TOWN OF SHARON
MEETING NOTICE
POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF M.G.L. CHAPTER 39 SECTION 23A AS AMENDED.
Recreation Advisory Committee
LOCATION OF MEETING: Sharon Community Center
DATE & TIME: September 22, 2011 7:00 PM
MINUTES
Present: Mike Ginsberg(chair), Gail, Gary, Steve, Neil, Fred, Mike Goldstein, Mitch, Brett(Director), Amanda(Assistant Director)
Not Present: Rick
Motion made to approve by Gary/2nd by Neil. Motion approved 6-0.
Questions arose about Camp Massapoag enrollment decline from 2010, beach tag numbers and sailing enrollment. Changes have already been made for 2012 for Camp. Going back to 2010 format. Brett to look into moving to a full day concept for Kiddie Kamp. Linda Callan asked about surveys and what results we got back. No surveys were sent out.
Brett answered questions about beach tag sales. Sales were down 2% from 2010. Sales were down $1,500 from 2010. Many more senior tags were sold than 2010 which could result in some of the change. Fred asked about Family Beach Car Tags and how many were sold. One resident bought them. Gary then asked why we spent so much time discussing it, if only one was sold.
Beach Testing is done by Board of Health. Gary asked why Memorial Beach was closed for a week at the end of summer. Brett said Board of Health didn’t have any testers to do a sample and the BOH decided not to test due to that and Hurricane Irene. Brett expressed frustration in why retests are done immediately when a test comes back high and why it is the Recreation Department’s responsibility to post and inform people that the beach is closed and not the BOH.
Brett reported that there was one sailing problem that resulted in a refund. Camp Massapoag numbers were down from 2010 but almost all of the expenses were covered. Gary asked for a list of programs run by the Department and when they run. Questions were raised about promotion and how to get the word out. One suggestion included going back to print brochures to get the word out. Brett to purchase tri-pod sign for out front of Town Hall and Police Department along with additional banners.
Question was asked about use of common space inside the Community Center during the summer. Brett expressed frustration in dealing the Council on Aging on use of space. He said that Camp was displaced 15 times by COA programs during a seven week span. Tuesdays and Thursday were the days of displacement. Men’s Club is responsible for seven of the days. COA’s Tai Chi class was responsible for six of the days and the COA’s Monthly Party was responsible for two of the days. Brett said it was very hard to run a quality program when consistency is changed a few times a week. Brett said he spoke with Ben about it. Brett said he uses the Ballroom on Thursday mornings for 7 of out 52 for Rec Programs and this year he only had 2 of 52. Tuesday and Thursday programming for the Rec Department is impossible due to monthly parties for the COA. All programs need consistency from week to week to work.
Gary asked that Ben and a Selectmen attend the next Recreation Advisory Meeting to discuss this issue.
Tim Richmond from Max Performance was there to answer questions. Reviewed the race and any questions that arose from it. Brett said he heard one complaint this year from residents about noise. Brett mentioned that his lifeguard staff was used this year along with the Recreation Boat. Recreation Lifeguards made two saves during the race. Gary questioned why an accident report wasn’t filed. Tim said that during each race there are at least five saves no matter where the race is. There was only one accident this year and that was a racer lost control of her bike and hit a tree resulting in an ambulance call. Gary asked that Brett and Tim communicate better in the future about accidents/incidents by having a formal meeting after the race is done. Motion made by Steve that Max Performance is awarded the date of August 12, 2012 to run the Sharon’s Back Triathlon at Memorial Beach. Gail 2nd. Motion approved 6-0. Gary asked that next year the Committee have the opportunity to discuss
the Triathlon without Tim present. Gary suggested it be on the agenda for September and October.
Brett presented what he presented to Ben/Cindy Doherty(Town Accountant) and Bill Fowler (Town Finance Director). Brett presented a level funded and 2% increase to Committee.
Brett also presented four Capital Improvement suggestions for FY13.
#1 Sidewalk from Massapoag Ave to Community Center. Brett explained that an senior fell on the road and luckily wasn’t hit by a car as she laid in the road. Brett found her, checked her out and drove her home. Brett has spoken with Eric (DPW Superintendent), Joe (Police Chief), Jim (Fire Chief), Norma (COA Director), Greg (Conservation Administrator) and the Conservation Commission about it and all of them support it.
#2 Bathroom Renovation at Memorial Beach
Received several complaints about the quality of the bathrooms at Memorial Beach. One complaint was from July 3rd Committee. Looking at replacing all fixtures, updating electrical and painting.
#3 Storage/Vehicle/Groomer
12x20 shed that could store equipment at Memorial Beach, currently stored in electrical closet, and a vehicle to be used at beach for grooming beach, trash and clean-up. Could also double as Main Gate Guard Shack that would allow them shelter from the elements.
#4 Sail Boats
Six used sail boats to replace outdated used boats.
No new news on taking over the SHS Sailing program for Fall 12.
Rodman Ride for Kids has been postponed a week and will be using Memorial Beach and it’s bathrooms.
No new news on the Landfill Fields. Brett is awaiting the results of the field survey conducted by Peter O’Cain (Town Engineer).
Gary asked if Brett has the keys to the blue Recreation truck. Brett said no.
Town has issued a warning about EEE and use of Town Fields. All Youth Sports Leagues have been told that all Town fields are closed.
Mike Ginsberg informed the Committee that he has sold his house and is moving out of Sharon. Most likely November will be his last meeting. He asked that the Committee hold elections at the end of the October meeting. Anyone interested in becoming Chair needs to contact Brett before the October meeting.
Motion made by Mike Goldstein to adjourn. 2nd by Steve. Motion approved 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:52PM.
Next Meeting: October 27, 2011