MINUTES OF THE RAYNHAM PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
May 5, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
Raynham Senior Center, 2215 King Philip Street, Raynham, MA
In Attendance: Robert H. Smith, Scott Murdoch and Alan McRae, Director Jennifer Hruniak, Program Coordinator Katie Berry, Childcare Supervisor Bonnie Brady, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
Outgoing Chairman Robert H. Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and requested nominations for chairman. Scott nominated Alan and Bob seconded the nomination. No discussion followed, and Scott and Bob voted for the nomination; Alan abstained. Alan thanked Bob for his excellent leadership, and Scott concurred.
Following a brief review, a motion was made by Scott, seconded by Bob, to accept as printed the minutes of the April 5, 2004 Raynham Park and Recreation Commission meeting. A unanimous vote followed.
Joe Bettencourt of the School Building Committee presented an update on the work done in the department’s childcare space at Merrill School. The school district’s original renovation plans called only for the installation of new windows and a sprinkler system, and that the space would remain the School Superintendent’s offices. It was then realized that these offices would need to remain open throughout this work, which would be extremely intrusive and disruptive. This reason, combined with the Superintendent’s need for additional space, led to these offices being vacated in favor of the second floor of LaLiberte. Thanks to some lobbying before the committee by former Commissioner Bill Barber, this vacated space was dedicated to the Park and Rec’s childcare
program. The initial renovation estimate was in excess of $90,000, which Joe found to be unacceptable. The Park and Rec. Dept. put $30,000 at his disposal, and the end result is a renovated, according-to-code, furnished space, which will be utilized at the start of this summer’s Playground Program. Joe presented an itemization of exactly where and how the funds were spent (see Attachment A). On behalf of the Department and the children of Raynham, Bob expressed his sincere thanks to Joe for all of his efforts.
RYS president Chris Bodensieck said that he is not in favor of either the Taunton Espirito Tu Santos group or the Dighton group being permitted to use the soccer fields, as too many out-of-towner groups are using the fields and they are getting beat up. He also mentioned that there was recent vandalism on the Arruda Field, with the coach lanterns on the entrance pillars being smashed.
Bob made a motion to approve the Borden Colony field-use request of the Raynham ODP coaches, with an assessed fee of $250. Scott seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed; Chris indicated that RYS was also in favor of this.
Chris reported that his board has voted against paying its 1/3 share of the cost of the Trac-Vac. He was clearly uncomfortable with the outcome of this vote, and he said that he would bring it before them a second time for a reconsideration in light of the fact that both the youth football and RYBSA have each paid their 1/3 shares. He asked that the Commissioners send a letter to his board, urging its compliance, which they have agreed to do.
Jen informed Chris that complaints continue to come in from the Legion Club, regarding the use of its restrooms by soccer players and fans. Recently, a bridal shower was disrupted by numerous players barging through and waiting in long lines for the restrooms. The possibility of requiring weekend user groups to rent a porta-potty in addition to its user fee was discussed. Alan asked that all teams which have been permitted be notified that the use of the clubrooms facilities is off-limits.
Scott asked whether any contact has been made with RMS principal Paul Greuter (no). Scott expressed concern that the fields will be beat up by unpermitted field use. Alan suggested submitting a list of permitted field users to RPD on a weekly basis.
Account balances were reviewed. Of the $61,515 currently in the Park Revolving account, $40,000 will go towards the new Merrill playground, $6,000 to basketball court resurfacing, and additional monies for seasonal help wages through June. Bob recommends using the FY04 Borden Colony funds sparingly for seasonal help, in order to carry over as much as possible for the utilities and completion of the new garage.
Jen reported that the Lions Club lease expired April 30, 2003. She will have Town Counsel Marc Antine draw up a new 5-yr. lease agreement, similar to the old one with no rent payments in exchange for refurbishing the building and property upkeep. Scott asked that language be inserted into the new lease, asking that the commission and Department be kept informed of any improvements made. Bob suggested that the club be informed of the new lease process and ask that a representative come to a Commission meeting and give an update of past improvements, as well as their future five-year plan.
Jen presented Commissioners with Vermont Tennis Courts’ estimates for resurfacing the outdoor basketball court ($5,630) and repairing the four post footings which hold the nets on the outdoor tennis courts ($485 each or $1940 total). Bob made a motion to accept both quotes; Scott seconded and a unanimous vote followed.
Jen presented her summer maintenance and playground staff recommendations for hire (see Attachment B). For the preschool program, Bob made a motion to accept those recommended; Scott seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed. For grades K – 4, motion Bob; Alan second, Bob and Alan voting in favor and Scott abstaining. For grades 5 – 8 and the summer maintenance staff, each of the motions Scott, Alan seconded each, both voted in favor and Bob abstained from each vote.
Jen recommended the hiring of teacher-aide Rebecca Null as an afternoon group leader. She will replace Gregg Sypher, who is resigning, as is Ryan Protz. Motion, Bob; second Alan, unanimous vote to hire Ms. Null at $10/hr.
Scott said that he’s heard no word of the Legion Baseball Team returning for games or to do more work on the field. He reported that the fence at McKenney Field is in need of repairs, and the backstop is curling. Relative to the RMS athletic fields, Bob suggested taking the project before the town’s Capital Planning Committee as a significant town improvement.
Bob reminded all of the May 17th annual town meeting and of the need to have the 2005 Borden Colony account total, including interest, prior to the start of the meeting.
He asked that letters be drafted to Joe Bettencourt, Mike Gallagher, John Noblin, and Frank Campbell, thanking each for their volunteer efforts towards the completion of the childcare space at the Merrill School.
Bob added that RYBSA’s opening day went extraordinarily well, with a special tribute to the late Jack Lynn.
Jen reported that:
· Dawn Cambra of Women’s Softball is concerned because the group’s coverage has been dropped by their insurance company. Scott provided a contact for Dawn to look into.
· Katie has been granted two additional years seniority, based on the number of hours she has worked for the town in the past as a seasonal worker. She will be a Step II, Unit B, effective on her anniversary date, May 14. This pay increase was anticipated and figured into the FY05 budget.
· The new dump truck should be ready for delivery in 2-3 wks. Alan urged that all drivers of department vehicles observe safe speeds at all times.
· She has finished designing the summer brochure, and it has gone to the School Superintendent’s office for distribution approval.
· There will be a trip to Miami for the Patriots game Dec. 17-21: 20 tix are available for the 4-night stay and 10 tix are available for a 3-night stay. Jen will be accompanying that trip and the July Red Sox trip to Baltimore’s Camden Yard. To date, 42 have signed up for that trip; an additional 10 people will fill the bus. Katie will be accompanying the October trip to Camden Yard; to date, 16 have signed up for that trip.
· She has looked into other firms that provide website hosting specific to Parks and Rec. Departments and has found them to be very costly. Currently, the department is paying $35/mo. for a website that needs more timely updates and to be made more attractive. Jen has found a Bridgewater firm which will charge a hosting fee of $24/mo., plus a one-time fee of $1,250 for new site development. She will continue to seek other sources and this matter was tabled until the June meeting.
Katie gave an explanation of this summer’s new CIT (counselor in training) volunteer program. Young teens will have specific days that they are to assist with the two younger groups, and in exchange, they may attend the oldest group’s field trips at no charge.
Katie and Bonnie explained their need for a new office PC system. Katie provided a proposal from Dell Computers to provide a Dimension 2400 PC system with printer and free shipping for $688, less a $100 rebate. Bonnie explained that she’d like to make the old computer available at the childcare site for student use. Bob suggested purchasing three new computers for the office, having Katie’s old computer repaired, and taking the three used office computers to the daycare site, one for Bonnie’s exclusive use at her desk there. He put that into the form of a motion, seconded by Scott, with a unanimous vote following.
Bonnie reported that she held a staff meeting on May 3rd, where being positive role models for children was stressed.
SJ reported that due to lagging Mamma Mia! ticket sales, the box office has agreed to the return of half of the 40 tickets, without penalty. Of the remaining 20 tix, only 9 have been sold.
Commissioners set the following summer meeting schedule: Tuesday, July 6th, starting at 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 3rd, starting at 6 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Sincerely,
SJ Blanchard
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary
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