Recreation Advisory Board

Minutes from the Tuesday July 10, 2001 meeting

Luke Papamichael called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm at the Rec. Dept building. Also in attendance: Michelle Gordon, Wayne Welch, Cheryl Killam, John Nash and Bob Eldridge.
(members not in attendance: Jim Levesque (School Board), Bob LaFond & Phil St. Laurent)

Michelle introduced Bob Eldridge as the President of the Football Association, NOR-ROCK.

Old Business:

The Recreation Visioning Project Survey was included in the issue of the Town Common that was mailed to Raymond Residents in early July. Some surveys have already been returned to the Rec. Dept. Additional copies of the survey will be available at the Riverside Park Booth during the Town Fair.

The Watson Hill Project Developers would like to donate 2 lots to the Raymond Recreation Dept for playground/park sites. Michelle made a site walk to look at the possibilities available on the properties. Some ideas for the site a basketball court, playground structure, swing set, benches & picnic tables. Michelle has put together an estimate of costs for the park area equipment. The Recreation Advisory Board is requesting that the Watson Hill Owners open a Non-Lapsing Trust Fund to assist with the cost of the maintenance required for the playground park areas.

The Consensus of the board was to proceed with the playground plans per the Recreation Department requirements and guidelines.

New Business:

A concern was raised about the Rec. Advisory Board not being permitted to meet in the regularly scheduled meeting place. Wayne Welch was asked for assistance in this matter. Later during the meeting the Town Manager issued an apology for displacing the board from their previously scheduled meeting place and assured us that it wouldn't happen again.

Cammett Field vandalism is becoming a reoccurring problem. The fields are continually being driven on and spin out tire marks made in the grass. It was brought to our attention that there is a possible suspect. The Rec. Advisory board would like any suspect responsible for the damage be held accountable for their actions and be required to restore the field to its acceptable condition prior to the vandalism. Michelle sent a letter to the Police Chief and Town Manager concerning this issue.

The Rec. Dept Budget is due by the end of August. Michelle will mail a copy of last years budget and her request for this year with the minutes before next months meeting. She also requested to adjust the part-time salary scale to increase the minimum wage for the Rec. Dept employees for next year. The board agreed to make it so.
A lengthy discussion took place concerning the condition of the road and parking lot to Cammett Field. The road is in desperate need of additional gravel and grading prior to the start of the fall sports season. Cheryl Killam volunteered to look into the cost of materials for the road and parking lot. There was also discussion about having the road on a regular maintenance schedule. Michelle has spoken with Dennis McCarthy they will coordinate the maintenance and budget for gravel.

Motion to adjourn was made by Cheryl Killam at 9:05 pm and Wayne Welch seconded it.