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: April 26, 2012 7:00 PM
MINUTES
Present: Gary (Chair), Steve, Mitch, Rick, Gail, Margaret, Fred
Not Present: Mike, Neil
Recreation Advisory Committee requested that a representative from each of the other committees attended and spoke about Article 3. Cliff Towner spoke from Lake Management, Stan Rosen spoke from the Board of Health and Betsy McGrath spoke from the Conservation Commission. All of the other committees voted in favor of Article 3. Cliff, Stan and Betsy all spoke about the reasons why they voted in favor. It was stated that this is the only fresh water beach around that allows dogs on the beach. After discussion, motion was made Steve, 2nd by Gail to vote in favor of banning dogs from Memorial Beach in accordance to Article 3. Motion approved 5-0.
Motion made to approve minutes by Steve. 2nd by Gail. Motion approved 5-0.
Committee asked for more information regarding:
#1 Summer Brochure. Mailed to all mailing addresses in Sharon. Postage alone was $952.
#7 Site visit to Massapoag Yacht Club. Greg Mesiter, Conversation Agent, asked Brett to come along to the Yacht Club as he wanted to see if the Yacht had expanded onto Town property, under the Recreation Department. The Yacht Club was and end result will be notification in writing to move back within the boundaries.
#12 Beach Tree Park Concerts. The Gopens still maintain the Park with the help of volunteers. They do ask Brett for help from time to time.
#15 Summer Staff Shirts. Questions were about identifying Rec Advisory Members when they come to events.
#18 April Vacation Week conflicts with Council on Aging. There were three major COA events in the Ballroom during vacation week, thus restricting parking and usage of the main floor for Recreation.
Brett said there was one request for a summer field permit so far and it was from SYBSA for the Ames Street fields. All additional paperwork is on file. Field Permit issued for Ames Street Fields to SYBSA from June 15-July 31, 2012.
Camp enrollment is up from last year at this time but is still below where we were at this time two years ago.
Sailing enrollment is going strong. Beginner Classes are just about full. Advanced and Racing don’t usually fill up until alter in the year.
April is the earliest time that we have sold tags in recent memory. Early sales are strong. Have sold over $2,000 so far.
Steve and Gail updated the Committee on the progress of the Usage Committee. They are preparing their report for the Selectmen with the cooperation of the representatives of the Council on Aging. It should be ready for the May Rec Advisory Meeting for review before being sent to the Selectmen.
The Committee reviewed summer lake testing with the Board of Health Representatives from the joint meeting. Question was raised as to why the Recreation Department pays for the testing and not the BOH. No one is quite sure. Brett was notified that G & L Labs will be doing the testing this year, not Lapuck Labs as in years past. The difference was the transportation fee that Lapuck added this year to the bid. Steve asked who would be doing the testing as he has concerns over how it is being done and is it in a consistent spot. Linda Rosen answered that they have a couple of people that have been trained and have been testing for the past few years. Sheila Miller is also able to test and they hope to use an intern this summer as needed. Steve asked about the testing schedule and why it takes so long to get results. Linda answered the culture needs to grow. Gail asked about additional testing when the tests come back high.
If Wednesday’s test comes back on Thursday afternoon and it is high, can’t we get another test before the weekend. Committee asked about more testing so that the beaches would be closed as a result of high counts on weekends. Linda answered that the next test would then be on Friday morning and results would be back on Saturday afternoon, if the lab is open.
Mitch asked the Committee to consider asking the School Committee to appoint him as their representative to the Committee after his term on School Committee ends in May.
Gary asked the Committee if they would consider a Recreation site visits to the various parks in Town. All in attendance thought it was a good idea and it will be done on May 12.
Gary asked that Brett invite former committee member and chair, Mike Ginsberg, to the next meeting in May.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.