Town of Hampden
Regular Meeting of
Parks & Recreation Commission
8:00PM at the Hampden Town Hall
May 23, 2002
Approved: June 13, 2002
The meeting was called to order at 8:15 P.M
Board members: Tom Crogan, Kathleen Duquette, Glennice Flynn, Chris McDonald and Jim Morris
Others: Jay Fenlason, Director; Sue Gorman, Clerk
POOL UPDATE
DIG Safe will be coming 5/24/02 to check utilities. Mike D’Amours will be coming soon after to dig trench. Once this is completed F.C. Taplan will be called to do the pool work.
POLICY COMMITTEE
An ad was placed in the Reminder to notify town residents of a committee forming to help formalize Park and Recreation Policies and Procedures. Due to short notice only two people responded to the ad, which will be run for two more weeks. A flyer will also be put up during the Memorial Day Parade.
SPORTS
A letter went out to notify families (at soccer sign ups) on the two-year combination for soccer teams (5/6, 7/8).
FIELD USAGE
Chris was concerned that the fields were not in good shape and would this be a safety issue? What will be done to improve the fields? Jay is getting estimates for irrigation. Glennice suggested for the fall, practices could be limited and the field usage rotated. The fields could have signs posted for an open or closed field. The fields need to be watered. A manual sprinkler would be helpful if someone was available to keep them running when needed.
Jim had copies of the Longmeadow Policies and Procedures for the file.
FYI
Chris was concerned about an issue in the May 9 meeting minutes about a telephone call received by a board member. The intent of the phone call was just to inform the Park and Rec of a situation that occurred and was handled. This individual did not want to pursue the situation. Chris felt that situations like this should be presented at the board meetings and not over the telephone. Second hand information shouldn’t be put into the minutes. If an individual has an issue they should attend the meeting. Board members felt this was not practical and these circumstances should be passed on at the meetings. Glennice felt board members are elected officials and it is their responsibility to deal with a situation and present it to the board. Jim felt that in the future similar circumstances may/may not be allowed into minutes. Tom made a motion to accept the minutes with this included, with a second by Glennice. All voted in favor to accept minutes as is and approve the May 9,2002 minutes.
Chris also was insulted about the vote for chairman while he was not in attendance. He arrived at 8:00P.M. It was offered to have a re-vote while the entire board was available but Chris felt this was not necessary. Jim said that the vote generally is the first order of the meeting after a new board is elected. Kathleen left the meeting at 8:50 P.M.
MEMORIAL PARK
Information was passed around for an aluminum hinged covered box for the telephone. Chris is going to research the possibility of a stronger box for the next meeting. These would need to have a padlock on them. Perhaps keys could go into first aid boxes. This particular style runs approximately $167.00. Could the telephones be wired for 911 usage only? What would happen if someone accidentally had access to the phone? Also presented by Chris was a recommendation to look into a master lock that could be used at all the sites with a special security key to avoid all the different keys already given out to all of the coaches. The cost of the lock is approximately $50.00
PLAYGROUND
It was discussed that some children have been getting hurt at the playground. The school has not complained. Some orange tape could be wrapped around the bar to make it more noticeable. The children need to be monitored at the playground.
Glennice also mentioned that in order for the new well to be put in at GM, the DEP checked the surrounding area. No pesticides are used on town property and will not be used. They needed to know what was stored in the shed. There are no toxic items or machinery stored there (to avoid oil leaks).
BILLS PAID
Kolodziey’s Absolute Sports (soccer), Whip’s Sports (field paint), Zee Medical Service (ice packs) W.W.Grainger Inc (fire extinguishers), and Verizon.
MISC.
For the Memorial Day Parade Tom offered to take care of the popcorn machine. They were going to post a sign on the side of the machine to advertise for the need of a committee to help formalize The Procedures and Policies Manual.
Minutes for the upcoming board meetings will be e-mailed to the board members to read prior to the meeting. Any information to be posted on the meeting agenda needs to be into the office by Tuesday prior to the Thursday meeting.
Movie Night will be June 1st at 7:00 P.M. at TWB. The movie will be Harry Potter.
The clerks hours will be increased to 15-20 hours when needed to prepare for the camp. Jim made the motion with a second by Glennice, all voted unanimous to increase.
Chris questioned how equipment usage is handled (popcorn machine). They are provided to non-profit organizations such as the Boy Scouts. There is a sign on the side of the machine that reads “Provided by the Park and Rec Dept.”
MEETING MINUTES:
Minutes approved from May 9, 2002 and May 14, 2002.
June 13, 2002 Thursday at 7:00 P.M.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted:
Sue Gorman, Clerk