The Raynham Channel

Parks and Recreation 02/03/2026

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0:00 | 18:14

(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)

Fields booked, tempers cooled, and a daycare room waiting for a green light: this meeting pulls back the curtain on how a small town keeps recreation running when the calendar is packed and patience is thin. We share how storm repairs on a rental property rippled through budgets, why a long-awaited daycare expansion is stalled at the state level, and how we’re threading together requests from school softball, girls and boys lacrosse, horse shows, and a youth club baseball program without tearing up our lawns or burning out volunteers.

We walk through decisions that matter to families right now: predictable field fees, clear schedules, and guardrails that protect shared spaces. The Merrill School Fun Run returns with simple safeguards to save the turf. We also face the hardest problem in youth sports—adult behavior. After parents confronted a referee, we restate our code of conduct, set firm boundaries, and focus on modeling respect so kids can learn the game the right way. That standard isn’t about punishment; it’s about keeping officials, coaches, and players safe so the season can thrive.

Beyond the sidelines, the state’s agricultural review praises our care of the land while flagging encroachments tied to a prior land swap. We outline next steps to clarify boundaries and prevent further creep. Training and readiness stay front and center: an umpires class settles into our meeting room, staff heads to the statewide conference to bring back new ideas, February Vacation Club has openings, and summer plans are already rolling with trips to Water Wizz, Battlegrounds, and the local theater. We close by celebrating an Eagle Scout whose forest project reminds us why this work matters: community grows when people step up.

If you value fair play, clear schedules, and healthy fields, tune in and share this with a neighbor. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s the one improvement you want to see this season?

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Opening And Minutes Approved

SPEAKER_03

All right.

unknown

All right.

SPEAKER_00

Rental motion approved the minutes. I will send that motion. All in favor. Aye. Organization representatives, sound officials, community members. Does it look like we have anyone yet?

unknown

All right.

Rental Property Repairs Update

SPEAKER_00

On to old business. Rental property.

SPEAKER_05

Rental property. Just want to give you an update. You know, just with all the work we've done, as soon as we fix one thing, something else goes. I just had to replace the stove. That died once last week during the storm. Oh no, I should say. That's the one thing I did replace. It's on me. I think it would be okay to ask, but it lasts. Replaced that. And with the storm, I guess one of the vent cover on the outside broke, so I gotta replace that once the weather gets better. So you'll start seeing some minor work here and there. And I may replace the front door as well, which is very, very old, just so they can have another entrance in and out of the house for them. That one's okay. And the screen porch for them? Yes. Both of them, actually. Okay. Yeah. So that'll mean when the weather gets nicer. God, hopefully that's sooner rather than later. So I just want to let you know we might see a couple of little other bills coming and going as we move forward with the sign. Just to get that going. Poor dog. Terrible. It is awful. I heard it yesterday of crap. Is a dog in there? Very sad.

Daycare Expansion Delays With State

SPEAKER_01

Alrighty. Daycare expansion.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah. I just want you to know, I'm still waiting on the state. It's been a very slow process, frustrating process. You know, our watch how I say this, but we're just, it's not going as we're ready, but the state is slow moving us right now. So I'm still on them, but we're working on it, and I'll we'll go from there. But I'll keep you guys informed as we move forward. But it's just not where I'd like to be. We're ready. We have the room ready. We have all our stuff ready, but it's again, it's getting the state. But they're supposed to come out later on this month to do a site, visit it, and oh I may push it up. Let's get over there and let's get this done. Yeah. It's very frustrating on our end. But besides that, it is ready to go. The room looks great. Bethany, Heather, and Sammy have done a great job helping me get it ready, so greatly appreciated.

Spring Field Permits Overview

SPEAKER_00

Alrighty. On to do business. Looks like we got a quite we got quite a few here.

School Softball Use And Fees

SPEAKER_05

Alright. So the first one we have, guys, is uh Bristol Plymouth. They're looking for their annual spring permit using the Mary Lou soccer field for cross, McKinney Bay Booth, and Boarding Colony softball for the softball team. Starting April 1st through June 15th, Monday through Friday, 2.30 to whenever they're done, especially for games. There is no conflict. I've already spoken to RYBSA, they kind of get an idea when their game schedules are, and they come in afterwards. And we charge uh$600 a field, so the fee would be$1,800. This last year didn't we do that? Which we didn't see a couple of years ago. Yeah, actually, this will be there. Fourth yeah. I think it's a shift action on. Yeah. I think they I think next year they move to the new school, I believe.

SPEAKER_00

So they're gonna be in the school in um next fall.

SPEAKER_05

But I think the fields come in a year later. Yeah, because they're gonna break down the whole school. What have we chatted before? 18? For the three fields we eighteen hundred dollars. Motion approved EP F cost.

SPEAKER_04

Second. I'll table.

Horse Show Schedule And Approval

SPEAKER_05

I can't sit there much better. Uh the next one we have, guys, is for the uh Mass Rough Riders for their annual permit. Uh they have the dates listed below, quite a few uh horse shows starting uh April 19th. Oh, these horses, you know. So mostly Sundays, some Saturdays are in there. Okay. Uh really it says 10 o'clock, they're here by eight getting set up, and they're usually done by five, six o'clock at night. Uh we charge six hundred dollars for the year, and they should be getting up a copy of their insurance.

SPEAKER_04

Motion to approve. I will second that motion. What's the what are we looking at for a cost here?

Girls Youth Lacrosse Practices And Games

SPEAKER_05

Uh we we only charge them to year six hundred dollars.$600? Yes, sir. Okay. Motion to approve$600. I will second that motion. All in favor? Okay. I so open it. Alright, so the next two we have here is for Bridgewater, Rainian, Girls, Youth Lacrosse. Uh the first one they filled out was for their practice schedule. Uh, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, uh using Cell School and Legion Field. Um this one, again, the reason they're using Cell School is because we don't let them use uh Beton Court for practices. Uh we did charge this one and also the gaming field, which is the next one combined, uh$600. And the games will be at Beton Court uh on certain Sundays from 9 to 6. I have to have already spoken to them about this. If you guys approve it, uh they are responsible at the end of the season for fixing the midfield, excuse me, and the goal areas. They have to resolve it and make sure it's done professionally. Okay. And they are willing to do that. And I also reminded them they cannot have tents on the field. Tents have to stay off, so only players are on the field with coaches. Absolutely. So for goal sets, it would be a total of$600 when we charge last year. Motion approved across$600.

SPEAKER_04

I would say that motion on paper.

Boys Youth Lacrosse Scheduling

Youth Club Baseball Field Access

SPEAKER_05

I absolutely have is for uh boys youth lacrosse. Uh boys use the cross. Actually, the girls had two uh two permits. This first one was for practices. This one she always gives me two. Yeah, so they go together. Gotcha. Yeah, all right. Uh the next one is for boys' youth across. Uh they're looking at their annual permit of doing uh practices on the RMS football slash soccer field and the RMS upper field on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings, and games on Sundays on the multi-purpose field. Uh we have no conflicts since that's the field. We block off in the spring, fall across, and BP's only there Monday through Friday, so no issues on our end. Again, they do have to wait till uh Rainham Middle Schools offer baseball and softball. But besides that, they're good to go. Motion approved, no feed. I was adding that motion. All favor? Uh the next one is for Fearless One Sports Academy. Uh they're looking for their annual permit. They gave me some options. Uh, but with everything set up, the only thing that's going to work for them right now would be the RMS softball field. But the days, and I explained to him uh last night and again this morning, would be Thursday and Friday nights and Saturdays and Sundays. Uh we have RYBSA is using the field Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and we have BP and RYBSA at Board of Colony, and also over on uh at Weed Field. So we're kind of all over the place. So I told him until we get to mid-June, that's the best we can offer them at this time.

SPEAKER_02

What are we talking here for? Uh what is this group? I don't remember the name, I just don't remember what they're made up of.

School Fun Run Logistics

SPEAKER_05

It's uh uh yeah, it's like six to ten year olds, six to eleven year olds. It's more uh like a club team that's bases as well. Yes, but youth. Yes, sir. Okay, yeah. So yeah, so put an address where are they at it now? Uh I believe he's he doesn't have like a he does it out of his house, I believe he's out of pleasant field. Okay, if I'm correct. The Atlas one sports again. Yeah. So we usually uh he goes for two permit, uh two season permit, excuse me, so we have charging$1,200 for the two seasons. And I told him as well, he took March 2nd, I said the earliest movement of the fields really is uh April 1st. Yeah, so he's aware of that as well. Yeah. And the way the snow is melting, we're lucky if April 1st gets it out. The thought of it scares me.

SPEAKER_04

And then on it. Uh motion to approve the LS one. I will second that motion. All in favor? Alright.

SPEAKER_05

Aye, so okay, and the last one that just came in today, it's the annual Merrill School Fund Run for the Betoncourt Field on this beer, sorry, uh, April 17th, uh, the Friday before school vacation. Um, the group comes in, they set up and get ready for the fund runs, their annual fundraiser. I did tell them, if approved, again they cannot put spikes in the field and they have to change the directions every class that comes in so they're not wearing down the field too much. We'll be running all day. And also be careful if it's wet that time of the year, really they can really do some damage if we're not careful. Uh but we've never had a problem, they do a great job, but it'll be uh obviously no conflicts until on the school day and no fee.

Commissioners’ Brief Reports

SPEAKER_04

Motion approved PTO.

SPEAKER_00

I also have that motion. Oh, I settled it.

SPEAKER_05

And that is it for uh excuse me, for field permits for our busy time of year. Alrighty.

SPEAKER_01

Uh Commissioners report. Uh we don't have anything to report. Not that I can think of.

SPEAKER_00

I don't think so. I think this this winter is you know keeping everything quiet. Um I do not have to report. So let's do that. Um I just wanted to triple check. Um, I think we do the summit every couple years, but I wouldn't try that we were up for that this year. Kind of talked to Tim about it, and I think we said every couple years. Every couple years we just did last year. Yeah. Yeah, it was just that was our time to say, but that was really good. Just want to check in with that.

SPEAKER_05

We met last year uh in all the groups, it was actually a lot for long internal. Yeah. Yeah. And I think, you know, where we got the chain, all the presidents are all the same, so I think we're good this year. Oh. Okay. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

So I'm just looking at this feel as well.

SPEAKER_05

I got a few things for you. A couple things uh I just wanted to mention. Uh, I know I gave you guys a quick heads up about uh we've had some problems with basketball. Yeah. You know, with some parents and coaches, and unfortunately, this past weekend we did have a couple parents confront a referee. Um not happy about it. No, that's not exactly. And uh, as I mentioned to you guys, I was going to send an email, and I did send an email yesterday. Uh I reminded them, and I gave you guys a copy of our code of conduct policy that everybody has to look at every year. And, you know, we're reckily, we're funding the kids having a good time, learning how to play the game correctly, but I reminded these parents they cannot get in the face of referees at all.

SPEAKER_01

And it's really not a good example to the kids' e-back. No.

SPEAKER_05

They kind of eat that. And I told them in the email, and I used my words carefully, but I said this type of behavior will not and is not tolerated.

SPEAKER_04

So did we jettison the parent? Or are we giving them a second chance?

SPEAKER_05

I'm giving them a second chance because unfortunately, this parent, I I've heard rumors who it is, but it's not confirmed. Yeah. So I'm waiting for that person would like to talk to me. Okay. And I will be at that game on Saturday if they want to talk to me. So, but one parent did reach out and did, you know, talk to me about it, but they were, in their words, they were horrified and embarrassed by what they saw. Really? Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

So But they don't want to mention, they don't want to, well, they don't want to mention the name of the person that's involved. Exactly. So they don't want to be on a record. Exactly.

Agricultural Report And Land Encroachment

SPEAKER_05

So I'm just waiting for this person to approach me if they want to talk to me. And I'm I'm willing to talk. Yeah. But again, they have this here and they just went against it, and it was, and the gentleman they went after has been help working in Writingham, doing a lot of things for a long time. So very disappointing. But I'll be there and uh be at the other site and we'll see what's going on going on. But overall, I haven't really had feedback from that email. Things like that. Uh the next thing I gave you guys is uh just our agricultural report from the state. They were out uh in early November. I believe it was the day my wife had her surgery, so I was not around that day. Uh but she Dolly knew about that that I wasn't going to be around. Uh but overall, she was very happy with what we have. She did have a recommendation about getting some new trees out there. She did give me a contact, you know, to speak to, that could maybe get some grants, get some trees out there. But the one question they do have is about some of the encroachments that we have. The horse ring, the soccer fields. And so I've reached out to the towns to figure out is that still part of legislation or did everything go away?

SPEAKER_03

The town received land and a swap for land for a public safety building that's not being built yet. So actually, there's more land now than there was before.

Umpire Class Room Use

Conferences, Vacation Club, And Summer Plans

Eagle Scout Congrats And Adjourn

SPEAKER_05

And I'm not sure if that they have actually stopped the legislation. I don't think it affects. Never through no. So um so my question is for the town because we have two soccer fields out there that are actually still going across that. Yeah, so that's something we have to you know definitely figure how we're gonna take care of that. And also, like again, this horse running kind of like by where the light is going down. So that's the big thing there. But overall, she was very happy with the mowing out there, said everything to look good, so I'll take that as a win. Keep watching it. Yep. So just make sure we don't encroach anymore. And the other thing that actually popped up today is uh Skip Croft and liked to do an umpires class, and he likes using this room for his meetings, and so he gave me a schedule. I have no issue with it on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The only uh conflict night will be March 3rd. We have our meeting here. We could always move our meeting over there, or I could just have him uh just move that March 3rd to another night. So him and I will work that out. But Skip's uh very happy and he stops in. We've seen him a few times now, right, Sam? Yeah. But uh nice class and getting ready for uh for baseball season. Again, I need the snow to melt. Just a couple other minor things just so you know. Uh Heather Bethany and I are going to the state conference at the end of next month. I'll be going, it's in Springfield this year. I'll be going for a couple nights. Heather Bethany will join me the second night out there for the conference to get all caught up and everything that's going on. That's good. Yep. We have February Vacation Club open, a few squats are meeting. If people want to sign up, they can go to RainmanRef.com. Chris we still have self extensions available. And uh believe it or not, summer planning is underway. We already have three field trips booked and two clocks called. We have waterwoods, we have battlegrounds, and we have the East Bridge Water Movie Theater. So come along and also want to just one final thing. Let's uh congratulate to Mike Antono. He's the Eagle Scout candidate that uh the Ben W forest and just received his Eagle Scout badge. So congratulations to him. And uh go past. That's it for me. Alrighty.

SPEAKER_04

I'm gonna make a motion to adjourn it seventeen.

unknown

Oh make it.

SPEAKER_04

Oh, it's just one of the gap. All righty.

SPEAKER_03

Okay, motion adjourned. Second, I'll favor.