Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes - 9/20/17

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Merrimack Parks and Recreation Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, 09.20.17

Merrimack Town Hall, Memorial Conference Room

7:00 pm

 

Attendees: Laura Jaynes, Christine Lavoie, Julie Poole, Hillary Baird, Maureen Hall – Senior Citizens Club, Rick Greenier – MYA, Michael Thompson – School Board and Michelle Creswell

Parks and Recreation Director: Matt Casparius

Absent:

Excused: Peter Albert - Town Council

Public: Chris Arbor, Nathan Fleming, Eli Arbor, Jacob Schitz, Jimmy York, Lyndsey Moraros and Rhonda Fleming

Start time: 7:00pm

 

1     Open Meeting/Introduction

 

2     Approval of minutes from August 16th 2017

  • Christine Lavoie made the motion to accept the August Meeting Minutes
  • Maureen Hall 2nd the motion
  • 5-0-3 motion passed and Julie Poole, Rick Greenier and Michael Thompson abstained

 

3    Old Business

  • Update from Merrimack Dog Park
    • Dog Park Fund Balance – $3,368.69 (as of 8/31/17)
    • Home Depot Donation/Volunteer Work – pavers at safety gate and entrance is still a project needed that Home Depot will take on
    • Request for funds
      • The Dog Park Committee is requesting $500 for the pavers project
      • Julie Poole made the motion to release $500 for the pavers project work for Home Depot
      • Maureen Hall 2nd the motion
      • 8-0-0 motion passed
  • O’Gara Drive Update
    • Matt Casparius stated there are 2 options for the skateboard park are at the Middle School at Bishop Field
    • Cost is approximately $55,000 and includes a 20 year warranty
    • Michael Thompson asked the following:
      • is vaping was allowed at the skateboard park
      • can we look in town residents to host fund raisers
      • why isn’t Watson Park an option due to wording in deed with “organized sports”
      • Matt Casparius will look for original deed
      • Maureen Hall asked for reminder why the park has to move
      • Michael Thompson provided the explanation
      • Michael Thompson asked if Matt Casparius could ask the Conservation Committee to define what conservation land money can fund
    • Matt Casparius stated that Watson Park could be an option for the ice skating rink and looking into options for how to get the water supply to the rink which the cost would be approximately $3,000
    • Matt Casparius stated that the MYA could be an option for the basketball courts and looking into the roads and concerns for traffic for the entrance and exits which the cost would be approximately $45,000 and $20,000 for O’Gara Drive restoration
    • Approximately $123,000 is needed for moving the skateboard park, basketball courts, ice skating rink and O’Gara Drive restoration will be presented to the Town Council
  • Athletic Fields Update
    • Michael Thompson stated that the property at 277 Baboosic Lake Road could be possible area for 2 fields
    • Rick Greenier made the motion for Michael Thompson to bring 277 Baboosic Lake Road field option to the Town Council
    • Christine Lavoie 2nd the motion
    • 7-0-1 motion passed and Michael Thompson abstained

4    New Business

  • Discussion on capital project requests for next year
    • Budgeting $75,000 for the Function Hall floor and asbestosis cleanup
    • Wasserman Park beach area needs tree removal, erosion issue looked into and dock repair for approximately $90,000 to complete all
    • Wasserman Park tennis courts need repair for approximately $37,000
    • Wasserman Park septic system needs to be repaired
    • Depot Street boat launch needs to be repaired
    • Michael Thompson asked for the Town Council for the capital reserve fund to get funded

5    Director's Report - Matt Casparius

  • On Going Projects
    • Restoration of the MYA Cabin at Wasserman Park
    • Removal of underground oil tank
    • Twardosky Field Netting Project
    • Adopt A Cabin Program – Rotary and Lions Club
  • Recently completed Projects
    • LED Lights in Wasserman Park Function Hall
  • Upcoming Special Events
    • Saturday, September 30th - Most of Merrimack/Fall Business Expo & Movie Night at the Park at Abbey Griffin Park (free hot chocolate)
    • Friday, October 27th – 25th Annual Halloween Party at Wasserman Park from 5-8pm
    • Saturday, November 18th - Turkey Scavenger Hunt around the town and first 3 winners will receive a 14lb turkey
  • Miscellaneous Department Updates
    • Rotary Christmas Tree Sales at Watson Park which is from November 24th from December 24th (or when trees are gone)
    • Conservation Committee purchased a parcel of land approximately 30 acres from the Sklar family

 

  1. Organization Reports
  • Senior Citizens Club - Maureen Hall
    • September 24th going to Lincoln for the show called 6 Weeks Dance Class
    • October 21st is the Annual Craft Fair will be at the John O’Leary Senior Center from 9am – 3pm
    • November 1st is the trip to Foxwoods
    • More members have joined
  • MYA - Rick Greenier
    • Soccer, fall football and fall softball are in season
    • Basketball and wresting are open for registration and on October 16th there will be an information night for wresting at the Middle School
    • Still need secretary on Executive Board
  • Town Council –Peter Albert – not present

 

  • School Board – Michael Thompson
    • Merrimack High School won the award for NHIAA Sportsmanship Award

 

7    Comments from the Public

  • Lyndsey Moraros and Rhonda Fleming spoke about the skateboarding park area and had the following concerns:
    • Watson’s Park if they have to dig
    • What if Town Council says no for moving the skateboard park and what are the next options
    • Can the kids and parents raise money and the answer is yes and people from the Parks and Recreation Committee can help get that started
    • Confirmed there isn’t any restrictions for what is allowed in the area and the answer is no
    • Chris Arbor asked if the skateboard park would be restricted to town residents only and the answer is no
    • Chris Arbor asked about remote security would be an option and the answer is no as of right now
    • Jacob Schitz asked if a new trash can could be at the park because the current one is not working properly

 

8    Comments from the Committee – was none

 

9    Future Meeting Dates

  • Wednesday, October 18th
  • Wednesday, November 15th

 

10   Adjourn at 8:35pm

  • Michael Thompson made the motion to adjourn at 8:35pm
  • Rick Greenier 2nd the motion
  • 8-0-0 motion passed

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Creswell