Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission
January 5, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.
Community Center – 2nd Floor Conference Room
Members Present: Michael Seidewand, Chairman; Joyce Reynolds, Vice Chair; Commissioners: Robert Dow, Meredith Fry, and Ira Seldin,
Staff: Dan Tobin
Others Present: Doug Gratton and Barbara Hansen of Chatham Athletic Association; Ron Broman, Ed Sheehan and Ted Whittaker of the Board of Health; Sean Summers, selectman; Bill Bondurak
Item 1: Chatham A’s Concession RFP
Doug Gratton expressed concern regarding the RFP criteria for payment to the town. Dan Tobin summarized the terms of the RFP that require a payment of $2,500 or 10% of gross revenue, whichever is greater. The percentage of revenue is a new feature of the contract with the town. Doug Gratton and Barbara Hansen expressed uncertainty as to how this might effect their concession operation.
Joyce Reynolds indicated that this has been proposed because the Commission wants a better idea of what is being sold/what revenues are taken in on town property. Mike Seidewand indicated that other towns operate with a 10% of gross requirement and said that any additional income to the Town would contribute to programs for the children of Chatham.
The money would be paid with smaller installments in July and August and the balance due September 1. Mike Seidewand also indicated that the Finance Committee had suggested that more attention be given to creating greater income for the town.
Bob Dow asked what the revenue was from the food concession in 2009. Barbara Hansen indicated that the income was $44,000 with food costs at $18,000 and $8,000 paid out for scholarships.
The RFP is due on January 28, 2010. Dan Tobin indicated that no other requests had been made for the application.
Item 2: Board of Health / Lighthouse Beach Review
Ted Whittaker, Bill Broman and Ed Sheehan represented the Board of Health. They indicated that Bob Duncanson had sent a letter regarding the authority of the Board of Health over the beach property. Thus the beach was closed as a safety measure pending creation of an acceptable plan for monitoring swimmers. The plan as executed this past season was successful and good reports have been received.
The following concerns were expressed:
1. There had been inadequate discussion between the Board of Health and the Parks and Recreation Commission prior to recent review and decisions by the Board of Selectmen. These two groups (Parks & Recreation and Board of Health) should be working together to make decisions regarding beach/swimming safety.
2. There are too many signs regarding the cut. Signs need to be standardized and the messages must be consistent.
3. Mike Seidewand expressed disagreement with the recent Board of Selectmen’s decision to fund a new boat and additional staff while Parks & Recreation is being asked to cut staff hours at the community center.
4. Ed Sheehan cited a need to include boats ferrying people to the outer beach in a safety program.
5. Communications need to be strengthened between the Board of Health and the Parks & Recreation Commission/staff.
Meredith Fry indicated that it is sometimes difficult to communicate with the harbormaster and added that he should be asked for a weekly report on activities at the cut in addition to those at Lighthouse Beach. If there is an emergency, Parks & Recreation should be made aware of it. Bill Broman indicated his willingness to join in making a request for reports regarding safety issues on North Beach.
Ron Broman stated that the Board of Health has the authority and responsibility to close beaches based on state law. Dan Tobin indicated that the Board of Health had voted formally to close the beaches.
MOTION: Bob Dow made the following motion, seconded by Ira Seldin: That the Chatham Parks & Recreation Commission prohibit swimming on North Beach and North Beach Island within 500 feet of both sides of the cut. And that signs be installed, where determined appropriate, reading “Swim at your own risk / Unguarded Beach.”
Vote: 5 in favor; 0 opposed
Ron Broman indicated that the Board of Health will make appropriate requests of ferry services, suggesting that passengers to North Beach and North Beach Island be asked to sign a document stating that they are aware of the swimming restrictions.
Ira Seldin asked about responsibility for the signs. Dan Tobin indicated that Bob Duncanson had suggested a triangular shape to prevent perching by raptors. Mike Seidewand asked that the Parks & Recreation Commission should give approval for signs. Bob Dow suggested that all signs read “By order of the Parks & Recreation Commission and the Board of Health.”
Sean Summers expressed agreement that charter/ferry operators should be asked to get signatures from their customers. The town needs to notify these individuals to do so. Ron Broman said that the Board of Health would be willing to send out notices to charter/ferry operators. He will prepare a statement for review by the Parks & Recreation Commission.
MOTION: Joyce Reynolds made the following motion, seconded by Ira Seldin: That the Board of Health draft a letter to be sent to charter/ferry captains who transport people to the outer beaches.
Vote: 5 in favor; 0 opposed.
Item 3: Golf Instruction Proposal - Bill Bondurak
Bill Bondurak distributed a proposal regarding golf lessons to be conducted at Seaside Links. There was discussion about hours, ages of students, interference with course operation, etc. Bill Bondurak indicated that he is very flexible in scheduling classes and could also offer some lessons/clinics at the Longest Drive driving range in Dennis.
In discussion, the following points were made:
• Bill Bondurak has PGA teaching credentials from Northern California
• Bill Bondurak plans to submit an application for the Seaside Links concession
• Lessons could be offered regardless of who wins the concession for Seaside Links
• Chatham Bars Inn has expressed an interest in offering golf lessons for their guests
• Classes could be tailored so as not to interfere with course operations
• Other parks cannot be used as turf damage has been a problem in the past
Ira Seldin indicated that a personal resume would be helpful. Mr. Bondurak will send his resume to Mike Seidewand for distribution to the Commission.
Mike Seidewand indicated an interest in making this happen. Sean Summers suggested that the Golf Advisory Committee be consulted. Mike Seidewand indicated that he will prepare a letter to the Golf Advisory Committee suggesting that they encourage classes at the course. There was also brief discussion regarding lessons at Eastward Ho! Mike Seidewand said that he will also write to Eastward Ho! to see if they might be interested in/willing to host golf lessons for town children.
Dan Tobin suggested that Mr. Bondurak attend the Golf Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for January 6. He also indicated that the Parks & Recreation Department would be willing to help publicize the availability of golf lessons.
Item 4: Oyster Pond Memorial Review
Mike Seidewand suggested that each Commission member visit the Oyster Pond Memorial and identify bricks which he/she feels should be moved to the back of the memorial. All agreed to do this by March 1, 2010. The information will then be provided to Ginny Hamblet of the First Night Chatham committee to arrange to have the bricks moved.
Item 5: Staff Reductions
Dan Tobin reviewed the request of the Town Manager that there be a reduction of 20 hours of Programmers time at the Community Center. This has been handled with a proposed 7-hour reduction for each of three Programmers. He distributed information describing the fiscal impact to each of the three staff members involved.
Bob Dow asked about the impact to programs at the Community Center and asked if there is justification for not making the requested reductions. He asked Dan Tobin to provide a list of events/activities that would need to be eliminated due to the reduction in staff hours. This information (program losses) should be provided to the Board of Selectmen and to Bill Hinchey.
Mike Seidewand asked about current scheduling and if there is a way to adjust staffing to prevent elimination of certain activities. He requested that Dan Tobin provide a weekly work schedule for Community Center staff.
There was discussion about the loss of income for the individual affected by this reduction in hours and several members expressed frustration with the need to cut staff at the community center while adding staff and a new boat for the beach patrol.
Sean Summers suggested that the Commission should present information and lobby the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee regarding this issue. He also indicated that there have been complaints/concerns about staff at the community center which should also be addressed when making determinations regarding a reduction in hours.
Joyce Reynolds and Bob Dow both indicated that their understanding is that the Commissioners are not charged with dealing with personnel issues. Sean Summers indicated that any known problems should be directed to the Board of Selectmen.
Dan Tobin indicated that some of the after school programs may need to be eliminated due to these proposed reductions in hours.
MOTION: Bob Dow made the following motion, seconded by Meredith Fry: That discussion on this issue be tabled until additional information is available.
Vote: The motion passed by a vote of 5 – 0.
Item 6: Annual Report
Dan Tobin distributed a listing of items to be included in the annual report which is due January 15. Additional suggestions were made to include:
• Chatham A’s
• Movie Night
• Town Tours
• Other successful programs at the community Center
• Number of children participating in programs on a regular basis
Mike Seidewand will prepare the report.
Item 7: Minutes
Bob Dow offered the following addition to page 5 (as paragraph 2) of the minutes from the December 8, 2009 meeting:
The Commission agreed to ask Dan Tobin to prepare a letter to the Town Manager and Board of Selectmen outlining cuts in programs to fulfill the Town Manager’s directive to cut 20 hours out of the budget for three programmers. The Commission also requested that Dan Tobin supply work schedules for the three programmers.
Ira Seldin suggested that the final paragraph on page 4 should begin as follows:
Increased costs associated with the decisions made by the Board of Selectmen included: (changes in italics).
The minutes were approved, as amended, by unanimous vote.
Item 8: Permission to Use
Dan Tobin circulated forms request facility uses by the following:
• Chatham A’s – for regular games and baseball clinics. There was brief discussion regarding the clinics and a special condition was added that the first eight Chatham children to sign up for the baseball clinic will not be required to pay.
• L & R Productions (craft shows)
• Class of 1980 Reunion – October use of the large meeting room.
Item 9: Other Business
Ira Seldin asked about directional signs for the interior of the Community Center. Dan Tobin indicated that the signs are being developed and also the curtain that had been suggested to block glare from the large window in the gym.
Item 10: Future Meeting Date:
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 26 at 5:30 pm at the Community Center.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm
Notes by Marie Williams
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