The Recreation & Parks Commission met May 13 at the Jacobi Community Center Dining Room. The members in attendance were Chair Matt Martin, Karin Ernst, Rossana Ferrante, Shelly Bedrossian, Jamie Block and Peter James.
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved, and the Department Operation Manual Discussion was postponed because one of the Commission members was absent.
Updates on procurement projects and park updates:
- Three bids were submitted for the replacement of lights at Gatchell Park. The bid for Ham electric, for $21,750, was chosen unanimously by vote. The work will be done in different stages and has to be completed by June 16.
- A contribution from the revolving fund of $20,000 was accepted by unanimous vote.
- Bids came back for the Seaside Park basketball court project, which involves repainting, replacing the hoops and resurfacing the court. The commission has 45 days to accept a bid. The members voted unanimously to contribute $10,000 for the project.
- Reynolds Playground has a problem with a tree, which was cut without notice, to the Commission by a private citizen. A letter will be sent to the person who has been identified, and the tree warden will set the amount of the fine.
- A meeting regarding a grant for Riverhead Beach is coming up.
- A new boiler has been installed on Vine Street.
- The Dog Park (at Reynolds Park) needs to have its surface smoothed out. A maintenance schedule will be established to maintain the park’s condition.
Recreation updates:
- The Recreation Commission will give the Boy Scouts organization a list of Eagle Scout projects to help with the maintenance of the parks (trail maintenance, building boardwalk, etc.). The program has been very successful over the years.
- All the summer positions have been filled. The Commission voted unanimously to accept the entire slate of young people working this summer.
- The Recreation Department is projecting to have the summer schedule online and is working on finding a schedule software to put in place.
Correspondence: A couple of letters came to the Commission to express thanks for the excellent work done by Rec and Parks maintaining the parks.
The next meeting will be May 28 at 6 p.m. This report was compiled by League of Women Voters of Marblehead Observer Bridgitte Lagoutte.
