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MINUTES OF THE placePlaceNameRAYNHAM PlaceTypePARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Monthly Meeting, February 3, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
placePlaceNameSenior PlaceTypeCenter, addressStreet2215 King Philip Street, CityRaynham, StateMA
In Attendance: Chair Chris Shaw, Commissioner Jim Sullivan, Director Elizabeth Francis, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
Absent: Commissioner Joe Doyle.
Chairman Chris Shaw called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. He accepted a motion made by Jim to accept as printed the minutes of the Jan. 6, 2009 Commission meeting; Chris then seconded the motion and the minutes were unanimously approved by the two.
In attendance was RYBSA president John Donahue. He said that his organization is looking for a way to honor the late Donald Bryer, former Park & Rec. commissioner and the individual who was largely responsible for the initial creation of the Merrill athletic complex. He went on to add that a new flagpole is needed at the complex, and the thought is to erect one in the cleared area near the batting cages, along with a stone on which a brass plaque memorializing Bryer would be attached. It is hoped to have this ready in time for the Sunday, April 26 opening day ceremonies.
Another issue brought before the Commission is the danger within the area between Fields 4 and 5 where stray balls have struck bystanders. The cost of erecting a tall fence here would be prohibitive, so instead the plan is to run an 85-90 ft. cable and then to string nylon netting above it. Donahue added that the group is working with TMLP to ascertain how much the poles can bear.
The locks throughout the entire complex are being re-cylindered and re-keyed prior to opening day.
The lighting project will probably be put off until summer or fall.
RYBSA is piloting a T-ball program for four year-olds. The placePlaceNameSouth PlaceTypeSchool field will be utilized on Monday and Tuesday nights, with the possibility of needing a third night there for this new program.
Weather-permitting, the spring clean-up day is scheduled to take place on March 14.
Liz advised Donahue that she has received RYBSA’s field-use application, but still needs a schedule.
The following field-use permits were acted on:
1. Raynham Renegades (RR), represented at this meeting by Cathy Donnelly. She indicated that her organization will need one full-size soccer field on Sunday afternoons and two practice fields twice a week from March 29 to May 23. Liz said that despite possible time conflicts, it is feasible that everyone will be able to fit. Jim made a motion to accept the permit application as amended, with a $500 seasonal fee assessed. Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
2. Raynham Youth Soccer (RYS), requests Mondays through Fridays from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March 1 to June 27. Liz stated that she could see no conflicts, based on the limited information provided. Jim made a motion to accept the permit application as based on the schedule information currently posted on the South Shore Soccer League website. Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
3. RYS also submitted a field-use permit for the Friendship Tournament to be held Sat. and Sun., May 2 and 3 (subject to change due to weather) at the Burke, MLArruda, and CityplaceGriffiths soccer fields as well as the McKenney Babe Ruth Field. Liz said that while it may be possible to have RYBSA make other arrangements for these dates, she would be hesitant to ask for a second weekend if the original event dates are cancelled due to weather. Jim made a motion to accept this RYS field-use application with an assessed fee of $400 for May 2 and 3 only. Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
4. Raynham Youth Lacrosse requests the use of RMS football and upper fields all day on Sundays and Bettencourt Football Field from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from April 1 to June 30. Their schedule and rosters have been received, and the rosters indicate that two players are from placeCityBridgewater. Jim made a motion to accept the application as submitted; Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
5. Raynham Youth Baseball & Softball Association (RYBSA) submitted a seasonal permit application requesting the use of McKenney and Burke Babe Ruth Fields, RMS Baseball & Softball Fields, Merrill Baseball Fields 1 – 7, and South School Field from March 15 through June 30, seven days a week during all non-school hours. Jim made a motion to approve this application, pending the receipt of a schedule; Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
6. Grand Slam Riverdogs Baseball Club has requested the use of Borden Colony Softball Field, Reid Softball Field, and RMS Softball Field from April 1 through July or August, to include 2 or 3 days a wk. for practices from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 10 to 4 for home games. The Chairman noted that this cannot be acted on without the schedules from the other local youth leagues, so the vote was tabled until the March meeting.
7. Peggy Ann Gambale of addressStreet286 Robinson Street submitted a permit to hold a wedding at the gazebo on Aug. 22 for approximately one hour’s time. Jim made a motion to approve this request; Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
8. George Pacheco submitted a permit on behalf of the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) for the use of the riding ring and gymkhana building on May 30, June 13, July 11, Aug. 29, Sept. 5, 19, 20, Oct. 17 and 18. Jim made a motion to approve the application as submitted; Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
The Lion’s Club has requested the approval of a one-day liquor license for their chili-fest event to be held on March 15 from noon to 6 p.m. Jim made a motion to recommend approval of this license to the Board of Selectmen; Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
Liz reported on the following:
· This week she, together with ConCom agent Erika Ueberbacher and Town Administrator PersonNameRandy Buckner met with Town Counsel Marc Antine to go over the RFP. Antine suggested some edits and she hopes to turn it around ASAP. The Highway Dept. will need to stake out the property into the three separate parcels, in accordance with the map. Liz is hoping to get the final draft back to Town Counsel by Thursday and to get the RFPs out shortly thereafter. It must be posted for 30 days prior to opening the bids.
· A single parent with three children enrolled in our childcare programs is experiencing significant financial hardship as a result of being out of work for 2 or 3 months due to recent cancer surgery. Jim made a motion to suspend the weekly childcare payments until the parent is back to work, at which time the issue may be revisited if necessary. Chris seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
· Raynham firefighter Jim Mansfield is planning the 2009 Youth Fishing Derby and visited Liz today to inquire about having Johnson’s Pond restocked with trout. Plans to have the pond stocked had been in the works a year ago and then the retaining wall at the pond’s edge fell in and the stocking plans were backburnered. The Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife will stock the pond for free, and it is hoped that this can be accomplished in mid-April. On behalf of the Commission, Liz will submit a letter in support of restocking Johnson’s Pond to the Board of Selectmen.
The Chairman reported that he had attended the Jan. 20 Selectmen’s meeting to seek their direction in erecting a sign in memory of Jared Monti at the Borden Colony toddler playground later this spring.
At 8:25 p.m., the regular meeting was tabled in order to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussions of personnel matters and contractual issues. At the completion of Executive Session, the regular meeting will be reconvened for the sole purpose of adjournment.
Respectfully submitted,
SJ Blanchard
Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary
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