Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes 11-15-17
Meeting date:
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Merrimack Parks and Recreation Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, 11.15.17
Merrimack Town Hall, Matthew Thornton Room
7:00 pm
Attendees: Christine Lavoie, Hillary Baird, Michael Thompson – School Board, Maureen Hall – Senior Citizens Club, Rick Greenier – MYA and Michelle Creswell
Parks and Recreation Director: Matt Casparius
Absent:
Excused: Laura Jaynes, Julie Poole and Peter Albert - Town Council
Public: Jehial Fish
Start time: 7:00pm
1 Open Meeting/Introduction
2 Approval of minutes from October 18th 2017
- Maureen Hall made the motion to accept the October Meeting Minutes
- Hillary Baird 2nd the motion
- 5-0-1 motion passed (Michael Thompson abstained)
3 New Business
- Eagle Scout Project Proposal – Jehial Fish, Troop 424
- Wasserman Park Lake Naticook Kiosk Project for information on the lake
- Estimated cost is $1,500 and the troop is proposing fundraising through bakes sales to pay for this project
- Rick Greenier made the motion to accept the Wasserman Park Lake Naticook Kiosk Project
- Michael Thompson 2nd the motion
- 6-0-0 motion passed
- Parks & Recreation Budget Review
- See attached budget for details
4 Old Business
- Update from Merrimack Dog Park
- Dog Park Fund Balance – $3,139.53 (as of 10/31/17), Encumbered $999, Net $2,140.53
- Mulch project went great
- October Storm Damage
- O’Gara Drive Update
- 07.30.18 is when the lease is up for this area and nothing can be done until that time except bring suggestions for that property
- School Board has requested to return the property level by July 30th 2018
- School Board will be discussing to allow items on that property after the July date
- Ice skating rink will stay at O’Gara for this year
- Town Manager proposed $150,000 at the Town Council meeting for the cost of the skate board park which included money for lighting, fencing and contingency items needed
- Athletic Fields Search Update
- Michael Thompson stated that
- Michael Thompson suggested the looking into the following properties for future fields: YMCA, property off Back River Rd and Mast Rd and property behind Camper’s Inn
- Rick Greenier suggested property at the middle school
- $125,000 is in the Capitol funds line item
- Discussion about December 20th meeting date
- Committee will keep this date for now and will cancel if needed
5 Director's Report - Matt Casparius
- Report on Annual Halloween Party
- At least 1,000 people attended and was a great event
- ACA Accreditation Update
- Passed accreditation and next one is due in 5 years (they updated that from every 3 years to every 5 years)
- Winter Program Brochure
- Will be finished in next 2 weeks
- Parks & Recreation Ordinance Review
- 11.16.17 this review will go to the Town Council
- Summer 2018 Hiring
- Hiring has started
- Update on October Storm Damage
- Tree fell on a cabin
- Section of siding on the Function Hall came off
- Section of the Theatre roof was leaking
- $4,400 was the cost to fix all repairs and all are complete
- Upcoming Special Events
- Saturday, November 18th - Turkey Scavenger Hunt around the town and first 3 winners will receive a 19lb turkey
- Sunday, December 3rd - Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting at 3pm at the Common Plaza and the theme is Dr. Seuss’ Whoville Christmas
- Sunday, December 10th - DJ Darren Roy’s Toy Drive at Abbie Griffin Park
- Organization Reports
- Senior Citizens Club - Maureen Hall
- December 6th – Indian Head Resort
- December 6th - Blood Drive at John O’Leary Senior Center
- December 9th – Christmas Dinner
- MYA - Rick Greenier
- Basketball for Instructional Division and Senior Division and wrestling are about to start
- Still need a Secretary
- Town Council –Peter Albert – not present
- School Board – Michael Thompson – was nothing
7 Comments from the Public – was none
8 Comments from the Committee
- Michael Thompson talked about looking into building a cross country track from the High School to Wild Cat Falls
- Michael Thompson talked about a getting a website for a wish list for enhancements for the community
- Michael Thompson stated that the town should think about multipurpose land instead of conservation land
9 Future Meeting Dates
- Wednesday, December 20th
- Wednesday, January 17th
10 Adjourn at 8:22 pm
- Michael Thompson made the motion to adjourn at 8:22pm
- Rick Greenier 2nd the motion
- 6-0-0 motion passed
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Creswell