Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecreation Comm 09/15/1997Recreation Commission Minutes r September 15, 1997 �i sDO ^, j Members Present: Ron Reeves, Commission Chairman, Betty O'Connor, Dick ,Blapdori, Dave Leary, and Bob Pierce FIP ' LI IS Lorilee Fish, Director of Parks & Recreation Jon Dobosz, Assistant to the Recreation Director Review Minutes of August 11th Meeting: Betty suggests we review the minutes of the August 11th meeting. Ron suggests that commission members should look at the minutes of the past four meetings, and if there are any questions, to contact Lorilee regarding such corrections. Bob makes a motion to accept minutes and start the meeting Lorilee-indicates that minutes cannot be accepted when there are corrections to be made. Ron suggests such information be compiled, documented, and given to Lorilee. Further review. MOTION: Ron motions to accept the minutes of August 11. Betty seconds. ALL IN FAVOR. Mansfield Youth Soccer Permit Request - Rick Skelly: Lorilee introduces Rick Skelly, President of Mansfield Youth Soccer Association. Mr. Skelly has submitted a request to implement a fundraising tournament on October 11 and October 12, at Plymouth Street. He indicates that the purpose of this tournament is to raise funds for field upkeep and development. He is very impressed with the field conditions this year, and would like to see that continue. MYSA has gone after and acquired sponsors for this event, including; Great Woods and Pepsi. These sponsors will help defray the costs of the tournament, which will be approximately $7,000.00 to run. The costs include the fees of referees, insurance, sanitation, advertising, and tent rental. 'Mr. Skelly also indicated that entry fees that are paid by teams to play in the tournament, will go into the Mansfield Youth Soccer Association. He expects a 60 team non-competitive tournament. The tournament falls under the rules of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. However, itis not "officially" sanctioned by the Mass. Youth Soccer Association. The association doesn't have guidelines that involve children under the ages of 8. Mr. Skelly would also like to request: 1. The use of the field on Sunday, before noontime, and 2. Waive the $50 fee for field usage. In regards to waiving the $50 fee; he feels that the tournament is being ,'organized to put money back into the fields, and paying the $50 fee would be counterproductive. He is planning for the first game to start at 8:00am, and for the facility to be clear by,'4:15pm. Currently there is no raindate set for this tournament. Lorilee asked about Monday, October 13th for a raindate. Mr. Skelly did feel that a raindate would be a good idea. He indicated that the facility will be "auto -free'?; meaning that automobiles will not be allowed to park inside the gated area. Local business have allowed MYSA to use portions of their parking lots for the weekend. Unfortunately, many of those businesses will have working hours on that Monday, and will need full usage of their parking lots. Ron asks for comments. The commission has accepted the same "Sunday a.m." proposal for Midget Football. Bob makes a motion to approve MYSA proposal. Motion is carried. Ron opens floor for discussion. Betty does not approve proposal, feels that the $50 fee will not break them. Bob feels that charging the $50 would be counterproductive. Dave also feels that in -town, non-profit organizations should have the $50 usage fee waived. MOTION: -Ron motions for vote for approval of soccer tournament and fee waiver. MOTION PASSES 4 to 1. In -Line Skate Park: Speaking for in-line skateboarders; Mr. Frank Murphy, parental liaison, Chris Murphy, and Ryan O'Keefe. Mr. Murphy announces that he is taking over for Mr. Gary D'Ambra as parental liaison to the in-line/skateboarders. Mr. D'Ambra has since taken on other commitments. Since the last meeting, Chris Murphy, Ryan O'Keefe, and Gary D'Ambra Jr. have written a letter to the Board of Selectmen asking them to apply some of the $20,000 Great Woods donation to an in-line skate park. Lorilee provides explanation of that donation from Great Woods, and the Rails To Trails project. Discussion of various locations, a lot of interest regarding Memorial Park location of in - tine facility. Lorilee mentions other communities that have, or are in the process of constructing similar facilities. Based on information compiled by Scituate Concrete Company, it would cost approximately $11,000 for apparatus. Lorilee suggests that we can start with $5,000 of such equipment. School Committee will be meeting with the MBC, to discuss the expansion of Memorial Park with a possible paved area. John Morretti, 'School Superintendent, and the School Committee feel that the paved area at Robinson School was not a good spot for a skate park. However, they do feel the need for one. Ryan O'Keefe mentioned the land area behind the Mansfield YMCA. Lorilee did talk to the YMCA, they said the area wouldbe used as a mult- purpose paved facility. Dick feels that the land right next to the library should be used as the in- line skate park. He feels that even though it is to be planned as a parking lot, that land is under Recreation Commission jurisdiction. Discussion as to what is the exact "plan" of the proposed Library/COA parking lot. Lorilee indicated the ideal square footage for such a facility would be 150' x 100'. ' She would also check with the Town Engineer regarding the plans of the parking lot. Ron believes the Memorial Park site would be more feasible for such a park. Lorilee said that she will also talk with Mr. Morretti regarding their vision of the Memorial Park expansion, and encourages the youths to start to think about fundraising possibilities. MOTION: Dick motions for the Selectmen to consider donating $10,000 of the Great Woods $20,000 to the in-line skate park. Bob seconds. Ron calls for vote. ALL IN FAVOR Betty asks if an alternative site has been determined by the in-line youths. None have been considered. MOTION: Dick motions that the recreation commission decides that the location for the proposed in-line skate park be 50 yards south of the Library on Hope Street. Bob seconds. ALL IN FAVOR Downtown Business Association - Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony: Tricia Bolea and Jay. Barrowsofthe DBA propose that a parade be tied into the Tree Lighting Ceremony. The proposed route of the parade would be to start at the train parking lot on Winthrop St., across 106, proceed down North Main Street, to South Main Street and take a right onto Park Row to the South Common. Tricia would like to see if Park Row can be "reversed" for the day, to allow a smoother transition into South Common. She stated that Jay has spoken`with the police chief, and they've approved the parade route. Tricia also listed town businesses,groups, and organizations who will participate in the parade, in some way. Jay encouraged the commission on coming up with any ideas of other groups or organizations. They have also contacted Peter Conti of the Mansfield High School Band, to play during the ceremony. Tricia plans to contact Miss Massachusetts who is a Mansfield native. Jay would like to see if the Boston Firefighters' Bagpipe group are interested. Discussion regarding the flow of the parade and the spectators coming onto the common for the tree lighting. 'Jay suggested for people to "follow" the parade down to the common. The police chief didn't see a problem with it. Lorilee t, wonders if the coffee and hot -chocolate served by the Mansfield Elks would still be feasible. Ron does believe that there certainly needs to be more thought invested into the ceremony for this event to run smoothly. Jay also suggested putting a choir under the gazebo for the ceremony. Tricia and Jay plan for the parade to start at 3:00pm, 3:15pm at the latest. Correspondence Items: Ron has questions regarding the Revolving Account. The Treasurer's Office has been unable to give Lorilee a final figure for June 30. Dave has questions regarding the usage of Revenue moneys. Ron defines the function of the Revenue Account, and that it is used to pay for utilities. Lorilee describes the usage of gift accounts, and that the Revolving Account can only be used for certain things. Discussion as to the function and usage of gift accounts. Ed Tartufo and Tom Kallio - Current plans for Plymouth St., and the Memorial Park Expansion Project: Ed provides a current drawing of Plymouth St. Facility; indicates the projects that have been completed, and those that are planned for development.: DPW has gone through the Plymouth St. Site, and its surrounding lands, and has identified what can be developed. Ed has spoken with the r Selectmen to devise a master plan for the usage of certain parts of the land. Tom Kallio indicates that he is getting a new parent group together to expand the development of Plymouth St. They have come up with a fundraising program that involves the purchasing of bricks. Those who purchase these bricks will have their name engraved into them. Tom indicated that a "courtyard" will be constructed by these bricks, and are looking to put the location of this courtyard near the "ToddlerTown" playground. People can buy these bricks for $45-$50, and corporations can purchase them for $500. All moneys from these brick will go into Plymouth St. Development. Tom indicated that the potential of money collected could reach between $45,000- $50,000. They talked to Dan Clifford, DPW also supports the idea. Canton has just completed a similar project, the bricks sold out in two weeks and there is heavy demand for more. Betty brings up the idea of benches. Tom explains that they would need to look for major corporations, and the cost would run about $1,000 per bench. Ron has a concern for third party 'claims, in which there have been considerable settlements. Betty has a question regarding enough parking. At this point, Ed and Tom are not sure if there will be enough parking. Ed introduces Jim Allen, Vice President of the Boosters Club, and Darrel Benson, former President of Midget Football. Illustrating the feasibility of the Memorial Park expansion, Ed hands out information packet of the growth of Mansfield. The information indicates that Mansfield; presently, has almost the same facilities as it did in the 1930's, with three times the population. The athletic enrollment of MHS has also doubled in the past ten years. To accomplish the proposed Memorial Park expansion, the project must be financed by a state grant, Dan Clifford estimates $1 million dollars for proposed improvement.' Ed suggests naming the new football field, "Alumni Field" or "Alumni Stadium." Lorilee indicates that the concept will go to the state through the school; application. She will also write a memo to the MBC from the Recreation Commission with copies to the school. MOTION: ALL IN FAVOR of the Memorial Park expansion. Correspondence: Item #2: Lorilee presents the Rails to Trails and in-line skatepark as ideas for capital improvements. In regards to the Rails to Trails; Lorilee indicates that Kristen, Norton Parks & Recreation Director, possibly has $15 000 in place for the project. She also informs the commission that Shaun Burke, Mansfield Planning Director, suggested we should go for $30,000. Dick does not support the Rails to Trails project. Ron indicates that the commission has not voted on this project, but this is something that Lorilee has been working on for the past 9 years. Bob agrees with Dick. Bob feels that we have not provided for the teenagers of this town, and questions the benefit and appeal of the Rails to Trails project. Lorilee describes the population the Rails to Trails facility would serve. The commission suggests we look into ,other towns' recreation programs, and what they provide for their youth population. Ron would like to have Tony Calcia, North Attleboro Parks & Recreation Director, attend a RecCom meeting and discuss programming for pre-teen/teenagers. Item #5: According to Town Engineer, Lee Azinheira's memo regarding the Fulton's Pond Dam f reconstruction; the Duck Race and Fishing Derby may not be able to be held at that site next June. Dick suggests using the river in East Mansfield. New Business: Ron would like to have Alan Weintraub,former Summer Camp Director, attend the next RecCom meeting and provide input of the Summer Camp program..' Lorilee wants to know if we should do balloons again for this years Halloween Parade. Ron said yes. Discussion regarding the transfer of the Mansfield Youth Basketball Association, scheduled for the September 24 Selectman's meeting. Dave has -concerns regarding the usage of Plymouth St. Facility. Groups are using the facility without a permit. Lorilee doesn't know how to prevent people from playing on the fields when they are open. Issue to be discussed at the next RecCom meeting, along with setting the 1998 rental fees. MOTION: Betty motions to adjourn. ALL IN FAVOR 2