| |  Minutes of Melville Park Committe
| Excused Absence: J. Emerson Absence: G. Steeley, P. Botelho Visitors: L. Lesinski Reports Minutes: no changes, previous meeting accepted, motion J. Richard, 2nd T. Gray Finance: no changes, balance $13,212; Trail Day: $1289.03 Correspondence: none Scout Projects: During Trail Day, T. Gray, J. Richard, and G. Williams inspected the site where Scout Eric Schwarz plans to build steps at the start of the yellow trail. Committee members approved site plan. Old Business Park Signing: New “Portsmouth Park” sign with Town Seal has been installed on bulletin board at the top of Smith Road. Old Sign to be moved to Sullivan and Stringham Road by DPW should be installed on town property. Sign has two posts that must be kept away from the road right-of-way, per RIDOT regs, according to Portsmouth DPW. Progress Report to Council: Report was approved by the Committee, to be forwarded to the Town Council. Moton by J. Richard, seconded by D. Sly; unanimous. Gates: G. Williams awaiting one additional bid to conform to the design submitted by D&D Fence. Three bids are required. Winter Walk: 2010 walk was held January 30 with excellent attendance from the Island and the State. An estimated 60 people attended, took the tours, heard about the history from James Garman and the natural aspects from Glenn Williams. J.Garman and G. Williams will lead walk. Committee provided hot chocolate, coffee and cookies served in stone building where a fire in the donated stove kept the building warm. The article published in the Providence Journal by Tom Meade on Thursday January 28 was of considerable help in boosting attendance. This was in addition to the color posters posted around town. Pond 8 Project: No progress this month. Action Item: E. Rizy to contact a college about potential use of graduate engineering and biology students to perform survey work. Membership Roll Cleanup: P. Higgins has resigned, due to press of work. Council Representation: Discussed replacement for K. Gleason after two+ years of assistance to the Committee. Action Item: E. Rizy to submit letter to Council President to request replacement. Budget Process: Revised budget of $15,000.00 including survey work on Pond 8 and a wood hipper for trail work on the Pond 9 dam, as required by RIDEM, was approved. The budget has been forwarded to the Finance Director. Trail Status: T. Gray completed work on the Orange trail with 15 hours’ assistance from a community service volunteer. Purchase of the wood chipper was discussed further. E. Rizy was directed to consult with DPW about whether a Park-purchased chipper made sense, given the brush-chipping activity the DPW conducts abutting the Park parking lot. A Fishing Spot Cleanup Day was proposed for mid- to late-March, involving cutting back brush around the 25 spots laid out for Pond 9. J. Emerson will be requested to look into publicity, to get fishing persons or group to give us assistance. New Business January Elections: With resignation of P. Higgins, Committee moved to elect J. Richard as Vice-Chair. Concrete Building Use & Facilities: J. Richard proposed purchasing an electric generator to provide power and lights in the building. After much discussion about cost, storage, noise, and frequency of use, T. Gray and G. Williams suggested simply getting a line from the nearby power line installed, together with an electric meter, as minimum cost solution. DEM Trail Grants: Time elapsed to apply for DEM grant. E. Rizy should check to see if we can make late application to make trails handicapped-accessible. Adjourn at 8:00 PM. Motion J. Richard, 2nd T.Gray Next Meeting: March 10, 2010, 7 PM, at Town Hall |