Board of Park Commissioners

CITY OF FITCHBURG RECREATION DEPARTMENT Board Members: Jon Ricciutti – Chairman 301 Broad Street, 2nd Floor James McGrath – Vice Chair Fitchburg, MA 01420 Andy Roy PHONE: 978-829-1818 Mary Whitney Alicia Day, Recreation FAX: 978-345-9687 Dave Madigan Director Board of Park Commissioners Meeting Date: September 1st, 2015 Call to Order: The September 1, 2015 meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Jon Ricciutti. Commission Member Present: (Circled were absent) Chairman Jon Ricciutti, Mary Whitney, David Madigan, James McGrath, and Andy Roy Others Present: Mayor Lisa Wong, Councilor David Clarke, Nathan LaRose, Eric Maynard, Gary Withington, Beth Robbins Meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Led by Mary Whitney Minutes of the Meeting: A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Andy Roy to accept the July minutes. Motion 4-0 Planning Department Report Tabled. A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Andy Roy to request the report be tabled to next meeting. Motion 4-0 Friends of Coggshall Report: A request for permits for the 2016 Friends of Coggshall Concerts was made by Jim McGrath to Beth Robbins, Recreation Assistant. All concerts are booked. The 10 benches around the park were assessed at Coggshall Park. They were maintained one year ago, but there were splits found in the wood in the benches within the playground, posing a threat to visitors. Jim McGrath consulted with a professional to remedy the issue and he recommended using a composite material to cover all 10 benches. Estimate not provided. Motion approved to try the procedure on one bench. 1|Page There were two reports from the public that some sort of animal in the general vicinity of the playground was heard hissing as they walked by. The animal has not been seen, so it is unknown what it is exactly. Plans to investigate further were established via animal control. Address discrepancy for the guests of a Stonehouse event was discussed. Guests were given the P.O box address instead of Coggshall’s physical address and showed up at a resident board member of the Friends of Coggshall. Beth Robbins, Recreation Assistant (responsible for scheduling and permitting Stonehouse reservations) addressed that the confusion was an online issue, and the appropriate person was made aware. Jim McGrath suggested we use the Knights of Columbus address (165 Electric Ave) for patrons. Jon Riccuitti recommended updates on all Stonehouse related material, along with the website, to reflect Jim McGrath’s request. A motion was made by Andy Roy and seconded by Mary Whitney to request the report be accepted. Motion 4-0. A motion was made by Jim McGrath and seconded by Andy Roy to update the address to 165 Electric Ave. 4-0 A motion was made by Jim McGrath and seconded by Andy Roy to enlist local animal control to further investigate strange animal. 4-0 Parks Maintenance Report: Report made by Gary Withington. (See Attached Report and Parks Budget). A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Andy Roy to request the report be accepted. Motion 4-0 Recreation Department Report: Report made by Beth Robbins Beth Robbins (Recreation Assistant) to plan and coordinate a VolunteerFest, hosted at Riverfront Park on October 10th, 2015, in partnership with the City of Fitchburg and the Fitchburg Cultural Council. A request to waive the park fee was made, and a budget of $1000 was allotted. A motion was made by James McGrath and seconded by Mary Whitney to request the report be accepted, the event approved and fee for Riverfront Park be waived. Motion 4-0 Eric Maynard, Summer Coordinator, spoke in regards to meeting with the pool people and explained what should be done to close the pool. Two recommendations in regards to wall, chlorine etc. D.P.W. can fix patches. 3200 to open, but only charged $7000 to open and close. Biddy league registration held October 7th and 8th in house. October 14th & 15th – late registration. Tryouts to be held October 21st and 22nd. December 1st start. 2|Page A motion was made by Andy Roy and seconded by Mary Whitney to accept the report. Motion 4-0. Old Business: Riverfront Park Update Report made by Mary Whitney. Chris Williamson has stepped down and is awaiting reappointment. D.P.W. is now moving the lawn. A motion was made by James McGrath and seconded by Andy Roy to request the report be accepted. Motion 4-0 New Business: International Flag Park Name: Jim McGrath; Nathan LaRose Request/Issue – City Council Petition regarding policy for flags at the International Flag Park. Jim McGrath proposed that the park belonged to the Parks and Recreation Department, based on research of past Board Minutes and cited the following: Heritage Park; April 4th, 1976 Dedication; 7/12/76 Flag policy adopted; 12/8/76 Planting; 5/2/77 Sculpture erected; 2/11/75 Flag Donation; 11/1/83 Nate LaRose spoke to supporting evidence that the park belongs to City Council. Suggestions by Nate LaRose to satisfy the representation of all ethnicities fairly included: drawing information from the 5 year country of origin U.S. census; random generator from C.I.A. world fact book with a revolving schedule. Jon Riccuitti recommended that the ethnic flags be replaced by generic, solid colors. A motion was made by James McGrath and seconded by Mary Whitney that the report be tabled to a future date when corresponding documents supporting the aforementioned dates could be located. Motion 4-0 Name: Mayor Lisa Wong – Blacksmith Arts & Music Festival Issue/Request by Mayor Lisa Wong to waive the fees associated with the use of Riverfront Park for the annul Blacksmith Arts & Music Festival waived. A motion was made by Andy Roy and seconded by Mary Whitney for the fee to be waived. Motion 4-0 3|Page Name: Judy Jollimore Issue/Request - Discussion on proposal by residents to begin fundraising efforts to construct a special needs playground in the City, tabled due to lack of representation and information. Name: Nathan LaRose Proposal to discuss potential conversion of the existing Recreation revolving account to a Department Revolving account under MGL Chapter 44 § 53E1/2. A motion to table the proposal until Dick Sarasin, City Assessor, is consulted, was made by Jim McGrath and seconded by Andy Roy. Motion 4-0 Name: Mayor Lisa Wong Request/Issue – Mayor proposed to allow Hollis Hill to provide landscaping improvements and a business sign on the corner of John Fitch and Pearl St., creating a concave area with current fencing – thereby altering the area to provide a signature gateway to the park. A motion was made to accept the proposal by Andy Roy and seconded by Mary Whitney Motion 4-0 Name: Nathan Larose Request/Issue – Nate spoke of a bench lift offered for donation to Coggshall Park by the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center and Mount Wachusett Mountain. A motion was approved by Andy Roy and seconded by Mary Whitney to accept the donation and have it placed by the first parking lot where cross country ski trail begins. Motion 4-0 Name: Jon Riccuitti Request/Issue – Jon was approached by the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief Bozicas and the DPW about pulling out shrubbery in Monument Park to reduce the likelihood of illegal activity. A motion was made by Jim McGrath and Andy Roy to consult with the Historical Commission and if it meets their approval - to remove the shrubbery at the four corners of Monument Park. Motion 4-0 Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by JM and seconded by AR. Motion 4-0 4|Page