Park & Recreation Commission

Salem Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of Meeting Date and Time: Tuesday September 21, 2021, at 6:45 p.m. Location: Via Zoom Members Present: Chair, Deborah Amaral, Bob Callahan, Eme Perez James Shea, Amy Everitt Members Absent: Amy Everitt Also Present: Patricia O’Brien, Joanne Roomey, Para Legal Clerk: Eileen Sacco Notice: Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020, Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §20 and the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitation on the number of people that may gather in one place, this meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission will be conducted via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the city’s website, at www.salem.com. For this meeting, members of the public who wish to watch, listen or provide comment during the meeting may do so in the following manner: Meeting Called to Order Deborah Amaral called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. Approval of Easement for EV Charging Stations at Forest River Park Trish O’Brien explained that the easement is for the electric charging stations at Forest River Park. She also explained that Joanne Roomey is on the call and she is witnessing these proceedings so that she can notarize the documents and members can stop by her office in City Hall to sign the document. James Shea moved approval of the easement for the electric charging stations at Forest River Park. Eme Perez seconded the motion Debbie Amaral called for a roll call vote as follows: Mr. Shea Yes Me. Callahan Yes Ms. Everitt Yes Mr. Perez Yes Ms. Amaral Yes The motion carried unanimously (5-0) Approval of the Conservation Restriction for Public Recreational Use of 1-3 Bemis Street (Upper Gallows Hill Park) Trish O’Brien explained that this land is a paper street and will be utilized by the Essex National Heritage Commission. Mr. Callahan asked if Conservation Restriction was for Gallows Hill Park. Ms. O’Brien explained that it is just for the paper street. She also noted that there is a monetary payment of $5,000 for the liability associate with the recreational use of the property. Joanne Roomey will again witness the proceedings and notarize the documents. James Shea moved to approve the Conservation Restriction for Public Recreational Use of 1-3 Bemis Street. Amy Everitt seconded the motion. Debbie Amaral called for a roll call vote as follows: Mr. Shea Yes Me. Callahan Yes Ms. Everitt Yes Mr. Perez Yes Ms. Amaral Yes The motion carried unanimously (5-0) Request for permit for the use of Leslie’s Retreat Park by Teresa Coelho September 18, 2022-November 13, 2021 Ms. Coelho addressed the Commission and explained that she would like to hold Music and Movement Classes for children and parents. She explained that she would be using amplified sound for the classes which would be the use of a small speaker and headphones. Bob Callahan stated that he thinks this is a good idea and noted that Leslie’s Retreat Park is one of the most underutilized parks in the city. Amy Everitt moved to approve the permit for the use of Leslie’s Retreat Park by Teresa Coelho September 18, 2022-November 13, 2021 for a music and movement class. James Shea seconded the motion. Debbie Amaral called for a roll call vote as follows: Mr. Shea Yes Me. Callahan Yes Ms. Everitt Yes Mr. Perez Yes Ms. Amaral Yes The motion carried unanimously (5-0)\ Request for the use of the Salem Willows Shell by the Mike Hastings Band September 26, 2021 Mike Hastings of 11 Pickman Street Salem addressed the Commission to explain his request for a permit to use the Salem Willows Shell on Sunday, September 26, 2021 for a concert from 3:00- 7:00 pm. He explained that he has a musical act with a guitar, voice, bass, drums, horn, and a small public address system. He noted that the group consists of him and his wife. Eme Perez moved to approve the permit for the use of the Salem Willows Shell on September 26, 2021 from 3-7 pm. Debbie Amaral called for a roll call vote as follows: Mr. Shea Yes Me. Callahan Yes Ms. Everitt Yes Mr. Perez Yes Ms. Amaral Yes The motion carried unanimously (5-0) Update on Salem Willows Construction Lev McCarthy updated the Commission on the status of the Salem Willows Construction project. He reported that they uncovered 540 cubic yards of stone that they are going to reuse in the design. He noted that they placed 14 large stones throughout the hill, and they are planning to use some of the stones in other areas to keep cars out. He noted the locations on the plan. James Shea questioned what they are going to do with the small stones. McCarthy explained that there will be 10-14 stones that will be spread throughout the project area. Trisha O’Brien stated that she would like to see some stones on the grass near the beach to prevent cars from driving up to the Gazebo on the hill. McCarthy explained that the project completion date is going to be in the spring because of planting seasons. James Shea asked if there are any plans for the Salem Willows Pier. Trisha O’Brien stated that she has a meeting on that this week. She explained that the estimate for the project has increased quite a bit. She also reported that the mayor and others have been working to secure more funding for a better design noting that there are newer materials and designs today that can withstand bigger storms. Elizabeth Peterson use of Pioneer Village – Black Veil Night Market – October 22-23 /29- 30, 2021- 5:00-10 pm Elizabeth Peterson explained that she is co-hosting their popular October event Black Veil Night Market again this year and she is asking permission to have Eastern Regiment Brewing Company as one of their vendors. Ms. Peterson explained that this event features Salem based artists/influencers Mathew and Ryan Murray from Black Veil who have an international following. She explained that co-hosting with them in the past has been of great benefit to Pioneer Village and resulted in several thousands of dollars in donations as well as a robust measure publicity on various social media platforms. She also reported that the event will have a capacity of 100 people at a time and security at both gates as well as a police detail. Eastern Regiment will utilize wrist bands to monitor ID validation and enforce a two drink maximum. Ms. Peterson reported that they will also have a fire detail onsite to monitor the fire pit. Trisha O’Brien reported that she has received and email from a woman on Ocean Avenue noting her concerns and noting that she does not support the beer tent. She noted that the Hocus Pocus crowd is big enough. Ms. Peterson report that in the past there have been no complaints from the event. Polly Wilbert of 7 Cedar Street stated that she has a great deal of concern about the beer tent and stated that the application for the Licensing Board indicates that they expect 250 people and it is being advertised on social media. She also noted that the people who live in the Hocus Pocus house are elderly and the attention to the house is a concern to them. Bob Callahan noted that this is an event being run by a city employee on city property and noted that there will be more supervision at this event than most. Steve Kapantais of 23 Wisteria Street stated that he is concerned about the use of the bathrooms at Forest River noting that they need to be updated and are not accessible. Trisha O’Brien agreed and stated that they would have to provide porta potties for the event. She also noted that the remodel of the bathrooms at Forest River will be going out to bid in the spring. There being no further comments or questions Mr. Shea moved to approve the permit for Black Veil Night Market /Eastern Regiment Brewing Company– October 22-23 /29-30, 2021. Bob Callahan seconded the motion. Debbie Amaral called for a roll call vote as follow: Mr. Shea Yes Me. Callahan Yes Ms. Everitt Yes Mr. Perez Yes Ms. Amaral Yes The motion carried unanimously (5-0) Superintendents Report Trisha O’Brien reported that the Commission needs to think about CPA requests for next year. She suggested a rock climbing wall has been suggested. James Shea suggested that an inventory on the condition of the gazebos should be done. Trish O’Brien reported that construction on the gazebo has started on the hill at the Willows. Bob Callahan cautioned on requests for funding for the golf course this year noting that the golf course was a tough sell because they got a large amount the year before. There being no further business to come before the Commission at this meeting, James Shea made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Eileen M. Sacco, Clerk Salem Park and Recreation Commission