OBSERVER CORPS REPORT
RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION – July 14, 2025
Jacobi Community Center Dining Room
LWVM Observer: Brigitte Lagoutte
Members in attendance: Rossana Ferrante (Chair), Shelly Bedrossian, Jamie Bloch, Karin Ernst, Chris Kennedy. Mary Herchenhahn, Secretary
The Minutes of the previous meeting were not approved as some members had not read them.
Bench Policy Discussion:
There are close to 300 memorial benches under the maintenance of the Rec. and Parks Commission, along with some memorial trees.
Several recommendations are being discussed:
change in fees – fee is usually the price of the bench plus installation
adding email to application
what kind of material for the bench -wood, composite, plastic?
what should be the length of time that the Commission is obligated to maintain memorial benches?
regarding maintenance, possibility of hiring boy scouts or girl scouts or high school students to repaint the benches etc..
Projects updates:
– The lights at Gatchells Park have been delivered and should be in place soon.
– Future ice rink on Green Street: It will be a year around facility which will be able to accommodate various skating and sports activities. The project includes a refrigerated ice surface, a pavillion style roof, and ability to convert the space to a turf practice area. The funding will come in part from the Larz Anderson Trust. Bids for the project are being currently received.
– Seaside basketball court renovation is accepting donations.
– Lack of light for soccer practice in the Middle Street field. A project for adding light is under way and letters have been sent to neighbors abutting the field.
– Stramski Park: The insulation of the existing structure is going to be discussed and should be finished by the end of August. The access to the ramp will be addressed as there are issue with some trees.
– Fountain Park: Steps need to be redone, and quotes are coming until September. Sponsors under the category of memorialization to finance the project are needed.
Park Updates: The sailing program is going well. Signs near the floats have been added in order to better delimit the area and protect access to the participants.
The system of financial payments has been experiencing difficulty as the Town is adjusting to a new online payment system which has been put in place recently.
Correspondence:
A request for a project involving a video projection with music, to be located at Seaside Park from July 28 to 30, is pending.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30pm.
Next meeting: July 29, 2025 at 6pm at Jacobi Community Center.
