MINUTES OF THE RAYNHAM PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
March 9, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
Raynham Senior Center, 2215 King Philip Street, Raynham, MA
In Attendance: Chairman Robert H. Smith, Commissioners Scott Murdoch and Alan McRae, Director Jennifer Hruniak, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Following a brief review, a motion was made by Scott, seconded by Alan, to accept as printed the minutes of the February 4, 2004 Raynham Park and Recreation Commission meeting. A unanimous vote followed.
RYBSA president Bob McCabe reported that 2004 registration isn’t yet over, yet field usage is already maxed out. He added that RYBSA may need to utilize South Field this year. This would require a new backstop at a cost of approximately $5,000. In addition, the backstop at Field #5 also needs to be rebuilt. Scott said that he has spoken with RMS principal Paul Greuter and presented him with a copy of John Ralli’s field-work recommendations, but to date, he hasn’t heard back from Greuter. Alan asked what this Board can do to whip a RMS field into shape. The Chairman responded that a coordinator is needed to aggressively approach school officials and get them to act on this. McCabe said that there is evidence of public drinking at the Field 5 dugout and also to the
rear of the complex; Jen will request routine police checks of this area. Scott noted that there has been extensive tire damage to the Burke Field.
The Chairman reported that Department representatives have been asked to attend the March 16 Finance Committee meeting to explain the $6,000 shortfall in the expenses account and the submittal of an emergency transfer request. In addition, there will be a discussion of the Department’s town meeting article requesting the transfer of Park Revolving funds for the purchase of a Space Metal building.
Jen noted that the Reed Brothers annual lease expires on April 30, 2004 and is up for renewal. Scott made a motion that the terms and conditions remain the same - $8,000 for the lease period which runs from May 1, 2004 to April 30, 2005. Alan seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed. The lease will be forwarded to Town Counsel Marc Antine for review prior to signing by the Reed Brothers and the Selectmen.
Olson’s Greenhouses will continue to sublet a portion of the agricultural land; their annual rental fee will increase this year from $1,500 to $1,650. The Chairman asked that the Department advertise for RFPs next fall for the use of the farmland.
Jen reported on the following:
· that Raynham Mother’s Club representative Melanie Cotter has been in touch about the group’s desire to make improvements at the Toddler Playground. The group would like to donate $500 towards the donation of a shade shelter or putting down mulch in place of the sand. Scott made a motion to accept this donation. Alan seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
· that town accountant Nicole Riel has suggested that the Department use the Revolving Account to pay for the Merrill School playground equipment in its entirety, and submit a town meeting article for the construction of a new maintenance building.
· Re: 2004 field use permits – see addendum page. Additional notes: NBHA is requesting a charge of $50 per show, in light of this group’s limited number of shows and the fact that it is providing $12,000 for upgraded riding ring lights. The Chair agreed to the $50 fee in light of the number of dates requested. The Industrial Park League wishes to make monthly payments from April to September towards its annual fee. The Barrel Horse Association’s permit has already been approved; they are submitting an additional date. They have requested permission to prepare and serve limited foods at the site. They have presented
the argument that they alone are responsible for the ring’s electric bill, which is largely comprised of energy costs for the lighting, but that they do not hold any night shows or use these lights. They have suggested that a surcharge be added to the night-time users of the ring, which would be applied towards the electric bill. The Chairman tabled this pending receipt of the first bill. The group has also reported that the sump pump runs constantly, yet the basement remains quite wet. Members have requested additional fill, however Commissioners feel that this is ground water and needs to be addressed through the installation of French drains. Jen will call Rod Palmer about this. The Sunday Mornings Softball group is a Park and Recreation program being organized by Michael Graff of Easton, who successfully ran a similar program there last year. This men’s over 30 recreational softball group will use Reid Field. There is a
possibility that out-of-towners will share this field if Raynham’s numbers are too low for games. There is no fee assessed as this is a department offering. Jen will ask RYS president Chris Bodensieck for a recommendation for per game fees for Mass. Premier Soccer and get back to the Commission. Alan made a motion to accept Jen’s recommendations of field-use permits; Scott seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
The following staff time-off requests were approved by individual unanimous Commission votes:
Jennifer – April 9 and May 3 vacation days; Katie – March 15, 16, 17 comp. days, May 17-21 vacation days, May 24, 25 personal days; Mitch – July 16, 19-23 vacation days; SJ – March 15-17 vacation days, March 26 comp. day, Aug. 6, 9-13, and 16-18 vacation days.
Alan pointed out that the exterior light at the Merrill daycare entrance needs to be lit whenever the space is being utilized. He would also like the Department to look into lighting at the RMS track, for recreational walkers using the track. Jen will also look into having lines painted on the Merrill gym floor, as currently there are no lines on this new flooring and our basketball teams are using traffic cones as markings.
Scott added that the new daycare space is shaping up, and that another successful basketball season is ending, with the Instructional K-1 groups celebrating with a pizza party at this Saturday’s conclusion.
Jen has spoken with Joe Bettencourt who reports that there is $4,700 remaining of the daycare refurbishing funds and that this is over and above the cost of new cubbies. School Specialty, Inc. bills are coming in for the new furnishings and will be applied towards this $4,700. Window shades, soap, and paper towel dispensers have been installed and the new furnishings are arriving daily. Work towards an occupancy permit will now be started, with plans to utilize this space for the summer playground program.
Scott made a motion to approve the hiring of Katherine Pittinger as a new daycare staffer at the starting rate of $8/hr. Alan seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
A local women’s recreational basketball league is awaiting approval for its use of the LaLiberte gym on Thursday evenings.
The Department is sponsoring the following programs:
· Raynham Night at Campanelli Stadium for the Brockton Rox, June 14th.
· Trips to Baltimore for Red Sox games, July 26-28 and October 1-3.
· Sixth annual town Egg Hunt, April 3, rain date April 4.
· Theatre trip to “MammaMia!” on June 24.
At 7:30 p.m., a motion was made to table the regular meeting and enter into Executive Session for the discussion of a personnel matter. The regular meeting was reconvened at 7:35 p.m. for the sole purpose of adjournment. A roll-call vote followed with all in favor.
Sincerely,
SJ Blanchard
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary
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