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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Comm. 03/28/2022Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes March 29, 2022 (E1EL) OFFICE Attendees Present: Mitch Bregnard, Chairman; Linda AYCabe Clerk Ed Westhaver and Chris Lea, d 'PR Z 1 P 4: 51 Sherri Gurnon; Parks & Recreation Director _. Mary Sellner; Assistant to the Director,�� i i'lli �F,L 0 C 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. 2. Minutes of the Recreation Commission Meeting from February 22, 2022. Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes from February 22, 2022 as written. Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 4-0. 3. Visitors: 6:03pm Jan Francis, participant in the Pickleball program run by the Parks and Recreation, came to voice her concerns with the Pickleball program, and to discuss the direction of the Pickleball program. She would like a more elite Pickleball program. Sherri Gumon stated that the Recreation Department is running the program as a Pick -Up league for one year and will re-evaluate at the end of that year. 6:15pm: Dan Cooper, MYS, came to discuss putting a net up to catch balls kicked out of play, flying into the parking lot or swampy areas. He wanted to ask if the town can assist in any way with getting the nets or putting them up, Mr. Cooper brought in a couple of quotes on the cost and installation of the nets. Sherri Gumon stated that the DPW doesn't have the staff to do the project, and they will need to get a quote for the installation. Ed Westhaver suggested Mr. Cooper find out up if they withstand high winds so not a safety issue. 6:30pm: Nick Rugnetta, Scorpions Club Soccer, came to discuss partnering with the Town of Mansfield in putting in another turf field and lighting at Plymouth Street. Mr. Rugnetta perceived since Mansfield already has a turf field and the land to expand, it would be a good fit for Scorpion Soccer to build and finance a turf field here, Scorpion Soccer now spends over $300,000 a year renting fields at various towns and would like to have a field to call home. Mr. Rugnetta stated that Scorpions Soccer would be using the fields mainly at night, therefore, not interfering with youth programs. In addition, he stated that adding lights would allow more time for field rentals. Mitch Bregnard stated that the Recreation Commission is interested in going forward with Mr. Rugnetta's proposal. Sherri Gumon informed Nick Rugnetta that the next step would be to meet with the Town Manager. 4. Facilities: • Mansfield Animal Shelter- Ana Villella Celebration of Animals- South Common Saturday, September 17, 8:OOam-4:OOpm • QMS 6Ih Grade Field Day —Fiona O'Connor Memorial Park Fields/Courts- excluding playground Thursday, June16, 7:30am-2:30pm, rain date- June 17 5. Old Business: -Sherri Gurnon updated the Recreation Commission on the Plymouth Street Playground. Ms. Gurnon stated that the playground equipment was being delivered to the Highway Department. Once all those items are in, construction will begin. Cataldo Construction disclosed that they should be able to complete installation within a couple of weeks. -Sherri Gumon reported to the Commission that there is no update on a Program Room. -Ms. Gurnon notified the Recreation Commission that bids were being accepted for the Memorial Park Master Plan. Once all those plans have been submitted, Mike Ahern, DPW, Buildings and Grounds, will assemble Town preference. -Sherri Gurnon updated the Recreation Commission on the Memorial Park Scoreboard. Since the last meeting, the Athletic Director at the Mansfield High School asked if the Recreation Department wanted to re -purpose the high school's current scoreboard. They are having a new one installed. Mitch Bregnard noted that the Recreation Commission should be open to cancelling the use of the MHS old scoreboard if the costs to move it and refurbish becomes cost prohibited to the Recreation budget. Motion: By Chris Leard to approve to go ahead with the use of the refurbished scoreboard from Alumni Field at the Mansfield High School. Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 4-0. 6. New Business: -Ms. Gurnon announced that the April New Year's Photo Challenge will be the Middle Common and the March pictures are up for the Recreation Commission to vote on. -Sherri Gurnon informed the Recreation Commission of a request by Jeff Botelho, FC Stars. He requested the fee be waived for the turf field usage for a two hour try out for soccer. Ms. Gurnon stated that he felt is should be waived as it is for a tryout versus a game. Ed Westhaver was concerned about this setting a precedent for other groups who would be interested in making a similar request. Motion: By Ed Westhaver to deny the request to have fees waived for use of the Turf Field for the FC Stars tryouts. Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 4-0. -Ms. Gurnon put a question to the Recreation Commission regarding instituting a Light Usage Fee for the Memorial Park Softball Field. Sherri Gurnon stated that there is a private Men's Softball group that wants to play there. The Girls' Softball Team uses it every day but Thursdays. Ms. Gurnon perceived that a policy is needed to establish a fee for every two hours. Mitch Bregard inquired if Sherri Gurnon knew what it costs to run the lights. Ms. Gurnon stated that she will look into that. At this time, however, she felt that a fee of $30 is reasonable. Motion: By Linda McCabe to charge a $30 fee for lighting and this will be fee will re-evaluated for the year of 2023, Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 4-0. MMS/sg:02/18.doc:5:reccom f: rec: msword 7. Next Commission Meeting: Tuesday, April 26, 2022 6:00 PM. 8. Motion: By Ed Westhaver to adjourn. Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Vin(fd McCabe Recreation Commission Clerk MMS/sg;02/18.doc:5:reccom f: rec: msword Date