HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Comm 01/27/2026Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
January27,2026
Attendees Present: Mitch Bregnard, Chairman; Linda McCabe (6:14pnr), Clerk;
Chris Leard, Ed Westhaver and Patrick Latchaw lulu
Sherri H. Gurnon; Parks & Recreation Director
Mary Sellner; Parks & Recreation Assistant Director - )
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:OOpm.
2. Minutes of the Recreation Commission Meeting from November 25, 2025.
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
from November 25, 2025 as written. Seconded by Patrick Latchaw.
Motion passes, 4-0.
3. Visitors:
• Tyson Iddings, Mansfield Youth Lacrosse, came to discuss the Upper/Lower Memorial
closure and where MYL could get some field space. Sherri Gurnon stated that there is
a field to the left of the Plymouth Street Facility concession stand they can use. Mr.
Iddings was accepting of that idea. He. continued by asking if they can do fundraising to
improve Hutchason and if any soil testing had been done there. Ms. Gurnon suggested he
include Josh Reinke in any ideas Mr. Iddings had on Hutchason Field improvements.
• Kelly Kemp, Program Director for Summer Pickleball, updated the Recreation
Commissioners on how the Summer Pickleball worked with the new program format,
separating the Beginner players from the Advanced Beginner players. Overall, Ms.
Kemp stated that the program went well. Kelly Kemp advised that having six weeks of
keeping the Beginners separate is enough so they can learn the rules, and then allowing
them to start to play with the Advanced Players.
• Ritesh Srivastava did not attend.
4. Facilities:
• CrossPointe Church- Baily Faull
Plymouth Street- Upper Grass Fields and Turf
XP Sports Adventure / Free Sumner Activity for Mansfield Youth
July 20 — 22, 9:OOam-12:30pm
Non-profit requesting waiver of fees
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the field permit and waiving of the fees for
CrossPointe Church. Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 5-0.
• Garden Club- Allyson Anderson Sterling
Gardening on the Green Plant Sale / Town Hall Parking Lot
Saturday, May 16, 5:OOam-1:OOpm
Motion: By Patrick Latchaw to approve the request as written.
Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 5-0.
• Women's Soccer- Danielle Correia
Plymouth Street Turf Field; April 12, 26; May 10, 31- 10:00am-12:00pm
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the request as written.
Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 5-0.
• MUASC- Mike Troiano
Plymouth Street Turf Field / 1 lv11 Grass Field; March 22 — June 21, 8:00am-12:00pm
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the request as written except for the four
conflicting dates requested by Women's Soccer. Seconded by Chris Leard.
Motion passes, 5-0.
• Mansfield Girls Softball- Mark McGuire
Memorial Park Softball Field / Lights
March 23 — May 31
Monday — Friday: 5:00-8:00pm; Saturdays: 11:00am-5:30pm; Sundays: 8:30am-3:00pm
June 1— July 31
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 5:00-8:00pm; Tuesday & Thursday: 5:00-10:30pm
Saturdays: 8:00am-2:00pm; Sundays: 5:00-8:00pm
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the Spring request with two modifications,
that Thursdays be retained by the Parks and Recreation Department with
a Recreation Department release option and on Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Friday: 6:00-8:00pm
Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 5-0
Motion: By Linda McCabe to approve the summer request with the two
modifications, that Thursdays must end at 9:30pm and a
modification for the dates, June 1-5, of the start time of 5 to be 6pm unless
the High School releases that request. Seconded by Patrick Latchaw.
Motion passes, 5-0.
• MHS- Tim Selmon
Memorial Park/Tennis/Baseball/Softball; March 16 — June 5, 2:00-6:00pm
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the request for Tennis, Baseball and
Softball as written excluding Memorial Park due to its closer.
Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 5-0.
• Scorpions Soccer- Adam Hughes
Plymouth Street Turf Field; April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10, 17, 24; 12:00-4:00pm
Motion: By Patrick Latchaw to approve the request, as written.
Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 5-0.
5. Old Business:
• Linda McCabe updated the Recreation Commissioners on the 250'h Celebration. Ms.
McCabe notified the Commissioners that there is discussion on what to do with the left-
over money raised by the 250"' Committee.
• Patrick Latchaw stated that he had no updates regarding the Open Space Committee.
• Christine Leard advised the Commissioners that there are no new updates. Sherri Gurnon
had a meeting with Mike Ahern and he stated that the Feasibility Study is completed. It
will take approximately $30,000,000 to update Memorial Park,
MM3/ms;01/20.doc:5;reccom Crecnnsword 2
• Sherri Gurnon apprised the Recreation Commissioners that funding is being sought for
Phase 1 of 50 West Street which is the demolition of the building.
• Ms. Gurnon notified the Recreation Commissioners that the Memorial Park bleachers
have been removed and sold.
• Sherri Gurnon stated there are no new updates regarding the Memorial Park
Skate Park.
• Ms. Gurnon briefed the Recreation Commissioners on the Town/MYS contract. On -Jan.
21, MYS asked that the Town of Mansfield pay for the replacement of the turf pellets that
needs to be done twice a year. This would be added to the money that the town is already
donating for the maintenance of the Plymouth Street facility. Another issue Jessica Grey
proposed is MYS wanted there to be an "equipment request" when permits are given to
groups. Mr, Ahern reached out to the Parks and Recreation and found there has never
any reports of any damage by any organizations. Mike Ahern stated that the most
straightforward approach is for MYS to inform the Recreation Department of any
incidents that occur, and they will take the necessary action. They will have the permits
and responsible parties on file.
6. New Business:
• Sherri Gurnon congratulated Linda McCabe for her continued term as a Recreation
Commissioner.
• Ms. Gurnon informed the Recreation Commissioners regarding the election of a Chair
and Clerk for the Recreation Commission.
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to nominate Mitch Bregnard as the Chair for the
2026 Recreation Commission. Seconded by Linda McCabe.
Motion passes, 4-0-1.
Motion: By Chris Leard to nominate Linda McCabe as Clerk for the 2026
Recreation Commission. Seconded by Patrick Latchaw.
Motion passes, 4-0-1.
• Sherri Gurnon proposed an increase in the Summer Camp registration fees.
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to raise the Summer Camp fees by $10 for residents and
Non-residents. Seconded by Chris Leard. Motion passes, 5-0.
• Ms. Gurnon recommended a $10 increase for the Basketball League.
Motion: By Chris Leard to increase the Basketball League's fees by $10.
Seconded by Patrick Latchaw. Motion passes, 5-0.
• Sherri Gurnon suggested that due to budget constraints for the Recreation Department,
that a fee is recommended for the Summer Volleyball Program. Currently, the program
is free.
Motion: By Chris Leard to establish a $40 fee for the Summer Volleyball Program.
Seconded by Ed Westhaver. Motion passes, 5-0.
• Ms. Gurnon inquired if the Recreation Commissioners had any changes to the 2026
Lorilee Fish Memorial Parks & Recreation Scholarship.
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the 2026 Lorilee Fish Memorial Parks and
Recreation Scholarship as written. Seconded by Chris Leard.
Motion passes, 5-0.
MMS/ms;01/20.doc:5:rcccom Crec:msword
Sherri Gurnon updated the Recreation Commissioners regarding the aluminum
Communication Board fee that was discussed at the September 30, 2025 meeting.
The fee quoted at that meeting had an increased, at time of purchase, that exceeded the
voted amount by the Recreation Commissioners by $65.00. DPW stated that they will
pay for a second Aluminum Communication Board.
Motion: By Ed Westhaver to approve the requested $65.00 increase from the
original fee of $400 voted on at the November 25, 2025 meeting for the
aluminum Communication Board fee. Seconded by Chris Leard.
Motion passes, 5-0.
Ms. Gurnon conveyed to the Recreation Commissioners that Tom Herrick and Phil
Carnevale of Mansfield Youth Baseball stopped by the Recreation Office. They stated
that due to a decrease in registration, they are unable to raise the funds needed to support
the capital improvements needed at the Otis Street Complex. They were informed that
their contract is with the Conservation Department expired in 2012 and needs to be
updated.
Sherri Gurnon notified the Commissioners that the Spring/Summer Program registration
opens Monday, March 2.
7. Next Commission Meeting: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 6:00 PM.
S. Motion: By Chris Leard to adjourn. Seconded by Linda McCabe.
Motion passes, 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 PM.
Res ectfully, Submitted,
2
fan a M Cahe
Re` reation Commission Clerk
MMShns;0120.doc:5:reccom f.rec:msword 4
1611-�2
Date