MINUTES OF THE RAYNHAM PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
June 1, 2004, 6:00 p.m.
Raynham Senior Center, 2215 King Philip Street, Raynham, MA
In Attendance: Chairman Alan McRae (arrived 6:36 p.m.), Robert H. Smith, and Scott Murdoch, Director Jennifer Hruniak, Program Coordinator Katie Berry, Childcare Supervisor Bonnie Brady, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
Robert H. Smith called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m., noting the anticipated late arrival of the Chairman.
Following a brief review, a motion was made by Scott, seconded by Bob, to accept as printed the minutes of the May 4, 2004 Raynham Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Bob amended the date given in the heading of the minutes from “May 5, 2004” to “May 4, 2004”; and on page 2, paragraph 4, Rebecca Null’s hourly rate was amended to read “$9.00 per hour,” rather than “$10.00 per hour.” With these two corrections so noted, a unanimous vote followed.
Jennifer introduced Doug Spear of Boy Scout Troop 79, and briefly outlined his proposal to build an information kiosk at Johnson’s Pond as his Eagle Scout project. Accompanying Doug were his parents. Doug explained that he has worked with the Wild and Scenic Committee of the Upper Taunton River, doing surveys from which action plans have been developed. The Committee has agreed to fund the kiosk project, and Doug presented Commissioners with a draft plan. The structure will be built 75 ft. from the water, using pressure-treated posts in 2 ft. deep concrete footings. It will feature two display sides with locking Plexiglas covers and a cedar-shingle roof. It will be 6.5 ft. tall, 8 ft. with the roof, and it will be situated near the fountain and memorial. Bob suggested
using 3 X 5 ft. Homosote for the display surfaces, and stressed that Dig Safe must be contacted beforehand. Doug anticipates having 10 Scouts spend one day constructing this, and that the troop will remain responsible for its upkeep. SJ expressed a concern with condensation forming beneath the Plexiglas and obscuring any posted information, and possible ways to vent the interior surface will be explored. Jennifer recommended giving the go-ahead on this project, and Scott made a motion that the Commission support proceeding with it. Bob seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
Following Jen’s recommendations of approvals for each, Scott made a motion to accept the following field-use requests. Bob seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
1. Legion Adult Baseball – This group plans to replace the entire backstop at McKenney Field. Scott noted a recent conflict between this group’s practice time and scheduled Babe Ruth games, and he asked that Jen check for this.
2. Larry Keith Vocal Studios – a voice recital to be held Sept. 18 at the gazebo. Jen will inquire as to how many students are from Raynham before assessing a user fee.
3. RYS approved Espirito Santo’s use of the Legion soccer field on the following Sundays: June 13 and 27, Aug. 15, Sept. 12, Oct. 24, and Nov. 7, with the provision that the group rents a porta-potty for each field use. Bob asked Jen to make sure that none of these dates conflicts with Legion events. The fee was set at $125 for a half-season.
4. Raynham Firefighters requesting the use of the Borden Colony softball field on July 16; fee waived.
5. The North River Collaborative (NRC) Family Network requests the use of our Merrill daycare space from 9 to 11 a.m. on Mondays, Sept. 2004 to June 2005.
Jen reported that six teams have been formed through the new Sunday Mornings Men’s Softball association. The group requests permission to paint the shed at Reid Field, and Commissioners stated that the group must provide the paint and labor and get prior Department approval of the color.
Victor Santos of the Industrial League requests that Reid Field’s gate be locked in an attempt to provide security and prevent people from driving on the field. Commissioners and Jen were concerned that townspeople would not have access to the field if it was locked, but Scott said that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep drivers off the field. It was felt that there is a secondary access, and all concurred that locking the gate wouldn’t be a problem if the secondary access is available.
A brief discussion on the revolving account followed. Town Acct. Nicole Riel has informed Jen that income from the summer programs can be earmarked towards related ‘05 expenses, even if deposited prior to the June 30th fiscal year end. Income and expenses in the near future include: $11,446 towards ball trips, $11,185 towards playground programs, $7,900 for basketball and tennis court repairs, and $4,600 for the new mower. In addition, an additional $10,000 is anticipated in daycare income through the end of the school year.
Bob stressed that the big fall project will be the maintenance building. Alternatives to a SPACE Metal building are being considered, as steel prices have recently risen some 20-30 percent. Bob feels that some funds for the building’s completion can come from the revolving and Borden Colony accounts, as well as the Capital Planning Committee. He noted that large clumps of grass remained after mowing on the Burke Field, and asked that Jen have Mitch rectify this. He also asked that Jen inquire at RF Morse about turf management seminars that the full-time field maintenance staff could attend.
To another of Bob’s questions, Jen responded that the work on the tennis courts is slated to take place during the first or second week of June.
Bob made motions, each seconded by Scott and followed by unanimous votes, to approve the following days off for staff members: SJ – personal day Fri., 6/4; comp or vacation days Tues., 6/8, Fri., 7/2, Fri., 9/3, and Fri., 11/12. Jennifer – vacation day Fri., 6/18.
Scott said that Bob McCabe has approached him about the fact that Mitch isn’t using the vac and that McKenney Field has a lot of clumps of dead grass. The leagues had purchased the vac and it is obvious that it’s not being used; its use is imperative during this wet growing season. He asked about the timeframe for the replacement of the backstop at the McKenney Field by the Legion group.
Alan noted that the grass around the picnic tables in front of the LaLiberte School is a foot high and frequent weedwacking there is necessary. Jen told him that she will be doing an orientation with the seasonal help. Raynham resident and “Voice of the Patriots” sports announcer Gil Santos is being inducted into the New England Sports Hall of Fame. Bob made a motion that Alan and SJ draft a letter of congratulations on behalf of the Commission. Scott seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
Jen reported that when RF Morse indicated that they will be adding a $500 delivery fee to the price of the new John Deere mower purchased from them for $4,690, she found the identical item available from Beacon Rental & Equipment of New Bedford for $4,630 delivered and Beacon is on the state bid list of vendors. The Morse order will be cancelled. The new truck will be delivered any day now. Dorsey and Son Plumbing repaired the burst pipes and restored running water upstairs in the office. The insurance adjuster returned and we are awaiting an insurance check for the woodworking repairs necessary to close in the pipes. The plumbers told Jen that they found a great deal of mice droppings throughout the upstairs and in the walls. Commissioners approved the hiring of an exterminator
and Jen will inquire of the town accountant which account this expenditure should be taken from. Jen said that according to Randy, the warrant article for $20,000 for new RMS athletic field fencing should be written for the next town meeting.
Health Agent Alan Perry has requested that Park & Rec. staff become licensed pesticide applicators. The Commissioners concurred that in light of this arduous process and all the ramifications, that the Department will continue to hire outside licensed applicators for our pesticide application needs.
Jen reported that the fountain pump at Johnson’s Pond has been repaired and is in good working order. She continues to look into a new website design, although all current information is now available on our existing website. She has had a great response to the two Red Sox/Baltimore trips, as well as the December Patriots/Miami trip. To date, 50 have signed up for the July trip, 32 for the October trip, and 20 for the December trip.
The money for the new furnace can be accessed at the close of the June 7 continuation of the Annual Town Meeting, according to Town Acct. Nicole Riel.
Katie reported that summer registrations are quickly coming in, and the new daycare space is being settled into. She asked whether appropriate stenciling could be done around the doorframes to brighten the all-white walls, and Commissioners agreed that this was a project to be put off for the time being.
Bonnie added that things are going well and she is anxious to get into our own childcare space. She will look into obtaining a “Property of Raynham Park and Recreation Department” template or labels to go onto each piece of equipment.
Alan addressed the issue of Katie and Bonnie attending every Commission meeting and whether their reports should appear earlier on the agenda. He noted that mandatory meeting attendance is considered a “work call-back” by the union, and as such, each would be compensated two hours’ pay, no matter how quickly they were dismissed. It was decided that their attendance would be left up to Jen, based on the agenda and what’s going on program-wise.
SJ reported that Mamma Mia tickets are selling slowly, but that it appears hopeful that all 20 tickets will be sold for the June 24 event. She remarked that not only are the RMS athletic fields a mess, but the landscaping immediate to the building itself is in extremely poor condition, with many dead plantings, weeds, litter, trees in need of pruning, etc. She predicted that upon close inspection by the School Superintendent, perhaps as soon as the June 14 eighth grade graduation, it is possible that RMS staff will be told to improve these conditions by doing whatever is working at the LaLiberte and Merrill Schools. Commissioners concurred that there is the possibility that this Department could be called upon to take on the grounds maintenance there as well.
SJ added that all apparatus and associated parts have been delivered for the toddler playground, and John Cucinotta feels confident that he and a pair of seasonal workers will be able to get the picnic tables and bench built and installed. On a related issue, Jen said that she’d received word late this afternoon that the shade shelter is set to be delivered and installed on the playground later this week.
Alan said that he’d been approached at the Annual Town Meeting by former Commissioner Bill Barber, who inquired as to why the kindergarten-care wraparound program won’t be up and running this fall. Jen responded that a separate license, staff qualifications, and Mass. Dept. of Education certification are all steep requirements and require time to put into place adequately and correctly.
Alan praised Katie for the bulletin board in her office and suggested that a portion of the walls at the RYS and RYBSA concession stands be used by the Department to “spread the word.”
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 6th, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Sincerely,
SJ Blanchard
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretar
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