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 Director of Parks & Recreation P: (978) 829 1815 718 Main Street Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 Ama Baker F: (978) 345 9687 Recreation Assistant Board of Park Commissioners Meeting FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Date: Thursday March 7, 2024 May 08 2024 3:05 pm Location: West Conference Room, Fitchburg City Hall, 718 Main Street Call to Order: The Thursday March 7 ,2024 meeting was called to order by Commissionor Jim McGrath at 5:34 pm. Commissioner Members Present: Commissioners Mary Whitney, Colby O’Brien, Mary Cringan Also Present: Parks & Recreation Director James Bunnell, Amy LeBlanc, Brian Bigelow, Jess Veysey Powell Absent: Commissioners Jim McGrath, Dave Brooks, DPW Commisioner Nick Erickson, Recreation Assistant Ama Baker Public Comment: Amy presented “Beers for Good” Brew Festival request to be held at RiverFront on 6/29. Asked to close the park 6/28 & 6/29. A motion was made by Colby O’Brien to approve and seconded by Mary Cringan. Approved 3-0 • Brian Bigelow o Rework Stonehouse Party Time; 9-1 pm & 2-6 pm. Opposed to current hours of 10-2 pm and 2-6 pm. Colby O’Brien suggested it possibly be reconsidered for next year’s rental season. • Jessica presented to NRVWA o Baker Brook restore vegistation o Planting of 100 edible herbs o Silver maples, red oak, log woods, elderberry  Help watering and if dry summer o Colby asked maturity age  Dependent futures o Mary C. asked success rate of 100 o Plantings will coincide with parks plantings to protect the smaller trees.  James Bunnell will coordinate plantings with Jessica A motion to approve the project was made by Colby O’Brien and seconded by Mary Cringan. Approved 3- 0 Prior Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Colby O’Brien to approve the minutes and seconded by Mary Cringan. Approved 3-0 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Department Reports: Friends of Coggshall Report: Tabled A motion was made by Colby O’Brien and seconded by Mary Cringan to table the report. Motion Approved 3-0 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Riverfront & Trails: Tabled A motion was made by Mary Cringan and seconded by Colby O’Brien to table the report. Motion Approved 3-0. Community Development Report: James Bunnell Reported: • Community Development o Mama Fitz Update-over budget o Still over budget. Making report more streamline, extend time for completion o Poured in plane as alternates A motion to approve the report was made by Mary Whitney and seconded by Colby O’Brien to approve the report. Motion approved 3-0. Parks Maintenace Report James Bunnell reported: • Fixed benches at Coggshall in front of the baby flag or provide an alternate idea • Parks Staff asking to remove the barrier at Coggshall • Lots of illegal dumping throughout the parks • Fence has been taken down at Coolidge • Stone dust for Coolidge walkway trail project has been measured • Nikitas Field has been cleaned up; overgrowth behind fences o Removed large Lifeguard stands • Parkhill Projects o Cutting back brush line at the baseball field o Laying down new home plate & pitchers mound o Cameras and signs have been installed on Splash House & Concessions Stand • Park workers have been helping the Library with moving and installing shelving from the old libray to the temporary location • Painting Coggshall o Paint and supplies have been purchased  Will be painting bathrooms, hallway and wrap around porch flooring  • Park Staff meetings every other Friday morning • Ordering park supplies In bulk o Weed wacker wire, gloves, etc. o Cost saving & effectiveness • Riverfront has been booked for Brewfest, Juneteenth & Pride Day; waiting to hear back • Meeting with Nashua River Watershed Association regarding grant and & Greening the Gateway • 3 new 8 foot tables have been purchased and brought to the Stonehouse • Gazebo at the Upper Common is being touched up • Adopt a Park program has been restarted • Greening the Gateway has expanded environmental justice zone for planting • Movie at Coggshall o Call requested use of Coggshall to use for a small movie A motion was made by Colby O’Brien and seconded by Mary Cringan to approve the report. Motion approved 3-0. Recreation Report James Bunnell Reported: • Hygiene Kit materials have been picked up and office started putting them together • AARP Grant o Has been applied for o Funding would go towards fitness park • Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for Saturday March 23, 2024; 12-2 pm o 1020 eggs o 850 have toys inside o 150 have a number to go with a corresponding prize at our prize table o 20 eggs with ducks. Winner of a duck gets a free duck at our Annual Amazing Duck Race. Start promoting the race • Boy Scouts enjoyed a Coggshall Night Walk o Volunteering to replace bleacher boards • Volunteers (2), Fitchburg State Honors • Biddy League Playoffs start March 7th o Next week wtill be the Championship o Trophies will be distributed to winning teams • Walking passes have reached 171 • Permits • Dates for Summer Concerts on the Common are all booked • Civic Days planning • Summer Job Decriptions have been posted o Started accepting applications • Inside Fitchburg TV Interivew o James was interevied on Inside Fitchburg giving updates on what is coming from the Recreationd Department and improvements to expect in the Parks. A motion by Colby O’Brien to approve this report. Seconded by Mary Cringan. Approved 3-0 ____________________________________________________________________________ New Business: Mary Cringan shared her appreciation from the Fitchburg Trail Stewards & the hand written Thank You note they received from the Parks and Recreation Department. Old Business: Grant of “Rock Walk”; Community Development to help Concerns about it being a “passive park” Motion to adjourn the meeting by Mary Whitney seconded by Colby O’Brien. Approved 3-0 The meeting adjourned at 7:19 pm.