2005-09-08
City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Parks and Recreation Commission
Subcommittee:
Date: September 8, 2005
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Mark Casey, Bill Collins, Jack O’Neil, Gary Lambert, Patti Adams ,
Dave Gardner, Arthur Powell, Mike Gaudette
Board members absent:
Others present:Director Bruce Doig, City Council President Paul Guanci, Councilor Kevin Hobin,
Councilor John Burke, Russ Rollins, Deb Ploszay, John Archer and members of the Dog Park
subcommittee.
Minutes of previous meetings (June 2, 2005 & July 7, 2005) were accepted as written.
Chairman Casey invited Deb Ploszay (Save the Pool Committee) to make her presentation to the
Commission. Deb’s group has put together a plan to restore the pool at the Beverly Golf & Tennis
Club. In this plan the Recreation Department would take over control of the facility, which is
currently under the jurisdiction of the Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission. The plan recommends a
25% increase in membership fees. Their fundraising has brought in $10,000. Their estimate for
the necessary renovations is $36,000. They are asking that the Recreation Dept. cover the
$26,000. They do plan to continue with fundraising events. Chairman Mark Casey thanked the
committee for all their efforts but reminded them that the pool is still under the jurisdiction of the
Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission and that there is no money for the repairs in the Recreation
Department budget.
Gary Lambert, who is also a member of the Beverly Golf & Tennis Commission, explained the
timeline and why that Commission decided to close the pool. In March of 2004, after both the
Recreation Commission and the City of Beverly were unable to offer financial assistance for the
necessary pool repairs, the BG&T Commission voted to close the pool. Deb Ploszay and the Save
the Pool Committee went to the BG&T Commission and asked to be given the opportunity to raise
the money through private fund raising. The BGT Commission granted this request, which was
extended through the end of 2004. At that time the group asked for more time. The BG&T
Commission gave them an extension to March/April 2005 at which time the committee asked for
another extension. At that time the BG&T Commission voted to carry through with their plans to
close the pool stating the following reasons: Commission was skeptical of their budget and
question that the numbers as presented can be achieved and therefore it seems to them doubtful
that the pool can operate at a profit. The Commission also questioned the $36,000 estimate for
repairs, which they believe could easily be double that considering ADA issues, etc. He would not
support this proposal or moving jurisdiction to the Recreation Commission. The Chairman thanked
Deb and her group again and told them there would be further discussion on their plan.
DOG PARK COMMITTEE PROPOSAL
The Chairman has reviewed the proposal and has written up a list of questions. Bob Lynch from
Brookline has been invited to the October 6, 2005 meeting. It was agreed that the meeting on
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October 6 would be held at City Hall. It will be posted as a joint meeting of the Parks &
Recreation Commission and the Beverly City Council Committee as a whole.
Arthur Powell suggested that surrounding communities should be approached to coordinate dog
parks that would be shared. He reported that according to North Reading, people are coming
from all over the area to use their facility.
Mike Gaudette asked again for the names and addresses of all BARC members. Mr. Collins
reported that he spoke to the Attorney Generals Office and was told they were not required to
register with them.
Page 2- Public Meeting Minutes-Beverly Parks & Recreation Commission – 9/8/2005
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
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Homecoming was a huge success. All events were well attended. Some parking issues.
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Vitale Site: have moved ahead with construction
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DPW: talking with Mike Collins about a date for the cookout.
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Carriage House Roof: work should begin soon
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Lynch Park: Bruce described how he would like to change the traffic flow in and out of the
park. He is currently getting prices for gates, etc.
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Harry Ball: the improvements that have been complete are very impressive, work continues.
Meeting adjourned.
Respecfully submitted
Gail Carmody
Recreation Department