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 22, 2021 A. Call meeting to order: Meeting called to order at 7:05pm by Comm Buxton. It was noted the meeting was being recorded. 1. Attendance: Commissioners Buxton, Fenton, Bresnahan, Ziemba, and Parks Superintendent Strepka. B. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: 1. Motion for approval of minutes for the October 21st, 2021 meeting made by Comm Fenton, Second by Comm Ziemba. Approved. C. PUBLIC INPUT: NONE. D. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Request from the First Central Bible Church to hold their annual Thanksgiving service and bonfire at Szot Park on November 25, 2021. Motion to approve made by Comm Bresnahan. Second by Comm. Ziemba. 2. Other communications i. St. Stanislaus School requested use of Szot Park Pavilion and upper field area for annual field day on May 11th, 2022. Rain date requested for May 18th. Motion to approve made by Comm Fenton. Second by Comm. Bresnahan E. MAINTENANCE REPORT: 1. Szot Park Field Renovation Phase II – Completion in November. Rescheduled due to weather. New date TBD. 2. Parks Labor Force: Current Park openings: (1) 9L – Heavy MEO/Laborer (1) 5L – MEO/Laborer. (2) 4L – Laborer All other positions are filled. 4L postings have closed after a re-posting. Applicants under consideration. F. RECREATION REPORT: 1. High School Sports: Season ends November 25th – Thanksgiving Day Sword Game at Szot Park. 2. Adult Rec Programs: Tang Soo Do Korean Martial Arts, Yoga - TBD Still trying to figure out future of the program and when and where to be offered. 3. Adult Rec Leagues: Adult Volleyball – games began Oct. 18th. Adult Basketball – League play begins on December 11th. 16 teams have signed up. Currently have 4 referees. This year decision made to expand allowable number of non-resident players/teams in addition to expand roster to maximum of 20 players due to concerns for possible postponement of games as a result of COVID. Parks Superintendent Strepka expressed a need to review disciplinary policies. Also, raised the question if we still want to operate with the Recreation Supervisor remaining as League Director or have commission more involved with player disciplinary issues. Years ago, adult leagues had a governing board made up of league members, more recently, league management fell to Parks Dept. staff member responsible for coordinating league activities. At this time, league to continue to operate with Recreation Supervisor as League Director but the Commission requested more communication for all disciplinary incidents which will be taken under consideration with offender potentially having to face the commission if deemed necessary.  4. Youth Rec Leagues: Chicopee Galaxy tackle football/cheerleading season ended. One of the Galaxy teams made playoff finals. Youth Basketball – Begins early December. Games begin after January 1st. Suburban Basketball – Games beginning in December. 5. Youth Rec Programs: Tang Soo Do Korean Martial Arts, Art Ventures – December 3rd, February vacation week. 6. Safety Programs: CPR/AED First Aid Class – February 26th. Babysitting Class – December 3rd. 7. Trips – Boston Bruins –April 16th. Boston Celtics – March 13th. Boston Red Sox – August 18-21. Games in Pittsburgh and Baltimore. 8. Recreation: Current openings: Seasonal positions – Basketball referees & scorekeepers. G. OLD BUSINESS: 1. PARC Grant –Construction punch list items. Remaining open punch list items….Spring start up for pool and splash pad, installation of bracket on some playground equipment and installation of a water fountain. 2. Bemis Pond Dam Removal – Early permitting. Construction in 2022. 3. Pool Removal – Project awarded to Associated Building Wreckers. Contracts out for signatures. Pre- construction meeting scheduled for week of November 29th. 4. Open Space and Recreation Plan Renewal – Contract with PVPC is signed. PVPC requested to meet with Parks Commission as the recreation plan development activities are being kicked off. 5. Review of Park Rules – Gathering examples. 6. CDBG Project – Lincoln Grove Inclusive Playground Project – Final playground plan is complete. 7. Post 9/11 and Service Dog Memorial Park – Division of responsibilities for this project were discussed. Planning Dept coordinating the contracts and payment. Parks & Recreation Dept. is responsible for the construction. Stephanie Shaw, Director of Veterans Services is responsible for communication/coordination with the Veterans organization. Site survey has been initiated. 8. Other Old Business i. NRPA membership has been renewed for Parks & Rec staff and Commission members. H. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Youth Sports Task Force – Survey development. Meeting held week of 11/15. Another meeting planned for 11/23. Task force finalizing the community needs assessment survey. The survey has been drafted and undergoing final edits. Survey to be sent electronically and hardcopy handout to city school children. Parks Superintendent Strepka is going to request School Superintendent Lynn Clarke write a letter to all school families to express importance of responding to the survey. 2. Other New Business i. NONE. I. MEETING ADJOURNED: Motion made to adjourn meeting at 7:34pm made by Comm. Ziemba. Second by Comm. Bresnahan. J. NEXT COMMISSION MEETING: December 14th, 2021, 6:30pm___________ Documents presented at November 22nd, 2021 Commission meeting: a. Parks Commission Meeting Minutes from meeting on October 21st, 2021. b. Email (dated 10/29/21) from Gail Grant of First Central Bible Church requesting use of Szot Park for their annual Thanksgiving services and bonfire. c. Letter (dated 11/11/21) from St. Stanislaus School requesting use of Szot Park for annual field day on May 11th, 2022. Minutes Submitted by: _______________________________ __________ Thomas Bresnahan Date Commission Secretary