Kensington Recreation Committee Minutes
December 10, 2008
Changed and approved 1-14-09
Meeting began at 7:00 at the Town Hall
In attendance: Donna Carter, Kathy Cook, Dave Macek, Mary Jane Solomon
Minutes of the 11-12-08 meeting amended and approved.
Recap of first annual Tree Lighting festivities. Overall feeling, it went very well. Estimated 250 attendees. Suggestions for next year were to have caroling books and get someone to lead the singing, or bring in a karaoke machine. Also for more organization via announcements as to what is happening, where, and when. The fire chief was present at the event and said the structure would need to be treated with a clear fireproofing for future fires, as well as always having someone present and overseeing the fire. There was discussion on safe placement of the fire with perhaps a barrier ring around it to keep kids back from the fire but still close enough to toast marshmallows and get warmed. The fire marshal will visit the site and make recommendations.
Still no definite answer as to if the selectmen have approved the field usage fees and waivers as recommended. The old form remains on the website. Mary Jane will ask again at the BOS meeting next Monday.
Chris Hseih’s father contacted Mary Jane to ask about the plaque of recognition. It was explained there was a misunderstanding and we were under the belief Chris no longer wanted one due to the many changes in his original dugouts. Chris would still like one not just to recognize him, but also the Kensington Boy Scout Troop #189. This will be looked into right away and done. One will also be looked into for Doug Merrill’s Eagle Scout project of bridge building.
It was decided to look into having a metal plaque made and attached to a stone placed by the trail around the pond rather than engraving the stone. This will be to recognize Nancy Roffman’s many years of dedication to the town. Dave will look into plaques for all three projects. Kathy will find a rock.
Bids for constructing boardwalks were reviewed. Mike Spinosa’s came in at $3,600; John Tucker at $6,100; the third contractor, Jack Ronan, was unable to commit fully to this project due to time constraints but is willing to volunteer to work with Mike. It was decided to give the contract to Mike as his price was lower and he is a Kensington resident. His price also included building a security cage system in the bunker.
Donna said she knows of several towns’ people willing to volunteer time and services to clearing the trails at the park. Because the skate park is not part of the multipurpose court as originally planned during park construction, money set aside for equipment was used on clearing an area and paving it on a new location. She made a motion to spend the $3,600 on boardwalks and $6,000 on skate board park equipment, providing the selectmen will allow volunteers to do the work necessary using chainsaws, chippers, stump grinders, and other necessary equipment. Donna also agreed to oversee the volunteers and guarantee the work gets done. The motion was seconded and voted on – 3 in favor; 1 opposed. If the BOS will not allow volunteers to do the work, equipment will not be purchased and the money will be used for trail work. Dave made a motion that if the BOS are unable to make a ruling on volunteer workers Monday night, we purchase no skate park equipment but rather have Knowles Tree Service do the stump grinding on all three trails, remove any dangerous trees along the trails, and do additional clearing to amount to a total of $6,400 total work. Motion seconded and all voted in favor. Knowles presented a bid to do all trail work desired at a total of $12,000; Seacoast Tree Care bid at $9,275. Though Seacoast was lower, he would be driving and dragging trees across the grassy areas behind the ball fields thus doing damage which would need to be repaired. A third company, Ralston Tree, was unwilling to do the work, but did offer to include us in their free wood chip program for the trails
Discussion of field manger position. Duties as outlined by the Trustees include:
Kathy will place an ad for counselors in the upcoming Community News. After conversations with other rec. camp coordinators, it has been decided counselors in training will not be considered this year. The job application will available on the website. Addition advertising will be on the town bulletin boards and possibly through the high school newspaper, the Talon. Preference has always been given to qualified Kensington youth. BOS will be asked about policies regarding this.
Kathy announced she will not be returning to Rec. once her term is up in April. She will work to get camp going up until that time. Her recommendation is to hire a camp coordinator through the fees charged the campers, not the Rec. budget. A coordinator would be responsible for registrations, hiring counselors, helping the director with problems that arise, help with setting up buses and field trips, and just be a go-to person for the director. Kathy recommended $600 pay for this position. We will need a Rec. member to fill Kathy’s vacancy. Ideally it would be someone interested in overseeing camp, but that can’t be guaranteed.
Donna noticed through signing up her grandchildren for the ski program nothing accompanied the registration form releasing the Rec. from any liability. She was given the form used in the past and will contact John Clark about parental signatures for those signing up.
John was away on business so by-laws discussion was put on hold.
Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting January 14, 2009
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Solomon