Park & Recreation Commission

CITY OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS JEAN A. LEVESQUE COMMUNITY LIFE CENTER 401 Bridge Street, Salem MA 01970 Tel. (978) 744-0180/(978) 744-0924 Kimberley Driscoll Fax (978) 219-1665 MAYOR Trish O’Brien Superintendent MINUTES OF THE SALEM PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 A meeting of the Salem Parks and Recreation Commission was held on September 20, 2022, at 6:45 p.m., in person at 401 Bridge Street and via remote participation in accordance with a Chapter 107 of the Act of 2022. Present were: Chair, Bob Callahan, Johnel Roberts and James Shea; Trish O’Brien, Superintendent and Acting Commission Clerk Joanne Roomey. Absent were Deborah Amaral and Amy Everett. Mr. Callahan called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. 1. Approval of Park and Recreation Commission Minutes March 2022 Mr. Roberts made a motion to approve the Park and Recreation Commission Minutes meeting of March 2022. Mr. Callahan seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously. 2. Visitors and Requests: Brandi Dione, B+S Fitness - Devils Chase – Willows Shell - October 22, 2022, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Ashley Steves appeared on behalf of B+S Fitness and said they wanted to have a Road Race and Devils Chase/Creepy Clown race at Willows Field on October 22, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. She also is applying for an alcohol permit and is requesting to have a beer truck at the conclusion of the race to be shut down by noon. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Johnel Roberts moved to approve the use of Willows Field and having a beer truck on October 22, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. James Shea seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously. 3. Mike Hastings, Music performance - Willows Shell - September 25, 2022, 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mr. Hastings did not appear in front of the commission. 1 4. Scott Grover – Peabody St Park Update and presentation Attorney Scott Grover, who represents North Shore CDC, appeared and showed a presentation regarding revitalizing Peabody Street Park together with Theresa Graf from Mass Design. Mickey Northcutt, the founding CEO of North Shore CDC was also present. Their main goals are to foster connections between the community and the South River: a. Art - Creating canvases on site to host local artist and performance space for community voices and sculpture playground. b. Heath – Create spaces for intergenerational engagement and healthy interaction with the waterfront with community grill/picnic; and c. Ecology – Increase health and resilience of the landscape for benefit of the community with coastal garden and stormwater garden. Mr. Callahan wanted to know about a splash pad performance area and if it could be integrated into the park. He also asked them if they would consider having colored water at night in the fountain. Ms. Graf will look into it when they are in the design process, she would have to get into more detail, but could be a great element. Mr. Shea asked about a fishing platform. Ms. Graf said it would be a great opportunity for people to get out and fish and to redesign the railings to make spaces to lean reels or fishing poles on the water’s edge. Ms. O’Brien commented on the Peabody Site/Intergenerational Play page showing the play space structures on the grass and that is not accessible. Ms. O’Brien also pointed out that some of the structures are on cobblestones and wanted to make sure it was also accessible. She also asked who is responsible if someone falls. Ms. Graf said they can extend into the landscape and definitely will make sure it accommodates the ADA accessibility rules. Mr. Shea asked if a boat came up the river, could they drop someone off, maybe use the existing ladder. Mr. Callahan said a drop off spot where the ladder is has to be accessible. Ms. Graf said she will look into it. Mickey Northcutt from N.S. CDC, Director, is constructing improvements for the Peabody Park. They will have a professional property management company taking responsibility for all landscaping and trash removal. The commission agreed to proceed with the plans and Attorney Grover will work with Solicitor Rennard on the wording for a Right of Entry Agreement. Once this has been completed, they will go in front of the commission with the updates. 2 5. Superintendents Report: Update/Change movie night date in October Haunted Happen Ms. O’Brien, on behalf of Ellen Talkowsky, said there has been some updates to one of the Haunted Happenings Friday night movies. On October 2nd there will be a showing of Hocus Pocus 2 on the Common. D23, the official Disney Fan Club has secured the rights to show this film only on October 2. They expect a larger audience than normal and D23 has committed to underwriting the cost of a larger screen and extra police officers. 6. Old Business: None 7. New Business: None 8. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Salem Park and Recreation Commission this evening, Mr. Callahan moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joanne M. Roomey Commission Clerk Know your rights under the Open Meeting Law M.G.L. c. 30A §18-25 and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033 3