MINUTES OF THE RAYNHAM PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
Special Meeting, Sept. 26, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
Raynham Senior Center, 2215 King Philip Street, Raynham, MA
In Attendance: Comm. Chair Robert H. Smith, Commissioner Chris Bodensieck, Commissioner John Lucier, Director Jennifer Hruniak, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Chris made a motion to accept as printed the minutes of the Sept. 5, 2006 Commission meeting; Bob seconded the motion and the two voted in favor of acceptance of the minutes, with John Lucier abstaining, due to his absence from said meeting.
Bill Nickerson and other adults affiliated with the Raynham Renegades soccer club arrived to discuss field use and times. Present were: Cathy Donnelly (club secretary), Sue Caterina (club treasurer), Coach John and Linda Green.
Bill began by noting that the club has garnered an overwhelming response from other Raynham parents and coaches, which has created four additional teams. At the same time, this popularity has resulted in a serious lack of playing space, especially looking towards next spring. He stressed that he is looking to the Commission for help, direction and assistance. The majority of players are Raynham residents; some also play for RYS and RMS.
Currently, they are looking for winter gym times one or two nights per week, and in the spring, they will need one, possibly two fields on Sundays between 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Chris suggested dealing with one issue at a time. First, the use of a school gym during the winter months - it was pointed out that if the group has its own insurance, it can apply directly through the School Superintendent’s office, as the Rec. Dept. has no jurisdiction over the school’s interiors. The times and dates of the Department’s permitted use of school gyms for its programs were outlined. It was suggested that the application read, “For Conditioning Only / No Use of Balls”.
As for their second request, the use of fields at Borden Colony and at RMS during the spring, Chris pointed out that one option is the Mill Street field. As for a field at Borden Colony, he said that RYS had already requested the use of all fields there until August 2007. Chris stressed, however, that Borden Colony is town property, and to this Board, all local groups are on level ground. He asked that the group consider playing Mill Street during 2007, and when RYS’ 2008 application is considered, permitting will be with the needs of the Renegades in mind.
John pointed out that the groups must mutually co-exist. He suggested the use of Mill Street for practice, but added that if it is the Renegades’ preference, as a Raynham group, to use Borden Colony, then that’s what he’d like to see happen. He asked that Jen look over RYS’ specific date schedule when it is submitted and find space for the Renegades on Sundays at Borden Colony. He stressed that neither group has priority, each group submits schedules and Jen will try to accommodate both groups. Upon learning that the Renegades require field space for games against out-of-towners, John stated that his position had changed.
Chris stated that it must be enforced that all schedules are to be received by the Department at least 30 days prior to the start of any season. It was recommended that the Renegades submit their schedule, and upon receipt of RYS’ specific dates, the Department will try to coordinate a fair sharing of fields for all dates.
Lastly, before the group’s departure, Bob asked for the group’s support at the November town meeting.
Chris stated that RYS is not to be scheduling other soccer groups on the fields just because RYS has received a field-use permit. He went on to say that Bob Davis, OCSL coach, has paid no field-use fees, but forwarded “donation” checks to RYS for “hosting.” Said checks were not, in turn, forwarded to the Department. Commissioners reviewed the Davis and Chris letters, as well as Jen’s memo, and revised the latter for strength and impact.
Jen, referring to the Capital Planning submission of the Highway Dept. which had been reviewed by the Commissioners, stated that it seems that the mowing equipment requested is a-go, but that the fencing, irrigation and bleachers will receive “No Action.”
The Commission’s request to meet with the Board of Selectmen and present the Master Plan has met with no response, other than the Selectmen’s desire to meet with league heads at the same time if it were to meet with the Commission. John expressed his ire over this treatment of elected town officials versus sports league volunteers. He suggested the drafting of a letter stating that initially, the input of all leagues was invited and implemented into the plan, and now that the Commission desires to make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen, their status is being treated as equal with the league volunteers. Bob suggested rather than go that route, that the Master Plan be publicized through the press. He asked that SJ contact staff reporter Sue Parkou Weinstein at “The Call” and ask for a meeting at which the Commission can present the Plan and get the word out to the public.
Both Nancy Quinton and Jon Lyons want gym time for basketball games and neither has insurance and wish to come under the town’s insurance. John made a motion that the Dept. grant each a temporary use of town insurance for 21 days, and after that, each will need to provide their own certificate of insurance. Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
Randy has advised that a town meeting article is not necessary for increasing the hours and benefits of classroom aides Karen Clarke and Ann Marie Vienneau. Jen will consult the union contract to align their benefits with those of other department employees.
A town meeting article to transfer funds from the former article to raze the maintenance garage for the purpose of downing the two silos at Borden Colony has been written and submitted for the November warrant.
John expressed his frustration with the seemingly lack of purpose of the Borden Colony Advisory Committee, which he co-chairs. He plans to ask the Board of Selectmen to provide the mission and clear direction regarding the purpose of this committee. It was learned that the new roadway will not encroach on the APR.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
SJ Blanchard
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary
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