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: Tuesday, November 5th, 2015 Call to Order: The November 5th, 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 (Mary Whitney was 10 minutes late arriving to the meeting) Others Present: Mayor Lisa Wong, Vincent Lerue Gary Withington, Beth Robbins, Trevor Bonilla, Valjen Reyes. Meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Led by Jim McGrath Minutes of the Meeting: A motion was made by Jim McGrath and seconded by Andy Roy to table the October minutes. Motion 4-0 Community Development Report Mary Mcaffery delivered report. The Parkhill Splash Pad needs a seal coat. P.J. Albert to give bid, but she will search for a more favorable bid price mid-winter, if theirs is not acceptable. The work is slated to start in the Spring of 2015. The DPW has plans to do the demolition work necessary. Jim McGrath asked if there was anyone else already under contract besides P.J. Albert and gave the suggestion to search for a company to bid out the whole job. A motion was made by Dave Madigan and seconded by Andy Roy to accept the report. Motion 5-0 Friends of Coggshall Report: Brian Catino presented a proposal to update the present technology at the Stonehouse and Coggshall Park by installing a wireless internet connection. The proposal outlined the benefits of this including the 1|Page ability to monitor the alarm system through livestream capabilities the police department would have direct access to; the ability to remotely control the thermostat; access to WI-FI for guests of the Stonehouse; and access to a livestream view of the park for potential visitors. Jim McGrath to Trevor Bonilla, IT Manager for the City of Fitchburg: Inquired as to whether or not there was a line of site to utilize a satellite system. Trevor explained that ½ the line is underground, and the satellite would not be a viable option. Jim also asked Trevor about what the projected man hours would be and whether or not he believed it would be an expensive process. Trevor responded by recommending we use an independent contractor, and contract the service through Verizon. Trevor offered to offer consulting to the Parks Board on the matter, if needed. A motion was made by Jim McGrath to approve the concept, with the provision that the cost estimate is acceptable to the Parks Board and the Friends of Coggshall before moving forward. The motion was seconded by Andy Roy. Motion 5-0 Riverfront Park Update Report made by Mary Whitney. The Woodrow Brothers are finished for the season. All electricity and irrigation is off. Nothing further to report. A motion to accept the report was made by Andy Roy and seconded by Mary Whitney that the report be accepted. Motion 5-0 Parks Maintenance Report: Report made by Gary Withington. (See Attached Report and Parks Budget). Jim McGrath asked about the winter housing of the swans and ducks and Gary Withington confirmed they would reside at Hollis Hills again this year. A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Andy Roy to request the report be accepted. Motion 5-0 Recreation Department Report: A motion was made by Mary Whitney to table the report and seconded by Jim McGrath. Old Business: Janet Morrison of the North County Land to report on the ongoing progress of the bike trail from Gateway Park to Riverfront Park. Dick O’Brien, Principal Trail Planner/Designer. Conservation ... Massachusetts Recreational Trails Advisory Board, helped chainsaw and clear some of the brush, along with a volunteer crew from the prison. Janet proposed a crosswalk @ West St. to ensure safety of those using the trail, and signs to indicate heavier pedestrian volume to traffic. Jon Riccuitti suggested working 2|Page with the police department for safety policy and signage. Jim McGrath suggested that the signs be directed primarily toward the pedestrians using the trail. Gary Withington added that he would speak with Paul McNamara about the issue, and also proposed the idea of cutting down trees to provide line os sight to Rollstone Hill. Janet invited the Parks Board to join her for a trail inspection, and informed them of a tentative public opening upon completion of the trail, in which she wanted to thank the bank for a $75,000 conservation grant and introduce the public to the trail. A motion was made by Jim McGrath to push the plan forward and seconded by Andy Roy. Motion 5-0 New Business: Name: Vince Lerue: Request/Issue – A presentation was given about the conversion of our present electricity carrier to solar power. Vince brought the solar device with him to demonstrate craftsmanship. The product is crafted by Fitchburg citizen, John Andreucci. Vince communicated that the device was inexpensive in comparison to the money saving benefits it would provide over time. Jim McGrath asked how long the lithium battery would have to be replaced. Vince confirmed that it never have to replaced, and that the device itself costs $.7/day to run. A motion was made by Jim McGrath and Andy Roy to revisit the idea until consult with the appropriate experts could be arranged. Motion 5-0 Name: Valjen Reyes of the Fitchburg Guardians – an all female football team of 20 in its beginning stages. Request/Issue – Request for practice space. Jon Riccuitti asked if cleats were being used which may deter the school department to allow them to use it. Valjen said that they would be using cleats. Andy Roy suggested getting in touch with Ray Cosenza to negotiate location and times. A motion was made by Andy Roy to accept the request for space and the recommendations made and seconded by Dave Madigan. Motion 5-90 Name: Beth Robbins Request/Issue: Beth Robbins, Recreation Assistant, to present a proposal on the SPARK program to implement into the Recreation Department programming. (See attached information). Motion was made by Mary Whitney to table the idea until a new Recreation Director was hired and seconded by Jim McGrath. Motion 5-0 Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned by JM and seconded by AR. Motion 5-0 A motion was made by Mary Whitney to go into Executive Session for discussion about the Recreation Director position. All unanimously agreed. 5-0 3|Page