Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting: March 5, 2025

Present Members

Y Deb Faucher, Chair

Y Ed Harley, Clerk

Y Sherry Horeanopolous

Y Martin Sterman

N Meghan Bodwell

N Addison Barwise (Alt 1)

Y Andrea Surabian (Alt 2)

Present Other Attendees

N Walter Zawacki, Advisory Committee and liaison to P&R

Y Michelle Kennedy (for Public Comment part of meeting only)

Deb called meeting to order at 7:33 PM

Open Meeting and Commission Role Call

Approve Minutes:

Deb made a motion to approve the minutes from February 26, 2025. Ed seconded. All in favor.

Public Comments:

– Michelle Kennedy would like to see how to get approval for a stairway that goes up the left side of Krashes Field hill, the one used for sledding.

o We would need a proposal with details of the project, review/approval from several town committees and state organizations (Conservation, Environmental, Selectboard, Watershed Protection, etc), funding plan (Michelle is hoping to get time and materials donated), etc.

o The current paved path up the hill is not handicap compliant because of the grade, so building another feature that isn’t handicap accessible may be an issue and result in project denial. This should be explored early in the project.

o Maintenance in the winter may be an issue since Krashes Field paved paths are not kept clear of snow/ice.

– During Winter Carnival, a gentleman proposed clearing the depression in the center of Sawyer Field and then having it filled in with street sweepings (consistent with how the park was initially filled it). This would make the field large enough to use for

Updates/Discussion Items:

See next page

Financial:

ACCOUNT # ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION STARTING BALANCE BALANCE ON

2025-02-25

01-630-5210-000000 ELECTRICITY $3,275.00 $2,542.62

01-630-5240-000000 BUILDING REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE $15,520.00 $6,564.34

01-630-5340-000000 TELECOMM (CABLE/INTERNET/PHONE) $599.34 $599.34

01-630-5580-000000 MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SUPPLIES $2,425.00 $2,240.24

24-630-3590-241007 FB Recreation Revolving $3,016.45 $3,016.45

24-650-3590-241008 FB Revolve Field Maintenance $7,454.26 $6,689.90

25-650-3590-251008 FB P. Park B. Ball Court Donations $137.50 $137.50

25-650-3590-251009 FB Krashes Field Mem. Donations $31.00 $31.00

25-650-3590-251016 FB Sawyer Field Donation $4,025.00 $4,025.00

Events/Programs:

o Winter Carnival DeBrief– Deb

•  We made $285 on the raffle. We spent about $125 on supplies, and still need to get the charges for the police detail. The food truck was profitable, so we weren’t charged for their attendance.
• Suggestions for next year:
  •  Invite more venues in town to sell their wares, such as Monti’s, Princeton House of Pizza, Thirsty Lab, Golden Grain, Seven Saws (again), etc.
  •  Snowshoe races, sleigh rides, bigger bonfire, S’mores, snowman building, skijoring (skiing pulled by dogs), scarf knitting for donating to those in need.
  •  Norco requested getting involved next year, at least for a donation. Maybe archery?
  •  Consider an earlier date to have a better chance of colder weather, although earlier risks not having enough snow. Perhaps the Saturday just before the SuperBowl.
  •  Put P&R website at the table, perhaps with a 2D barcode also.
  •  Put the sledding finish line closer to the bottom of the hill.
•  Go/No Go for next year
  • Skating rink was not usable this year. If we hold carnival earlier, it may work better. It is a lot of work, so we may reconsider weather to set it up or not.

o Town Wide Yard Sale, May 17th – Sherry

•  Sherry has submitted a draft of the registration form to Deb for review and comment.
  •  It includes a number of potential things that people will be selling. They can check up to four, and the map will indicate what is being sold at each site.
  •  The map will also include maps of the food vendors and other activities.
    •  Perhaps offer coupons to each yard sale participant to hand out to encourage those buying to go to one of the food venues. Mike’s Food Truck parked at Town Common, the Barn, and Monti’s/Sevens Saws have already indicated they would like to participate. The Coffee Cabin (Nancy Chiara) has also expressed interest to Andrea, and Sherry requested Andrea have Nancy reach out to her.
    • Perhaps put a map online accessible via a QR code. Can also have detailed list of what is being sold at each location online.
  • Joelle at First Congregational Church is considering doing a pancake breakfast early in the morning.
  •  Sherry would like to buy a number of Town Wide Yard sale signs (with no date on them). They can be placed throughout town on major roads and at ends of roads to point towards participating houses.
  •  The Library will have a book sale, and the Garden Club will be selling plants. Anyone who wants to sell on the Town Common can pay $15 to get a table/place.
  • Registration is scheduled to end April 31st to give time to finish the map and other items before the Yard Sale date.
• Fields/Parks:

  o We are one step closer to having the MyRec software set-up and functional so it is available for field reservation usage.

•  Other Business:

  o Yarn Work collective met on Sunday, and 18 people attended. Everyone was very excited and wanted to stay longer than the end time. There are a few more dates scheduled to continue the activity.

  o Primitive Skills class is underway at TPS. Deb made arrangements at TPS for the space and signed the contract with Primitive Skills.

  o Join or Die viewing is coming up at First Congregational Church on March 15th at 1:00. Joelle would like to have different groups in town to represent groups to join.

  o Community Heart and Soul is at TPS tomorrow night about improving our community.

  o Princeton “Launch” day at Launch in Leominster is scheduled for a half day.

  o Easter Hunt coming up in April.

  o Strategic Plan due by May

  •  Nick is planning to send a PowerPoint outline to Sherry by the end of next week. He is also working on a summary that he intends to send to P&R.

o At the Select Board discussion on the director position, they decided to wait on posting the position again until the Strategic Plan is in place as a guide to what is needed in the position. They have also requested that the position description be updated to better reflect the needs of the position.

Director’s Update: N/A – since the position is currently vacant.

Deb adjourned the meeting at 8:53.

Next Meeting: April 2, 2025