2008-03-06
City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Parks and Recreation Commission
Subcommittee:
Date: March 6, 2008
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Mark Casey, Bill Lowd, Jack O'Neil, Mike Ralbovsky, Jeff Rubin
Board members absent: Brian Chirco, Jan Jefgood
Others present: Recreation Director Bruce Doig, Assistant Director Joscelyn Ruelle-Kersker
Meeting called to order at 7:10PM.
Minutes: The 1/3/08 meeting minutes and the 2/7/08 meeting minutes were both unanimously approved.
Communications/Correspondence: Jack requested that a copy of the BYSA proposal for Birch Plains be
distributed to the commission members. Jack discussed the BYSA proposal and the meeting with Mayor Scanlon.
Mark also shared correspondence regarding reappointments to the commission for Mark and Mike.
Director's Report: Bruce discussed the following items during his report -
RECENT EVENTS:
NPSI Course & CPSI Certification Test - March 3-5 @ Franklin Park, Boston - Bruce attended this course with
Mike Bouchard, DPW Maintenance Supervisor.
Annual Field Summit - January 31, 2008 - Small turnout. Bruce will be contacting groups individually to get out
information.
New England Youth Sports Festival- February 22-24 @ Gillette Stadium - Bruce reported that there were
great educational sessions for adults but they were not well attended. Bad weather may have kept people away.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Dog Park Subcommittee Meeting - Scheduled for Monday, March 10th, 7:00PM @ Senior Center
INNOCENTI PARK / MCPHERSON YOUTH CENTER:
Outside work is on hold until the spring due to the snow and ice. Power has been restored to the building but
there have been problems with the heat and some broken pipes. They are planning a grand reopening for the
building in March.
FY 2008/2009 BUDGETS:
Enterprise Fund - Bruce reported a balance of $122,700 before most camp registrations are deposited.
City Budget - Bruce reported that they will be looking for additional funding in FY 2009 for minimum wage
increases. They will be increasing everyone to a minimum wage of $8.00/hour, lifeguards to $8.25/hour. Everyone
received at least $.25 per hour increase. The total increase in Part Time Salaries will be about $6300 with about
$2600 going to camp counselor increases (Enterprise Fund) and about $3700 going to increases for park
instructors, supervisors and lifeguards. A vote to approve these increases passed unanimously.
LYNCH PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE / LYNCH PARK CARRIAGE HOUSE: The LPAC has scheduled several
events for this year including a wedding vow renewal ceremony (9/13), Homecoming open house (David S. Lynch
Appreciation Day, 10/9) and a concert. Details to follow.
The LPAC is also looking to do additional temporary improvements to the carriage house to make it more usable
for functions and to meet the requirements of the Building Inspector. Committee members have met with Mike
Collins to discuss these updates. Mike has been very cooperative in planning these improvements.
Bruce will be presenting a new "lease" agreement to the GBA soon.
FIELD PEMITS/MRPA YOUTH SPORTS COMMITTEE:
As part of the MRPA Youth Sports Committee Bruce has had meetings with the Central, Cape, South Shore, West
and Northeast MRPA regions. He is planning to schedule a meeting with the Metro West region this spring.
Several great discussions were held concerning issues identified by this committee.
As of right now there are no major conflicts for field permits. Several groups (Babe Ruth, Legion, ITL,
NSBL) are working together to try and make space available for all groups if possible at Cooney Field and Balch.
BHS will not be available after June due to construction of the new wing.
BHS RENOVATIONS:
Mayor Scanlon has been pushing for 2 artificial turf fields at BHS when renovations are completed. One field
would be a stadium with lights and stands where the existing tennis courts are located. The other field will be
inside the existing track, hopefully with lights.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT UPDATES / ADA ISSUES:
Bruce met with Art Daignault to discuss progress against the city's ADA Transition Plan. Art is working with Mike
Collins to get resources to begin working on the many items identified in the plan.
Lynch Park Swings - Bruce met with Steve Dibble to review the work necessary for these swings to be installed.
Work to be paid for by the Lynch Trustees.
Bessie Baker (5-12 structure) - Bruce received estimates for new equipment from three vendors. May put the
project out to bid.
Dane Street Beach - Will be looking for estimates to add more equipment.
Cove Playground (2-5 & 5-12 structures) - Received estimates for new equipment from three vendors.
Project scheduled for fall 2008 or spring 2009 if we can get the neighborhood involved.
MPHW /YMCA HEALTHY WEIGHT TASK FORCE:
As part of the YMCA Healthy Weight Task Force, Bruce is meeting regularly with several people to start a Beverly
on the Move initiative to address healthy weight issues in Beverly. Bruce has worked with the YMCA to schedule a
elementary school track meet on April 1ih at BHS.
DOG PARK SUBCOMMITTEE:
There was a meeting on Tuesday, February 19th that was only attended by Brad Gaige, Joscelyn and Bruce. The
group reviewed the draft dog park plan for Henderson Road and discussed possible fundraising efforts.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 10th at 7:00PM at the Senior Center.
The committee would still like to get more citizens involved in this committee to help with the planning and
implementation of this dog park. Some folks have already asked to participate and others may be interested.
Mayor Scanlon would like to have a meeting with Chief Ray, Jim Lindley and Mike Collins to iron out details
regarding the dog park and other ordinance issues.
OTHER ITEMS:
OSRC: Sally Milligan Park - New signs still needed. Mike spoke with the Open Space and Recreation
Committee and they are still moving forward with plans to put kiosks in many areas including Sally Milligan Park.
The text regarding the Santin Propety will be included in this new signage.
Assistant Director's Report: Joscelyn distributed copies of her report and discussed the items listed including
Summer Camp and Parks updates, Evening Enrichment updates and updates to the Bev Rec web site.
Long Range Planning: Mark handed out folders with information for the long-range planning discussions for our
next meeting.
Park Tour: It was decided that we would schedule a park tour for the commission on March 29th at 7:00AM
meeting at Lynch Park.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce Doig
Director, Recreation Department