Parks and Recreation 03/03/2026

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

A winter of deep snow and stubborn ice meets a calendar full of decisions, and we walk through each one with an eye on safety, fairness, and momentum. We start with quick business—minutes approved, rental property steady—then share long-awaited progress on the daycare expansion as the state schedules on-site measurements to finally move the project forward.

From there, the weather drives the agenda. With fields still under inches of ice, we set honest expectations for delayed openings to protect turf from lasting damage. We explain why patience now saves months of repairs later, especially at wet sites like Boarding Colony. On permits, we keep things clear and consistent: a clean recommendation for the Lions Club’s one-day liquor license game dinner, returning approvals for the Monday Men’s Church Softball League, and dedicated Saturday field time for Special Olympics of Massachusetts.

Soccer brings both excitement and friction. Two outside camps tried to stake the same week as our local program and advertised without approval—so we pressed pause. Resident programs come first, fields need rest, and with talk of a private complex changing hands, we anticipate more club teams seeking space. We map out next steps: firm schedules, stronger communication, and policies that keep the field plan coherent as World Cup buzz swells and demand rises.

The community garden gets a people-first refresh. We set opening dates, share rules, and waive the $25 plot fee to boost sign-ups since the revenue doesn’t return to the garden anyway. We discuss practical upgrades—benches, birdhouses, and safer access—while tightening controls to prevent cars from driving onto plots and damaging spigots. We close with event and budget updates: postponing the Easter egg hunt rather than forcing it indoors, adjusting summer program dates after school extends, small price increases to cover rising costs, and a nod to the highway crew for tireless storm work.

Subscribe, share with a neighbor who uses our fields or garden, and leave a review with your take: should we open fields earlier or wait for better weather to protect the season?

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:10

Make a motion to approve the minutes of the February meeting.

SPEAKER_01 0:13

I will second that motion. All in favor? Aye. Aye. All in favor. Organization, representatives, town officials, committee over. I don't see anyone here. On to old business.

Daycare Expansion Moves Forward

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Rental property, I just kept it on there, you know, with the storm last week, just in case there was any updates I had to give with this house, whatever we knew we've been doing to it. So but everything went great. Uh no problems. I'm not been recording to me, so knocking on wood, the uh rental property is doing well. Daycare expansion. Uh daycare expansion. The state finally reached out to us last week. Uh we're actually meeting with them next Tuesday morning. Uh they're coming up to do measurements, and hopefully, we can put this to bed and get the expansion done. We've been working at all year. They finally said after all the paperwork they're gonna come out. So we're good. So I'll keep you guys informed about that after uh I meet with them next Tuesday.

SPEAKER_01 1:10

Alright, on to new business, field status.

Lions Club One-Day Liquor License

SPEAKER_00 1:14

Uh, I just wanted to talk to you guys, as we all know, we've had all this snow and all this cold over the past two months. I'm gonna start giving the league some warnings ahead of time that field openings may be pushed back a little bit due to the amount of snow and how wet the fields are going to be. Especially out here at Boarding Colony. We all know it it's wet. Just people have to understand that if we get out there too early, we're gonna tear it up. Yeah, it can be a very tough recovery. So uh that's where we're at right now. I everything's completely covered, two, three feet of just pure ice out there and driving around looking at all these fields. Some fences still haven't been uncovered by the snow drifts. So we'll get there and hopefully some warm, dry weather comes with wind. But I'll keep you guys informed of where we are with the field statuses. Uh the next thing we have is the uh Lions Liquor Cup, Lions Liquor, Lions Club Liquor License. Uh they're looking for a one-day liquor license permit for Friday, March 27th for their game dinner from 5 to 10. Uh we have no conflicts. Uh if it's okay with you guys, I'd like to uh send a letter to the selectman uh recommending uh a liquor license motion.

SPEAKER_01 2:32

I will send that motion. All in favor? Aye. Aye. So move it.

unknown 2:36

All right.

SPEAKER_01 2:37

I'm just voting uh field use permit.

SPEAKER_00 2:41

Uh the first one we have is for the Monday night Men's Church Softball League. Uh they're looking for their annual permit starting April 27th through August 31st on Monday nights. Uh the only conflict would be on Mondays at that 5 o'clock period if PP is running a little late, but they should be off the field by 4.30. Uh we've approved in the past. Uh for the season and a half, we've charged 775. Uh and we just need an updated copy of their insurance policy.

SPEAKER_01 3:12

Motion. I will second that motion. All in favor? All right. Aye. So voted.

unknown 3:24

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 3:26

And then the next one we have is for the Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Uh, they'll be for permit again this year for the RMS football soccer field on Saturdays for a two-hour block. Uh, one to three should be fine on Saturday afternoons. There is no conflict. Starting April 18th uh till May 31st. Uh last year we did charge uh$600 for the uh department motion.

SPEAKER_01 3:55

I will second that motion all in favor? All right. Aye, so voted.

SPEAKER_00 4:00

We also did have two other permits uh for soccer camps. Believe it or not, they pick the same week. It goes along with what Rainham Youth Soccer does their normal camps. So right now I spoke to both those organizations and told them it is not gonna work. Uh once I have the official data soccer, they're looking at doing maybe another two or three weeks of camps this summer. Once I have those, I'll let them know if they want to try to fill in. They were already advertising without even coming through us first, these outside organizations. So I'll put that on a whole of these guys.

SPEAKER_02 4:35

Yeah, yeah. I I I want to say that they probably ran these clinics in the past without authorization. Yeah, so based on my observations.

Anticipating Club Field Demand

SPEAKER_00 4:46

So with these, with one of the clinics, it's been out for over a month. They said they were going to be partnering with Rangham. I spoke to this reign president, they didn't even know who they were. And we picked the same exact week that Rainham E. Soccer runs there, and so I spoke to the guy today and says, right now, no. These outside organizations are coming in, especially with the World Cup coming in this year. Yeah, they're pumping up left and right all over the place. So, and I was also made aware, just to keep on your radar, I understand that four kicks might have been sold. I've heard that. Yeah. So what I understand is those club teams are gonna start looking for fields. But with our programs right here, yeah, we and we also have to make sure our fields rest and people of Rainham get the quality that we deserve. So just to give you guys a heads up of something that's could be coming down the road for us.

SPEAKER_02 5:38

Yeah.

Commissioner Updates And Storm Thanks

SPEAKER_00 5:39

Down there. That's it for uh new permits right now. Uh that's it for uh new business. Alrighty.

SPEAKER_01 5:47

Commissioners replace.

SPEAKER_02 5:50

Um I I really have nothing very cool with this with this snowstorm that we had last week's kind of damper on everything.

SPEAKER_01 6:02

Yeah, so I really have nothing. I would just like to uh show appreciation. I know Park and Rack, you know, with everyone was affected by this the storm, and you know, condemn everyone for their patience and especially thank the highway department for their uh work during the last week as they uh they hustled, you know, following and it's not an easy task, so I'd give anyone uh credit for that. Um that's all I have. Staff reports.

unknown 6:38

Um there for Mr. Community Garden book coming out. Um came up pretty quick.

Garden Access, Parking, And Safety

SPEAKER_03 6:44

And per request of the highway department, just like last year, they asked that we start about a week or so later than usual because of the short staff um issue that's been ongoing. So um I put a copy of the dates from last year compared to this year, they're a day or so apart. Um, the garden opens on Monday, I'm sorry, May 16th. Um I'll be sending the applications this month on the 16th on Monday. Um the prep deadline that we ask everyone preps their gardens um by June 13th, and then the garden will close again. It always closes on Halloween, um, so it gives the department to have a department time to go until that. So um I also left a copy of the rules and the regulations. The pricing, the application that we'll be handing out, it's still$25 per plot. Um, and then I gave you guys a map of all the plots that we have. We have 18 total. Um, and usually we reserve the plot number one for um a member of the senior center for free, so no charge for that one. Um there's not really any more updates on that. Uh, Tim and I were just discussing today about possibly, you know, if we get more Eagle Scout inquiries, maybe adding a few birdhouses or a bench or something out there. I think that area would be a good spot to add a couple things to. Um, because we're, you know, we get those inquiries every year, and we don't know what to give them anymore because we have benches everywhere, but the community garden doesn't really have anything like that, so I thought maybe it would be a good little project for one of them if we get approached. Um and we're just asking people to spread the word because last year and the year prior we didn't fill up the plots like we did during COVID. So we're trying to get more people to sign up, um, usually after a certain date. I'm sorry, I forget.

SPEAKER_00 8:39

I think it after like maybe April 20th, if we're not filled, we can open it up to outside.

SPEAKER_01 8:45

Is there a way we can put maybe put on social media?

SPEAKER_00 8:48

Yeah, we get that out so we can take care of that just like outside town residence.

SPEAKER_02 8:52

Yeah, what if we what if we get rid of the plot fee? I mean it generates maximum$480. What happens to that money?

SPEAKER_00 9:01

It just goes into the general fund. It just goes into uh not even the general fund, just the funds.

Sports Contacts And Program Coordination

SPEAKER_02 9:08

And that's that goes back in the receipt, so we don't that doesn't come back to us, so we can just uh we can just I mean unless there's a way that we can protect that that money to be spent in the garden, whether it's to be like you said, benches and other things. If the money can be protected and spent in the garden, that would be great. Yeah, I don't see there's a way we can do that.

SPEAKER_00 9:31

No, because we have in the budget the uh uh other property uh resources with money which I've set aside in there, our biggest line item for the colony. So any money that's in there will go towards that project as well. So basically, you know, if we want to put a bench in one with birdhouse, would the loss of this$500 affect that? No. No. Okay. We can definitely get rid of that.

SPEAKER_02 9:58

We want to try to fill it. Let's try to fill it with a zero cost.

SPEAKER_03 10:01

Yeah, we can do that. My only concern is that people are just gonna sneak in there, but we should travel. But we have the keys anyway.

SPEAKER_02 10:07

Oh no, absolutely no, they have to be registered.

SPEAKER_00 10:14

We'll surprise them.

SPEAKER_03 10:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:15

You know, when they come to check in, they can't do it online, they have to come in through us to to register and they give Sandy the money. You know, we'll tell them we come and we decide to weigh the fee this year.

Budget, Events, And Program Adjustments

SPEAKER_03 10:24

Yeah. A lot of them I call regulars because we have up to six that come every year and they're pretty loyal. So yeah, we have a few new people every year.

SPEAKER_00 10:35

Yeah, but five hundred dollars is you know, actually that's not to be fair. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 10:39

I think the the people will report back that they notice somebody at their plot that they usually affiliate, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_00 10:46

So the only thing that I ask is again when we get to the garden plots, people want to drive their cars to their actual plot, a small parking lot in the game. Because one year somebody drove in and took out the uh one of the spigots. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And turned to a geyser on a Friday afternoon. We had uh Olson shut up.

SPEAKER_02 11:04

Maybe the guys from the highway could take a couple boulders and block the.

SPEAKER_00 11:09

We've looked at that. We've also looked at possibly putting up, you know, some type of fence in there, because that fence over there is completely that's from 1880?

SPEAKER_02 11:18

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 11:19

You know, if you ride one of those posts, you're gonna mess up your entire car. That's good steel though. Oh, it's very good steel. Also, if you ever cut your hand on that fence, we can get a techno shot. Yeah. But no, that that's no problem in mine, it's not gonna affect us whatsoever. Okay.

SPEAKER_03 11:33

Yeah, that's like the idea. Um, and then the blue copy paper that is on there is the most recent updated each week sport contacts that I have. Oh, nice. Kind of a drafting on trying not to give away, I don't give away those cell phone numbers. That's strictly through the commission. Um, I have copies of just a lesser information version that I hand out to residents if they come in with just an email. Um, but that's where you guys, if you ever need in touch with them, and if you think I should add anybody, I'll I'll add them on. We were talking about flag football, but we haven't gotten their we haven't gotten their permit yet.

SPEAKER_00 12:10

Oh, yeah, uh Tom Greco and Rico Gones. Okay.

SPEAKER_03 12:17

So we can tag them on as they come in, but for now that's what we got.

SPEAKER_01 12:21

No, I like this a lot.

SPEAKER_03 12:24

That's it for me.

SPEAKER_02 12:25

Any, any we don't have an individual contact with the cheerleading people?

SPEAKER_03 12:30

No, it's been like that for a couple of years.

SPEAKER_00 12:33

There's a couple people that I've dealt with, but we can I can get you those names. I'm just curious.

SPEAKER_01 12:38

No, it's uh Yeah, the Ericsson's involved in that slide?

SPEAKER_00 12:43

No, she's no longer part of that. I can't remember her name.

SPEAKER_01 12:46

Katie K. Beatrice, something. You get to be.

SPEAKER_00 12:55

Katie D.

SPEAKER_01 12:56

Yeah, it's like a D. Yeah, I know what you're talking about. Yeah. Alright.

SPEAKER_00 13:00

So just it'll come to me, but yeah. Uh awesome job, Sammy. Oh, what did I do with my phone?

unknown 13:08

All right.

SPEAKER_00 13:09

All right. Uh just a couple of things at my end. I I'm gonna put it in your boxes, guys. I meant to print off the preliminary budget that I submitted. Yeah. I'll leave that in the box. I apologize.

SPEAKER_01 13:20

Yeah, no worries.

Closing Remarks

SPEAKER_00 13:21

Uh town meeting is set up for Monday, May 18th.

SPEAKER_01 13:25

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 13:26

As we'll have our budget on there, and then capital items that we're gonna be looking at for the tennis court, doing the pickleball court, that'll be on the fall town meeting. So we're got a little time on that one. Uh, the Easter egg hunt. With the way things are in the weather, I think I'm just gonna postpone it this year with us because just being inside is not the same. So it's in a couple weeks, but it's still gonna be probably snow on the ground, it's just not gonna work this year. Yeah, snowing. Yeah. So we're gonna go from there. Uh unfortunately we lost a week of the summer program due to this lovely weather with pushing school back. Uh, the unofficial end of school now is June 23rd. So we're looking at starting summer right now, unless there's some sort of waiver on June 29th. Uh, we've already got field search booked, we just need to get that process going. But unfortunately, as we all know, prices are going up everywhere. I'm not a few problems, it's a$10 increase just to make sure we're covered. Everything going on. But it breaks down to$6.50 an hour, which isn't much. Uh we're actually going to be trying to win B-ball championships next week for all the leagues. Uh, we just need to secure referees because they don't want me out there reference and I'll do it a pitch. And uh just a reminder that we have the mass parking rec conference uh later on this month. I'll be gone for two nights and Heath and Bethany will be joining out of the second night. Yeah, and as well, I want to thank Newland and the highway for all their hard work last week.

SPEAKER_01 14:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:58

And that is it for me.

SPEAKER_01 15:00

Alrighty. Anyone have anything else? Oh, they were.