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: May 31, 201 2 7:00 PM
MINUTES
Present: Gary (chair), Gail, Steve, Mitch, Fred, Rick, Mike
Not Present: Neil
Committee expressed concerns over the enrollment of Camp Massapoag. Requested that more promotion be done thru the Advocate, Patch and email blasts. Committee was pleased to know that there was a meeting of the new Sharon High School Athletic Director and Brett. Rick asked what was the Friends of the Community Center and how they paid for the benches. Steve answered him that the Friends was put together when the building was being renovated. The intent was to be able to supply the building with items that were not covered by the override. The benches would be just that. Gail asked about the Radio Disney event. Brett said he was working on bringing Phineas and Furb to Sharon.
Meghan Pederson from Women’s Softball was present to update the Committee on their league. Meghan is the co-coordinator. League runs from June 21 to August 23. Uses Ames St fields in cooperation with SYBSA. Four teams in the league (2 from Sharon 2 from Stoughton). They pay $2400 for insurance as mandated by the Town for use of the fields. Idea was talked about it becoming a Rec Department run league in the future.
Brett updated the Committee on the status of Summer Sailing. All three beginner sessions are full. Intermediate session is half full and Racing still has many slots open. Summer Beach Tag sales is ahead of the pace for last year and that is attributed to the early warm weather.
Committee reviewed their trip to the facilities. Asked Brett to send the updated spreadsheet to them to show progress and to let them know where they might be able to help out and get action done on some that are out of the hands of the Rec Department’s control.
Nominations were taken by the Committee for the 2012 Sharon Citizen of the Year. People who were nominated were: Bob Sodheim, Mitch Blaustein, Anthony Lussier, Chuck Levine, Peg Arguimbau.
The committee spoke about each person and read the memo sent in by Ben Puritz in support of Chuck Levine.
The committee then decided to cut down the number of candidates from five to three and bring those three to a formal vote at the June meeting. At that time, the Committee would bring forward one name to present to the Board of Selectmen for approval.
The three finalists for the award in 2012 are: Bob Sodheim, Mitch Blaustein and Peg Arguimbau.
Committee asked to be updated on why this is still an on-going issue in Town and in the media. They asked why the Advisory Violation from the Conservation Commission did not come out before Town Meeting and why the Board of Health did not act on the Public Safety aspect of dog feces on the beach before Town Meeting as well. The Board of Health is expected to take action at their June 4, 2012 meeting.
Brett also spoke about a resident’s concerns over dogs being allowed at the Ames Street Playground.
Brett spoke about the need to upgrade/improve the equipment at the Tennis Courts at Deborah Sampson Park. The upgrade would include conduit, junction boxes, support, wiring, connections and a push button timer system (so the lights are not on when the courts are not in use). He also received a quote for replacing the lighting with more energy efficient lights. Prices ranged from $9,000 to $15,000. It was suggested to encumber money from this year into next and/or bring it forth as a Capital request.
It was decided to go into Executive Session on this matter due to the subject matter and specifics being discussed might include some personnel. Motion made by Mike to go into Executive Session. 2nd by Gail. Motion passed 6-0. Executive session entered into at 8:27 PM. Motion made to exit Executive Session by Gail. 2nd by Steve. Motion passed 6-0. Executive session exited at 8:41 PM.
Brett brought forth three bids for replacement of the handicap ramps at Memorial Beach. Each was a specific size. One was called Beach Mats and were 4’ x 8’ and were $203 per square. The second one was called Beach Rings and were 5’ x 15’ and were $305 each plus shipping and handling. Third product was called PathMat. It is 5’ x 35’ and is $1500 each.
Brett explained the warranties and the maintenance that would be needed for each. The Committee recommended that the Rec Department purchase the PathMat despite it being the most expensive of the three. They liked that it would be a one piece unit instead of multi-piece unit.
Motion made to purchase the PathMat by Rick. 2nd by Fred. Motion passed 6-0.