MINUTES OF THE RAYNHAM PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
February 4, 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, Program Coordinator Katie Berry, Childcare Administrator Bonnie Brady, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Following a brief review, a motion was made by Alan, seconded by Scott, to accept as printed the minutes of the January 7, 2004 Raynham Park and Recreation Commission meeting. A unanimous vote followed.
Present were Town Administrator Randy Buckner and Town Planner Richard McCarthy, Jr. to discuss aspects of the Community Preservation Act with the Commission. According to McCarthy, the Open Space Recreation Plan of 2002 targeted the pursuit of passage of this Act as a goal. Tenets of this Act include the acquisition of open space for both active and passive recreation, the preservation of historic parcels, and housing. These would be funded, in part, by a surcharge on property tax bills and by state reimbursements which will be funded through higher fees at the Registry of Deeds. The average $200,000 home will generate an annual surcharge of 3%, or $43.29. State reimbursements will fall in the 5 to100 percent range. A local committee will oversee the Act locally, and will be comprised
of between 5 and 9 members, including representatives of the Conservation Commission, Planning Board Housing, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
Of the total funds generated annually, a minimum of ten percent each must be earmarked for housing, recreation, and historic preservation. The remaining 70 percent will be distributed among the three categories according to committee-identified needs.
Implementation of this Act will require both town meeting and ballot votes. Failure to achieve town meeting vote could result in a citizens’ petition to get it on the ballot. Area towns where this has passed include Easton and Wareham. Locally, support of this Act has been given by the Conservation Commission and the Historical Commission, and Randy indicated that the Board of Selectmen may support a Town Meeting vote. Following a motion made by Alan and seconded by Scott, the Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to support the advancement of the CPA towards Town Meeting.
RYBSA president Bob McCabe asked for a status report on the fields at the Raynham Middle School (RMS), adding that RYBSA would like access to these fields for games and practices. Scott responded that a report indicating what needs to be done was sent to the Department by B-R turf consultant John Ralli, but the questions of who will do this work and who will pay for it remain. It was felt that a meeting needs to be held with AD Bill Walker, RMS principal Paul Greuter, Jen, Scott, Bob McCabe, and Save Our Sports president Scott Vetstein. Scott said that he would contact Greuter the following day.
Scott asked McCabe about unpaid concession stand phone bills and whether it is necessary to maintain a town phone line there. Alan suggested that RYBSA have its own phone in service during the months of April through August. McCabe said that he will bring this idea to his board and get back to us.
McCabe indicated that the infield grass on Field 6 will be re-done in August after the season and they are getting new bases for all of the fields. Season Opening Day will be held on April 25, with registrations taking place this weekend. RYBSA will be hosting the 10-Year Olds State Tournament in early July. Bridgewater and Raynham Babe Ruth leagues have joined together.
Jen reported on the following:
· Her computer has experienced a complete meltdown, which was repairable, but all files were lost.
· An insurance adjuster has visited the office regarding the damage caused by the frozen pipes.
· that RYS president Chris Bodensieck has gotten back to us regarding TMLP meter numbers, and the Arruda Field private area lighting and power for the concession stand is billed directly to RYS. Alan made a motion that the burden of these expenses be shifted entirely to RYS. Scott seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
· that the department will co-sponsor, along with the Early Childhood Parents Organization (ECPO) a May Town Meeting warrant article to raise or appropriate $40,000 for Merrill School playground equipment. This figure is expected to cover playground apparatus appropriate for children of preschool ages through grade one, as well as fencing. ECPO plans to pay the installation costs and engineered wood for ground covering and asks that the Department consider providing benches and trash containers.
· That a marketing plan is being developed for the proposed kindergarten “wrap-around program,” which would provide extended childcare hours for half-day kindergarten students. These students would have childcare available to them during their non-kindergarten class time hours on school days between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., as needed by their working parents. The pilot program will start small, with as few as 15 students initially, and enrollment will probably be done by a lottery drawing. Total capacity of our newly-renovated childcare space will not be known until it has been inspected by the Building Inspector. Three full-time qualified
staff members will be needed, and other cost considerations include benefits, substitute teachers, and professional development. Bob recommends delaying the start of this program for another full school year, since we do not have an exact move-in date at this point. A sub-committee will be formed to provide the extremely detailed planning involved and to meet with OCCS. Scott made a motion to delay the implementation of the wrap-around program until the start of the 2005-2006 school year. Alan seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed. Early childhood principal Tony Caputo will be alerted to these plans. Bob, Jen, and Bonnie will go through the PAL handbook and begin planning for our program.
· 2004 field request permits have gone out and groups are looking for ways to get around the fee increase. It has been suggested by group members that the fee be waived in light of proposed work or improvements already provided. Bob stated that we do not want to set a precedence and that its important to remain objective among all groups. Alan pointed out that complaints about field conditions should be forwarded to the Department, rather than the groups taking the work on themselves. The bottom line is that the Department’s budget remains level-funded year after year while we maintain the same level of service; therefore, it becomes
necessary to increase the field-use fees. Users of Reid Field on Elm St. W. have requested a lock on the gate to keep out vandals.
· The Raynham Barrel Horse Association has forwarded its 2004 schedule for approval, and has paid its fee and provided proof of insurance coverage. Scott made the motion, seconded by Alan, and the schedule was unanimously accepted.
· Coyle has forwarded a request for the use of McKenney Field, and approval is pending B-R’s requests. Northbrook School has also made field use inquiries. A local CYO basketball group is requesting permission to utilize the public school gyms under the town’s umbrella policy. In this case, Bob suggests that the group contact their diocese for insurance coverage. A two-week summer basketball camp is being proposed for Bridgewater and Raynham children in June and July. Questions were posed by the Commissioners for which there were no answers known. Bob stated that this program’s proposer, Kristen Clarke, needs to go
through the proper channels through the school department.
Bob stated that the town has budgeted $40,000 for the demolition of the old garage, and he recommends a town meeting transfer from Park Revolving for the purchases of storage containers. He presented brochures for containers. No footings or foundations are required. A timely purchase and installation will allow the Park workers to remain on-site, rather than reporting to the Highway Dept. for a limited period. Jen will contact Morton Buildings to make an appointment with a rep. and get the bottom line figures. Warrant article drafts are due Feb. 15, along with the FY05 budget figures.
Bob has spoken with John Montagna of the COA about having a shed built near the bocce courts. Alan made a motion that the COA be notified that this plan has met the Department’s approval. Scott seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
Those present reviewed the Department’s first draft of the FY05 budget, which, in accordance with the Finance Committee’s directive, is to be level-funded with the exception of a 3% increase for the director’s salary, which amounts to $1,320. This current fiscal year’s major shortfall, the Expenses account, was increased with the difference coming from 04’s 53 wk. wages year and 05’s 52 wk. wages year.
Jennifer offered to give up her Department-supported cell phone and utilize her personal cell phone for business-related calls, a savings of approximately $500 a year. This $500 will be used to buffer postage and paper expense lines, and Commissioners expressed their gratitude for her generosity.
Commissioners reviewed a work proposal submitted by Commercial Communications of Worcester, MA which outlines the work and a quotation for the installation of a security intercom system at the foyer of the new childcare space in the Merrill School. In addition, a separate phone line will be installed for the program’s answering machine and credit-card transactions, and speakers will be connected to the school’s PA system. A unanimous favorable vote followed a motion made by Alan to accept Commercial Communications’ proposal and quote for the amount of $1,342.50, and a second made by Scott.
The following Park and Recreation Commission meeting schedule was set for Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at the Senior Center: March 9, April 6, May 4, and June 1.
Alan extended kudos to Katie on a well-run basketball program, and to SJ on successful ticket sales for “The Lion King.” He noted the recent article in “The Raynham Call” newspaper, which praised the Department. Scott concurred.
The Department will look into a service contract for the furnace; area oil companies will be contacted.
Katie reported that the adult yoga classes are a big hit; sixteen adults are registered and looking forward to a second session of the class later in the spring. Our youth basketball scorers are assisting with the K-1 instructional basketball on Saturdays and its working out well. Former summer playground employees have been sent a letter and asked to indicate whether they are interested in coming back to work the summer of 2004 program.
SJ asked Commissioners to sign prepared vouchers while at this meeting. Noting that Borden Colony’s 25th anniversary will fall in 2006, she presented information on commemorative Christmas ornaments which would feature scenes around Borden Colony and could be sold as fundraisers at Raynham Pride Days. Commissioners asked that she follow up on this idea. She further noted that Randy Buckner has asked that Park and Recreation meetings, agendas, and minutes be posted on the town’s website. Lastly, she presented the current account balances to the Commission.
Bonnie reported that everything is going well at day care, where she has instituted a behavior mod / morale raffle, which the children enjoy immensely.
At 9:15 p.m., a motion was made to table the regular meeting and enter into Executive Session for the discussion of client privacy and personnel matters. The regular meeting was reconvened at 9:32 p.m. for the sole purpose of adjournment. A roll-call vote followed with all in favor.
Sincerely,
SJ Blanchard
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary
| 
