Minutes

Recreation Advisory Committee

Sharon, Massachusetts

Meeting of May 1, 2008

 

 

 

In Attendance: Fred Benjamin, Gary Bluestein, Gail Bouton, Mike Ginsberg,  Mike Goldstein, Neil Grossman, Steve Lesco,   Staff Present: Melissa Lothrop.  Guest:  George Bailey

           

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

 

            A motion  was made by Gail Bouton to accept the minutes of April 13th.  Motion seconded by Fred Benjamin.  Minutes approved unanimously.

 

            Agenda

Interim Director’s Report -  Melissa Lothrop

A list  of names of Summer 2008 staff was distributed to the committee.  Melissa explained that there was plenty of staff which would eliminate any overtime pay.  Additionally this year 2 maintenance staff has been added to pick up trash at different sites and well as any cleanup outside the Community Center.  The 2 new maintenance staff will be scheduled for 12-15 hours per week.

 

Recreation Dept will be borrowing 2 rescue boats from the Massapoag Yacht Club for a total expenditure of  $500.00.

 

Meliisa pointed out  when Men’s Club meets for their weekly meeting, lack of parking has become an issue.  Parking lot is filled by 9AM, leaving no parking for staff.  Alternative parking and car pooling areas was also discussed.  Melissa asked if we could get some reserved parking spaces for staff.  A motion was made by Gary Bluestein  - At community center, to request staff parking created with signs for 10  parking spots and additional 2 spots reserved for 15 minute spot parking for patrons to run in and out that need to register for activities.  Motion seconded by Mike Ginsberg.  Passed unanimously.

 

Update on hiring of third custodian.  Received 4 applications and already have interviewed 1 and waiting to interview a second applicant.

 

Update on events director – no one has been hired yet. Position is currently being filled by person in the tax write-off program.

 

                                                  

 

Community Center Renovation Update –  Steve Lesco

Removal of pool table was discussed. Pool table will not be paid for and have asked  the supplier to remove.  This pool table was defective and needs to be removed as soon as possible because its taking up too much space.  There is also one in COA with same issue.

 

 

 

Lakeview Street Property Reuse Committee Report –  Gary Bluestein

 

Continual cleanup is being done by. approximately 40 Boy Scouts and other groups .  They are  removing dead brush and clearing outside areas.

 

Gary requested that the Recreation Dept  make presentation to the Lakeview Street Committee.  The School Dept and Library have done presentations already.

 

Maintenance – refurbishing of the Rec hall is under way.  Electrical work is continuing with all new lights.  A new floor is being installed and new windows will be installed, hopefully in a week.

 

2 tenants will be using facilities in the summer.   The Boy Scouts will be using the facility in July and Chabadd will be using July/August.  Jean Peckham’s Dance classes will also be using the facilities.  This wll bring in approximately $30,000.

 

 

Guest speaker – George Bailey

Discussion w/ George Bailey (submitted by George Bailey)

  1. Purpose of meeting was to get an updated view of the Recreational needs as they relate to the Community Preservation Committees Long Range Plan
  2. GB explained charts and GIS maps showing location of the towns active recreation areas, along with the calculations of actual areas devoted to each activity. A GIS calculations showing the areas within 1/2 mile radius of each and the number of dwelling units within each circle. Chart showed that approximately half of the town's dwellings are outside any open space currently within a half mile.
  3. Discussed Committees  priority areas - past and present - and whether revisiting the sites in question was worthwhile
  4. Mountain st. Land fill site could be improved in smaller steps. A plan and estimate was under consideration ($5K) which could be eligible for CPC funding.
  5. The need for Soccer field backup space (to allow resuscitation of heavily used fields on Gavin's Pond West) continues. Bailey pointed out that as a member of the Planning Board at the time that the town accepted the East side land donation, little or no attention was given the thought that specifying land for Conservation meant requiring an Art 97 override (2/3 vote) for a change in use of town owned land.  However, there is little that can be done but return the issue to Town Meeting when appropriate.
  6. The Oakland Road area could also be revisited. Bailey noted that the area is close to many residences currently unserved by park areas and that pedestrian access could  lessen need for parking space and hence neighborhood opposition
  7. Committee members noted that locating active rec areas away from residences made acquisition and development easier. Bailey noted that this is contrary to good site planning - attempting to serve already developed areas - currently termed "Smart Growth".
  8. Questions relating to the number and size of fields shown on the charts will be resolved by committee members (?) and returned to Bailey for correction
  9. Finally, any endorsement of a Recreation Plan should await the review of the new director who is about to begin and needs at least a few weeks to review the status of the current plan and the CPC plan.
  10. Bailey noted the importance of the bill currently before the legislature: Senate Bill 137 as it relates to broadening the eligibility of recreational projects and requested support of the committee. A draft of a memo follows:

Motion to adjourn meeting by Gail Bouton, Seconded by Mike Ginsberg..  Meeting adjourned at 8:42PM.

 

 

 

Next meeting – May 22ndt @7PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted by,

Neil Grossman