2004-07-01
City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Parks and Recreation Commission
Subcommittee:
Date: July 1, 2004
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Mark Casey, Bill Collins, Jack O’Neil, Dave Gardner, Patti Adams ,
Lauren Young
Board members absent: Gary Lambert, Mike Gaudette, Arthur Powell
Others present: Director Bruce Doig and Tom Scully
Met with Kathy Sullivan and Shannon Barror from REMAX to discuss the possibility of balloon rides
st
during Homecoming. The first Sunday (August 1) was suggested from 6-8:30pm. Motion was
made to accept the REMAX proposal and have Bruce work out all the details. Motion was carried
with all in favor.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
First Special Event was a big success. Busy summer ahead! Concerts have begun! Movie
numbers increasing every week.
Rotary Club service project: Scraped and primed Dane St. Bathhouse. Eagle Project will
complete the painting in August.
Benches: Bench for Joan and Liz will be installed soon. Bruce will check with Joan and Liz
regarding their availability for the unveiling. Discussion was held on a request received from Sen.
Berry regarding a bench at Lynch Park for his stepdaughter. Bruce will review the situation at
Lynch to see if there is space.
Building renovations are completed with the exception of the painting.
Policies: Many need updating, especially for Lynch Park. Bruce suggests we institute a fee for
groups arriving in buses even if they are not allowed to park the bus. Many YMCA’s and camps
are arriving unannounced and under current policy there is no charge if they just drop off. It was
suggested that groups be required to make a reservation and pay per bus (in advance if possible).
It’s costs us $100 every time we take a bus of campers to the Gloucester beaches. Motion was
made that groups be required to make a reservation. Motion carried. Discussed fee per bus. $50
per bus was suggested. Motion was made to institute a fee of $50 per bus effectively
immediately. Motion carried.
Weddings: Bruce described a couple of incidents when people arrived unannounced to use the
park for a wedding. One couple in particular who set up on the point at the same time that a
wedding was happening in the garden, refused to leave claiming it’s a “public park” why can’t I
get married on the point?
Lunch at Lynch: Agreed that non-residents working in Beverly be allowed to visit Lynch during
lunch for a fee of $1. They must present a business card and identification to receive discount.
Park Tour: Bruce and Art Daignault visited parks to review ADA compliance issues.
Lynch Park Swings: Approved installation at the site of the old Tot Lot.
Vitale Site: Reviewed updated plans
Gloucester Crossing: Holcroft Park is open with 15-20 children attending. Things are going
well.
Dogs: Off-leash issues continue at the parks. Motion was made to write to the Mayor asking that
the Recreation Director be given authority to issue non-criminal tickets for violation of the leash
law. After some discussion, motion was withdrawn.
CPR Training: Fire Department provided a full day of CPR training and a number of First Aid
classes for our summer staff free of charge. Many thanks to the Fire Chief and his staff.
Meeting adjourned
Respecfully submitted
Gail Carmody
Recreation Department