Board of Park Commissioners

JON RICCIUTTI CITY OF FITCHBURG Chairman JAMES MCGRATH Board of Vice-Chairman MARY GIANNETTI Park Commissioners DAVE MADIGAN MARY WHITNEY 1000 John Fitch Highway NATHAN LAROSE Recreation Director Parks & Recreation Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 BETH ROBBINS P: (978) 829 1815 Adm. Assistant F: (978) 345 9687 Correspondence: 166 Boulder Drive, Suite 108, Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 Board of Park Commissioners Meeting Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Location: Memorial Middle School Cafeteria Call to Order: The May 7, 2019 meeting was called to order by Commissioner McGrath at 5:34 PM Commissioner Members Present: Jim McGrath, Dave Brooks (Joined 6:00 PM), Mary Giannetti, Mary Whitney and Dave Madigan Also Present: Nathan LaRose, Lenny Laakso, Albert Mercado, Pete Capadagoli, Councilor Squailia, Janet Morrison, Councilor Clark, Councilor Beauchemin The Meeting opened with Pledge of Allegiance led by Mary Whitney Approval of the Minutes: A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Dave Madigan to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2019 meeting. Approved 4-0 Leadership: A motion was made by Dave Madigan and seconded by Mary Giannetti to elect Jim McGrath as Chair and Mary Whitney as Vice-Chair. Approved 4-0. A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Mary Whitney to suspend the rules and address updated from NewVue Communities regarding the Fitchburg Arts Community. Approved 4-0. Mr. Steve Cook of NewVue Communities reported to the Board that the previously approved survey of the boarders of Lowe Park and the Former BF Brown property has been completed and NewVue is currently awaiting the final report. An attorney for NewVue Communities is currently drafting a license agreement for work on park property during the project which should be completed for the next meeting. Additionally the proposed smart growth zoning district has been approved by the planning department and has been submitted to the state for review. A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Mary Whitney to accept the report. Approved 4-0. Department Reports: Friends of Coggshall Park Report: Motion made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Dave Madigan to table the Coggshall report. Approved 4-0. Community Development Report: Motion made by Dave Madigan and seconded by Mary Giannetti to table the report. Approved 4-0. Parks Maintenance Report: (See Attached) Report made by Lenny Laakso. The board discussed concerns from Fitchburg Youth Soccer parents regarding the elevation of the Sprinkler heads above the soccer field. A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Dave Madigan to have the Recreation Department and the Parks Department look into the sprinkler heads in coordination with Fitchburg Youth Soccer. Approved 4-0. The board additionally asked the parks department to look into the overgrown brush adjacent to Crocker Playground. The Board expressed their appreciation to Commissioner Laakso for his strong Leadership during his years of service. Motion made by Dave Madigan and seconded by Mary Whitney to accept report. Approved 4-0. Riverfront Parks and Trails Fund Report: Report made by Nathan LaRose Mr. LaRose reported to the Board that the Fund in partnership with the City has offered to donate to support the upgrades and repairs of lighting at Riverfront Park to be discussed later in the agenda. Motion made by Dave Madigan and seconded by Mary Whitney to accept the report. Approved 4-0 Recreation Director's Report: (See Attached) Report made by Nathan LaRose. Mr. LaRose invited students from FHS to present their proposal to adopt Babe Diconza Memorial Playground at Salem Street. The students discussed their desire to conduct regular cleanups and to repair and repaint the basketball court, benches and the picnic tables. The Students presented several fundraising ideas. A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Dave Madigan to approve the adoption of the Babe Diconza Memorial Playground. Approved 4-0 Dave Brooks joined Meeting: 6:00 PM. A motion was made by Dave Madigan seconded by Mary Whitney to accept the report. Approved 5-0. New Business: Pete Capadagoli and Janet Morison of the Greenway Committee presented the final logo for the Rock Walk and the proposed locations for the marker at Litchfield Park. (See Attached) A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Dave Madigan to approve the logo and request that the marker be placed in the center of the island per the option sheet. Approved 5-0. Councilor Sam Squailia and Brenda Watson presented to the board several donations the Friends of Fitchburg Dogs would like to make to the City: A bulletin board at the dog park, 2 dog poop stations, and the gift of dog park friendly grass seed and installation. A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Mary Whitney to accept the gift of grass seed and installation for the Fitchburg Dog Park. Approved 5-0. A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Mary Giannetti to accept the gift a bulletin board for the Fitchburg Dog Park on the condition that installation be approved by the Building Commissioner and the Superintendent of Streets. Approved 5-0. A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Mary Whitney to accept the gift of two Dog Poop stations, one to be installed at Gateway Park, the second to be installed at Coolidge Park near field#4. Approved 5-0. Melissa Montero and Emmauella Demosthenes to request a park permit for the use of Riverfront Park on 3 dates for a free event for residents entitled “Salsa in the Park” on June 28, 2019, July 26, 2019, and August 23, 2019. A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Mary Whitney to approve the permit request, waive any fees, and amend the dates to allow the recreation department to schedule as necessary. Approved 5-0. MOC Coordinated Family and Community Engagement to request a park permit for the use of Riverfront Park on August 5, 2019 for a Back to School Event. A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Mary Giannetti to approve the permit request and waive any fees. Approved 5-0. First Church of God to request the use of JoAnn Fitz Memorial Park for a service in the park on May 18, 2019. A motion was made by Dave Madigan and seconded by Mary Whitney to approve the park use request. Approved 5-0. Ms. Monica McNamara attended the meeting to introduce herself, her new Business “Sowing Stardust Presents” and her new FATV show “Local Buzz.” Ms McNamara has been working with local youth groups and musicians to offer free music lessons to local youth, utilizing local concerts and performances as fundraisers. Ms. McNamara is currently working on a documentary showing the progress of the youth performances and focusing additional fundraising at building a permanent performance space at Riverfront Park. So far Ms. McNamara has raised of $15,000 and is working to leverage this with additional donors. Crossroads Community Church and NewVue Communities submitted a park permit request for the We Love Our City Initiative. Please see the attached list of projects. A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Dave Madigan to approve the park permit request. Approved 5-0. Iglesia Tiempo De Gracia Park permit request for homelessness outreach on June 1, 2019 and August 3, 2019 at Riverfront Park. A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Mary Whitney to approve the request and waive any fees. Approved 5-0. The Fitchburg Riverfront Parks and Trails Advisory Committee has offered to donate $6,000 to the Recreation Department for the purpose of supporting repairs and upgrades to the lighting at Riverfront Park. This will serve as half of the project costs. The remainder shall be appropriated by the City. A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Mary Whitney to accept the gift of $6,000. Approved 5-0. Adjournment: A motion was made by Mary Giannetti and seconded by Mary Whitney to adjourn the meeting. Approved 5-0