Park & Recreation Meeting Minutes

Members in Attendance:  

Patrick Roche, Jeanne Reed-Waldron, John Whalley, Mike Massarelli, David DeiDolori and Cara Cartello

Guests:

Dean Sleeper

The meeting was opened by Commissioner Patrick Roche at 6:30 pm. The next meeting of the Park and Recreation will September 21, 2016 at 6:30pm.

There was no public comment

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

John, Pat, a volunteer and two of John’s employees weeded all the ball fields today for 10 hours.  Down Under irrigation put in two more zones and extended two of the current zones to prevent dead areas.  They added heads behind the sign off the 70’ field.  John Whalley and seven others put in soccer benches over the period of six hours.  There are four more benches to be installed on the ball fields.  Cara has contacted Kim Lamarche about her concerns of the Whalley Park deed.  Kim said she would come to this evenings meeting to further discuss.  Mike Shiel and Chris Whalley approached Mike Massarelli about using the soccer fields with no lights for high school soccer practice at 3:15-4:45 from Sept 5, 2016 to October 27, 2016.  They would use the fields approximately 20-24 days.  In exchange for field time they would be willing to maintain, mark and mow the field.  John Whalley said they can use the field at the back bottom for their drills and practices.  They can use the back part of the upper soccer field for scrimmages.   They will need to cover the cost of the field lining paint.  Pat doesn’t mind the schools using the fields but the school doesn’t help us out when we ask.  

Dean reported that the spindles for the blades on the rail trail mower broke.  He received a quote from R&R of $155.40 for new spindles.  John Whalley motioned to approve $155.40 for spindles to fix the Rail Trail mower; Dave DeiDolori seconded and the motion was approved.  R&R provided a quote to fix all the problems on the mower.  To fix everything it would cost $2,163.  P&R decided not to fix everything at this time.  Payroll budget for rail trail employee is limited.  Dean will start working every other week.  He is working this week and will have next week off etc.  Brooks Martin reports the trail has been getting even more use with the less humid weather.  The trash at Miller Road will need to be emptied every week.  The trash is currently being emptied bi-weekly.  Pat asked Dean to empty on Fridays when he works.  The doggie bags were pulled out of the Dog Waste Station at Miller road and threw on the ground.  The Friends of Southwick Rail Trail will perform a trail usage count this month.

John Westcott’s contract with the town expired on August 31, 2016.  The park renovations seem to be currently on hold.  Cara will check to see who will be completing renovations and a time frame.  

Jeanne Reed-Waldron is going to step-down from P&R representative to CPC.  John Whalley would like to represent P&R.  Jeanne Reed-Waldron motioned to appoint John Whalley as P&R CPC representative; Mike Massarelli seconded and the motion was approved.

The Rugged Maniac will be September 24th and 25th.  P&R will be parking cars at Whalley Park that weekend.  

Dave Sutton is holding a bike fun for One Call Away.  They would like to use Whalley Park to hold their event on October 8, 2016.  P&R will get profit from concessions.  We will apply for 1 day liquor license and contact food trucks.  

Cara will contact Santa for this year’s Children’s Christmas Party to see when he is available.  

Jeanne is working on putting together a 5K Run at Whalley Park for Columbus Day 2017.

7:59 pm John Whalley motioned to adjourn the meeting; Mike Massarelli seconded the motion. The meeting was called to a close.

Submitted by:

Jeanne Reed-Waldron

John Whalley 

Patrick Roche

David DeiDolori

Mike Massarelli