Board of Park Commissioners

CITY OF FITCHBURG James McGrath (Chairman) Mary Whitney (Vice-Chair) Dave Brooks Board of Mary Cringan Park Commissioners Colby O’Brien James Bunnell Recreation Director P: (978) 829 1815 718 Main Street F: (978) 345 9687 Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Dec 06 2023 10:21 am Board of Park Commissioners Meeting Date: Thursday, November 9th, 2023 Location: West Conference Room, Fitchburg City Hall, 718 Main Street Call to Order: The Wednesday, November 9th,2023 meeting was called to order by Dave Brooks at 5:33 pm. Commissioner Members Present: Commissioners Jim McGrath, Mary Whitney, Dave Brooks, Commissioner Colby O’Brien Also Present: Recreation Director James Bunnell, Historical Commission Present: Donald Ostrowski, Keith Chenot, Ellen DiGeronimo, Charles Sternaimolo, Andrew Lipasti Absent: Commissioner Mary Cringan, Recreation Assistant Ama Baker, DPW Commissioner Nick Erickson Public Comment: comment-on file in the Recreation Department Prior Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Colby O’Brien to approve the minutes from the October 11th meeting. Motion Approved 3-0 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Department Reports: Friends of Coggshall Report: Mary Cringnan reported: • Friends of Coggshall Christmas Party will be held on November 30th, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. Snow date of Thursday, December 7th. • Coggshall’s drainage has collapsed throughout the park. o Benches-inventory of rotted-out bleachers and benches. o Damn has been cleared o Ask Courtney to call Jim A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Colby O’Brien to approve the report. Motion Approved 4-0 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Riverfront & Trails: Dave reported: • Dave cut grass, raked, thatched, and mowed; fertilization program. • James Bunnell winterized all the sprinklers • Police would like signs installed o Working with Detective Pebbel A motion was made by Colby O’Brien and seconded by Dave Brooks to approve the report. Motion Approved 4-0. Community Development Report: Tabled. A motion was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Colby O’Brien to approve the report. Motion approved 4-0. Parks Maintenace Report • James Bunnell reported: • The pool has been winterized and boarded for the season • All sprinkler systems were blown out and backflows removed • Flagg Tree has been out trimming trees in the Parks & City • Fall cleanup has begun (the leaf truck bed is rusted) • Setup and breakdown of elections • Cleaning up the parks for Veterans Day • Planted 200 daffodil bulbs at Monument Park • Almost finished plant removal from the Library o Also removed 4 solid wooden benches from the adults' courtyard to be repurposed and put in Parks. • A stump grinder is rented and will be delivered on Monday 11/13. o Juan and James B. will be grinding stumps at:  Coolidge (33)  Parkhill (21)  Goodrich (3)  Howorth (6)  Uppercommon (1) • Stonhouse’s last weekend rental is 11/11-11/12. o The outside lights have been repaired o Had to issue a refund- miscommunication with Coggshall staff and renter o Stonehouse and Gazebo rentals have brought in $7,620 in rentals; not including November.  Should take in about $8000  Last year brought in maybe $3,600 • Nashua River Weather Shed Grant (handout) Mary Whitney motioned to accept the report. Dave Brooks seconded. Approved 4-0 Recreation Report • James Bunnell reported: • Pee Wee Hoops have surpassed last year’s numbers of 120. Currently at 185 • Biddy League is finishing up their registration period and will begin practice the week after Thanksgiving • Trick or Treat on Main St. had 3500-4000 people o The Recreation Table had help from our summer coordinator o People loved the game Shut the Box   Over 500 people played  1 raffle turned into 21 prizes including Harry Potter Books and Pumpkin Carving kits o Gave out 400 Arts & Crafts activities and toothbrushes with toothpaste • Movie Night we had about 10 people. Unfortunately, • Walking Pass had 73 registered members as of Monday 11/6. Last year there was a total of 52 registered walkers. • Met with FSU service learning class o 11/1 project again for Department • Meeting with McKay students on 11/16 • Christmas ornaments with FPS for “Giving Tree” o There are 200+ homeless students in FPS _________________________________________________________________________________ New Business: • “No Dogs Allowed” signs at Monument Park o Approved to be taken down on trial A motion to approve by Mary Whitney and seconded by Colby O’Brien. Approved 4-0 • Historical Commission Monument Parks Repairs o see handouts and notes on file in the Recreation Department A motion to approve by Colby O’Brien and seconded by Dave Brooks. Approved 4-0 • Rollstone Hill becoming a Passive park o Tabled A motion to table by Colby O’Brien and seconded by Dave Brooks. Approved 4-0 • Park Rules Review and Update o Commissioners gave James Bunnell permission to update rules and give back when updated. A motion to approve by Mary Whitney and seconded by Dave Brooks. Approved 4-0 Motion to adjourn the meeting by Mary Whitney seconded by Colby O’Brien. Approved 4-0 The meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm