2004-03-04
City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Parks and Recreation Commission
Subcommittee:
Date: March 4, 2004
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Mark Casey, Bill Collins, Jack O’Neil, Gary Lambert, Lauren Young, Dave
Gardner, Mike Gaudette, Arthur Powell
Board members absent: Patti Adams
Others present: Director Bruce Doig, Tom Scully and Rich Benevento
Minutes of previous meeting were accepted as written.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
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New: On a request from the High School Football Program a Weight Training Program for 7 & 8
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graders has been started. Current enrollment is at 18. Bruce and a few others are volunteering their
time to run this program. Superintendent Lupini waived custodial fees of about $2700 to use the BHS
weight room.
Claudia Hawkes has withdrawn her proposal for a Tennis Camp at Dix Park.
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Building renovations continue!! Mark distributed his letter to former Councilor Jack Murray regarding the
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proposed gazebo from King’s Grant and its use at Lynch Park.
Veteran’s Memorial at Odell Park: Plans continue to get feed back and ideas from the community.
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Bruce, Lauren, and Bill met with Rinus Oosthoek from Main Streets on 3/3/04 to discuss the survey and
ideas for distribution and collection of data.
Beverly Golf & Tennis: Bruce, John Dunn and John Kenny met as requested by the Finance & Property
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Committee. At this meeting it was agreed that the city should not spend the money for the repairs since
the pool is not open to the public and is not big enough to be made into a public pool. Recommendation
was not to open the pool this year.
Budget: Staff contracts have been sent out. All positions have been posted at City Hall as requested
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by HR. The new budget was reviewed. It is being submitted to the City Council as level funded from
FY2004 at $206,000. Motion was made and seconded to accept the budget as presented. Motion
carried with all in favor. Enterprise budget was discussed.
Bruce completed his training to become a certified Playground Safety Inspector on Feb. 25, 26 & 27.
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Gloucester Crossing Initiative: Bruce is still working on a proposal for staffing Holcroft Park this spring
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and summer. Community Development has offered to fund this program with about $4000 this year.
Vitale Site: Bruce has been talking with Tina Cassidy and Mayor Scanlon met with Mass Electric to
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confirm existing agreement for 3 fields with restrooms and a parking area. The Mayor is still hopeful
about having irrigation and lighting installed as well. Tina will keep us updated on any plans.
Golf cart has been returned from the High School with a flat tire and dead batteries. It was agreed that
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the School should be sent the bill for fixing the tire and replacing the batteries.
Met with New England Ice Cream about self-serve vending machines. The department would receive a
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percentage of sales. Dane Street Beach was suggested as a possibility. It was decided that the
vending/concession for Dane Street Beach should be bid out to get best possible situation.
Dog Park: A long discussion was held on possible sites, maintenance, regulating, and financing. Bruce
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has continued to monitor the Dog Park email forum to get valuable information about the creation and
maintenance of dog parks across the country. Bruce also met with Doug Bollen, Salem Park &
recreation Director, to discuss their proposed dog park and issues regarding public support,
neighborhood opposition, financing, registration, liability and surfacing. Bill will be setting up a
committee to begin the process of creating a dog park in the city. Bill, Bruce, and Mike will represent
the Recreation Commission on this committee. Bill will recruit several members from BARC as well as
Paul Guanci and Kevin Hobin of the City Council. Bruce discussed current possible sites as Bessie Baker,
Cooney Field (behind outfield fence), Brimball Hills Drive (water tower), Standley Street (Hill property),
and Brimbal Woods (landfill).
Bruce also reported several calls he received recently from residents concerned about the amount of dog
waste at their local parks. Bruce has been working with Jim Lindley to try and resolve this issue. Bill has
spoken to several folks in BARC about this issue as well.
Lynch Park Advisory Committee: A fundraising seminar is planned for the near future. Mr. Benevento
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discussed plans for a March 29 open meeting at the Beverly Senior Center. An announcement will be
sent to the newspapers, as well as, invitations to all City Councilors.
PR Commission Meeting
March 2004 minutes
Page 2
Motion was made to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter and to reconvene after the
issue is discussed.
LONG RANGE PLANNING
Lauren reported on the meeting with Bill, Bruce and Rinus Oosthoek from Main Streets. An updated survey
was reviewed. Will hopefully have a final copy in a few weeks, no exact target date has been set for
distributing the surveys.
OPEN SPACE
The Open Space and Recreation Committee will be hosting a presentation at the Ryal Side Civic Assoc. on
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April 13 regarding Greens Hill.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail J. Carmody
Recreation Department