Recreation Commission Minutes 12/13/18

Meeting Minutes
December 13, 2018

Opening

The regular meeting of the Stratham Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:08pm December 13, 2018 in the Stratham Municipal Center.

Present Members

April Mason, Jeff Simeone, Brian DeKoning, Sean Burke, Sean Kokowski

Absent Members

Joe Lovejoy, Tracy Abbott, Frank Lasorsa

Special Guest

Seth Hickey

Approval of Minutes

• Minutes of November’s meeting were presented

  • Motion to approve made by April

  • Jeff seconded 

  • Motion was Unanimously approved

Open Issues

• Current Budget Status, Revolving and General

  • Seth reported that electricity at Stratham Hill Park went up as well as the cost of field maintenance. 

  • Seth will evaluate and get back to the Commission on why

• Basketball Update

  • Things going ok with new gym usage and janitorial staff onsite.  A couple times coaches have had to make a phone call or go find staff to open gym at scheduled time.  

  • Sean Kokowski reported that a visiting team was warming up in the SMS hallways.  Going forward coaches need to ensure that there are no basketballs being played with in the hallways. 

• Skateboard Park Update

  • Seth reported that the group raised ~$2,500 through the online raffles

  • Selectmen had approved park design contract

  • Test pits at SHP were taken

  • Carnival and Conservation Commissions have objected to the proposed location

  • Seth reported that they were looking at a location behind the lower baseball field at SHP

  • A public meeting is scheduled for 1/14/19 to share info on the Skate Park project and proposed locations

  • The Park drawings cannot be completed without a location chosen

• Winter Activities

  • Seth reported that the ice rink was set-up and a new liner was purchased and installed for this season

  • Ski Programs

    • 170 students were signed up Gunstock

    • 30 each for McIntyre and Pats Peak

  • Food Truck Festival

    • May 4^th 2019

    • 15 food trucks have been confirmed

    • Multiple breweries and bands are lined up

  • SHP Upper Baseball Field Update

    • Things have been delayed due to weather

    • Bell & Flynn to return on 12/13 to resume work

    • Prepping ground for hydro-seeding

    • Field will not be playable for 2019 season. 

      • Alternate fields are being discussed

  • Conservation Commission Partnership

    • Seth reported that the Parks Association was discussing dissolving.

    • Conservation Commission was looking to merge and take on responsibility for a section of the Park

    • The Recreation Commission currently oversees the overall usage and decision making of the park

      • Rec Commission had not been previously notified of the Conservation Commissions plan to merge with Parks Association

      • Rec Commission would like to be involved in the discussion around the merging of the two groups and how it would ultimately effect who is controlling the grounds at SHP.

      • April Mason will draft a letter to the involved parties to express the Recreation Commission’s interest in being involved in this process of determining oversite of Stratham Hill Park

• Recreation Commission roles and membership

  • Sean Kokowski to officially join Recreation Commission

  • Tracy to confirm Sean Burke and Brian DeKoning are official members

  • Tracy Abbott will remain as Recreation Commission Chairman

  • Jeff Simeone will take on Secretary responsibilities                                                                                       

Meeting ended at 8:14pm

Agenda for Next Meeting

Agenda will be provided prior to the next meeting

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 8:14pm by Brian DeKoning and seconded by April Mason, motion unanimously approved. The next general meeting will be at 7:00pm on January 10th, 2019 at the Stratham Municipal Center.