Park & Recreation Commission

Salem Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of Meeting Date and Time: Tuesday January 18, 2022, at 6:45 p.m. Location: Via Zoom Members Present: Chair, Deborah Amaral, Bob Callahan, Emi Perez Emi Perez (7:15) Members Absent: James Shea, Amy Everett Also Present: Patricia O’Brien Clerk: Eileen Sacco Meeting Called to Order Deborah Amaral called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. and reads legal notice as follows: 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: \ Approval of Minutes December 21, 2022 Emi Perez moved to approve the minutes of the December 21, 2021 meeting. Bob Callahan seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0. Visitors and Requests: Request for Permit for the use of the Salem Common by North Shore Pride on Saturday June 25, 2022 - Hope Watt-Bucci Hope Watt-Bucci representing North Shore Pride addressed the Commission and requested approval of their request to use the Salem Common for North Shore Pride Day on Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 7:00am-6:00pm. Ms. Bucci stated that they are happy to be back after two years due to COVID. She also noted that the caveat is of course the status of COVID at the time and the approval of the Board of Health. Ms. Bucci explained that Shetland would be the staging area for the parade and they are expecting a huge crowd. She noted that insurance is in process and the documentation will be forwarded to the Commission. Trisha O’Brien asked what the hours of amplification would be at the Common. Ms. Bucci stated that it would be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a DJ starting at 11. Bob Callahan stated that everything seems in order and Hope always runs the event well. Bob Callahan moved to approve the permit for the use of the Salem Common by North Shore Pride on June 25, 2022. Emi Perez seconded the motion. Deborah Amaral called for a roll call vote as follows: Bob Callahan yes Emi Perez yes Deborah Amaral yes The motion carried (3-0) Request for a Permit for the use of the Salem Common on by HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) on Sunday June 5, 2022 from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Chrissy Kenney Chrissy Kenney addressed the Commission and requested approval of a permit for the use of the Salem Common for the annual HAWC (Working for Change) Walk on Saturday June 5, 2022. She noted that this will be the 30th Annual Walk and the festivities will be the same as in the past. She noted that they may do an earlier start time than in past years. Trisha O’Brien asked what time they would be having amplified sound during the event. Ms. Kenney stated that it would be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There being no further questions or comments regarding this event: Emi Perez moved to approve the permit for the HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) on Sunday June 5, 2022 from 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bob Callahan seconded the motion. Deborah Amaral called for a roll call vote as follows: Bob Callahan yes Emi Perez yes Deborah Amaral yes The motion carried (3-0) Request of the Salem YMCA for a permit for the use of the Willows Field on Saturday October 15, 2022 – Carol Meyer Carol Meyer addressed the Commission and requested approval of a permit for the use of the Salem Willows Field on Saturday October 15, 2022 for the staging area for the Witch City 5K. She explained that they would be using the field for the check in for the race and amplification would be facing the beach. She also noted that certification of insurance is pending and will be sent to the Commission prior to the race. There being no questions or comments regarding this event: Emi Perez made a motion to approve permit for the use of the Willows Field on Saturday October 15, 2022, for the Witch City 5K. Bob Callahan seconded the motion. Deborah Amaral called for a roll call vote as follows: Bob Callahan yes Emi Perez yes Deborah Amaral yes The motion carried (3-0) Trish O'Brien Requesting vote on Forest River Meters Trisha O’Brien addressed the Commission and reviewed the proposal for the meters at Forest River Park. Ms. O’Brien explained that she is trying to find a balance between the demand for parking at Forest River and explained that there would be metered parking with the use of an app and Salem residents with stickers would park for free as long as they want. Ms. O’Brien also noted that she and Bob Callahan met with Dave Kucharsky, and they are considering allowing parking along the side of the street next to the basketball court to add some more parking space in the area. She noted that this would be on a trial basis and there would be a four hour parking limit for non residents. Bob Callahan noted that Councillor Conrad Prosniewski is the new City Council Liaison and he is logged into the meeting. Councillor Prosniewski suggested that some new signs be ordered for Forest River with the new parking regulations. There being no questions or comments regarding Forest River Meters Emi Perez made a motion to approve the Forest River Meter for parking proposal. Bob Callahan seconded the motion. Deborah Amaral called for a roll call vote as follows: Bob Callahan yes Emi Perez yes Deborah Amaral yes The motion carried (3-0) Adjusted Field Rental Policy Trisha O’Brien explained the Adjusted Field Policy for the fee rentals and noted that they did a lot of research on this with surrounding cities and towns. She noted that league fees did not change. She also noted that Salem Non Profits remain the same. Bob Callahan stated that he has no problem with the changes. There were no other comments or questions regarding this matter. Bob Callahan moved to approve the Adjusted Field Rental Policy. Emi Perez seconded the motion. Deborah Amaral called for a roll call vote as follows: Bob Callahan yes Emi Perez yes Deborah Amaral yes The motion carried (3-0) There being no further business to come before the Salem Park and Recreation Commission this evening, Bob Callahan moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Eileen Sacco Clerk