Park & Recreation Commission

FINAL Salem Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of Meeting Date and Time: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 6:48 P.M. Meeting Location: Via Zoom Members Present: Debbie Amaral, James Shea, Bob Callahan, Amy Everitt Also Present: Patricia O’Brien Clerk: Kathleen Fitzgerald Meeting Called to Order Debbie Amaral calls the meeting to order at 6:48 P.M. She welcomes everyone to Zoom and stated that the Board would approve the Minutes from the June 16, 2020 meeting and Special Meeting on July 29, 2020 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. Bob Callahan makes a motion to approve the June Minutes and the Minutes of the July Special Meeting. James Shea seconds. Roll call is then done and the Minutes are unanimously approved. First on the Agenda: Richie Furreal, Kevin Gomes, Rosa Kronillis and Angella Kronillis -- KG Express -- Seeking a permit to perform at Salem Willows three times a week from 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Kevin Gomes advised that they use microphones and there would be three performers using a small speaker to entertain adults and children. Debbie Amaral said she had concerns as follows:  That this could potentially violate the Governor’s Order regarding size of gatherings;  That this attracts a lot of people and how would that be addressed. Kevin Gomes said people usually listen to 2-3 songs and then move along, but that the elderly bring chairs and stay for a while. Amy Everitt stated that in the past the Commission has not granted permits except at the Shell and that there has been significant problems with people in the parks not social distancing and -1- not wearing masks and that she had concerns how this would be handled. She further stated that there was not enough staff to make sure people were complying. Debbie Amaral said masks needed to be worn by the performers and that she, too, was concerned about social distancing. James Shea stated that what with what is going on concerning Covid, he would have a hard time approving this and that the Governor was discouraging crowds. Kevin Gomes said all he wanted to do was make people happy and to entertain them and would try this at another time when things get better. Debbie Amaral asked if he wanted to withdraw the application prior to the Vote. Mr. Gomes said no, he would like to know what the Board had to say. Bob Callahan said he agreed with the rest of the Commission. Councilman McCarthy – said that as we all try to work through this pandemic he did not disagree with the intent of the performers, but stated that the Children’s Theater Group was tried, and that there were over 150 people watching the performance. Parking was an issue as well as people staying for hours. He said as much as he appreciated their intent to provide entertainment, he felt it could not be done. Kevin Gomes said he understood and agreed with everyone’s feelings. James Shea makes a motion to approve and all Board Members vote No and the application for a permit does not pass. Next: Beth Rennard, City Solicitor and Councilwoman Meg Riccardi – Furlong Park -- Beth Rennard deferred to Councilwoman Riccardi who stated that it was important to continue the loop regarding the land in dispute and the parcel of land next to Furlong Park. She said they were continuing conversations to see what would happen with the land. Beth Rennard shared some aerial views of Franklin Street and Furlong Park. She further stated that the Ferris family was using the land since the 1950’s and that the City filed an action against them in the 1980’s to reject them from the property but that the City failed to prosecute and the matter was dismissed four years later. Additional slides showed two pieces of land that will be subdivided by the Planning Board in September. The rest of the land (15,000 square feet) is land locked. She stated that she wanted the Board to know that the City Council would surplus the land facing the water. It will be advertised this week and that parcel would be sold for a minimum bid of $100,000.00. There is no building restriction on the property so the discussion is really about what will happen with the -2- 10,000 square feet fronting on Franklin Street. She advised that the neighbors were interested in putting in a parking lot. Beth Renard then asked if there were any questions. Debbie Amaral asked if she was looking for a Vote. Beth Rennard said they did not need a Vote. Debbie Amaral agreed that a Vote was not needed. Amy Everitt asked if and when that parcel was sold, would they come back to the Board to discuss how the money would be used to improve the two parcels. Councilman Riccardi said the purchaser would be responsible for fixing the parcel. James Shea asked for clarification on the surplus parcel and asked if that was park land. Beth Rennard said no. He further stated that we have to decide what was going to be done with the parcel in dispute. Beth Rennard said if Ferris or a developer purchases the land, we will give them a Release Deed on that land and on the park land. Debbie Amaral asked if there were any other comments from the Commissioners and there were none. She further advised that there was no need for a Vote. Ann Sterling, 29 Orchard Street – She said she wanted to echo what Beth Rennard and Councilwoman Riccardi said. The neighbors are in favor of having a parking lot and hoping it would be available during the winter storms. She further stated they hoped to have the cooperation of people not to store snow mobiles, etc. Next: Tom Scarlata, BH&A -- Forest River Pool Update -- To present a short presentation. Before that Jenna Ide spoke and said they were looking to redesign the Forest River pool, bath house, etc. She stated they were going to be able to restore much of the cove and wetlands and get two pools and renovate the bath house and also to add a splash pad and a 3-season community room. She advised that they were at the end of the design development and finalizing plans. She said they needed to get pool funding and hoped to have it open in 2021 or 2022. She said they had a construction firm on board and at this point wanted to get final approval from the Park & Rec Commission as details are finalized. Debbie Amaral asked if she was expecting a vote today on this. Jenna Ide said no. They just wanted to update the Board and get any comments or input. Trish O’Brien advised that they just wanted Park & Rec to give comments and then come back in September for a Vote. James Shea asked what the total budget was for the project and was advised that construction costs are $8,500,000.00 and a total budget of $10,500,000.00. -3- James Shea then asked how we were doing with funding and Jenna Ide advised they have about $2,000,000.00 in place and that they had a grant application in place for $1,000,000.00 and a bunch of other grants. She stated that there were a lot of grants available. James Shea asked if there were plans and drawings that could be sent to the Commission as he wanted to see more details. Jenna Ide said she would send them to Trish O’Brien. Jenna did advise that the Historical Commission asked if the building could be saved. Tom Scarlata advised the following:  Design development done and looking for construction documents;  Amy Corp and CZN permitting can now begin;  Conservation Commission Order of Conditions approved;  Construction Manager engaged – Colantonio, Inc.  Zero net energy;  Anticipate early site and pool package for construction;  RFP being prepared by Salem Art There was a discussion about parking, paved walkway, warming room, concession, community room and the pool area. Tom Scarlata said they would be renovating stucco, adding windows and replacing windows and would be building a skylight for natural light and incorporating solar panels to the roof. There was further discussion on water use and pool manager who services the pool. James Shea asked if it would be a problem if every swimmer had to go through the building on a busy day. Debbie Amaral advised that with most DCR pools you do walk through the building. James Shea asked when a service contract is signed for 1-2 years, can there be a buddy system so that person can understand how to open the pool, etc. He further asked the cost of a service contract. Mr. Scarlata said he could not say what the cost would be right now and that it depends on the level of service and how much they will do; i.e. start-up, winterizing, etc. Trish O’Brien stated that we partner with the Y and the City would provide a certified pool operator which is great for day-to-day issues; i.e. readings. Wesson & Sampson was the company we were using before and it would definitely be worth it to open and close the pool by professionals but hoped that we could support the day-to-day operation. There was discussion about operating costs and the pecking order for down scaling if needed. Trish O’Brien stated she had spoken with Jenna Ide about what the option would be if this ends up being too much money. Mr. Scarlata said they have looked at the option for one pool and two pools and decided to look at 2 pools. He further stated the Business Plan has not changed and he could make it available. -4- Debbie Amaral stated that with 2 pools additional guards would be needed and said she would like to see the operational budget. She further stated that when you look at insurance issues, deaths usually happen in the shallow end and it should be a minimum 3 guard pool, and with greater use far more guards. Trish O’Brien advised that the Mayor was looking to replenishing money and would be looking at family memberships. Debbie Amaral asked if there were any further questions. Steve Kapantais, 23A Wisteria Street asked:  Can this presentation be uploaded to the City website;  Can budgets and yearly costs be uploaded to the City website;  Is there a plan to include Commission on Disabilities for their input? Trish O’Brien stated that Jenna Ide posts for all capital projects, and she would connect with her regarding these requests. Superintendent’s Report: No financial report from the Finance Department. Trish O’Brien wanted to acknowledge and thank James Shea for his help with the Winter Island projects and discounted supplies, etc. that saved the City money. Old Business: No changes regarding Winter Island parking. New Business: None Next meeting – Tuesday September 15, 2020 via Zoom. A motion to adjourn is made by Amy Everitt seconded by James Shea. Roll call is then done, and unanimously passes. The meeting ended at 8:26 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Clerk -5-