Marblehead League of Women Voters
The Marblehead Current is pleased to be supplementing its coverage of public meetings with Observer Reports provided by volunteers from the Marblehead League of Women Voters. To learn more about the League and its activities, see my.lwv.org/massachusetts/marblehead.
Board: Park and Recreation Commission
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 15
Location: Community Center Conference Room
Members present: The meeting was called to order by the vice chairman, Linda Rice-Collins. Karin Ernst, Matt Martin, Peter James, and Jaime Bloch were present. Derek Norcross and Rossana Ferrante were absent.
LWV Observer: Kay Rieper
Meeting highlights:
The minutes from the last meeting were approved.
Gregg Riskin appeared before the Board with a proposal for a memorial for his parents, Marty and Annette Reskin, which would consist of a bronze casting of their artist’s palette to be placed on a manmade rock at Chandler Hovey Park. The request was approved.
Projects
Peter reported he had a notice of intent for the small pavilion replacement at Devereux Beach which should be done the first week in December. The Seaside Park infield repair has been completed.
The water line at the Stramski house should be done next week and other work is being done with the help of Essex Tech students. A plaque with Article 32 written it from the Cultural Council will be hung in the building lobby.
Park update
A tree has been taken down near the lighthouse.
A temporary fix has been made to the sidewalk at Redd’s Pond. The Highway Department and Town Administrator are working on a permanent improvement to the sidewalk. Sidewalks aren’t Rec. and Parks Dept. responsibility.
Leaves and trash have been picked up, and lawn cutting is mostly done. Irrigation is fully off.
The tarps at Seaside will go down in mid-December.
Recreation
Jaime gave a report on spending from the revolving fund, comparing last year and this year. She will ask for more money be put into the fund as programs, and employee hours have expanded.
Recreational basketball has started. This is the biggest program in the winter
The indoor park will start this week.
There was a presentation and discussion of the things Rec and Parks provide for the schools: field usage for sports including tennis and field hockey at Seaside, high school and middle school cross country at Gatchell’s, field trips to Hammond Nature Center, field days at Seaside, Glabicky Park, Hobbs, and the Carnival at Devereux. The Rec and Parks department uses the field house for basketball, the weight room, a high school classroom, and Piper Field, mostly in the summer.
The Elf in Training event will be on Dec. 15 (a school half-day). The next meeting will be on Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.