Minutes

Recreation Advisory Committee

Sharon, Massachusetts

Meeting of April 17, 2008

 

 


           

 

 

 

In Attendance: Fred Benjamin, Mitch Blaustein, Gary Bluestein, Gail Bouton, Mike Ginsberg,  Neil Grossman, Steve Lesco, Rick Schantz   Staff Present: Melissa Lothrop.

           

Meeting was called to order by Mike Ginsberg @ 7PM.

 

            The acceptance of minutes of the April 4th,  2008  meeting  were tabled until next meeting. 

 

            Agenda

Interim Director’s Report -  Melissa Lothrop

Melissa reported that  the 29 summer staff that were hired was approved by the Board of Selectman at their April 15th meeting.  The list of staff usually went before Rec Advisory before going to Selectmen.  That did not happen.  Melissa will bring a list of the hired staff to our next meeting (May1).

 

Melissa also reported that Spring Programs started the week of April 21. 

 

The Recreation Dept. now has a survey on their website to get feedback on the Winter Programs. 

 

The LCD screen in lobby now posts announcements of daily activities that are scheduled.  There is a problem with the clarity of the screen and Melissa is working with the contractor to get it repaired.

 

Invoices for field permit usage for the sports programs were sent out.  The breakdown is:  SYBSA  (baseball/softball)- $5,000, Sharon Soccer - $5,000. Sharon Pop Warner - $1,000 and Sharon Lacrosse - $1,000.

 

 

Recreation Director Search Committee Report –  Rick Schantz

 

30 people applied for the Recreation Director’s position.  8 people were interviewed by Search Committee.

Two finalists were sent by Committee to Board of Selectmen and were interviewed at their April 15th meeting.  The two finalists are Dan Landesman and Brett MacGowan.  Both candidates matched up to the credentials from the job listing.

 

 

-A motion was made by Mike Ginsburg to enter Exective Session @7:38PM.  Motion seconded by Rick Schantz.  Unanimous.

Executive Session ended at 7:55PM..

 

 

Community Center Renovation Update –  Steve Lesco

Community Center Renovation Committee voted on purchasing 20 tables, which was approved.

 

Contingency money is still available.  Deer ate some of the plants and new plants have been ordered.

 

There are some warranty issues and that is being dealt with as well as learning the Heating/Ac system.

 

.

Steve spoke w/ Eric Hooper (DPW)  An ad has been placed to hire a part-time custodian (approximately working 19 hours).  The cost of the custodian is being paid out of the Program Revolving Fund.

 

For any events in Ballroom where a temporary alcohol license is issued, there needs to be a police detail present.  All doors upstairs should be locked including main door at top of steps as well as locking the elevator during these events.. Gary Bluestein attended an affair in the ballroom and stated that it went flawlessly with room, kitchen, lobby area as well as parking.  Bottom line – it’s a real nice place to have a function.  Gary noticed minor issue in the kitchen with the tile floor with concern of the grout.  Sealant needs to be applied which should solve this cleaning issue.

 

The Community Center Open House was on April 13th. From 1PM-4PM.  250-300 people attended. Varying music  acts performed both  in the Ballroom and the Adult Center.  Unanimous  from all that attended – what a beautiful place.  The Ballroom was dedicated and now is officially – “David I. Clifton Ballroom.  Dave was in attendance.  Only concern is noise level between floors.  Contractor is going to try to solve by putting some more insulation in.

 

Lakeview Street Property Reuse Committee Report –  Gary Bluestein

 

Renovations continue.  Replacement windows are scheduled to be put in at some of the buildings.

DPW went in and replanted some of the ball field and that site has been added to their schedule to maintain.  Lacrosse is using field two times during the week.  A Club Team wants to rent the field (Mon & Wed).  Melissa is researching on what would be the appropriate fee.

The maintenance dept. is currently using classrooms and is considering requesting office space in the Horizons Administration building.

The August rental for South Campus might be in jeopardy, there is a financial issue by that group.

Capital request for $100,000 was not put on the warrant for Town Meeting.  It was a clerical error.  If it can’t be corrected and distributed to the citizens, it will have to be pushed back to November’s Town Meeting.

 

A discussion regarding purchase  of boating docks to be used by camps ($20,000 voted on by capital outlay).  Camp Gannett would like Lakeview Street Property to purchase their docks.

 

Report on Open Space Committee – Fred Benjamin

 

Fred reported that the committee is still in the process of consolidating the surveys.

 

School Committee Update – Mitch Blaustein

 

School Dept will be billed and pay for Lifeguard  usage at the Lake for their summer swim program.  A Lifeguard is designated just for that group when they are at the Lake.

There will be no fees for use of the school fields to the Rec Dept, continuing the past policy.

The Rec Dept. will schedule the school fields during the summer.

 

 

Old business

Melissa will contact George Bailey to re-schedule  his meeting w/ Rec Advisory.

 

Upgrade to Pavilion at Memorial Beach will begin.  It is broken down into four (4) phases.  Sink in the bathroom that was damaged has been replaced.

 

 

 

Motion made by Mike Ginsberg to adjourn meeting.  Rick Schantz seconded the motion.  Meeting adjourned @ 8:26 PM.

 

 

 

Next meeting – May 1st @7PM.

 

 

Repectfully submitted by,

Neil Grossman