Park & Recreation Commission

FINAL MINUTES Salem Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of Meeting Date and Time: Tuesday, September 19, 2017, 6:50 P.M. Meeting Location: Dining Room, 5 Broad St. Members Present: James Shea, Amy Everitt, Bob Callahan, Chris Burke Absent: Leslie Tuttle Clerk: Kathleen Fitzgerald Meeting Called to Order Bob Callahan calls the meeting to order at 6:50 P.M. New Business Approval of Minutes of the meeting on August 15, 2017. Chris Burke moves to approve. Unanimously approved. First on the Agenda: Susan Lausier, North Shore Cancer Walk. This is the 28th year for this event. The event will start and end at Salem Willows on June 24, 2017. A motion to approve the Cancer Walk is made by James Shea, seconded by Amy Everitt and unanimously passes. Trish O’Brien speaks next for Ellen Talkowsky, Special Projects Coordinator, City of Salem. A letter was presented listing the various events for Haunted Happenings and the parade with no major changes from prior years. James Shea motions to approve, seconded by Amy Everitt and the motion passes unanimously. A letter was presented from Beth O’Grady regarding the Stephen O’Grady Scholarship Foundation. Trish O’Brien spoke about the financial included and there were no reported issues. James Shea motions to approve, seconded by Chris Burke, and the motion passes unanimously. Guy Robinson, Salem World Clothing & Apparel. This is for a family event on October 28th starting at noon and ending at 8:00 P.M. at Mary Jane Lee Park with bouncy houses, carnival and Halloween themed activities. There will be music and everything will be free for those attending. He is looking for sponsors for food, drinks, etc. to come on board. He stated he did an event on August 26th with no complaints. James Shea motions to approve, seconded by Amy Everitt and the motion passes unanimously. -1- New Business: The budget was discussed. Trish stated that they had hired a Finance Director and that there were no reports to share. The ground breaking for the new Council on Aging building was discussed and Trish stated there was much excitement about it. She stated that as it progresses, she will have a conference call every other week with updates and that she will get more involved as the project progresses and gets closer to completion. Collins Cove Pickle Ball and the ribbon cutting ceremony were discussed and was attended by 35-40 people. Trish advised that people could not wait to get on the courts. It was stated that as it gets popular, permits might be required. It was advised that Kathy McCarthy and Chris Dempsey were working on a beginner’s clinic for pickle ball. Trish stated that McGlew Park was on schedule and that next week resurfacing of the basketball courts should be started and that they were working on the retaining wall. All marked trees on the pathway have been taken out or trimmed. The issue regarding the back stop was discussed and Trish advised that she has asked Amanda to set up another meeting. Lafayette Park was next discussed and it was advised that things were cranking up and moving on schedule. The skate board park is moving on to Phase II with the company who designed the one in Boston. They will take what the first design company did, and then have another meeting and get to the nitty gritty about how much it will cost. There is a bid out for the eight worst parks (tennis courts and basketball courts) to see how many can be done. The cost should be around $100,000.00 and as many as possible will be done. There were plans to fix Mansell, Willows, Memorial, Pickman, Castle Hill and Palmers Cove. Trish is working on getting new basketball back boards at all the parks and replacing the existing ones with fiberglass ones. At all the parks and replacing the existing ones with fiberglass ones. Trish stated that many of the basketball courts were in bad shape. Chris Burke spoke about the tennis courts and the fact that he thought many people did not play at Salem Willows because it was too far. He asked if Park & Rec couldn’t focus on one court and make it good. He stated that the lights on the courts at the Willows are not good and that there are cracks on the courts. Amy Everitt asked if the courts at Salem State University had been investigated. It was stated that that was a good option, but that there were no lights on the courts there. Chris stated that he felt improving the courts at Salem Willows was the way to go. Combining a pickle ball court with the tennis courts at the Willows was discussed. -2- James Shea spoke about the possibility of full basketball courts at Palmers Cove and baseball at Gallows Hill. It was stated that it makes sense for Salem High School to use Gallows Hill. An inquiry was made about the park on Derby Street and whether it was going to be open and come under the jurisdiction of Park & Rec. It was stated that a list should be obtained stating what comes under the purview of the Park & Rec. department and if the new park on Derby Street did, whether we should get involved. Chris Burke asked if we had a voice in how it is designed. James Shea stated that we should formally find out if it is going to be considered a park or open space and that a letter should be sent to the Mayor requesting the designation. Trish advised that she will be co-coaching the Salem High girls basketball team and that she had the Mayor’s approval to do that. If there were any conflicts that arose with Park & Rec, Park & Rec would take preference. Trish stated that her only potential conflict now was the January Park & Rec meeting. It was agreed that the meeting would be moved to the 4th Tuesday in January – January 23, 2018. The Park & Rec. wanted to personally thank James Shea for donating the roofing materials for the gazebos at the parks. James stated that he wanted every park to look nice. A quick update was given about the Friends of Park & Rec. – Tim Shea and John Walsh are definitely going to do the golf tournament in the spring and James Shea stated the event will directly benefit the Park & Rec. Department. James and Sean Shea agreed to fund the Park & Rec. golf tournament sponsored by the Wax Museum. A motion was made to approve as needed the new Friends of Park & Rec and anticipated golf tournament in the spring. Chris Burke seconded and passes unanimously. Recognition of the Friends of Park & Rec was discussed and Chris Burke suggested a plaque and a press release might be a good idea or recognition at the Volunteer luncheon each year. A motion to adjourn is made and unanimously passes. The meeting ends at 7:43 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Clerk -3-