HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Comm 12/08/1997RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING. MINUTE$ „n
DECEMBER 8,1997' '-
Attendees present: Commission Chairman, Ron Reeves; C6emmi9sion be'rk; Betty O'Connor
Commission Members: Dick Blandori, Bob Pierce and Dave Leary
IS
Lorilee Fish, Parks and Recreation Director
Jon Dobosz, Assistant to the Recreation Director
MINUTES - There was no discussion of November 17th minutes. Vote to approve minutes
should be done at next next meeting.
GUEST - Tony Calcia, Parks & Recreation Director - North Attleboro, MA
Tony provided an overview of department and youth programs. Mansfield Recreation
Commission interested in options for teen activities. Advise offered to Mansfield - be flexible to
new ideas, encourage cooperation between schools & other organizations, and training
volunteers. YMCA in Attleboro offers sports programs similiar to Recreation Dept. in town.
Attleboro Rec. Depart. tries to offer alternative programs or the same programs during different
season. Rec. Dept, staff- includes 1 Director, I Admin. Sec'y and Program Coordinators (2).
Approximate Department budget breakdown: $62K maintenence, $214K salaries, $314K
revolving accts. ($ collected from fees). Total estimate $600K+. Program Coordinators are hired
for each season. Responsibilites include various sports registration, scheduling, ordering
equipment and on site at games. Coaches are parent volunteers. Parks & Rea T -Shirts are given
to all volunteers at end of season. The cost of incentives is built into program fee.
Some of the Youth Programs offered include:
Teen Center - Attleboro teen center currently operated by a private organization. Program
depends on constant fund raising to support salaries & programs ($34K -$40K annually). Created
a lot of financial pressure. Current Director is leaving position for this reason. Actual program
currently running fine, but may not survive long without financial backing from some other
organization. Teen dances offered by YMCA also well attended program available
Enhance Program - Offered by Rec Comm. geared for 12yrs & up high school level. Includes
various afterschool enrichment classes i.e. video production, computer,photography, etc.
Ski Program - Very popular. 160 kids registered - mostly high school age 12yrs+. '$135.00 fee
includes 8 day trips via department owned coach bus, to Mt. Wachussett, lift ticket and
chaperones. College students often used for chaperones. Jon will explore options for Mansfield.
Recreational Basketball - Great for youths not playing school team basketball. Attleboro does not
have problem finding gym space. 'Schools are open 24hrs seven days a week. Rec. Depart.
controls school gym schedule. No cost incurred for custodians unless they open just for a
Recreation Dept. event.
Summer Camp - Held at 3 different locations. Extended hours available. Scholarship monies
offered. Town contribution of $52K to program enabled them to charge low rate of $85 for 9
wks. Campers have one field trip per week. Councelor levels similiar to Mansfield. Training a
key element to programs's success - CIT's, Jr. & Sr. councelors meet with Program Coordinator
on a regular basis. Training offered in CPR, First Aid, child abuse. Director uses hands on
approach, visits camp sites daily.
1
5th -8th Grade Programs - High School coaches teach gymnastics 2x year (approx 85 girls) also
Wrestling
t'. Summer Sports Campy - $45 fee for 8 wks. in Baseball, Basketball, Girls Softball and Field
Hockey, High School teachers used for coaches.
Soccer Program - In town league only. Intramural program emphasis skills and enjoyment. Travel
team operated as independent organization
Community Activities - Some events include Halloween Parade, Tree Lighting, Egg Hunt, St.
Patrick's Day events etc. 7-8 bus trips are planned each month. Attended mostly by seniors, trips
include transportation to casinos, musicals, figure skating, shopping, and more.
GUEST - Lenny Flynn, Natural Resource Trust of Mansfield - "Rails to Trails"
Mr. Flynn explained that 10% of every federal dollar in commonwealth distributed to I.C.T.E.A.
Program - Intersurface Transportation Modular Efficiency Act. Program diverts highway money
to other means of transportation i.e. rail, bike path. Funds could be available to support building
Mansfield "Rails to Trails" program. The estimated cost of the bike path project is around
$300K. ($3,000 allocated to date from Gift Acct.) Mansfield already owns right away starting at
East St. through Norton. DPW could donate remaining 10% as In-kind service. Recreation
Commission was surveyed whether or not they would support bike path project if Lenny could
obtain money for project. Board wants to know final cost to town before deciding whether to
support. Agreed to have Lenny will pursue application for money and report back to commission.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Memo to Midget Football - list of charges for October/November - Balance- $152.40
2. Tree Lighting: Thank you letter to volunteers
*3. Skateboard Park - Letter to Frank Murphy and the three young men that we have been
working with stating that the Skate Park will not be brought forward at this time.
*4. Pre -School Kids Workshop Winter Flyer
*5. Recreation Commission Survey: Published in Buzz 12/4/97 - We have 15 surveys back and
continue to mail them with registrations and flyers. Request made by B. Pierce to have surveys
distributed through high school to all students. Approx. 4000 copies would need to be printed.
6. Memo to Bea Kearney, Town Accountant - final letter re June 30, 1997 Revolving balance.
TABLED:
* 1. Field Reservation Forms 1997 - Field usage fee revised by commission to deter or eliminate
(out of town) profit making groups from wanting space - 1997 Tise of Field fee $1,000 per day,
per park. With permission of commission, fees may be adjusted or waived.
Revenue to date $1,705.
*2. Letter drafted to Selectmen re: MYBA using space in the Recreation office.
Vote taken of those in favor of MYBA occuping space at Rec. Dept.
3 votes in favor. D. Blandori-opposed, B. O'Connor -abstain.
Vote to implementing a fee for MYBA to use office space at Rec. Dept.
Defeated 4-1.
Lorilee will revise letter and send to Board of Selectman.
* Mission Statement and Goals & Objectives
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CORRESPONDENCE II:
* 1. 1998/99 Budget - Submitted 12/4/97 - Meetings have not been set up yet w/Town Manager.
* Memo to J. D'Agostino, TM, requesting that all utility bills be paid through the DPW office.
They have the staff.
*2. CIP Park & Recreation - Due January 9, 1998 - To be discussed at December 22nd meeting.
Per D. Blandori request, Letter to Town Manager will be sent for clarification purposes stating
Recreation Dept. come under Board of Selectman.
BUSINESS:
1. Sesame Street Live -February 22 - Ipm performance - Providence Civic Center - Waiting to
hear on ticket prices - Still looking fora chaperone. Bus will be $135 this year ($3. per person
plus ticket.)
2. Scout Tours - Spring tour of Newport, RI mansions with lunch $38 p.p. More information
coming on different tour ideas in Newport. A winter/holiday tour may be a possibility for next
December.
3, Summer Camp Director: Lorilee will start advertising position in January. Previous salary
$9.94 per hour- request made to increase to $10.00 per hour - No objection from Commission.
*4. Arts & Crafts Show - Financial analysis +$2,133.49.
5. Lorilee spoke with J. D'Agostino in reference to former Town Manager reversing a
Commission decision. He stated that he would not reverse a decision made by the Commission as
long as he was fully informed of facts.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Request for Support - The Planning Board asks that all Town Boards, Commissions and
Committees follow and endorse the updated Master Plan from 1989 that was completed last
Spring.
Christmas Program - Set up began about 1:30pm for Annual Tree lighting and Parade. It was a
very successful event. Hot chocolate, coffee and candy canes were distributed. Sun Cronicle
estimated 7,000 in attendance. No need for entertainment on Common because people were on
parade route watching.
Next meeting set for Dec. 22nd to discuss Capital Improvements.
Meeting adjourned 9:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Eleanor McCarter, Commission Secretary
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Betty O'Connor, Commission Clerk
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