HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Comm 09/30/2025Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
September30,2025 10WN CLERKS OFFICE
Attendees Present: Mitch Bregnard, Chairman; Linda McCabe, C1erh; OCI 29 P I° 30
Chris Leard and Ed Westhaver
- MA N SFIELD
Sherri H. Gurnon; Parks & Recreation Director t1ASSA.CHUSETTS
Mary Sellner; Parks & Recreation Assistant Director
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:OOpm.
2. Minutes of the Recreation Commission Meeting from August 23, 2025.
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
from August 23, 2025 as written. Seconded by Linda McCabe.
Motion passes, 4-0.
Minutes of the Recreation Commission Meeting from August 26, 2025.
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
from August 26, 2025 as written. Seconded by Chris Leard.
Motion passes, 4-0.
3. Visitors:
Sadie Zawisza, Board Certified Behavior Specialist with clients in the Mansfield area.
Ms. Zawisza stated she has budgeted and would like to donate a Communication Board to
the Plymouth Street Playground to assist her clients, many of whom do not speak. She
informed the Recreation Commissioners that it would be vinyl and hung on the fencing at
the playground with zip ties. It would measure 116" x 58" at a cost of $155.00. Sherri
Gurnon proposed that a second one be purchased by the Parks and Recreation Department
for the Memorial Park Playground with the approval of the Recreation Commissioners.
Andy Littig, Highway Operations Manager attended the meeting. Mr. Littig
suggested that the sign be made of aluminum to prevent any vandalism. Ms. Zawisza'
offered to look into the cost of the Aluminum Communication Board.
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve up to $400.00 for an aluminum Communication
Board for Plymouth Street and Memorial Park Playgrounds. Seconded by
Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 4-0.
Andy Littig, Highway Operations Manager, advised the Recreation Commissioners that the
Memorial Parks Fields will need to be closed in the Spring of 2026. Right now, there is no
down time at Memorial Park Fields with the Lower Memorial Fields bare. Mr. Littig
suggested that the Lower Memorial Field be used for practice and Upper Memorial Field be
used for games. He stated that right now, football practices and plays their games on the
Upper Memorial which is too much wear and tear on the field. Ed Westhaver inquired about
how long the fields would be closed. Mr. Littig disclosed that it would be mid -April to mid -
August. During that time, Andy Littig suggested that the teams use Hutchason or East Street
Fields that sit empty. Ms. Gurnon asked if it was just Upper Memorial that would be closed,
and Mr. Littig advised that it is best to do both at the same time. Sherri Gurnon briefed the
Recreation Commissioners that this will mainly affect the Youth Lacrosse Program, however,
the Mansfield High School Spring Track uses Memorial Park fields for javelin and discus
events. Ms. Gurnon said she would give them enough notice so they can seek other fields,
Motion: By Linda McCabe to approve closing Upper and Lower Memorial Fields
from April to August 2026 for the necessary maintenance and improvements of
the field conditions. Seconded by Ed Westhaver. Motion passes, 4-0.
4. Facilities:
• NEFC- Brian Mazar
Plymouth Street Turf; September 8 — November 13, Mon/Wed, 4:00-8:00pm
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the field request as written.
Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 4-0.
• Grow Lacrosse- Caroline Fitzgerald
Hutchason Field; 5:00-6:00pm; September 18, 26 and October 2, 9, 16
Sherri Gurnon informed the Recreation Commissioners that Grow Lacrosse withdrew
their permit request.
5. Old Business:
• Linda McCabe briefed the Recreation Commissioners on the 250`h Celebration. She stated
that there was only positive feedback in regard to Incorporation Weekend. The. trolley
tours were a big hit. The Harvest Moon Affair sold out and that the Cultural Council are
putting together a fun day on a Saturday in the future.
• Patrick Latchaw was not in attendance at the meeting so no updates were available.
• Christine Leard advised the Commissioners that there were no updates regarding the
Memorial Park Master Plan Study.
• Sherri Gurnon apprised the Recreation Commissioners that there are no new updates on 50
West Street.
6. New Business:
• Sherri Gurnon distributed information on the FY 27-31 CIP request. Ms. Gurnon
specified that if the Recreation Commissioners had any other ideas to reach out to her.
• Ms. Gurnon notified the Recreation Commissioners that the Memorial Park bleachers
will be removed. Sherri Gurnon will notify Pop Warner Football as they use the Upper
Memorial Field for their games.
• Sherri Gurnon announced that the COA Subsidy that was available for our Spring 22
through Simimer 25 programs yielded $10,600.
• Ms. Gurnon reported that the Fall II Program Registration are open. The programs
available for Fall II are Tai Chi, Karate, two different yoga programs and Brown Billone
Terms Lessons.
• Sherri Gurnon notified that the Arts & Crafts Show is Saturday, October 4.
• Ms. Gurnon confirmed the Halloween Costume Swap is Wednesday, October 15.
• Sherri Gurnon stated the Halloween Parade is scheduled for Saturday, October 25,
11:00arri and volunteers are needed for the parade judges.
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7. Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours before this meeting
• Sherri Gurnon reflected on the many years of service that Lorilee Fish has given to the
Town of Mansfield through the Parks and Recreation Department. To honor Lorilee Fish,
Ms. Gurnon felt it would be a suitable way to memorialize her service to the Mansfield
Parks and Recreation by changing the name of the Parks and Recreation Department's
Scholarship to the Lorilee Fish Memorial Recreational Scholarship.
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the renaming of the Parks and Recreation's
Scholarship to the Lorilee Fish Memorial Scholarship. Seconded by Ed
Westhver. Motion passes, 4-0.
8. Next Commission Meetin: Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 6:00 PM.
9, Motion: By Ed Westhaver to adjourn. Seconded by Chris Leard.
Motion passes, 4-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:58 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
4Lin McCabe
Recreation Commission Clerk
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