Parks Commission

CITY OF CHICOPEE Department of Public Work PARKS DIVISION 687 Front Street Chicopee, MA. RECREATION OFFICE 413-594-3481 413-594-3486 (fax.) _________________________________________________________________________________________ Benjamin Strepka Sean Carroll Superintendent Assistant Superintendent Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Monday, November 18, 2019 A. Call meeting to order: Meeting called to order at 7:05pm by Comm Ziemba. It was noted that the meeting was being audio recorded. 1. Attendance: Commissioners Buxton, Bresnahan, Fenton, Ziemba, Montemagni, Parks Superintendent Strepka and Chicopee resident David Mason B. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: 1. Motion for approval of meeting minutes for October 24th made by Comm. Buxton, Second by Comm. Fenton. Approved C. PUBLIC INPUT: Motion to suspend meeting at 7:05pm for public input made by Comm. Buxton. Second by Comm. Bresnahan. David Mason present with request for the commission to approve the naming of a baseball field or Aldenville Gazebo in honor of life long Chicopee resident Bernard “Bunny” Murray. Mr. Mason noted the fundraising effort to build statue has been suspended. Commission will take the request under consideration and discuss during the new business portion of the agenda. D. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Request from the First Central Bible Church to hold their annual Thanksgiving service and bonfire at Szot Park on November 28, 2019. Motion to approve made by Comm. Buxton, Second by Comm. Montemagni. Approved 2. Other communications. - NONE E. MAINTENANCE REPORT: 1. Closing down fall sports fields. Thanksgiving football game is last game left before Szot Park fields shutdown for the winter. 2. Picking up leaves and down trees and branches. Several trees and lots of branches down in parks all around the city. 3. Preparing snow equipment for winter season. (2) snowblowers have been replaced. 4. Assistance with Christmas Tree Lighting. 5. Parks Labor Force: Current Park openings: (1) 5L – MEO/Laborer (1) 3L – Laborer. All other positions are filled. 5L remains open. Job offer made after last meeting was not accepted. F. RECREATION REPORT: 1. Trips: Boston Celtics Trip January 3rd (one seat left), finalizing Red Sox/Cubs June 18-21st 2. Adult Leagues: Adult Volleyball and Basketball – Volleyball began 10/21. Basketball to begin 11/23. 3. Adult Rec Programs: Yoga for Everyone, Tang Soo Do Korean Martial Arts. 4. Youth Rec Leagues – Rec Basketball practices began 11/7, games beginning Dec. 14/15. Suburban Basketball practice began 10/17, games beginning mid-December. Youth Referee/Scorekeeper meetings on Nov. 25/26. Rec Coaches meetings Dec. 3/4 5. Youth Rec Programs: Tang Soo Do Korean Martial Arts, Art-Ventures November 5th – Cancelled (only 1 person signed up), Babysitting Class December 6th, Art-Ventures February Vacation. 6. Aquatics – Swim Lessons at CCHS pool. Lifeguard Training Class – TBA. Asst Superintendent Carroll working to schedule lifeguard class to be held this winter.  7. Future Rec Programs – Superintendent Strepka working on developing new programs Concerts/plays/shows in the park, Also, looking to have additional Summer Movie Nights. More than the usual 2-3 held over the summer. G. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Update Nash Park improvements – Processing final payment. Project complete. 2. Tennis Court Reconstruction – Working with Planning/DPW to prepare RFP. Expectation for RFP to be sent out just after Thanksgiving. Also, Superintendent Strepka is working on master plan for Fairview Park to tie all projects (courts, pool, pavilion) together in case grant funding becomes available. 3. Update Bemis Pond Dam –Tighe & Bond contract signed. Kick-off meeting TBA. 4. Recreation Software update – City Treasurer finalizing financial systems. Demo program now available for Parks staff to get familiar with the functionality. 5. Revision of Rules, Policies, and Permits - Working with Law Dept. Attorney Fitzgerald making final updates to waivers. 6. Lincoln Grove Spray Park CDBG project –Meeting design firm on 11/14. Looking at final options of spray features and walkways. Also included would be a small sitting area for parents to observe their kids in the spray park. Goal is to have draft order submitted to firm before Thanksgiving and the firm will pull detailed plan together before Christmas. 7. Other Old Business i. Comm Buxton inquired about tree removal at Szot. Superintendent Strepka noted Forestry Dept working other higher priority jobs at this time. H. NEW BUSINESS: 1. NONE. 2. Other New Business i. Request for payment of (2) License renewals presented to Commission. (1) for hoisting license for a foreman and (1) CDL renewal for laborer. Motion to approve made by Comm. Buxton, Second by Comm. Bresnahan. ii. Discussion of public input item of honoring Bernard “Bunny” Murray. Renaming of the Aldenville Gazebo or a baseball field is not compliant with Parks building/park/field naming policy. Commission agreed to install a bench with plaque honoring Bunny at Lincoln Grove Park. Motion to approve made by Comm. Montemagni, Second by Comm. Fenton I. MEETING ADJOURNED: Motion made to adjourn meeting at 7:36pm made by Comm. Buxton. Second by Comm. Bresnahan. J. NEXT COMMISSION MEETING: Tuesday, December 10, 2019 7:00PM___________________ Documents presented at November 18th, 2019 Commission meeting: a. Parks Commission Meeting Minutes from meeting on October 24th, 2019 b. Commission Report submitted by Parks Asst. Superintendent Sean Carroll, dated 11/14/19 c. Commission Report submitted by Recreation Supervisor Dan Woodill, dated 11/18/19 d. Email (dated 10/30/19) from Gail Grant of the First Central Bible Church requesting to hold their annual Thanksgiving service and bonfire at Szot Park on November 28, 2019. Minutes Submitted by: _______________________________ __________ Thomas Bresnahan Date Commission Secretary