Laserfiche WebLink
Recreation Commission Meeting <br />April 7, 2003 <br /> <br /> <br />made a Motion to get the walking path before the proper Committee . Roll was taken; Motion <br />passed. Mr. DiSalvo asked if Safety Zone (Safety Town?) was what Mr. Gareau remembered as <br />a project for the Park before Council. Mr. Gareau replied the projects were capital improve- <br />ments, i.e., horseshoe pits, bocce ball, shuffleboard, walking path, basketball courts, tennis courts, <br />and perhaps one or two other projects. Ms. Jones said that the Commission had talked at one <br />time about moving ball diamonds around, with Mr. Baxter asking if the hardball diamond/ lighting <br />project ever continued. Mr. Gareau said that the big question is lighting the diamond, impacting <br />adjacent properties. Mr. Baxter added that it also meant overkill for the size of the park as well <br />as noting that in the softball leagues using the park, the resident/non-resident ratio was mostly <br />taken up by non-residents. There was a question as to whether or not another ball diamond was <br />every considered; Ms. Jones said her recollection was not that there would be another diamond, <br />but that it would be turned around. Mr. Gareau said that money was never borrowed to put up <br />lights, and every time it's come up at Council Meetings, concerns have been shared. Mr. Jesse <br />said that, if lighting is to be implemented, the City needs to move quickly in this direction, because <br />there is an advocacy group against light pollution that is gaining strength, limiting what a <br />municipality can do. <br /> <br />Mr. Jesse then mentioned that there is consideration being given as a Service project to locate an <br />area in the City to set up an area for drivers' education/maneuverability testing. <br /> <br />Mr. DiSalvo said that registration forms being used are abused by members of one family by <br />switching I.D. cards around. Basically, the cards should not be issued to extended family rather <br />than immediate family. As example, a mother came in, filled out the registration forms, and said <br />she has no time for pictures. Then, a few days later, six kids get their resident cards under one <br />family off the registration form. Some of the kids were not related or in the same family. These <br />are the kids that like to box and are getting into fights. They also sign up for a family swim pass, <br />which is unlimited access for $24.00 a month, but not one face matches up to the first and/or last <br />name on the registration card. The parents are encouraging this scam for their kids. The children <br />were silent when the Commissioner questioned them. Then the parents were called. This will be <br />a serious issue if someone gets hurt. Mr. Gareau pointed out that, perhaps, this family should not <br />be able to come back. Mr. DiSalvo said that, from what was sorted out, the family was banned <br />for a month. This matter has been an issue for the Rec Center for at least a year. The <br />Commissioner reported that the Head Cashier, Sandy Gimino, is finally feeling more comfortable <br />with telling people what the procedures are, e.g., a non-resident argues to pay resident fees. <br />People are admitting that they're basically stealing from the Recreation Center, and they are <br />having a problem with it. That is why the figures are so low. Chris Wetmore, Program <br />Supervisor, received a call last week re the [past] winter registration for basketball saying he <br />wanted to drop off his payment and asking how much it was. He basically played for free the <br />whole year. Mr. Baxter said that this is unfair for the people who follow the rules. The rules are <br />posted; Ms. Hayes said that the key is to enforce them, and the Commissioner agreed with this. <br />Page 7 <br /> <br />