Recreation Advisory Committee

December 6, 2012

Meeting Minutes

Submitted by Laura Salomons

 

In attendance: Gary Bluestein Chair, Amanda Deni, Neil Grossman, Mitch Blaustein, Margaret Marder, Laura Salomons, Gail Bouton, Steve Lesco, and Mike Goldstein.

 

2. New Recreation Department Director

Gary introduced Amanda Deni as the new Recreation Director.

 

3. Meeting Minutes

Neil Grossman made a motion to approve the minutes from 9/20/12, Margaret Marder seconded the motion.  All voted to approve the minutes.

 

4. Triathlon

Tim Richmond talked about the success of the 2012 Triathlon.  They are now working with police and fire departments for next year’s event.  Max Performance is trying to increase event from 550 to 650 athletes.  There were questions about safety, especially water safety, and parking.  Tentative date for triathlon is August 11, 2013 (6th year).

Steve Lesco made a motion to use Max Performance to run the 2013 triathlon with the increase in athletes. Gail Bouton seconded motion.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

5. SYBSA Capital Requests

SYBSA requests for Ames St fields (Michael Clayman put together requests).

-          Cover two dugouts at field D (work done by volunteers led by Todd Whiting) – work is similar to Foxboro and Plainville.  Committee recommended talking to Joe Kent or Peter O’Cain.  Amanda will check into this.  Cost approx. $750/dugout.

-          Put in a second shed to store tournament equipment. Cost approx. $1,200.

    This will be added to next RAC agenda for approval.

 

6. Rehabilitation of Sacred Heart Property

Funding for demolition of Sacred Heart was voted at Town Meeting earlier this week.  RAC will work with the Sacred Heart Reuse Committee regarding what this land will now be used for.  If there is still a Reuse Committee, RAC should vote one of its members to be a liaison to this Committee. There will be 2 public open meetings on this issue.

 

7. Director’s Report

Committee reviewed Director’s report, specifically basketball, how different town depts. (schools, library, and COA) can work together on programming, Halloween parade, handicapped parking signs at beach.  A recommendation was made to present Director’s report with categories as opposed to by dates.  FYI, Dave Clifton is back running the K and Grade 1 basketball program.  John Noel will run 2nd grade.

 

8. Recreation Department FY’14 Budget

Amanda reviewed FY’14 budget of $196,491, 2.8% below this year’s budget.  Salary and gasoline line items are reduced, while building, office supply, and lighting upgrade line items are proposed to receive budget increases.  Committee had questions about whether or not lighting upgrades for Deborah Sampson is a town or SYBSA responsibility.  A suggestion was made to look into whether or not major electrical/lighting changes for Rec Dept properties could be combined and made into a capital request.  Amanda will look into all these issues.  Amanda will present this to Selectmen next Tuesday.

 

9. Building Utilization Update

-          The Monitor in the lobby (Carousel system) is up and working.  The monitor shows schedule of events for building, among other things.

-          Office downstairs has been vacated to make it an office for recreation staff.

-          Ventilation in telephone room is being worked on.

-          Training for security system is being set up.

-          Working on addressing storage needs.

-          Started to explore signage near office.

-          Asst Dir may come in with Saturday hours which may be useful in terms of creating weekend programming (after a new PT custodian is hired as well).

 

10. Beach Tags & Renovations

Amanda reviewed proposed beach tags, which were discussed at a previous meeting. 

Steve Lesco made a motion to accept 2013 beach tag fee structure as written with addition of fees for out-of-state license plates. Mike Goldstein seconded motion.  All voted to approve.

 

Bid for Memorial Beach renovations was awarded to Chuck Valenzo of Foxboro.  Work will be done by April 2013.

 

There was a brief discussion re the snack shack, and who might run it next year.

 

11. Recreation Site Update

Amanda will have site visit update in January.

 

12. Annual Recreation Advisory Board Officers Election

Neil Grossman moved that the RAC officers be Gary Bluestein, as Chair and Clerk  and Steve Lesco as Vice-Chair.  Margaret Marder seconded the motion.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

13. Recreation Advisory Board Mission Statement

Margaret Marder discussed ideas for a mission statement and RAC roles/tasks based on her ideas and what other town Recreation Committees use as guidelines and mission. Town meeting creates RAC as an advisory group, not a group that makes any decisions.  There was a discussion of how recommendations of the Committee are followed up on.  All agreed that this is a great start.  All should review and email comments to Gary who will email Margaret.

 

14. Old Business

Gail Bouton will not be applying for another term on this Committee.

 

15. Other Business

Amanda will post Asst. Dir. Position job listing tomorrow, with the hope that the position will be filled in February.  Asst. Dir. will be working Saturday. Steve Lesco made a motion that Amanda post the job listing.  Neil Grossman seconded the motion.  All voted in favor of the motion.  Amanda discussed process for hiring the Asst. Dir.  A member of RAC will be involved in the interview process.

 

16. Adjourn

Laura Salomons made a motion to adjourn.  Mitch Blaustein seconded the motion.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

Next Meetings: January 3, 2013 and January 31, 2013