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MINUTES OF THE RAYNHAM PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Monthly Meeting, November 9, 2010, 6:00 p.m.
Raynham Senior Center, 2215 King Philip Street, Raynham, MA
In Attendance: Chairman Jim Sullivan, Commissioner Joe Doyle, Commissioner Chris Shaw, Director Elizabeth Francis, and Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary SJ Blanchard.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the Oct. 5, 2010 Commission meeting. Chris made a motion to accept the minutes as printed. Joe seconded the motion. Jim and Chris voted unanimously in favor of the motion; Joe abstained due to his absence from the Oct. 5th meeting.
Liz reported the following:
- The baseball field 4 project has been completed and construction on field 5 started today. Sod and stone dust were removed today and grading with native infield mix will be done tomorrow. In an effort to accommodate all softball players’ age groups and accounting for infield and plate distances, it will be made regulation size. Over-seeding and aerating has been done at the multi-purpose field. It is anticipated that the Burke soccer field will be rested next spring. The concession stands will be winterized next week. Benches were also installed last week.
- Liz met with a representative of the Gunnison Co. of 272 King Street, Raynham yesterday to discuss the siding project and additional necessary repairs to the Gymkhana building. These repairs will result in some over-ages to the original quote. A total of three new doors are now needed, as well as fixing a leak on the back roof. Replacements of windows, doors, the roof section, gutters and downspouts, and the siding of the building are slated to begin in the near future.
- Liz distributed revised copies of the Department’s month-ending September finance reports for the Commissioners’ review. The copies distributed at last month’s meeting did not include all of the postings through the month’s end.
- The Department has two articles on the fall annual town meeting warrant, slated to take place at 7 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 17, 2010 at RMS. Article #6 authorizes changes to the off-set receipts (childcare) account. Liz noted that expenses are now greater because the program and capacity has expanded. Article #7 asks for voter approval of a town expenditure of $5,000 towards the renovation of the Pleasant Street basketball courts.
- The revised 2011 field-use permit applications were distributed for review. Changes made since the last meeting included rate changes for the radio control and riding clubs, as well as some date changes. Joe opined that relative to Page 2, No. 4 under “Processing Permit Applications”, he’d like to see the ratio of residents to non-residents changed to “more than 15% non-residents / 85% Raynham residents” for other non-profit organizations. Chris noted that very few meet the current criteria. Liz added that local leagues receive priority, so the only times available to clubs is what is left after the local leagues are permitted. In addition, most locales observe the 25% non-resident criteria. Joe insisted however that the number of clubs seeking field space is growing,
and that this change would be in anticipation of possible future problems. It was the commission’s consensus to change the permit to reflect the 15% non-resident criteria.
- Liz noted that last Friday was the official youth basketball league deadline, but that registrations continue to come in and the numbers are close to last year’s. A part-time staffer will be hired to oversee the program for 2 months. Liz attended the school district’s gym space meeting last night.
- The annual holiday tree lighting and bonfire will be held on Dec. 4th this year.
- The Department’s childcare space at the Merrill School will soon be due for re-licensing by the state.
To date, two hardship requests for basketball scholarships have come in. The first case involves a father of three who is on partial disability after getting hurt at work and being out of work for a year. Registrations for his sixth-grader and two third-graders would total $190. Chris made a motion to offer the family a 50% reduction of fees. Joe seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
The second request is for a foster child living with a family that is experiencing financial difficulties. Chris made a motion to grant a full scholarship in this case. Joe seconded the motion and a unanimous vote followed.
Liz explained the failings and short-comings of the department’s aging Savin copier. She has explored replacement options and presented the Commissioners with a synopsis of her findings on a spreadsheet. Comparing proposals for refurbished models producing 35 copies per minute from Edron Business Systems, Oce of North America, and CORE Business Technologies, Edron’s overall lease terms appears to be the least costly. The product will produce black & white copies, scan, fax, and interface. Commissioners agreed to a plan to procure a “new” refurbished copier for the office, with the old Savin going to the childcare program for its copying needs.
Program coordinator Nate DoRosario has submitted his resignation, effective Nov. 30, 2010. Posting for this vacancy will occur after the first of the year or after Liz’s return from maternity leave.
She outlined her plans for maternity leave. Her due date is mid-December and she plans to be out for approximately eight weeks. The town’s IT person will connect the office internet to her home computer. Heather Nix will take over the responsibilities of program coordinator and director, in addition to her duties as childcare coordinator.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
SJ Blanchard
Admin. Assistant/Recording Secretary
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