Park & Recreation Commission

Salem Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of Meeting Date and Time: Tuesday October 19, 2021, at 6:45 p.m. Location: Via Zoom Members Present: Chair, Deborah Amaral, Bob Callahan, Emi Perez James Shea, Amy Everett, Emi Perez (7:15) Members Absent: Also Present: Patricia O’Brien 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 the minutes of the August and September 2021 Meetings Bob Callahan moved to approve the minutes of the meetings for August and September 2021. James Shea seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0) Request for Approval of a Permit for the use of the Salem Common for the First Muster to be held on April 9, 2022 Kim Emerling, Director of Veterans Services addressed the Commission and explained that this request is for the annual First National Guard Muster at the Salem Common as it has been for many years. He noted that the request also include permission to land a Black Hawk Helicopter on the Common during the event. Mr. Emerling further explained that the request also includes 2 tents that they will provide for the event. James Shea recalled that a helicopter landed on the Common a few years back without incident. Deborah Amaral asked for public comment at this time. John Aranston of 78 Washington Square, Salem addressed the Commission and urged them to vote no on the request and stated that there are trees on the Common that could be affected by the landing of a helicopter. He also stated that he feels that the artillery fire during the event. Christine Ross of 91 Pleasant Street, Salem addressed the Commission and asked the Commission to vote no on the request stating that she feels that a helicopter for the event is over the top. Milo Martinez addressed the Commission and urged them to vote no. He stated that he is concerned about the artillery will have a damaging effect on bricks and mortar in the neighborhood. Sherman Avish addressed the Commission and stated that very few veterans enjoy these displays noting that memories come back and it is not a military ceremony. Emi Perez arrived at the meeting at this time. Amy Everett asked Kim Emerling if there was a way to re-think landing the helicopter on the Common. She explains that this event is not meant to impress the brass. Kim Emerling stated that the muster is an annual event that has been hosted by the City. Deborah Amaral asked how many years the city has hosted the muster. Mr. Emerling stated that it has been 26 years. Trisha O’Brien suggested that with regards to the trees, they could talk with Mr. LeBlanc the Tree Commissioner. Bob Callahan stated that there will be no leaves on the trees in April and there would be minimal impact on the trees. Mr. Callahan stated that he has heard nothing from the neighbors that would affect his decision. Bob Callahan moved approval of the permit for the Annual First National Guard Muster to be held on the Salem Common on Saturday, April 9, 2021. James Shea seconds the motion. Deborah 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) Bob Callahan suggested that if there is anything else that needs to be approved for the event that they come back to the Commission before April to have then approved. Approval of the Permit for Salem United to use the Salem Willows on Saturday, July 16, 2022 Doreen Wade representing Salem United addressed the Commission and explained that they are requesting the use of the Salem Willows on July 16, 2022 to hold the Negro Election Day Celebration Parade and the annual Black Picnic. She explained that she has met with the Police Chief and has applied to the Licensing Board for a blanket license for Vendors and a Bouncy House. Deborah Amaral noted that the Commission will require a Certificate of Insurance for the Bouncy House. James Shea noted that the beaches, tennis courts, basketball courts are public, and they cannot keep people from using them during their event. James Shea asked how many vendors they will have at the event and do they pay a fee. Doreen Wade stated that there would be about 30 vendors. Mr. Shea stated that he is not in favor of turning the beaches and the tennis courts over to house the vendors that day. He suggested that they submit a plan prior to the event that shows the locations of the vendors during the event. He noted that there area also businesses located in the park that they need to consider so that they are not impacted by the location of the vendors, noting the Clam Shack. Doreen Wade stated that it is not their intention to keep the public out of the Willows that day. She also agreed to submit a plan with the layout of the vendor. Trisha O’Brien noted that the application states that they are looking to rent the gazebo. She explained that the only gazebo that the City rents is the one on the hill by Dead Horse Beach and notes that it overlooks the ocean. Ms. Wade stated that they wanted to use the big gazebo down by the pier. Ms. O’Brien stated that she would recommend that they get there early in the morning to use that. James Shea noted that they are a nonprofit and traditionally the Commission has waived the fees for them. He stated that he feels that we need to charge a fee this year. Trisha O’Brien explained that the fee for the use of the Salem Willows Shell is $150. Discussion ensued about the charging of fees to non profits. Ms. Amaral stated that she would donate the $150 to Salem United to cover the fee for the Shell. Ms. Amaral interrupted the discussion to address a caller to the meeting who wished to speak on the matter. Simone of 173 Marlborough Road addressed the Commission by phone and stated that she was opposed to charging non profits to use city parks. Bob Callahan stated that he agrees with Mr. Shea and noted that we should charge all non profits. There being no further questions or comments regarding this event, Amy Everett made a motion to approve the permit for the Salem United Salem United to use the Salem Willows on Saturday, July 16, 2022. Emi Perez seconded the motion. Ms. Amaral requested a roll call vote as follows: James Shea Yes Bob Callahan Yes Eni Perez Yes Amy Everett Yes Deborah Amaral Yes The motion carried unanimously (5-0) Discussion with North Shore Community Development regarding Peabody Street Park – Mickey Northcut Mickey Northcut of North Shore Community Development addressed the Commission and made a presentation on the future plans of North Shore CDC to develop the N S Bank building located at 9 Peabody Street into housing and the potential impact and inclusion of the Peabody Street Park. Mr. Northcut introduced Attorney Scott Grover and Eileen Vogel who are working on this project. Mr. Northcut narrated a power point presentation on the future plans but there was no formal request for any action of the Commission at this time. Mr. Northcut explained the timeline for the project and noted that they are presently having a capital campaign for the development. He also noted that if there are grants for this project that the City can apply for, he hopes that they will do so. Mr. Northcut stated that they are asking for permission to renovate Peabody Street Park and would take suggestions from the Commission. Bob Callahan suggested that the consider putting in a small splash pad noting that it will bring families out to use the park. Deborah Amaral stated that it would be great to renovate the park. She noted that the park is not in the Signature Parks program so she would like to see a dialogue with the City for some funds. Mickey Northcut stated that he is going to pursue the process with the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission. Ms. Amaral stated that this is an exciting project and thanked Mr. Northcut and his team for the presentation. Update on the Salem Willows Pier – Harbor Master Bill McHugh Harbor Master Bill McHugh and Seth Latrell from the City of Salem Engineering Department addressed the Commission and gave them an update on the Salem Willows Pier. Mr. McHugh explained that they have met with PRC and they are moving forward with the pier project. He explained that in 2018 there was $65,000 in damage and in 2019 there was additional damage that rendered the pier irreparable and an attractive nuisance. Mr. McHugh reported that there has been a significant increase in the cost for the construction of a new pier. He also noted that the demolition of the existing pier is out for bid and has been advertised in the Central Register. He also noted that the architect for the project GZA is working on the final construction design. He also noted that the design is after the Deer Island Pier. He estimated that the construction of the pier with start next spring. Bob Callahan asked if there would gangways with floats off the pier. Mr. McHugh reported that they are not allowed anymore but they are allowing Salem to have them, and they would be designed. Bill McHugh reported that Seth is prepared to start the technical permitting and they will get a better sense of the project. It was noted that Seth will be taking over the Peabody Street Park project with Trisha O’Brien. There being no further comments or questions regarding the Salem Willows Pier, Ms. Amaral thanks Mr. McHugh for the update on the Willows Pier. Superintendents Report The Commission reviewed the Finance Report from the City on the fees collected from the Parking Meters at the Willows etc. 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 8:45 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Eileen M. Sacco, Clerk Salem Park and Recreation Commission