Chatham Park and Recreation Commission
March 10, 2009
Community Center Meeting Room
Members present: Chairman W. Gary Anderson, Chris Cannon, Robert Dow, Meredith Fry, Michael Seidewand, Mike Brady and Joyce Reynolds.
Town Officials: Daniel L. Tobin, Director of Park & Rec
Public Attendance: Alanna Capitummino, Latham Center; Peter Troy, Chatham Athletic Assoc.; Capt. John Cauble and Lte. Mike Anderson, Police Dept.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Anderson at 5:30 p.m.
Latham Center: Commission reviewed the Latham Center’s request to use the Fitness Room 3 or 4 times per week for their group residents. Alanna told Commission there are 5 to 6 girls and they would alternate girls in groups of 3 with 1 instructor. Commission discussed heavy use times in the fitness room agreeing it is during day time. Mike Seidewand motioned to approve a family membership for the girls in groups of 3 with 1 instructor to use the Fitness Room after 6:00 p.m. Joyce Reynolds second the motion. Commission approved 7-0.
South Beach Access: Commission discussed the trail conditions and process for driving on South Beach. A resident stated they are looking for December, January and February use of South Beach. Commission then discussed the trail and the dangers of driving on soft sand. A resident stated the people that access South Beach are mostly Chatham residents and have been driving out there all their lives. Meredith Fry stated the beach is not drivable and it is a different beach now. Joyce Reynolds stated she grew up here and it is emotional for the people that grew up here.. Chris agreed and felt the Commission should let the process move to the next step. Chris also stated it will take 1 to 2 years for the State approval and conditions on the beach will change. Joyce Reynolds motioned to allow access to South Beach and petitioners to go forward.
Chris Cannon second the motion. Commission approved 6-1. Mike Brady stated approval means group must come back with every fact. Bill Hammond and John Geiger stated it is a process but it will also provide education.
Chatham A’s field use request:
Mike Brady excused himself from the discussion.
Police detail: Commission discussed the A’s use of the field and Commission requested last Fall to have special conditions for field use such as police detail and netting over playground. Joyce Reynolds stated good idea for police detail for reckless behavior; we have detail at fairs and skate park events. Meredith Fry discussed the fight last year that she witnessed and in the end the charges were dropped; patrol is important makes people aware and be on best behavior. Mike Seidewand stated Chief Pawlina suggested a possible Police periodic stop by. Peter Troy told Commission he is taken back by reckless behavior and have the support of the Police and Fire Dept. Lte. Anderson checked with other towns to see how they handle the games and he told Commission that Orleans has separate budget and the Cardinals and town split costs;
Harwich has a supplement and increases their bike patrol by 1 or 2 officers. Barbara Hansen stated what if they use volunteers to police area. Andrew Ruddick stated he has observed kids at the field during the day when there are no games and fighting and thrashing are going on then also.
Robert Dow motioned to require A’s to hire police detail to keep order. Meredith Fry second the motion.
Barbara Hansen mentioned she has seen at other games volunteers patrolling area wearing T shirts security or staff printed on them instead of Police detail. Peter Troy stated they could do that.
Robert Dow withdrew his motion because A’s committed to finding 4 volunteers to be outfitted in fluorescent shirts with word “Staff” printed on shirt and volunteer must be 21 years of age.
Netting: Meredith Fry requested netting over playground area, it is an open space now and there is an accident waiting to happen. Peter Troy stated the Commission should have taken into consideration when the playground was designed and now it is being put on the A’s, when it was the town that took down playground. Peter also stated they have spent $250,000 on field upgrade and he feels the town should take on the expense of netting or close playground when there is a game. Andrew Ruddick stated they have 22 games plus we have men’s leagues and kids games out on the field why should the A’s take on expense. Meredith Fry stated it is not an A’s issue but it is an issue. Chris Cannon stated it should not be the A’s burden. Gary Anderson suggested to see what the new netting does and put in signs. Mike Seidewand
asked Peter Troy to get info and cost on a 3 pole pully system for the Commission.
RFP: Peter Troy stated he did receive the RFP for Concession and Souvenir and questioned the Concession RFP being for one year and hauling trash. Dan Tobin stated he can issue an addendum to take out paragraph for trash and make 2 year contract. Commission agreed to leave contract for 1 year.
Lighthouse Yoga: Dan Tobin told Commission Valerie is requesting copies of Permission To Use. Joyce Reynolds suggested hiring our own yoga instructor. Chris Cannon and Mike Seidewand questioned the appropriate numbers in a class questioning if Valerie is exceeding safe numbers. Chris Cannon requested insurance information, waiver from students and speaking to individuals to find out what their needs are. Valerie was invited to this meeting but she was unable to attend because she was out of town. Gary Anderson stated Commission will discuss RFP at next meeting.
Mike Seidewand requested Dan Tobin to email Valerie and ask her for numbers, insurance. tax ID information and sample liability waiver.
CPA update: Joyce Reynolds stated applications are going forward with request for Joe Nickerson papers, affordable housing and Eldredge Library steps. Chris Cannon asked if monies could be used for playground netting. Joyce also told Commission her term is up on the CPA in July and she will not be running again.
Lighthouse Beach: Commission discussed swim aides. Robert Dow stated he is not in favor of floatation devices, kids that can’t swim get on floatation devices and fall off. Commission discussed adding signs.
PTUs:
Community Center: Chatham Historical Society, large meeting room Sept. 18, antique show; Old Wharf Players, teen room, March 16, 23, 30, April 6 & 13, 2009, play rehearsal; CES 4th grade, gym lobby area & side yard, June 22, 2009, graduation party; Chatham Merchants’ Assoc., club room, March 24, 2009, meeting; Cape Cod Commission, large meeting room, March 31, 2009, meeting; Nellie Sabin, club room, August 15, 2009, public screening student movie; Chatham Class of 1969, small meeting room, March 20, April 17 & May 15, 2009, meeting; CCPC, small conference room, 1st Monday of each month, meeting;
Parks & Beaches: Chatham Athletic Assoc., Veterans’ Field, baseball clinic, June 15 thru Aug. 7, 2009; Chatham Athletic Assoc., Veterans’ Field, baseball games, June thru August, 2009; Cheryl Reynolds, Lighthouse Beach, August 28, 2009, wedding ceremony;
Minutes: Commission approved the minutes from February 24 and March 3, 2009 with changes.
Other Business: Commission requested the fitness room instruction video be put on a loop DVD.
Commission membership: Gary Anderson stated he is not seeking reappointment and he feels Commission should go back to a 5 person Board. Mike Brady then stated he will not be seeking reappointment and Mike Seidewand said he may also not be seeking reappointment. Commission agreed unanimously for a 5 person Board.
Girls Night and Valentine Dance: Commission agreed both events were a success.
Kindergarten summer program: Commission showed interest in Kindergarten children being part of the Summer Rec program.
PWC: Commission discussed purchase of a PWC and Mike Seidewand and Dan Tobin will work together on purchasing.
The next meeting date will be Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 5:30 pm.
There was a motion to adjourn by Mr. Anderson and seconded by Ms. Reynolds. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Helene Borges
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