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

 

  1. 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