Recreation Commission Minutes 10/26/17

Town of Stratham
Stratham Recreation Commission
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 26, 2017

In Attendance: Tracy Abbott, Pam Dziama, Frank LaSorsa, Joe Lovejoy, April Mason, Jeff Simeone

Special Guest: Seth Hickey, Parks & Recreation Director

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm.

Sports Boards

Seth reported that the Softball Board is considering merging with the Exeter program; the Fall Soccer program is running smoothly with the big kids at Stevens this year and the younger kids at SMS; the Soccer Board has been working with a company to assist train coaches, etc. and Seth has had positive feedback.

Stevens Park

Seth reported that a group of Residents have expressed an interest in a skate park in Town.  Seth stated that the proposed location would be at Stevens Park near the tennis courts, and the costs would need to be included in a future Warrant Article.  Seth would work with the Police Department in how to best monitor the skate park, and with a design company for the project.  Seth recommended that the interested group submit a letter of interest to the Editor of the paper to start gathering support.

Stratham Hill Park (SHP)

Seth reported that the Selectmen have hired a part-time Park Ranger and he is currently working on closing down the facilities at the Parks; the ice rink will be constructed on top of the Basketball Court this year and lights have already been moved closer to the new location.  Renovations for the bathrooms (floors/walls) and the upper-fenced field (leveling the field completely and then re-grow the grass) are ongoing.

Administrative

Seth stated that the Parks Budget would be increasing this year to better align with actual expenses; Seth reported that he is looking into purchasing a small bus for community trips; the Ski Program has 200+ kids this year; Kids Yoga starts next week; Coyote Club is being offered to all (3) schools; and there is an after-school Mountain Bike program starting soon.

Future of the Recreation Commission

Paul Deschaines, Town Administrator, joined our meeting and emphasized the importance of being a volunteer and fulfilling the obligations of the position. Paul stated that we hadn’t had a meeting since March and felt that we should try to decide what future role, if any, the Recreation Commission will have with the Parks & Recreation Department. Discussion focused on difficulty with scheduling & participation, and April offered to reach out to Chris Cavaretta about this discussion.  The Board decided to discuss this more at our next meeting.

Upcoming Events

Snowshoe Hikes – January & February 2018 (dates to be determined)

Bonfire – January 6, 2018 at Stratham Hill Park

Frank made a motion to adjourn @ 8:00 pm, Tracy seconded, all were in favor.  MOTION APPROVED.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, November 30, 2017 @ 7:00pm at the Municipal Center.