise, though I do
not currently have a Director to staff it.
• A brand new Fused Glass class is set to start in February out of Camp Paradise.
• I hope to host a used sports equipment fundraising sale in the early fall of 2023.
• I plan to work with Essex Tech to renovate and refresh the kitchen at Camp Paradise.
• Continue efforts to grow and diversify our summer staff.
• I plan to double down on my whining about the state of the Carriage House as well as our need for indoor
space. I am working with the Beverly Youth Council to apply pressure on the redesign of the McPherson Center.
And CPC applications have begun for Phase 1 of the Carriage House preservation.
• 8 Pickleball courts.
Upcoming classes and events this month include:
• Chess Nights at the Library (12.5)
• North Pole Calling (Week of 12.19)
• Babysitting Safety Certification Class (12.10)
• Beverly Youth Wrestling Program (12.6)
Director's Report: Bruce reviewed the following in his Director's Report—
RECENT EVENTS:
Lynch Park Parking Lot Rebuilt— Lot was paved and striped by 10/21/22. New lot is amazing. Great job by DPS and
the contractor.
Lynch Park Seawall Repaired — DPS did another great job of filling the huge trenches behind the seawall with
concrete and crushed stone from the carriage house all the way out to Woodbury Beach. The plan is to put a concrete
walkway along the seawall and fence for accessibility and to prevent water from washing back through the seawall.
Walkway will most likely be done in the spring.
CPC Round 10 — Pre-applications submitted for 2 projects— Birch Plains &Carriage House structural improvements.
Bruce worked with Dan Richards from Gillis Park on a third pre-app. Full apps due by 1/10/23.
Dinner @ McPherson Youth Center— 11/23/22—The Youth Collaboration was able to restart this great tradition
after about 25 years and provided a full Thanksgiving dinner to many kids and families. Thank you so much to the many
board members and volunteers and the food donors for making this amazing event happen again. Todd Rotondo did a
great job cooking and keeping everything organized. It was a great afternoon at he Youth Center.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
North Pole Calling — Bev Rec— 12/19 to 12/21 — Santa is fattening up for the season tonight!! Ho, Ho, Ho!!!
CORRESPONDENCE:
YMCA— 2nd Road Race will be in April 2023. We need to save more times for weddings, receptions and other carriage
house events that generate revenue for Bev Rec. We plan to have fewer external events in May and September to keep
the best times available for garden and carriage house events
Increases in CH and Garden Fees— Met w/ Suzanne and Jon to discuss pricing for the garden and the carriage house
using data from Glen Magna and other local venues. Updated pricing proposal was approved at our last meeting.
FY2022 BUDGETS:
ARPA funds will also be used to rebuild the McPherson Teen Center by 2024. Design process is beginning.
Work to start in summer 2023 and be completed by summer 2024.
ISLAND BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM:
Have had a few meetings with Joscelyn, Rani and Phil Klimowicz to restart this program. We have reduced the number of
islands on the spreadsheet from about 90 to about 45. We will begin contacting folks about continuing in the program
with a $100 annual fee to maintain an island and post signs.
Kestrel Education: Lease of Camp Paradise off and storage space— It was confirmed through the Solicitor's office that
the Camp Paradise building cannot be leased as office space or storage due to the non-profit financing and the
conservation restriction placed on the property when it was purchased from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.
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PROJECT PIPELINE:
Recreation Department-
- Lynch Park Carriage House:
o Garage Wall Replacement / Installation of windows
■ NEED TO GET AN ESTIMATE TO MOVE FORWARD!
• Submitted a CPC pre-application for $100,000 to start making necessary repairs to preserve the
building.
• Concerns about resiliency of the carriage house with potential future flooding.
• Use private donation funds?
o Upgrade Concession Stand —Complete renovation needed to make the concession stand area a more
professional facility. There are a lot of deficiencies right now. Making these renovations will open the
door for more bids and higher revenue from the concession stand.
Use private donation funds? Resiliency study??
2019-2020 CPA Project: Round 7
Park Project CPA Re uest Comments
Gillis Park Restoration of stone stairway leading $22,635 Quote from Murray Masonry for $17,450.
from playground area to Pleasant Quote from Roger Tremblay for $9,900
View Beach. Concerns about ADA accessibility to beach?
Working with Historic Districts Met with the HDC on 11/17 to discuss the
Commission to review scope of materials and scope of work.
work and materials. We will meet w/ contractor on site at
Gillis at some point before moving
ahead with the work.
2020-2021 CPA Project: Round 8
Park Project CPA Request Comments
Wentworth Tot Completed installation of new APPROVED Still need to install the new bench and
Lot equipment on 6/23/22. $20K repair the fence.
-Playground is open for use!!
Need to complete reimbursement -Bench will be installed next Monday,
paperwork for CPC. 12/5/22.
Fence only needs a new gate.
2021-2022 CPA Project: Round 9
Park Project CPA Re uest Comments
Replace 3 Replace tennis courts @ Cahill and $250K Looking for additional funding to
Tennis Courts Cove Parks. move ahead. CC approved CPC
budget.
Need to put this work out to bid once
we have more design info.
Purchase 14 & Purchase 2 vacant lots at 14 &34 $200,000 Closing for the BHA lots was on 6/10/22.
34 Simon Street Simon Street from the Beverly Working with DPS and neighbors to
Parcels Housing Authority. make improvements to the sites by
next spring. We have a budget of
$110,000 to make improvements to
both lots.
2022-2023 CPA Project: Round 10—Pre-applications submitted on 10/27/22
Park Project CPA Request Comments
Gillis Park Pre-app submitted by Dan Richards $20,000 Worked with Mr. Richards to narrow focus
for some new equipment, new table from large project to these few items to
and new water fountain. start.
Lynch Carriage Historic Preservation work needed to $100,000 Working with DPS to determine a plan.
House make north exterior wall structurally The carriage house at Lynch has significant
sound and prevent additional water needs. In the last several years our focus
damage due to many open areas in has been on arresting the decay of the
the walls and windows. building to prevent additional damage.
There are areas in the building envelope
that require attention in the short
term. The goal of the repairs would be to
prevent water intrusion and to prevent
birds or other animals from nesting in the
building. The repairs will be temporary
and not architectural in nature.
Birch Plains Adding 8 pickleball courts to the Birch $250,000 Funding needed to supplement $200,000
Pickleball Courts Plains facility. Currently in design state earmark to design and construct
phase. these courts by end of spring 2023.
END OF YEAR SUMMARY - 2022
2022 Proiects:
- Lynch Park Viewers - $250,000 donation
- Repainted Obear Tennis/Pickleball Courts
- Lynch Park parking lot repaved
- Lynch Park Seawall repairs
- New Picnic Tables
- Carriage House Preservation: Working to get estimates for much needed repairs to concession stand and
garage north wall.
- Playground Equipment Repairs—Still working to keep up with vandalism and broken equipment at several
parks (Dix, Obear, Dane, Hannah, Cahill, Lynch, etc.)
- Wentworth Tot Lot: $56,000 raised through CPC, Lynch Trustees and private donations. Project cost is
$58,500. Bev Rec Park of the Year funds will supplement needed funds (fencing).
- Basketball/Tennis Court Renovations: Renovated courts at Obear. Working on grants to repair many more
courts in the next year.
- Gillis Park Stair Renovation: Funded by CPC. Hoping to complete work in the spring of 2023.
- Camp Paradise: Continuing to make improvements to the building and have Eagle Scout projects clear trials
and spaces on the property.
- LIST OF CURRENT PROJECTS:
o Pickleball Courts @ Birch Plains
o Tennis Courts @ Cahill &Kimball-Haskell Parks
o Signage
o Island Beautification
o Simon Street Lots
o Gillis Park Stairs
o Basketball Court Repairs (about 10 more courts)
o Holcroft Park— Looking to make improvements in the future
o Lynch Splash Pad Repairs
o New McPherson Center(Indoor space for Bev Rec- BYC)
o New Water Fountains
o Carriage House improvements
o Park Designations (Solicitor's Office)
o ADA Path to Lynch Park viewers
o Beverly Common bandstand
o Lynch Park Kiosk
o Camp Paradise improvements (kitchen, basement, camping areas)
o Lynch Park Shell Lighting (Essex Tech High School)
o Carriage House garage lighting (Essex Tech High School)
2022 Programs/Events:
- Momball — 22"d year—Another$15,000 raised for Beverly schools and local charities.
- Field Summit—Annual meeting of all field users to discuss issues
- Fundraising Races @ Lynch Park—We host many local charities each year for their event
- Carriage House/Garden Functions—Weddings, reunions, parties, collations, etc. Getting back to normal.
- Summer Parks &Camps—Another great year of fun for the kids &staff despite restrictions.
- Memorial Day Parade,Vietnam Veterans'Day&Veterans' Day Ceremonies— Bev Rec staff helped plan
and support both events
- Over 20 Concerts/7 Movies— Lots of great entertainment for families during the summer
- Beverly Homecoming/Beverly's New Year— Bev Rec major supporter of these great community events.
- Halloween Haunted Forest @ Camp Paradise— Planning many improvements for 2022
- North Pole Calling — Santa getting ready for another great year
- Enrichment Classes—Another great job by Jon, Jean and Gail to run several classes
- Basketball/Cornhole Leagues—Jon's dream of running these leagues came true this summer and fall
- Cyclocross Bike Race &Harbor Fest— Hosted these events at Dane Street Beach and Lynch Park again in
2022. Great turnouts for both events.
2022 Accomplishments:
- Repairs to Lynch Park/Carriage House/Rec Offices-Worked with students from Essex Tech to improve
lighting and electrical service in offices and band shell. Still looking to replace lighting in shell by next year.
- Camps/Parks/CITs-Over 120 employed for the summer!! Including 2 federally-funded Fir$t Jobs kids.
- MRPA NE Conference Committee- Bruce &Jon continue to contribute to state organization.
- Lynch Park Parking Lot Repaved (DPS)
- Lynch Park Seawall Repaired (DPS-Concrete walkway to be added in the spring of 2023)
- Pickleball Courts- Meetings with Ballers and Mayor Cahill, Open Space Committee &City Council to get the
pickleball rolling on creating a larger court inventory where possible.
- $250,000 Donation - Received for installing 2 viewers and a plaque in memory of Jean Cunningham.
- Wentworth Tot Lot Renovation
MESSAGE FROM BRUCE TO THE P&R BOARD AND BEVERLY RECREATION STAFF:
Thank you all again for your time,help and support this year, Without the Commission's support, we could
not do the things we do for the citizens of Beverly!
Thank you very much again to Valentino for his hard work to complete many projects and manage our
young staff, His dedication to Bev Rec has helped me and Jon to focus on continuing to improve our
facilities and programs We could not do it without Val!
Thank you very much to Jon for his hard work to hire and manage our young staff and for being so
determined to get programs up and running,being so creative with ideas for new programs and to make
sure our kids and families continue to enjoy Lynch Park, Camp Paradise and everything that we have to
offer, Jon was born to do this job and we are lucky to have him!
Thank you to Joscelyn for her support and for being our ears to the ground when things are happening at
City Hall, It is great to know Josc AL WAYS has our back when Bev Rec is being discussed, She is still a
valuable member of our Bev Rec family, especially with Stella becoming one of our MVP employees!!
Of course, thank you very much to the best office staff anywhere, Gail and Jean, for all of their help and
support throughout the year, I could not do any of this without you!!!!!
We also ha ve great summer staff members and I appreciate all of their efforts each year to make our
department the best around!
Commission Reports:
Beverly Golf&Tennis (Bill Lowd) -
The OPM for the BG&T Clubhouse restoration project (CBRE) submitted an update report dated 11/17/2022 to the BG&T
Commission. Bill Lowd gave a copy to the Beverly Parks & Recreation Commission members present and briefly reviewed
the proposed designs and costs for the project.
Community Preservation Committee (Nancy Marino)-
Nancy discussed the current process for the 2022-2023 round of CPC applications. Pre-applications will be reviewed for
eligibility and then full applications are due to the CPC by noon on January 10, 2023.
Meeting adjourned at7,•Z5PM, Motion by Kevin Hobin and a second by Bill Lowd was approved 8-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce Doig, Director of Parks, Recreation &Community Services