Park & Recreation Meeting Minutes

                        

The meeting was opened by Commissioner Patrick Roche at 6:30 pm. The next meeting of the Park and Recreation will March 23, 2016 at 6:30 pm.

Rick Thibeault stated The American Legion would like to hold a meeting with P&R and the Board of Selectmen.  They have no problem with P&R crossing land for the wells.  They will need their issue with the BOS resolved first.  The Town is charging $5,000 for the use of property.  The Legion wants to swap land with the Town.  They will either do a land swap with the town or charge P&R $5,000 rent annually for the water lines on their property.  Pat stated P&R cannot afford $5,000 annually.   Darcie stated the Legion wants to let P&R use but the Town is not cooperating.  There has to be some give and take, they don’t want to charge rent but the Board of Selectmen and American Legion need to come to an agreement first.

Bills were reviewed and approved.  Minutes were reviewed and approved.  

Stephen Keene saw the article in the paper about needing more employees to mow the lawn at Whalley Park.  They thought they could help out with the properties.  Pat stated 25 acres of land would need to be mowed weekly.  The lawn grows quickly during peak season as it is irrigated and fertilized.  The lawn on the fields would need to be mowed tight.  KeeneKut will provide a quote.  

Mike Shiel with the High School boys and girls soccer would like to be considered to use the fields again this summer.  Last season was very successful and they received a lot of appraisal on the fields and lights.  They will have four teams and start the end of June until the first week of August for two nights a week, 11 games total.  They will have 5 or 6 home games with a total of 20-22 games.  Last season Mike helped with the mowing, nets and lining the fields.  He would be willing to help again this year.  They have insurance and will provide a copy to P&R.  They charge $70 per kid and have 80 kids.  He suggests putting a line as a barrier for the spectators as people got too close to the game last year.   

The Board of Selectmen is requesting stop signs be put back up at the park in areas per Sergeant Sanders recommendation.  Dave stated we should have some stop signs up at the park for liability reasons.  

Review John O’Sullivan request for field use.

Review Berkshire Soccer schedule.  

P&R is waiting for MOD and MIA inspection results.  John Westcott will give results to P&R when he receives.   

  

Brooks would like P&R to arrange for Dig Safe to come out to Miller Road and mark the area for the barrier installation.  They will also need Dig Safe mark the rail trail for the bench installation.  Brooks stated there is a fiber optic cable on the east side of the trail.  The Miller Road kiosk plexi glass was vandalized.  They will be getting a quote to have it replaced.  The Friends Group has tried to clean it but the markings would not come off.   They will need mulch for the areas around the kiosks.  Last year it was donated and delivered.  Christy will contact the co again this year.  They need gravel to clean up the Miller Road parking area.  Pat will have Crestview provide a quote.  Christy stated they just need the gravel, they will do the rest.  They are in the process of updating the trail business map.  The Friends Group would like to hold a bike poster contest.  Pat said P&R will donate two bikes for the grand winners, a boys bike and girls bike.  Brooks would like to restore mural in the tunnel.  He will contact the Art teacher at the High School.  

March 26, 2016 – 11:00am at Whalley Park.  The hunt will be divided into three age groups.  Cara will contact the High School for volunteers and advertize.  

No new business.  

8:26 pm  Jeanne Reed-Waldron motioned to adjourn the meeting; David DeiDolori seconded the motion. The meeting was called to a close.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jeanne Reed-Waldron

John Whalley

Patrick Roche

David DeiDolori

Mike Massarelli