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: November 17, 2011 7:00 PM
MINUTES
Present: Gary, Steve, Mitch, Rick, Gail, Fred, Mike Goldstein, Brett, Margaret Marder, Amanda
Not Present: Neil, Mike Ginsberg
Motion made by Steve to approve minutes. 2nd by Mitch. Approved 6-0
Motion made by Fred to approve minutes as amended. 2nd by Steve. Approved 6-0
Mike Ginsberg has resigned his position on the committee as he has moved out of town. Nominations were accepted at October 2011 meeting for Chairman. Mitch has since decided to decline the nomination. Gary and Steve are the two remaining nominations. Brett asked that the committee members hold their hand up when asked to vote for the new chairman. He also told the committee that they can only vote once.
Results: Chairman Gary 4 Steve 3 Steve then nominated by Gail to be the Vice Chairman and he accepts the nomination.
Results: Vice Chairman Steve 7
Brett then was nominated to be the Clerk and was voted Clerk by the committee by a 6-0 vote.
Rick asked questions about the Dog Park tree removal and plowing and basketball sponsors.
Brett proposed keeping the fees for beach passes the same as in 2009 and 2010. Rick asked about the notation that all passes have the wording, “ Main Gates are closed and locked at 6:00PM daily”. Brett said the Selectmen called him
before them in August to discuss the issues at Memorial Beach. Those issues included after hours usage, usage after hours by non-residents and after hours trash. Brett responded that the Main Gate are left open at 6:00 PM. Staff leaves and locks the building at 6:00 PM. The Selectmen decided to close and lock the gates at closing time from then on.
Rick asked questions related to when we changed to a 6:00 PM closing and how can residents access the beach after 6:00 PM. Brett stated that the hours were changed in 2009 to a 6:00 PM closing. Residents can still access the beach but no longer by driving in. Rick asked to explore the options of staffing the gates until 8:00 PM. Brett stated that we operate the beaches at minimum staffing and do not cover the expenses of operation through beach tag sales.
Gary asked Brett to work with Rick to his concerns.
Motion made to keep beach fees the same as 2010 by Steve. 2nd by Rick. Motion passed 6-0.
Pricing to remain the same on the full day sports and arts camps. Half day Kiddie Kamp will be increased by $6 a day.
Brett spoke about his trip to the NRPA Congress in Atlanta. He spoke about educational sessions that he took about kayaking, social media and employee morale.
Brett spoke about possible expansion of the program base and rental income provided by kayaks on Memorial Beach. He stated several residents have inquired about rental of kayaks. Kayaks would provide more active recreation on the Lake. Could invest in 6-8 kayaks and rent them out.
Brett said he held a coordinator’s meeting. Changes have been made to the schedule to accommodate travel basketball schedule. More changes may be needed.
Brett attended the South Shore Recreation Director’s Meeting. He stated that all Recreation Department’s are struggling with enrollment and how to promote programs. He is looking into inserts in the tax bills.
Gary spoke about the Selectmen’s Meeting from November 15, 2011 and the question that was raised about weekend usage at the Community Center.
Brett said he is waiting on Peter O’Cain to get back to him with the new survey results for the landfill before proceeding.
Brett explained that he is looking to purchase a product from Away with Geese that would disrupt the geese and their sleeping patterns. Each unit costs $369 and we would need four.
Brett explained to the Committee that if a member responds reply all on an email it will be considered a violation of open meeting law. Mitch agreed as he just completed the training.
Darkness to Light awareness meetings to be held at Community Center on December 14 and 15. Darkness to Light is about bringing people together to discuss the issues of child sexual abuse and it’s impact on the community.
Gary asked that Brett look into filling in the potholes at Memorial Beach and when the speed ramps on East Foxboro Street are going to be removed.
Gary asked that the new Recreation representative to the CPA be invited to a coming meeting to discuss opportunities for funding.
Amanda explained her report to the Committee about Camp, basketball and the Halloween Parade.
Motion made to adjourn meeting at 9:05 PM by Steve. 2nd by Rick. Motion passed 6-0.
Next Meeting is Thursday, December 22 , 2011 at 7:00 PM.