MINUTES OF THE RAYNHAM PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
Oct. 11, 2005, 6:00 p.m.
Raynham Senior Center, 2215 King Philip Street, Raynham, MA
In Attendance: Chairman Scott Murdoch, Com. Chris Bodensieck, Com. Robert H. Smith, Director Jennifer Hruniak, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
The chairman called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Bob made a motion to accept as printed the minutes of the Sept. 13, 2005 Raynham Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
Jim DuPont of 115 No. Main Street, Raynham, was present to ask for the Department’s assistance with the upcoming 2006 Annual Frostbite Run, which will take place on January 15, 2006. The Department co-sponsored the 2005 run, and Jim was again seeking its cooperation and support. Jen will request the use of the Raynham Middle School for this event, Commissioners will volunteer in any capacity needed, and the Department will field phone-in questions and provide race applications. The race starting time has been changed to 9 a.m. from 10 a.m. in order to avoid any traffic conflicts with area church services. Chris made a motion that the Department again co-sponsors the 2006 sixth annual Frostbite 15K Run; Bob seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
Upon review of the Oct. 11, 2005 letter from the Raynham Giants Board of Directors, Commissioners were in agreement that a meeting with two representatives of the Giants organization was in order. Jen will send a letter inviting them to send two representatives to the January 3, 2006 Commission meeting. Following that, an additional Commission meeting may be scheduled, with two members of each local youth sports organization invited to attend. Bob pointed out that there have been instances in the past where the Giants board has refused to attend meetings with other youth sports leagues. In addition, he suggested sending a letter to the Board of Selectmen, asking who owns the Pleasant Street athletic complex.
Commissioners reviewed the Sept. 17, 2005 draft of a job description for the laborer’s position. It was unknown at this point whether this should be actively pursued in light of the town’s push for a DPW formation by July 1, 2006. It was noted that such a description must be accepted by the union. It was further noted that Highway Supt. Roger Stolte has requested a written guideline of responsibilities and qualifications such as this.
Bob reported that following meetings with the Capital Planning and Finance Committees, there is a major movement in the name of greater efficiency and better management to make the Parks division of this Department a part of the Highway Dept., and thereafter, form a DPW Dept. within the town. Funds for this Department’s proposed new maintenance building will go towards necessary expansions at the Highway Dept. Town Counsel Marc Antine is working on the legalities of the dismantling of one department and the resulting recombination of several departments. With this change, the three Commissioners would head the Raynham Recreation Dept., effective July 1, 2006. Joe Pacheco added that any proposed reorganization must go to the citizens at Town Meeting for a vote. He further pointed out
that the town of Bridgewater’s Recreation Dept. is operating without a town budget and is having a great deal of difficulty. He predicts that local user fees will have to be increased, thereby financially shutting out some citizens, and could eventually lead to the demise of this Rec. Dept. Bob said that we will have to rely on the town’s recognition and support of recreation; and Scott stressed that this decision was made outside of this Department.
SJ presented the Department’s budget figures for the first quarter of FY06 (see end); and she and Jen answered the Commissioners budget-related questions. Bob asked that the maintenance budget be closely monitored and spending there slowed down, as it is nearly half depleted after the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Jen reported on the program coordinator vacancy: To date, there have been eleven applicants, from whom two have been interviewed and two others lined up for interviews this week. The goal is to have the position filled by early November. Bob made a motion to accept the hiring decision of Jen and Scott as Commission Chair in the filling of this position.
Jen reported the following:
· She will be attending a one-day conference entitled, “Dealing Effectively with Unacceptable Employee Behavior” on November 8 in Taunton.
· Due to the dates of the Miami trip, Jen will be unable to attend this year’s MRPA conference.
· The new Town of Raynham Riding Ring sign has been mounted roadside.
· Estimates have been received for the “Bruce E. Johnston” sign at Johnson’s Pond: $600 installed; $1,250 installed if hand-carved 3D with graphics. There is no money in our budget for this; the Legion will be asked about a sponsorship towards the cost and Randy will be asked if there are any town funds available.
· She is looking into Scott’s referral for the rehabbing of the memorial stone at Johnson’s Pond.
· The Gymkhana group is going through paper towels and bathroom tissue at an amazingly quick rate. Each horse group accuses the other of stealing the paper products. The Commissioners want all horse groups to be notified that as of November 1, 2005, all will be responsible for providing their own paper products, as do all of the other sports groups in town.
· Randy has recommended that Fleet Environmental be contacted to inspect the maintenance garage for any potential problems, prior to demolition. Carl Wells will help draft the demolition bid specs which will be published in the local papers, seeking three bids. These specs must state whether there are environmental concerns.
· The Bumila brothers have not responded to Jen’s numerous messages left about stabilizing the trailer. She has also left a message with Joe Arruda. It was mentioned that John Noblin might also be able to provide assistance.
Parks and Recreation Maintenance Foreman John Cucinotta engaged in a dialogue with the Commission, starting at 7 p.m. He began by asking why there was a movement afoot to disengage the Parks portion from the Department, and to merge it with the Highway Dept. Scott responded that it was the decision of the town to have Highway take over the Parks aspect of the Department, and that this came to light at a recent meeting. He stressed that it was initiated outside of the Commission through information gathering and that “it didn’t come from us.”
To John’s question about being misled with funding towards the proposed new maintenance building, Scott replied that with public awareness of conditions at the garage, the town needed to make decisions as to how best to spend and utilize limited funds. The needs of all of the departments have to be looked at with the realization that the funds can only be stretched so far. John countered that he didn’t see any gain to come out of this merge.
Scott said that the timetable which has been set is July 1, 2006. In the meanwhile, the temporary trailer needs to be stabilized and hooked up to utilities and the old garage emptied. He went on to say that he believes that this is headed in the best direction because it best combines efforts and resources and uses them for the best for the town. Chris added that the current facility is inadequate.
John opined that the town is retaliating and punishing the Parks workers for going to OSHA and the press. “As soon as we said we’re going to get another garage, they said we’re going to Highway.”
Scott pointed out that the old garage is condemned and that it was a matter of time before they’d be moved out of there.
Bob explained that there is a movement to centralize services in order to provide them in the most efficient manner. This is best accomplished by combining the smaller departments into one central DPW Department. He added that this Department has stewardship of Borden Colony; therefore, scheduling of field use will remain with the Recreation Dept. and the DPW will be responsible for the maintenance of these fields.
Joe Pacheco pointed out that nothing is a “done deal” until Town Meeting vote.
Chris urged John to work with his union business agent and get them involved in his contractual concerns. It was noted that Randy will be looking into the Parks workers’ placement within the union.
Jen distributed copies of Parks laborer Mitch Glavin’s Oct. 11, 2005 letter to the Commissioners, appealing to them to fight for this Department. Addressing the points expressed in Glavin’s letter, Scott said that it should be kept in mind that the July 1, 2006 deadline isn’t yet a done deal; and that the town is facing a very sticky budget season next year.
Commissioners signed their Oct. 11, 2005 letter to Mitch Glavin, requesting that he change his working hours to 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; with a one hour lunch break Mondays through Fridays during the fall and winter months. This change will take effect Oct. 24, 2005 and is made in an effort to better organize and increase accountability within the Department. Bob made a motion to send the letter; Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
Bob said that in light of the points made in Mitch’s letter, as well as concerns expressed by John at tonight’s meeting and his own questions, perhaps the Commission should have a serious conversation with the Town Manager, one Selectman, and Town Counsel prior to Town Meeting so that these issues can be addressed. The workers’ current contract is valid through 2007; it was signed in good faith and cannot be altered until that time.
Scott noted that they have to proceed as though this isn’t a done deal. In his opinion, July 1, 2006 is a very optimistic target, and in light of these issues, does Randy need to reconsider a more practical timetable?
According to Bob, some issues that need further exploration include the status of the employees and the status of collective bargaining as related to their employment, as well as the governance of Borden Colony, which might possibly require legislative action. He added that the Commission needs to impress the seriousness of this effort and to stress that the whole picture needs to be looked at prior to Town Meeting in part to avoid the possible embarrassment of the town. He made a motion that the Commission request that Randy put them on an agenda to meet with the Selectmen to share the aforementioned concerns. Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Sincerely,
SJ Blanchard
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary
/11/
| 
