HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Comm 07/28/2026Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes RECEII,/h D
July28,2026 (TIii" GI_C"f4 S Oil"FICE
Attendees Present: Ed Westhaver, Acting Chairman, Linda MCCM; Merld A 11: 12
Chris Leard
Sherri Gurnon; Parks & Recreation Director
Mary Sellner; Assistant to the Recreation Director''
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
2. Minutes of the Recreation Commission Meeting from May 26, 2026.
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
from May 26, 2026 as written. Seconded by Linda McCabe.
Motion passes, 3-0.
• Facility Requests:
• Mass Hurricanes- Mike Martin
Memorial Park Baseball Field
Game Schedule: 9:OOam-1:OOpm
June 6, 7,.13, 21, 27; July 11, 19
Thursday Practice Schedule: 5:00-7:OOpm; June 3 — July 29
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the permit request as written.
Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 3-0.
• Resendes Soccer Academy- Ruben Resendes
Plymouth Street Turf Field; June 29-July 3, 8:30am-2:30pm
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the request as written.
Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 3-0.
• Mansfield Youth Soccer- Jessica Grey
Plymouth Sheet Fields
Saturdays: August 8-November 21; 7:OOani-dusk; Sundays: August 9-November 22;
7:OOam-dusk
Monday - Friday: August 10-November 20; 3:30-9:OOpm
Columbus Day Tournament; October 10-12; 7:OOam-dusk
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the request with the following exceptions:
Permit is not issued Sundays or Turf Field Mondays/Wednesdays.
Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 3-0.
Mansfield Football & Cheer- Craig Regnier
Upper & Lower Memorial / Hutchason Field
Monday -Friday; July 27-November 13; 5:00-9:OOpm
Saturdays; August 29-November 14; 8:OOam-12:OOpm
Sundays; August 30-November 7; 7:OOam-5:OOpm
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the request as written.
Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 3-0.
• MHS- Tim Selmon
Memorial Park, Hutchason Field
Monday —Friday; August 24 —November 6, 2:00-5:30pm
Plymouth Street (Cross Country Meets); September 29 & October 13, 2:30-5:30pm
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the request as written.
Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 3-0.
• Women's Soccer League- Danielle Correia
Plymouth Street Turf Field, 10:00am—12:00pm
September 12, 27; October 18; November 1
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the request as written.
Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 3-0.
• MUASC- Mike Troiano
Plymouth Street Turf & 11vI I Grass Fields
Sunday mornings, August 23 —November 15, 8:00am-12:00pm
Hutchason Field; Sunday, October 11, 8:00am-12:00pm
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the request as written excluding October 11
and the Women's Soccer League dates; September 12, 27; October 18; and
November 1. Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 3-0.
• Athletic Training World- Mario Harrison
Plymouth Street Turf Field; Thursdays, August 6 - 20, 9:00-10:30am
Motion: By Chris Leard to approve the request as written.
Seconded by Linda McCabe. Motion passes, 3-0.
Old Business:
• Patrick Latchaw was not in attendance at the Recreation Commission meeting, therefore
no updates. Sherri Gurnon added that there has been no Open Space Committee Meeting.
• Christine Leard had no updates regarding the Memorial Park Master Plan. Ms. Gurnon
noted that the Memorial Park Master Plan is on permanent hold due to funding.
• Linda McCabe updated the Recreation Commissioners on the meeting of 2501h
Committee. The Town Manager suggested using the leftover funds that were raised to
install permanent fiberglass duck sculptures at historical sites around Mansfield.
• Sherri Gurnon shared that at 50 West Street DPW is in the process of disabling the
utilities.
• Ms. Gurnon reported to the Town Manager, Mallory Aronstein, the hazard that the
Memorial Park Skate Park has become. The Town Manager will follow up with the DPW
as to how to proceed with its removal.
• Sherri Gurnon reviewed the latest details regarding the Town /MYS Contract. In
attendance at the last meeting was Mallory Aronstein, Town Manager; Eric Houston /
Chris Karanicolas: Co -Presidents of MYS; Mike Ahern, Public Buildings Operations
Manager; and Sherri Gurnon, Director of the Parks and Recreation. Mr. Karanicolas and
Mr. Houston reported their CIP outline: Putting up nets, fencing and lights and putting in
another turf field. The document was reviewed and was resent to legal for review.
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6. New Business:
• Sherri Gurnon reported to the Recreation Commissioners that she met with the Town
Manager regarding the CIP requests. Ms. Gurnon informed her that the Number 1 CIP
request is new tennis courts. The Town Manager stated that Josh Reinke is looking into
bleacher seating and will send quotes for the cost. In addition, the Town Manager would
like to see a park developed off of Plain Street. These CIP ideas are still in the discussion
phase.
Ms. Gurnon apprised the Recreation Commissioners of a donation from one of our
fi•equent participants in our programs. The participant wanted to do a donation to show
her appreciation for all the programs that the Recreation Department offers.
Sherri Gurnon notified the Recreation Commissioners of the awarding of funds to the
Recreation Department by the Non -Profit Gift Funds Committee. The fiords were used to
purchase a new Arts and Crafts Banner.
Ms. Gurnon informed the Recreation Commissioners of a child who climbed to the top of
a playground structure at the Plymouth Street Playground. DPW sent a picture of the
child on the top of that structure. Sherri Gurnon and Mary Sellner went to the
playground to inspect the structure to see how the child was able to get up to the top.
Upon inspection, it was observed that there was a gap between the slide and structure
where a child is able to climb through to reach the outside of the slide and structure.
Sherri Gurnon notified the playground manufacturer, O'Brien and Sons. An email sent
by George Solas, of O'Brien and Sons on July 23, 2026, stated that the "Alpha Tower
structure is in compliance with ASTM F1487-25. The open access on the Whooshwinder
(larger slide) that the child was standing on top of is in compliance without the rails. The
area above the Swoosh Slide (smaller slide) transition was enclosed due to a potential
entrapment space between the hood and panels.
Although it is compliant, to address your concern of safety and put your mind at ease, I
went ahead and ordered three rails to enclose the space on the Whooshwinder. I will be
craving the rails and hardware shipped to our office. Once received, we will come by the
playground and install the rails. This will all be at no cost to you."
7. Next Commission Meetine: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 6:00 PM.
To be held at the Town Hall.
8. Motion: By Chris Leard to adjourn. Seconded by Linda McCabe.
Motion passes, 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 PM.
Resp tfully �'ubmitted
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Lin da McCabe A Date
Recreation Commission Clerk