Park & Recreation Commission

Salem Park & Recreation Commission Draft Minutes Date and Time: Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 6:45pm Meeting Location: 5 Broad Street Members Present: Vice Chair Leslie Tuttle and Chris Burke, Bob Callahan, Members Absent: Chair Amy Everitt, James Shea Others Present: Recorder: Stacy Kilb Meeting Called to Order The meeting is called to order at 6:45PM. Approval of August Minutes A motion to approve is made by Burke, seconded by Callahan, and passes unanimously 3-0. Visitors  No visitors scheduled Superintendent’s Report  Revenue Report  The RFP for the master plan of Camp Naumkeag is available on the purchasing website.  Partanen is in the process of formalizing a road race policy to submit to city council for approval.  They have been asked by the City Council to review. The Commission would like the financial and Partanen asks what other information is needed.  Callahan would like to give his input, especially if the race is to be run by a for-profit company.  Burke mentions possibly restricting the usage of sound systems.  A CPC representative will provide an update on current CPA projects. Comments and input from the commission are to be submitted in writing by October 30th.  Leslie Tuttle comments on some of the projects thus far, including:  The Winter Island Path  Camp Naumkeag  Fort Pickering, though this is on hold because of an issue with nesting birds  The splash pad; comments are made regarding the unkempt state of the park and Partanen says an attendant would be helpful but not practicle. Attempts have been made to educate students using the park, but they are not necessarily the ones causing the problems.  Repairs to damaged sections of the Common fence are ongoing.   The City prioritizes certain projects such as the library and the old Town Hall, but should also be thinking about Open space as it is underrepresented, yet falls under Parks and Recreation purview. A Field Assessment would provide suggestions as to open space.  Burke mentions the uplands of Thompson’s Meadow, which is buildable and off the water list, and is supported by conservationists in Marblehead. It could be developed but should be preserved. Tuttle asks about a conservation easement. Burke states that 60 acres are wet and 14- 15 are dry. If those latter acres will be developed, at least a plan should be in place. Callahan comments that he thinks the City of Marblehead cannot sell that land. Tuttle feels it should be preserved and the City should work with a nonprofit to put it under a conservation easement. A study should be done to discover what is protected and what is not. More discussion of open spaces continues.  Tuttle asks about items for existing parks and Partanen would like a study done on the pool. Both have heard that kids were cutting their feet on the pool but also that dogs were allowed, which they are not.  Partanen would like to be more organized about CPA requests this round. Parks & Facility  Dogs off their leashes in Parks is becoming a larger problem throughout the city.  Police have commented that dogs off-leash in Forest River Park is an issue, mostly due to out-of- towners. Partanen has no enforcement powers but the Police have put rangers down there, however there are still complaints. Visitors do not care if they are spoken to by residents. There is an idea to allow dogs only at particular beaches or areas at certain times. Discussion of potential beaches ensues. Partanen states that there should be police enforcement but the dog officer is only part time so is insufficient. She feels that some effort is better than nothing.  Also people are not paying for the Pooch Pass but still using the Leslie’s Retreat dog park.  The flood plan which includes Forest River Park and Pioneer Village is ongoing  There was a meeting with Little League and the City Engineer, but Partanen was not included so further updates will come later. Little League does not want turf. They are unsure of whether or not this will affect the season but it may.  Follow up summary of the OPTI that was held at Winter Island in August  This went better than anticipated, though with fewer children than expected. Callahan comments that there were few issues, mainly that spaces were taken so the City lost them, and they were slightly overwhelmed by families arriving early.  Partanen comments on the potential of this event  Callahan comments that, at the end of the event, revenue has come in and there have been expenditures, but the organizers should realize there is a cost, and a certain risk, to running them. They should not attempt to reduce the amount promised to the Commission after the fact, because they had a loss. Burke comments on the different types of programs, and Callahan clarifies.  Follow up summary of the Jazz Festival at the Willows  There were some complaints about parking, but may have been due to a miscommunication.  Follow up Summary of Country Fest at the Willows  Next year, Country Fest and Seafood Festival logistics should be considered, or the events themselves should be reconsidered. The Seafood Fest was not successful.  Status update of Salsa at Peabody Street Park  This is going well, though this past Sunday was cancelled due to weather. Burke comments that there was no police detail the day he went, and comments on the logistics of the event. He  estimates there were about 50 people at the event. The week before was better. Callahan feels that the police were not able to fill the required detail. Old Business New Business Adjournment A motion to adjourn is made by Callahan, seconded by Burke, and passes 3-0 Next Meeting: October 20, 2015 The meeting ends at 7:45PM Respectfully Submitted, Stacy Kilb Clerk, Salem Park & Recreation Commission