Park & Recreation Commission

FINAL Salem Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of Meeting Date and Time: Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 6:50 P.M. Meeting Location: Via Zoom Members Present: Chris Burke, Debbie Amaral, Amy Everitt James Shea, Bob Callahan Also Present: Patricia O’Brien Clerk: Kathleen Fitzgerald Meeting Called to Order Debbie Amaral calls the meeting to order at 6:50 P.M. She welcomes everyone to Zoom and stated that the Board would approve the Minutes from the April 2020 meeting and then the public would have a chance to speak for a maximum of three minutes. The Park & Rec Commission would ask questions first and the public would need to raise their hand and be recognized to speak. Debbie advised that when the Commission votes, there must be a roll call. Amy Everitt makes a motion to approve the April Minutes. Bob Callahan seconds. Roll call is then done and the Minutes are unanimously approved. First on the Agenda: Wendy Brito, Ministerio Cristiano – This request is for an event on July 25, 2020 on the Salem Common from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Approximately 300 people are expected. She advised that the event is free to the community and that there would be a band. She asked if they could set up at 2:00 P.M. instead of 2:30 P.M. Debbie Amaral asked Trish O’Brien if this would be a problem and Trish said she would have to speak with Joe Candelaria. Debbie Amaral asked if there was anything different in this application from past applications and Ms. Brito advised no. Trish O’Brien asked how many port-a-potties they would have. Ms. Brito stated that they have 2. Debbie Amaral asked if there were any other questions from the Commission and asked if Ms. Brito clearly understands that the vote by the Commission is dependent upon the Governor’s orders concerning gatherings and that the requested date may not be the best date. She advised that in the Vote it will say “in accordance with State and local Orders”. She advised Ms. Brito to be in touch a week before the event to see what the orders are. Bob Callahan said he wanted to re-emphasize that social distancing and masks are not going away so that must be kept in mind for large gatherings. -1- Trish O’Brien then asked that Ms. Brito make sure that the port-a-potties were removed the morning after the event. Ms. Brito then interpreted a message from the Pastor thanking the Commission and assuring the Commission that they would comply with laws and rules. There was a discussion about music and volume and that during the event this must be respected. Chris Burke makes a motion to approve the event with the conditions that have been discussed regarding complying with City and State rules and crowd size. Roll call is then done. Amy Everitt seconds, and it passes unanimously. Next. Ashley Steeves, B&S Fitness -- This is a request for three events; 1. Wild Fish Swim Festival – August 1 ,2020 from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. with set-up at 7:00 A.M. Ms. Steeves advised there would be approximately 150 participants, amplification, tents and two port-a-potties. Debbie Amaral informed Ms. Steeves that there were complaints last year about sound and Ms. Steeves advised that they would have the sound turned down and there would be no amplification before 8:00 A.M. Trish O’Brien asked for clarification on events times as there was a discrepancy on the applications. Ms. Steeves stated the event starts at 9:30 A.M. and ends at 12:00 P.M. Trish O’Brien then asked if only Collins Cove was being used and Ms. Steeves said that was correct. Debbie Amaral asked if there were any more questions and Ms. Steeves asked for clarification between Governor Baker’s mandate and the local level. Debbie Amaral advised that the Mayor may have some concerns because of density of Salem but that the event was late enough so there would be a good chance it would be fine and that it may be about how they spaced the start. Trish O’Brien advised that the Mayor and Board of Health make any rules and the Board of Health may be more stringent. Bob Callahan makes a motion to approve the event with the caveat. Roll call is then done. James Shea seconds and it passes unanimously. 2. Wicked Half Marathon – September 26, 2020 at the Willows from 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. with set up at 5:00 A.M. Ms. Steeves advised this was their 14th year and that there were no changes to the course. She advised there would be no amplification until approximately 8:30 A.M. Bob Callahan stated that the neighborhood is very sensitive to noise and that the speakers must be facing the water and kept at a reasonable level with a reasonable starting time. Debbie Amaral asked if there were any questions. Cynthia Jerzylo, 17 Bayview Avenue – She stated that she knew the half-marathon was -2-  a large race, but that parking could be an issue. She said that in the past the City put up horses on Fort Avenue, Bayview Avenue and Columbus Avenue, but that the neighbors have complained because of the difficulty of getting out of the neighborhood during the road race and wondered if a police presence would alleviate that. Debbie Amaral advised that the Commission approved use of the Willows, but that the police was not their jurisdiction. Bob Callahan stated that the race organizers must contact the detail officer who would determine the number of police required for the race, where they should be and move them as appropriate. Ms. Steeves said when they discuss the event with the police prior to the event, they would ask if there was anything they could do to help the neighbors regarding parking and would place volunteers to help residents get out. Debbie Amaral asked if the issues were the same for this event. Bob Callahan said the Board was advised that the organizers did not ask for enough officers because of the cost. Ms. Steeves said the cost of police was a large expense, but they did not dictate how many officers would be detailed. Chris Burke asked Bob Callahan if someone didn’t like the way police details were handled in the past, could they talk with someone at the Police Department. Bob Callahan advised that every road race has an officer in charge, and they could talk with that person. Cynthia Jerzylo, 17 Bayview Avenue – Stated that when they hire them, they do not hire enough. Debbie Amaral again said that the Park & Rec Commission does not assign police. Eric Nowak, 19 Columbus Avenue -- He thanked Bob Callahan for mentioning the sound issued. He said that both the September and October races start before 7:00 A.M. and that music came on at 6:30 A.M. and carried on throughout the race. He also said participants would be told where to park and that at the finish of the races trash is left. Ms. Steeves said a few years back they did have a D.J. who started early but changed it to start now at 8:00 A.M. She said regarding parking signs, she does put parking signs at the head of Columbus Avenue and would see if they could have police officers issue tickets. She agreed about moving set-up farther away from resident homes. She said regarding trash, that they clean up thoroughly and that there is one location where trash bags are put to be removed by DPW. Bob Callahan made the suggestion to contact the Director of Parking and request a meter maid for these events which would be different from police assigned to the events. Amy Everitt said she wanted to encourage the neighbors that if noise, trash and parking don’t go well, that they let the Commission know immediately so it can be addressed with B&S Fitness prior to the October race. Bob Callahan makes a motion to approve the event with the caveat. Roll call is then done. Amy Everitt seconds and it passes unanimously 3. Devils Chase – October 24, 2020 from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the Willows with -3-  set-up at 5:30 A.M. Ms. Steeves said that last year Brandi Dion and Kathy and Bob McCarthy worked hard to create a new course and the neighborhood was a lot less impacted. She said they would be continuing to utilize that course moving forward. Bob Callahan said he would like Trish O’Brien to reach out to the Director of Parking to give him the heads up that Brandi and Steve Dion would be reaching out to him regarding a meter maid. Trish O’Brien said she would. Cynthia Jerzylo asked if the Neighborhood Association could be cc’d. Chris Burke moves to approve the event with the caveat. Roll call is then done. Bob Callahan seconds and it passes unanimously. Superintendent’s Report: Covid Update – Trish O’Brien shared a link about the Governor’s Order regarding opening, spaces, etc. Golf Course – Doing work on the cart paths and meeting to go over some last-minute details and should know tomorrow when paving would be finished. James Shea asked that paving be done on Mondays as it is the slowest day. Trish O’Brien said we could not control the day, but she asked that it not be on the weekend. There was discussion about tee times and fees Bob Callahan makes a motion to approve the recommendation of management of the golf course to give a 10% discount on season passes for this year only. Amy Everitt seconds, and it passes unanimously. Winter Island – Starting to sell stickers online to avoid in-person contact. New regulations regarding beaches and social distancing for chairs and blankets. Bathrooms will not be opened yet, so people won’t stay all day. There was discussion about cleaning, etc. CPA Update – Chris Burke advised that there was not a good showing at the last Community Preservation meeting. He said Palmer Cove rated a high priority. The Willows and Forest River pool were given a low priority. Renovated basketball Courts -- Trish O’Brien advised that 3 parks were done regarding basketball courts – High Street Park, Cabot farms and Mack Park. Trish O’Brien also stated that ADA equipment was being added at the Common. Darlene Melis, 150 Federal Street – Tree Commission -- She reads a letter. She said they were asking citizens for suggestions on the planting of trees. She said they received 15 trees in April in honor of the Savings Institution in Newburyport. Homes were needed for these trees and the Common and the Witch House were at the top of the list. There was further discussion on types of trees and locations. -4- Amy Everitt makes a motion to put the trees at the Witch House and the Common. Roll call is then done. Chris Burke seconds and it passes unanimously. Nick Angeramo, 27 Outlook Avenue -- He wanted to comment on the golf course, tee times and 3-4 people. He questioned why you can’t show up with 2 people if you showed up with less people you would be charged for 4 people. There was a short discussion on tee times now being limited. Bob Callahan advised Nick Angeramo that it was a work in progress. Debbie Amaral asked if there was any old business. Chris Burke advised that he was resigning at the end of the month and wanted to thank each of the Commissioners. Next meeting – Tuesday June 16, 2020 via Zoom. A motion to adjourn is made by Chris Burke seconded by everyone. Roll call is then done, and unanimously passes. The meeting ended at 8:50 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Clerk -5-