Rec & Parks candidates discuss projects, goals

Recreation and Parks Commission Chair Matt Martin, who is running again, declined to answer questions for this Candidates’ Guide.

What are the biggest challenges facing Rec & Parks this year? How would you address them?

Shelly Bedrossian: To solve last year’s challenges, I initiated a Beaches 2024 working group to generate revenue to reinstate the Community Center’s janitorial services. About four years ago, the janitorial position was cut from the budget, so the most utilized building outside of the schools has not had appropriate janitorial service since that time. Karin Ernst joined me on the project and we thoroughly analyzed other municipal beach properties, cashless and recreational pass software options, staffing, service upgrade opportunities, hours and much more. Based on the new beach policies established, I am confident that at least $50,000 of additional revenue will be generated for the town this year. These revenues, along with funds dedicated by the Council on Aging and from the general fund, will allow for full-time janitorial services as of July 1 and it will be reinstituted as a budget line item in 2025.

Prior to establishing the Racket Sports working group, tensions were very high and policy decisions seemed to change weekly without rhyme or reason. The goal of establishing this working group was to implement efficiencies so that demand was being met for pickleball, maintenance parameters were put in place for all courts, equity for all racket sports was advanced, and neighbors had a voice. We researched pickleball and tennis opportunities in 12 communities across 10 parameters. I conducted an independent sound and wind study, resulting in a 70-page report that we presented to the Board for deliberation. As a result, a new scheduling system for tennis and pickleball was created so players could book courts with ease, scheduling parameters were optimized so courts could be reserved on the hour avoiding gaps in between openings. This single efficiency yielded 384 additional playing opportunities per week. Seasonal court opening and closing parameters are now the same for all courts and sports. 

Instituted a maintenance schedule based on best practices from the American Sports Court Builders Association, of which we are now members. Established a seasonal court lighting schedule that was fair and equitable for tennis, pickleball and neighbors. Encouraged and passed the dual-lining of additional courts at Seaside to meet the demand of pickleball yet stay within the needs of tennis and Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association regulations. Set the tone for partnering with the pickleball community for fundraising opportunities such as Fund the Field.

This year’s focus will be honoring the Lars Anderson bequest from 2018 and implementing internal controls regarding the department revolving fund.

Karin Ernst: The biggest challenge I see is the ability to keep the projects we started … going. The Commission as a whole has been focused on several projects: A department and commissioner policy manual, Stramski project; Fountain Park step project, Larz Anderson Trust and dog park among others. A ton of work has been started and we hope to continue to work on them.

Rossanna Ferrante: The power of the status quo can be a challenge when it comes to making sure we are in touch with what the community needs today and tomorrow. The Commission makes the best decision it can with the information available to us at a given point in time. Projects take many months to years to complete. To address these challenges, it is important that the Commission has a policy in place to review projects on a regular basis and confirm that original plans make sense over time — both financially and being consistent with the current needs of the community.

Richard W. Jordan: The Rec & Parks (Department) faces staffing and budgeting concerns. I will work on evaluating the current fees for various programs to see if they accurately reflect the services that are provided.

Linda Rice-Collins: As a Board we need to focus on the Recreation and Parks mission statement: “To enhance the environment and the quality of life for the residents of Marblehead. This is accomplished by the development of a variety of recreational activities in a safe and enjoyable setting, and through the care and maintenance of the town’s parks, athletic fields and recreational areas.” 

We need to be fiscally responsible in achieving this. We need to be thoughtful in what we are charging citizens to use our facilities and participate in our programs. A full accounting of where the funds are going in both the operating budget and revolving fund needs to occur. The message is loud and clear that the citizens of Marblehead want accountability of where their hard-earned tax payer dollars are going. Currently we are being asked to provide 2024 services on 2002 money. I am hopeful that with this added information the taxpayers will support the funding needed to support our budget and capital improvements for example the pavilions at Chandler Hovey.  
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What qualifications set you apart and make you the right choice for Rec & Parks? 

Karen Ernst: I am approachable, reachable and an effective listener. I do not like the phrase, “We have always done it this way.” And I believe wholeheartedly that every idea goes on the table for discussion. Over the past three years, we have added three new commissioners, including myself. The Commission chair has really embraced our efforts.

Rossanna Ferrante: The ability to collaborate, be open-minded and form decisions based on facts and feasibility.

Richard W. Jordan: I am a lifelong resident of Marblehead and have been fortunate enough to participate in and enjoy what the town Rec and Parks Department offers for Marblehead residents. I am vested in continuing the opportunities that the Rec & Parks offers to both the youth and residents of Marblehead.  

Linda Rice-Collins: I am an experienced member of the Board having served 24 years. My education and work experience align with my role as a commissioner. I work hard to represent all interest groups in Marblehead.  

Shelly Bedrossian: Prior to leaving corporate America to have children, I spent 20 years as a business operations specialist. In this position, I worked in underperforming organizations and implemented proper systems to create holistic change.
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What will be your focus if elected?

Rosanna Ferrante: I participated in leading the following projects in 2023-24 and would love to see them progress over the next term:

Disc golf: Identifying an area in town to establish a six-to-nine-hole course.
Fountain Park steps: Repair and create an opportunity to offer “memorial steps” in a similar way we have offered memorial benches.
Department and Commission Policy and Procedures Manual: Facilitate and implement the creation of a manual that helps guide both the Commission and department in policy and procedures.
Castle Rock: Working with the Marblehead Neck Association to help beautify and improve elements of Castle Rock Park.

Richard W. Jordan: My focus will be on improvements at Reynolds playground, including the fields and the hockey facility there. I would like to come up with a plan to see improvements in the near future and create a timeline for residents.

Linda Rice-Collins: Transparency: Commission meetings need to be on Zoom and recorded. A monthly published accounting of both the operating budget and revolving fund needs to occur.

Programming: We need to come out of our comfort zone. With my experience as an educator, I would like to work with our recreation head to develop programs such as bike safety and bike riding, nature programs, arts and theater, boot camps utilizing the fitness trail, adult programming and finally team building for all ages. We are still seeing the effects of the COVID shutdown. We can all benefit from team building — learning to work together again. I have been running team building experiences for all ages for the past 43 years.

Dog park accessibility: I am working with Ted Moore to secure parking spaces and vehicle access to the dog park

Seaside fitness trail: I am currently working with a private citizen on improvements of the fitness trail at Seaside Park.

Karen Ernst: I want to keep doing the work — work with the department heads, the community and the Commission on the projects we have started, as well as whatever lands on our plate. Projects can move slowly. I am happy that we have been able to put a racket policy in place, we have reviewed our fees and continue to work on other policies such as our very own public comment policy. This will help guide us for when we are ready to offer our meetings via Zoom or some other platform.

Shelly Bedrossian: See below for combined answer.
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If you had a magic wand and could make any recreational facility appear in town, what would it be?

Linda Rice-Collins: A second community center located on the Eveleth School site for all ages. The center would contain two gymnasiums, multiple rooms for arts and crafts, theater, yoga, dance, photography, music, movie nights, CPR/ first aid, safe boating, robotics and mine craft, the various town volunteers groups, sports groups etc., a workout room and a kitchen with a dining area. Outdoor fields, bocce, basketball court.

Shelly Bedrossian: I don’t need a magic wand because I am already working diligently to use the $2 million Lars Anderson bequest to build a weather-independent practice facility at Green Street for Marblehead Youth Hockey, Marblehead Youth Soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, and adult soccer. More details on the project are on my campaign Facebook page.

Karin Ernst: I would love to see a recreational facility. The Rec Department does a great job with the space they have and the space they borrow and is the best on the North Shore. That is 100% because of Recreation Director Jaime Bloch and her staff. 

It is not that easy to just put a new building in town, as there are a lot of moving parts. First, in my opinion, we should use a town building that is already empty. Marblehead does not have a ton of open space and to take some of that space to build a new rec center would not be my first choice. Second, I am very concerned about asking the town for an override to fund this project even though I support it. Some people are struggling just to continue to live here. That said, I have had several people show support to the growth of the program. Ideally three things would need to happen: 

• Wouldn’t it be great if there was a gift/trust to the town for the project!
• Wouldn’t it be great if we have an empty building lying around not being used.
• And finally, wouldn’t it be great if we had the right recreation director in place. Oh, we have that already. Check.

Rosanna Ferrante: I need more than a magic wand to answer this question, I need facts. I recommend an inventory of all town facilities to first determine if the current use is the highest and best use of that particular property. For town facilities not currently in use, what is the plan, 

Richard W. Jordan: I would like to see improved signage at Rec and Parks facilities so that residents are aware of these facilities and usage surrounding them. There are always new residents, or residents who may not be aware of what the town has to offer. I believe that improved signage will help to increase usage of and participation in Marblehead programming and facilities.