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 Dominick Pangallo Fax (978) 219-1665 MAYOR Trish O’Brien Superintendent MINUTES OF THE SALEM PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION January 16, 2024 A meeting of the Salem Parks and Recreation Commission was held on January 16, 2024, 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 and Johnel Roberts; Trish O’Brien, Superintendent and Commission Clerk Joanne Roomey. Absent were Amy Everitt and James Shea. Ms. Amaral called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. 1. Approval of Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2023 Mr. Callahan made a motion to approve the Park and Recreation Commission Minutes meeting of November 14, 2023. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 2. Visitors and Requests: a. Julie Barry, Senior Planner from the City of Salem, appeared and presented to the commission selected artist displays for the 2024 Rotating Sculpture Garden Exhibit along Leslie’s Retreat Pathway. They will deinstall what is there now in early April and then reinstall later in April, weather permitting. Mr. Callahan made a motion to approve Artist displays along Leslie’s Retreat Pathway. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. b. Hope Watt-Bucci appeared and wants to hold their 11th North Shore Pride Annual Festival at the Salem Common on June 22, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. It is the same parade route as last year. Starting at Shetland Park and ending at the Common. They will have approximately 20 food trucks that will be spread out on both sides and a large tent. Their theme this year is “PROUD TOGETHER”. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Callahan made a motion to approve the use of the Common for the North Shore Pride Annual Festival. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. c. Helen Howard and Ruby Howard appeared and want to hold a Family Reunion Cookout at the Willows Gazebo Rental at Deadhorse Beach on July 4, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. They will have amplified sound from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and are aware of the noise ordinance. They will use Bluetooth for low key gospel music, like smooth 1  jazz and will make sure the speakers are pointed towards the water. They will also get a tent for the elderly for the heat, sun or rain. They anticipate 75 people which includes adults, children and babies. They are getting a bus, minivan and will carpool to avoid parking problems. Most of their family members are from Mississippi and they wanted to kick off their first reunion in Salem, MA. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Roberts made a motion to approve the use of the Willows Gazebo for a family reunion on July 4, 2024. Mr. Callahan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. d. Bernie Courtney – Southern New England Witch Dancers – Salem Common – April 28, 2024 (1:00pm-6:00pm) Did not appear. e. Stephanie Hasiel appeared and wanted to have a Wedding Ceremony with a band at the Salem Common on May 11, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with amplified sound from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. There will be approximately 50 to 75 guests. Their wedding reception will be at the Hawthorne Hotel and they will set up by 3:30 p.m. and breakdown by 6:00 p.m. They need power and speakers. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Callahan made a motion to approve the use of the Salem Common for a wedding ceremony. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. f. Caitlin Kelly appeared and wanted to have a Wedding Ceremony at the Salem Common on April 13, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. with amplified sound from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. There will be approximately 75 guests. Their wedding reception will be at the Hawthorne Hotel and they will set up at 3:30 p.m. and breakdown by 6:00 p.m. They do not need any power or speakers. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Callahan made a motion to approve the use of the Salem Common for a wedding ceremony. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. g. Kate Upchurch appeared from the Vegan Market and wants to use the Salem Common on August 31, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with bandstand music for an event. Set up time is 8:00 a.m. and breakdown time is at 5:30 p.m. They will have approximately 40 vendors that will have vegan food and goods and three food trucks. They are aware of the $25 per vendor fee. They will also get porta potties and a trash company for cleanup. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Callahan made a motion to approve the use of the Salem Common on the condition of amplification is approved by Joe Candelaria. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. h. Dan Laroe from the City of Salem’s Planning Department appeared to answer any questions regarding the Curtis Park Concept Plan that Naomi Contrell had discussed at the last meeting. He is seeking approval to move forward on either Scheme 1 or Scheme 3. The commission decided on Scheme 3 because it had larger play and grassy areas than Scheme 1. 2  Mr. Kapantais, an attendee, wants the commission to make a provision before the final approval to make sure the park will be ADA compliant. Mr. Laroe assured him that ALL the concept plans must be ADA compliant. There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, Mr. Callahan made a motion to approve Scheme 3 subject to ADA review. Mr. Roberts seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Discussion and vote on continuing or discontinuing Zoom Table this discussion until the next meeting. 4. Discussion and nominate and vote on Commission Chair Table this discussion until the next meeting. 5. Old Business: None 6. New Business: None 7. 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. Roberts. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 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