MINUTES OF THE RAYNHAM PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Monthly Meeting, March 6, 2007, 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 (arrived at approx. 7 p.m.), Director Elizabeth Francis, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Chris made a motion to accept as printed the minutes of the Feb. 6, 2007 Commission meeting; Bob seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved by the two. The Chairman introduced Liz as the Department’s new director to those in attendance, and he welcomed her.
Lori Noel of 865 Rocky Woods Street, Taunton, MA, a member of the Colonial Road Runners Club, was present to submit a field-use permit for her group’s Youth Track Series, as well as to ask for the Commission’s sponsorship of the youth program. Currently sponsored by the adult Colonial Road Runners Club, the Taunton Y, and the Bristol County DA’s office, the Youth Track Series draws up to 150 kids per week from Raynham, Taunton, Berkley, Dighton, the Bridgewaters, Abington, Brockton, Whitman, and Plainville. Noel was seeking the RMS track on Sundays, July 22 and 29, and Aug. 5 and 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Chris made a motion that the Department co-sponsor the Colonial Road Runners Youth Track Series and that the field-use fee be waived. Bob seconded the motion and the two voted
in favor. Chris then made a motion to approve the field-use permit for the dates submitted. Bob seconded the motion, and Chris Shaw, president of the Raynham Giants Youth Football said that there will be a conflict on Aug. 12, but that he would cancel their activities planned for the site that day. Bob and Chris then voted in favor.
Chris Shaw, president of Raynham Giants Youth Football, explained that his group will be undertaking substantial fund-raising to be dedicated towards replacements of bleachers. He presented Liz and the Commissioners with the quotes that he’s obtained to date. Chris B. suggested that Chris S. again meet with Highway Supt. Roger Stolte to attempt to gain his assistance in further deferring the costs of site preparation and installation. Chris B. made a motion to endorse and support the proposal; Bob seconded and the two voted in favor. Liz will draft a letter to be sent to the school committee, highway and building departments, and the Board of Selectmen, advising them of the proposal and of the Department’s backing.
The following four field-use requests were reviewed:
1. Ryan Iron Works: Griffiths Soccer Field on Fridays btw. 5 and 7 p.m. from 4/6/07 to 11/2/07. This request was forwarded to RYS for its consideration.
The following requests were unanimously approved, following individual motions made by Chris and seconded by Bob:
2. Mass. Rough Riders – no schedule conflicts with the exception of Sat., Sept. 8, 2007. Liz will contact the group and advise them that this is RYS’ Opening Day.
3. Bridgewater-Raynham Youth Lacrosse – approved for five Sunday games from noon until 4:45 p.m. at the RMS inside track on April 1 and 29, May 13 and 20, June 3.
4. RYBSA’s request for the RMS complex was approved.
Bill Nickerson of the Raynham Renegades thanked the Commission and the RYS representative who worked with him to resolve the Borden Colony field-use issue.
Chris noted that a spring agreement had been reached between the two groups, with RYS utilizing the Arruda and Griffith Fields, plus the Burke on Mondays through Saturdays, and the Renegades utilizing the U10 and Burke for Sunday games and RMS for practices.
Bob noted that the Renegades’ spring schedule is not yet available and that user fees will be assessed retro to last fall. The fee assessment will be made at the April 10 Commission meeting. Bill pointed out that fees will require that tournaments be held as fundraisers. He will be forwarding his organization’s roster, to include players’ home addresses, as well as their schedule, to the Department.
John made a motion to accept the two groups’ field usage schedules, as amended. Chris seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
A discussion followed on the need for better permitting forms or software for scheduling. John recommended a software program called, “Schedule Star.” Liz will poll area towns about what they are using.
The King Philip Lions Club submitted a one-day liquor license request for their March 31 spaghetti supper. Chris made a motion to recommend acceptance to the Selectmen; John seconded and a unanimous vote followed.
John told Bob, who will not be seeking re-election for another three-year term, that he would be greatly missed and that his shoes would be very, very hard to fill.
Chris extended kudos to Mike Champagne for his assistance in working with both soccer groups.
He went on to say that he’d met with John McGarry regarding the proposed Veterans’ Memorial at Borden Colony. They walked the site and Chris proposed the other side of the gazebo as safer and more visible. McGarry will take the suggestion back to his board. John L. asked who will pay the electric bill to illuminate the flags 24/7? This remains undetermined, possibly the town or the Borden Colony account.
Liz reported that she had met with and interviewed Heather Whitman, and recommended her hiring as childcare coordinator. Heather holds the necessary certifications. Chris made a motion in favor of her hiring; John seconded and a unanimous vote followed.
Liz gave a positive review of this February’s Vacation Fun Club, and added that there were 60 participants. Eighty tickets have been sold to the March 28 Celtics game. Youth basketball will be ending this Saturday; 375 children have participated this winter. Chris suggested that coaching clinics be looked into for next year’s program. The spring flyer is being worked on; this year’s egg hunt will be held on March 31 and will be inside the Merrill School in the event of bad weather.
Wrap-around kindergarten aide Ann-Marie Vienneau, who was hired as a group leader, is requesting a promotion to site coordinator. Liz explained that there are already two qualified site coordinators on staff and that adding Ann-Marie would result in over-staffing. She recommends having a separate pay rate only for the times Ann-Marie is actually working as a site coordinator, or having the new childcare administrator take a look at the overall situation. A decision on this matter was delayed until the April 10 Commission meeting.
The April 10th meeting will begin at 7 p.m., rather than at the usual 6 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
SJ Blanchard
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary
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