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MINUTES OF THE placePlaceNameRAYNHAM PlaceTypePARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Monthly Meeting, January 6, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
placePlaceNameSenior PlaceTypeCenter, addressStreet2215 King Philip Street, CityRaynham, StateMA
In Attendance: Chair Chris Shaw, Commissioner Joe Doyle, Commissioner Jim Sullivan, Director Elizabeth Francis, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
Chairman Chris Shaw called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. He accepted a motion made by Jim to accept as printed the minutes of the Dec. 2, 2008 Commission meeting; Joe then seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved.
In attendance was Brian Copeland of addressStreet399 Oak Street, Raynham. He is looking into the possibility of privately building a remote-control car track on town-owned land for use by the public. He called this an “alternative family activity for those who are not sports-minded.” He said that the city of placeCityWarwick, RI has one built with private funds on public land. He went on to say that this would be funded through hobby shop sponsorships and it would operate during daytime hours either through club memberships or as a public recreational basis. Space required would be a minimum of 4,000 sq. ft., and facilities required would be the track itself, flags, a bench, and possibly a small shed. Copeland said that he would himself do the work of the clearing,
drainage, bringing in soil, tubing, barriers, and that the initial basic design would be temporary until its popularity is assessed. He added that he would like to break ground by March and have the track operational at the beginning of April.
Pointing out that our biggest concern here is for space, the Chair said that there are issues and a process to be followed for town-property improvements. Liz said that largely, all of the recreational land is being utilized, but that she will brainstorm and try to identify some sites.
The matter was tabled until the February meeting, pending further study and site scoping.
Peter Seddon, representing Raynham Youth Soccer (RYS), announced that the organization has been asked to host the Friendship Tournament again this year, and that the dates will be Sat., May 2 and Sun., May 3.
The Chairman gave an update on the Borden Colony Advisory Committee (BCAC), which he said had just met to review the report put together by NRCS, which highlighted the property, what’s here, and what is recommended. Where Olson’s mum field was, it would be ideal to rest that field and then plant a cover-crop. The Selectmen are agreeable to the idea of dividing the agricultural property into three separate parcels prior to putting the RFPs out; the BCAC has also been asked to sign off on the idea. Liz would like to get the RFP draft to the Selectmen by their Jan. 13 meeting.
The Chairman also met with the Veterans Memorial Committee in December. At the Jan. 20 meeting, a playground plaque will be presented to Mr. Paul Monti, father of the late Jared Monti who lost his life while serving in country-regionplaceIraq. Also at this meeting, the Veterans Memorial Committee will present a street sign in Jared’s name.
Liz reported on the following:
· This year’s youth basketball program consists of 449 players, and has brought in more than $25,000 in revenue. All kids formerly on wait lists have been placed on teams, thereby making some of the teams quite large. All available gym space is maxed out.
· The new 2009 field-use applications have been mailed to local sports organizations.
· Any posted advertising signs need to be removed from the soccer fields for the remainder of the winter. Several have blown down and landed in the field across the street.
· The fire compression system at the RYS concession stand needs to be addressed and brought up to fire safety code.
· Liz presented Commissioners with the 2008 field-permit master list for their review. 2008 fees are still owed by RYS for the Arruda Tournament and by PlaceNameplaceNorthbrook PlaceTypeAcademy for cross-country use.
· Liz updated Commissioners on the ongoing lighting project for baseball’s field 7. Boxes will be installed for the possibility of the future lighting of field six, and extra conduit will be run for a potential loudspeaker. The Department will pay for the trenching and RYBSA will pay for the electrician’s services, unless such services can be donated. While it is hoped that the project can be done this winter, it has stalled pending the permitting process.
· There is no exact figure yet relative to budget cuts.
Commissioners read and unanimously approved the 2008 Annual Report to the Town, which was written by SJ. Jim made the motion to approve and Joe seconded it.
Commissioners also reviewed the Department’s second-quarter budget figures, which were presented by SJ.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
SJ Blanchard
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary
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