Parks Commission Meeting Minutes 6/7/22
MINUTES Parks 6/7/22
Attending: Tom Mensi, Gerry Clarins, Chris Andrews, Tracey Brennan (Steve Snyder absent)
Justin Makuc joined the meeting at Town Hall
The meeting began at the town beach, where we were met by a representative from the pollinator group. We moved the garden box and decided on sites for the beach plaque and bench.
We reconvened at Town Hall, due to rain.
Town Beach
Lifeguards:
We still have no confirmation from Berkshire South that they will supply lifeguards here this summer. Jenise communicated that they require that requests from towns be submitted much earlier in the spring.
Electric Service at the beach:
We did not continue our discussion, as we have not yet received an estimate from Dan Andrus for our consideration.
Parking at the Beach:
We are interested in the possibility of limiting parking at the beach, as all other towns do. We remember resident parking stickers in the past. Tracey will begin the process of contacting the Selectboard in order to open our communication with the town attorney so that we can fully understand the legality and know both how to proceed and how to answer residents’ questions about the crowded parking and beach. We discussed making temporary permits available to homeowners who rent their properties seasonally.
Beach Maintenance:
With or without lifeguards, the beach needs daily care. We agreed that it is our most used town facility, and the following need our consistent attention throughout the season:
Raking and disposal of seaweed and goose poop
Raking and smoothing of sand, filling holes etc.
Clean up of toys strewn over the beach
General cleanup of trash and abandoned belongings on the beach
We discussed the possibility of trying to hire someone part time to do maintenance, especially since we do not know if we will have lifeguards whom we would expect to do some of these things.
Progress:
2 out of 3 of the new beach buoys have been installed, buffering the swim area
Chester granite will incorporate the beach plaque into a stone and will also install it securely at the beach. The price is $2000, and we agreed to go ahead.
Bidwell Park:
John Fields will clean up the dead trees on June 10 and 15 (covered by last fiscal yr’s budget)
Greene Park:
The infield is in terrible shape, and needs someone who specializes in ballfields. Tom is getting an estimate from Dave Duguette of Hinsdale to address the problem.
Tom has also asked Gary O’Brien to trim weeds around playground equipment and add new wood chips.
175th Anniversary
We would like to offer grilled hotdogs and hamburgers at the beach for Lakefest (August 6).
Movie Night
Chris has contacted the company we used in the past. Price for the basic screen and movie: $1000. All agreed that he should go forward, try to secure weekend of August 12/13 (this includes raindate) and give them the $500 deposit.
Playground Renovation
Tom is getting a good response to the survey he created. He is awaiting statistics regarding the ages of the children in town. He has heard nothing yet about the pending Title 5 inspection of the septic system beneath the playground. Chris spoke favorably about the quality and durability of the recycled plastic used in construction of the Giggle Park playground.
Next Commission Meeting proposed: July 14
Tracey Brennan