Minutes of the Melville Park Committee Meeting, Wednesday, October 8, 2008 Meeting was opened at 6:00 p.m. by E. Rizy, Chair. Present were Philip Botelho, Karen Ptak, Thurston Gray, Glen Steeley, Lisa Bryant, Joanne Emerson, Jeffrey Richard, Jim McRoy, and Grace Kinnunen. Patrick Higgins, Gene Love, Glenn Williams and Karen Gleason, Council liaison, were absent. Visitor: James Garman, member of the Tree Commission E. Rizy, Chair, welcomed new member Glen Steeley. REPORTS Minutes from the September Meeting were submitted electronically by E. Rizy. Motion to accept as written by T. Gray, seconded by J. Emerson, unanimous. The three-year term issue was raised by J. Richard and J. McRoy; members whose term expired and who have not reapplied are still on the Committee. E. Rizy stated that the Town Clerk said there is no provision to remove expired members; he will discuss this further with Town Hall. Finance: G. Kinnunen reported $84.95 was spent on dog waste bags, bringing the 08/09 budget from $14,481 to $14396.34. The unexpended 07/08 account has $9554, rolled over into 08/09. The ‘Yard Sale’ account has $1179.81, adding $90 from this September’s yard sale. The Committee account, for supplies, was reset to $100. Correspondence: received from the Town Clerk that that Glen Steeley was appointed to the Committee. OLD BUSINESS Pond Reclamation Project: P. Higgins was absent; no report, Park Rules (Sub-committee): K. Ptak and G. Kinnunen made corrections and presented a final version at the meeting. Additional changes were deferred as ‘fine tuning’. The Committee directed that the rules be forwarded to the Council for their consideration. New Storage Facility: The exterior has been covered with vinyl siding; the roof cap will be installed shortly; locksets are installing and keys furnished to E. Rizy and T. Gray in addition to P. Higgins. L. Bryant introduced a bid from Coastal Electric to provide electric power to the shed for lighting and equipment. The $1400 cost would be shared with the campground. Since funds are being conserved to support pond reclamation, several members wanted P. Higgins’ input on the need for this; idea was deferred to another meeting. Scout Project Status: Troop 22 picnic benches are installed, one east of the Falls, the others on the west side. S. Schwemin of Troop 3 has led his troop to complete the clearing of 20 fishing spots on Pond 9; marking, and map printing will be done by mid-October. No activity was seen by E. Melillo of Troop 1 in his project to cover the eroded area on Pond 9. T. Gray proposed that the Committee not automatically totally fund all of the material for all scout projects, but participate as one of the potential donors on a case by case basis. L .Bryant seconded. Approved unanimously. Yard Sale took place on Saturday, September 20, at the pavilion. Heavy competition by St. Barnabas, the Historical Society and dozens of private sales severely reduced this year’s traffic and sales. Vendors were disappointed. It was strongly suggested that we move the event away from competition, possibly into August. J. Richard moved that the yard sale event be discontinued as a distraction from Committee business; T. Gray seconded; motion defeated 2 yes, 4 no. Mott Farm Ditch Project: given the substantial clearing accomplished by Portsmouth Department of Public Works, and the probability that they will return this Fall to complete the job and mulch the material left in the ditch, work to lay pipe and gravel in the ditch to prevent road erosion, at a cost of $5-6,000 is bring deferred. NEW BUSINESS J. Garman reported that the Tree Committee has specimen trees to be planted to beautify Portsmouth; his group is offering 4-5 trees to be planted in Melville. J. Richard and J. McRoy volunteered to survey the Park for suitable sites. Need for wood chippers at an affordable price was discussed. Committee will consult Northern Tool catalog and used equipment from D.R. Brush Cutters. Motion to adjourn by L. Bryant, seconded T. Gray, approved. Time 7:30p.m. Submitted 15 October by E. Rizy, Chair and acting Secretary

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