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2006-09-07 City of Beverly, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board: Parks and Recreation Commission Subcommittee: Date: September 7,2006 (7:00PM) Place: Beverly Public Library Board members present: Mark Casey, Jack O'Neil, Bill Lowd, Gary Lambert, Deborah Ploszay, Patty Adams Board members absent: Arthur Powell Others present: Recreation Director Bruce Doig, Assistant to Director Joscelyn Ruelle Kersker, City Councilor Kevin Hobin, Sue & Ron Capodilupo, Mr. & Mrs. Ron Manganaro Minutes from the June 1, 2006 meeting and the July 6, 2006 meeting were reviewed or approved una n imously. Time Off Policy: Mr. & Mrs. Capodilupo spoke about the current policy and made suggestions for changes. Their daughter Andrea works for the Recreation Department. Mr. & Mrs. Manganaro also spoke about the current policy and their daughter Becky, who formerly worked for the department. Bruce & Joscelyn reviewed and discussed the policy with the commission and reviewed documentation about the policy from Joscelyn and a parent from Livingstone Park. The commission decided to review the information prior to the next meeting and continue discussions at the October 5, 2006 meeting. Dog Policy Update: Councilor Kevin Hobin attended the meeting to discuss the proposed changes to the dog ordinances. Councilor Hobin asked if the commission was still in favor of the policy proposal approved by the commission last spring. After discussion, it was agreed that the commission is still in favor of their proposal. Councilor Hobin discussed a proposal by Councilor Burke to allow dogs on leash at all parks at all times except during permitted events. After discussion it was agreed that the commission was not in favor of Councilor Burke's proposal. The commission would still like to pursue the creation of dog parks at the four locations previously approved (Henderson Rd., Standley St., Brimbal Ave. Landfill, and Phillips Estate) along with allowing on-leash dogs year round only in the six parks identified in the proposal (Lindsey, Independence Park, Innocenti, Cooney, Colgate, and Dix) except during permitted events. Councilor Hobin will talk to Councilor Burke about these discussions and this topic will be discussed again by the Legal Affairs Committee and City Council this fall. Correspondence: Mark distributed a copy of a letter from the District Attorney's office regarding an email and possible violation of the Open Meeting Law. Mark stated that he had discussed this issue with City Solicitor Roy Gelineau and Mr. Gelineau would be communicating with the DA's office about this issue. Mark & Bruce discussed the Open Meeting Law with commission members and reminded them that emails can only be used to distribute information and cannot be used to deliberate issues. DIRECTORS' REPORTS: Assistant to Director Report - Joscelyn discussed her report regarding projects in progress. These projects included the summer camps and parks, evening enrichment programs, work with the MRPA State Conference Committee and brochure updates. Bruce reported that Joscelyn had been nominated for the 2006 MRPA New Professional of the Year award and that Joscelyn and Bruce would be presenting training sessions at the state conference on 9/25/06. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes - September 7,2006 (Continued) Bruce reviewed his Director's Report and discussed the following issues - 2nd Annual David S. Lynch Appreciation Day - Raised over $2100 this year! 40th Annual Beverly Homecoming - Went very smoothly despite the heat!! 7th Annual Mothers' Softball Tournament - Scheduled for September 29th to October 1st. BUDGET: Enterprise Fund - Started FY 2007 with at least $157,000, up from $93,507 on July 1, 2005. COONEY FIELD: New dugouts have been completed. Johnson Golf is now renovating the infield area with irrigation and all new sod. The outfield area (running track) will be irrigated and repaired in the spring. BLL/HARRY BALL FIELD: The new stands will be installed when DPW can layout the area and the contractor can put in the concrete pad. BEVERLY YOUTH COLLABORATION: Bruce received great news from Mary Grant in June that the $300,000 state earmark funding for the McPherson Center was approved. Gail and Bruce attended a meeting in Boston to discuss the process for getting reimbursed for project expenditures. Bruce will be working with the YMCA staff to implement the collaboration's plans. VITALE SITE: Bruce received a call from Councilor at Large Flaherty about an order filed by Councilor at Large Coughlin about naming the Vitale Site "Watershed Park". Tim wanted to get the commission involved in the naming process. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT UPDATES/ADA ISSUES: All Parks: 270 yards (3 full trucks) of wood fiber ($4500) was delivered to Lynch Park overflow lot in the spring. Bruce has talked to the DPW folks about having the mulch distributed to the many parks need replenished safety surfacing. It was suggested that we hire a pumping truck to distribute the mulch. The cost of the truck is $2000 per day and we would need it for at least 3-4 days to distribute most of the mulch. The DPW folks have not had the resources to distribute the wood fiber this summer. Deb Ploszay suggested contacting the school PTO groups about adopting parks in their areas and spreading the wood fiber if DPW can truck it to each location. Lynch Park: The slide was repaired this summer with the great help of the DPW folks saving us $1300 in installation costs. Bruce spoke with Mike Bouchard about the plan to install the new swings near Woodbury Beach. This will be on the list of projects to be completed, including all of the ADA and safety issues that need to be resolved. Wentworth Drive Tot Lot: Bruce discussed the request for a new fence and more wood fiber. New black chain link fence with locking gate is estimated between $1100 and $1600. Wood fiber will be added as needed. The neighbors raised over $600 with a neighborhood yard sale. It was decided to use the contractor who estimated the cost of the new fence at $1100 and fund the balance through the Friends account. Neighbors are also planning to install some new landscape timbers at base of fence before the mulch is distributed. Complete List of ADA/Safety Issues: Bruce distributed the complete list of tasks for each park and discussed some of the items. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes - September 7,2006 (Continued) OTHER ITEMS: Gazebo @ Dane Street Beach - Chase Clements agreed at the July meeting to look into other potential projects in the Lothrop Street area. It was suggested that maybe raising money for new playground equipment at Dane Street or working with the Engineering Department to install period lighting instead of the basic street lights in the area. Commission Updates - Patty Adams is stepping down from the Open Space and Recreation Committee and the commission will need to appoint another member to this committee. Mayor Scanlon has recommended two citizens, Mike Ralbovsky and Jeff Rubin, to fill vacant spots on the Parks & Recreation Commission. Bruce thanked Joscelyn, Gail, Jean, and his entire summer staff for their tremendous efforts and support throughout the summer Meeting was adjourned at 9:00PM. Respectfully submitted, Bruce Doig Beverly Recreation Department