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: Tuesday, July 9, 2024 Sep 13 2024 9:51 am Location: West Conference Room, Fitchburg City Hall, 718 Main Street Call to Order: The Tuesday, July 9, 2024 meeting was called to order by Commissioner Jim McGrath at 5:36 pm. Commissioner Members Present: Commissioners Mary Whitney, Mary Cringan, Dave Brooks Also Present: Parks & Recreation Director James Bunnell, DPW Commissioner Nick Erickson, Recreation Assistant Ama Baker, Senior Project Manager Amy LeBlanc Absent: Colby O’Brien Public Comment: Prior Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Mary Whitney to approve the minutes and seconded by Mary Cringan. Approved 4-0 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Department Reports: Riverfront & Trails: • Mayor to appoint James Bunnell as representative to replace Nate LaRose o Gateway has a group like Coggshall’s Friends of Coggshall A motion was made by Mary Whitney to approve the report and seconded by Mary Cringan. Approved 4-0. Community Development Report: A report presented by Amy LeBlanc: Mama Fitz & Parkhill Proects • 3 bids and all over budget • Mary Delaney, Nick Erickson, Liz Murphy, and Weston and Sampson o State contract for equipment only and install o Received two different contracts; 1 for equipment and 1 for install o Parks Workers will do removal • DPW workers will use overtime to remove mulch and playground • Have to bid on asphalt & mulch o If not, DPW will replace the mulch • Will not put out a bid again for this project • December Deadline  o Have to start this year • Could conflict with the Common Ground event The Riverfront stage design • setting a date for public feedback • Might/should hold on site • Got the cost estimate, waiting on the structure/engineer design • ARMY core engineers need to be involved in flood zone • Concrete half circle with come up and be grass • Might have to remove 2 trees but will replace them elsewhere • Brewfest was a successful event o Nice weather • Donate to the Nashua River watershed • Donate to Civic Days • Will have to debrief on 7/18 for numbers • Beers on dollies worked well • The electric carts worked well & use them more o Held at DPW A motion was made by Mary Cringan to approve the report and seconded by Dave Brooks. Approved 4-0. Friends of Coggshall Report: • All set for clean up 7/19 o They need to know how much mulch they need o Will start at the exit and work toward the Stonehouse o Research Results are bringing 10 people  Mike O’Hara will volunteer o Need a worker to drive a tractor and dump mulch  Usually use wheelbarrows • Cut down on mulch for no leftover • South Street & Electric entrances need to be cleared up • Mike O’Hara will cut down dead tree branches o Took down the sign that is 20 years old • August 18 is Neurotic Gumbo Concert o Will have Jay’s Italian Ice • Caretaker, Arsak, and Tony will work Concert at Coggshall • Clear up trees, wash out areas and walkways need to be cleared. o The washout was cleaned, it rained and it washed back out o Culvert getting clogged is a large factor causing the washouts  Thinking of crushed rock for the walkway • Complaints about barrels and trash at Coggshall o Some barrels need to be replaced • Wood benches need to be replaced o Bring in and repair during the winter months o Maybe replace with composite to avoid constant fixing and painting  MASS CORE could be an option  $1200-$1400 benches but they last • Coggshall benches and sandbox in the playground need some help  • Try to set up a schedule and plan to replace benches • A water fountain will be paid for by Friends of Coggshall and pay for the electrician o The city has 2 on-call electricians; can look into o Parks will call electrician and Friends of Coggshall will pay o The issue with the fountain was the connection • Cables from Gazebo to Stonehouse were replaced 5-6 years ago • Parks will deliver playground mulch (wood chips) for volunteers o July 29th Police Academy could help  Drop off mulch that Monday morning • Looking to reclass the leftover budget to purchase safety fiber • Look at new toilets for Coggshall Mary Whitney made a motion to accept the report seconded by Dave Brooks. Approved 4-0 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Parks Maintenace Report James Bunnell reported: • Three Seasonal Parks Workers o Catching up on mowing and landscaping • The working foreman position was posted today o Looking to fill and hire new Park Workers • The pool is open; opened last week of June o Parks & lifeguards did a great job getting it open • Shock vac, pressure wash, painting, and 3 new sheds o Sheds add a nice look to the Pool House • Two new sunscreen stations o A grant from the Board of Health o Two at the Pool o One at the Splash Park o One at Crocker Park o One at Coolidge • Got a surprise inspection from the Consumer Product Safety Commission o Inspected pain and other things like drains (needed two new drain covers) o The pool passed and the info on grants to apply for; for pool supplies • Street Hockey’s Big Tournament o Had an issue with trash last time but fixed it • The pride event went well o Sprinklers turned on when they were not scheduled to o 4:30 am and 10:30 pm • Brewfest went well • New diaper changers at Park Hill, Coggshall, and Pool • New water tank at Coggshall o The water department helped with the process • Sam spread mulch (playground fiber) at Caldwell Park • The Splash Park controller was stuck at customs; needed certain paperwork to complete the delivery • The downtown fountain is working  • Monique applied for a Bulletin Board for the Upper Common o Like a kiosk; covers the purchase and install • The fence at Coolidge is starting; the company coming out to look • Moran Park plan is to be paved end of summer/early fall • The gate at Skate Park is broken; needs a piece to fix A motion was made by Mary Cringan and seconded by Dave Brooks to approve the report. Motion approved 4-0. Recreation Report James Bunnell Reported: • Civic Days was a success o Record-breaking • Summer camp started on Monday; July 8th o Doubled numbers so far o 45 between the two ( 20 at Parkhill, 25 at Coolidge) • Hired two Summer Coordinators o One got injured; Ama is filling in • Skate Camp has 17 registered • Swim lesson registrations started today o Morning and evening lessons o Child and parent, kids lessons, adult lessons o $75/ session o Sessions are 4 weeks  The last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August • DCR Park Pass again this year o Many state parks are closed due to high bacteria • Concerts on the Common start Wednesday 7/10 w/Dezi • Pool Passes are a big hit o 2 at the Library for daily use • Lifeguards o Some hold up with paperwork but in much better standing • Million Coaches Challenge Grant awarded o All biddy league coaches will take the course for free o Offer at City Hall • Pastor Steve is doing Triathalon Training at Pool o Triathalon held at Coolidge A motion by Mary Cringan was made to approve this report. Seconded by Mary Whitney. Approved 4-0 ____________________________________________________________________________ New Business: • Parks Policies and Procedures o Park Board has the final say regarding the parks; Chapter 45 o Changed event time to 10 pm for the Life Church event at Coolidge  If any damages occur and/or rubbish is not removed; they have to pay a fee  o The mayor must come before the board to amend any BOPC decisions  Mass General Law Chapter 45 Motion to adjourn the meeting by Mary Cringan seconded by Mary Whitney. Approved 4-0 The meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.