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 Robert McCarthy Fax (978) 219-1665 ACTING MAYOR Trish O’Brien Superintendent MINUTES OF THE SALEM PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 18, 2023 A meeting of the Salem Parks and Recreation Commission was held on April 18, 2023, at 6:45 p.m., in person at 401 Bridge Street and via remote participation in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023. Present were members: Deborah Amaral, Bob Callahan, Johnel Roberts and James Shea; Trish O’Brien, Superintendent and Commission Clerk Joanne Roomey. Absent was Amy Everitt, Chair. Deborah Amaral called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1. Approval of Park and Recreation Commission Minutes March 21, 2023 Mr. Callahan made a motion to approve the Park and Recreation Commission Minutes meeting of March 21, 2023. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Visitors and Requests: a. Thomas Granitsas, Sage’s Fusion Kitchen, Live Music and Food Event, Willows Shell, June 17, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. N/A b. Berne Courtney, Southern New England Chapter of the Wolfshager Hexenbruts Witches Dance Troupe, Salem Common, Short Performance of Witch’s Dance, May 7, 2023 Jen Fava of Leominster appeared on behalf of Southern New England Chapter of the Wolfshager Hexenbruts for approval to celebrate Beltane at the gazebo on the Salem Commons. They will have two short performances of witches’ dancing for approximately 45 minutes each. One will be at 4:00 p.m. and another one at 7:00 p.m. There is no amplification of music, just a party box with speakers. It is free and open to all. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Callahan moved to approve the use of Salem Common. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. c. Lisa Mansfield, Salem High School, Senior Recognition Night, Salem Common, May 31, 2023 from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm N/A 1 d. Lisa Mansfield, Salem High School, Senior Game Show Night, Salem Common, June 1, 2023 from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm N/A e. Jordan Rabb, BN Events, Halloween Family Pizza Festival, Willows Shell, October 28, 2023 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm N/A f. Wendy Brito, Ministerio Cristiano Monte de Sion, Inc., Evangelistic Service – Preaching and Worship Music, Salem Common, August 5, 2023 from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm Wendy Brito appeared to get permission to have church services at the commons. There will be preaching and worship music. The music will only be at the beginning of the service. They estimate 300 participants. There is no fee and is open to the public. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Callahan moved to approve the use of Salem Common. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. g. Luisa Boverini, SPUR, Inc., Palmer Cove Mural and Beehive at YMCA GreenSpace Luisa Boverini, Enrichment Director of SPUR, appeared via ZOOM. She wants approval to attach a mural to the exterior chain link fence that surrounds the YMCA GreenSpace at Palmer Cove Park. They have received $9,150 in funding from ECCF and Mass Cultural Council. The mural artist is Anna Dugan and she will be working with 7-8th grade students from Saltonstall School. The mural will be composed of six plywood panels 40” x 8’. They estimate that this project will take place from April to June. They expect the mural to last for 15 to 20 years. SPUR is responsible for any ongoing maintenance of the mural and the YMCA will be responsible for any damage to the fence. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Callahan moved to approve the use of the YMCA Greenspace for the mural. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. h. Socrates Trinidad, The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, Willows Shell, July 30, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm for Family Fun Day/Night Light Show Socrates Trinidad appeared from the Boys and Girls Club to change the original application date of July 29th to July 30th. His reason was because he could get a bigger discount price from the vendors to have it on a Sunday instead of a Saturday and in prior years it was Sunday Family Fun Day. He also wanted to change the end time to 9:00 p.m. since he thought the Commission said 8:30 p.m. because he wrote 8:30 p.m. on his original application. They want to have their big grand finale that requires darkness because they use glow sticks and UV black lights. They will have three bouncy houses and one dunk tank. Mr. Callahan asked if they ever thought about having this at Derby Street. He said it is a great venue and there is plenty of room for a stage and a bouncy house and it was not so close to the neighbors. Ms. Amaral brought up to Mr. Trinidad attention that sunset is at 8:06 p.m. on July 30, 2023, so ending at 8:30 p.m. should give them plenty of time. 2  The neighbors had the same concerns as they voiced in last month’s meeting about the noise, amplification level and the ending time. They said the commission should stand by their decision of last month’s meeting to end at 8:30 p.m. Mr. Trinidad assured them that he will monitor the noise level with a decibel reader and will check the area for any other disburses. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Shea moved to approve the use of the Willows Shell with an ending time of 8:30 p.m. Mr. Callahan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Old Business: None 4. New Business: In September, the commission would like to discuss how the Boys & Girls Club event went on July 30, 2023, regarding the levels of amplification and opinions of the neighbors. 5. Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Salem Park and Recreation Commission this evening, Mr. Callahan moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Shea. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 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