Board of Parks & Recreation Meeting - September 9, 2026

call the meeting of the park and recreation at 5:30. All our members are present.

Tonight's meeting is being recorded on DCTV and we will start with our minutes of the last meeting. I have a motion to approve the minutes.

So moved.

So moved. I have a second. The only thing a question I had about the minutes was question discussion the um the age on the minutes. I'm not sure if that is something we want to double down on.

What that should be the age on the minutes.

Um in the minutes it says that we're looking for somebody x age.

Oh for the beach manager position. Yeah, I put Yeah, because in the meeting I recorded um like preferably 30 years of age or older um for the beach.

Yeah, do that.

No. Yeah, strike that.

Okay.

Just put down we're looking for an individual I think would be more than sufficient.

Okay.

Any other any other discussion on the minutes? In favor?

Opposed? So voted. Okay. New business. I guess the first thing order of business will be revisiting the do park fees. We all read the letter that we've got from the CP CPC committee and what's our take on it people?

I don't know. I mean as um I I was at president of member of the CPC. Uh I think there was because of the length of time that this process started was 2010.

There's been a change of board members since then. There's been a change representation on also on the CPC.

So there wasn't a lot of uh information when the when initial concern was brought up. One of the members has a philosophy that if CPC funds are allocated which is taxpayers money then there should not be fees and that person felt that they wouldn't have approved voted to approve that. So which led to the chairperson investigating. When the chairperson did investigate, he did learn the dog did do that that was part

of the uh report that was part of the the request. uh the budget the I provided Becky with a copy of uh the budget that was given to presented with the application as well as the minutes which uh the chairperson Buddy Baker Smith provided to the CPC which clearly indicates that uh Bog did disclose they were going to charge fees to uh for maintenance. Uh, also we'll learn from the minutes from 2012 from

Apac Recreation, they did had they did address the concerns of a fee and uh the they were told at the time by the town administrator that that would be that would be doable, that would be plausible. Uh but the money had to go through a revolving account as you know and the the park department would have to maintain it and the fees could only be used for specific maintenance of the

dog park. So they proceeded you know to put that in their budget request for CPC funds.

So the CPC was uh the discussion was that they were not going to change anything, you know, but they they were going to agree to allow it to stand and there was um until we had information from the administrator that he had checked with legal and the fees are illegal. At that point, that's when the CPC made the decision to send a letter to the park department because they we were told that um that no other

municipality does this and it's illegal.

We can we cannot charge to go into a park facility. He he uh referenced that we charge stickers, but stickers is for parking, not for entry into the beach.

So, with that information, that's when the determination was made to send the letter to the park.

Okay. That's I can just fill you up to that. Now then it's up to you know that we can discuss it any other way. That's that's just what I know what I learned and that's how we get that's how we get the letter.

Becky, do you know what the fees are as far as um and maybe I should not fees the expenses that they would be occurring? Like what what were the fees being paid for?

Any maintenance expenses would be through DDOG. That's part of the agreement, right? Um, so sorry, this is getting feedback here.

Um, they would fund raise if if the fees were abolished, they would fund raise for whatever they needed. It would it basically to fill the waste bags. Uh, if something went wrong with the the access gate, things like that, writing, mowing, do they do all that?

No. as far, you know, that falls under uh park trash pickup, snow removal, grass, that that falls under us. Um but within the the park itself, that fenced area, if you will, is kind of their domain.

Okay.

Have you talked to um Diane at all?

I did I did talk to her today and she confirmed that, you know, whatever she doesn't uh want to go against the town's wishes, so whatever is decided, she's fine with in the group would would fund raise as needed for um for these funds.

Well the the what was presented to the CPC is that that he um did not want to take this to legal and that's why the CPC decided to send a letter and requesting that the park department eliminate the fees. So, he did not have to expend money to who discuss who administrator. Oh, excellent.

that he wouldn't have to expend money to take this to legal. So based on that information is what was I thought he did take it to legal and he's he that was he questioned it but he's not going to further if this if the park department if park board decides that they would want to keep the fees he may go further and you know so did he contact you Becky Cody did we

we meet by weekly and he had mentioned it before uh last week and uh he made the point like we char like Joan was saying we charge for parking not for access. So you so basically he's saying we're restricting access into the dog park. Um so didn't didn't want to approach us to sort of explain that to us about like what well he's doing it through through me.

That's why it's on the agenda. Well, I'm confused on one part is I thought one of the ideas was talked about access that they only wanted access to make sure the dogs were So, so yes. So, building on that we would still have the swipe card access.

So, how it was kind of presented is we could charge for the access card but not for admission so to speak into the park.

Um I in my opinion that is questionable.

However, in good faith, I think we should abolish the fees with the exception of the swipe card access, right? But totally up to you guys.

That's solely my opinion.

Well, I'm just confused on on the part part that they say it has to be accessed for everyone.

But if you don't have a swipe card, you can't access.

Correct.

So, it's really not open and I guess you have to apply or whatever. Joe.

All right. Just flipping I read the thing here and buddy's letter.

Tomorrow more we've learned that the town administrator Cody had a fee arrangement for the dog park may not be allowable in mass law. So that's a big thing from not being allowed to may not be allowed. Then I find out that there's been no legal determination on that. So I'm concerned about that because my opinion, your opinion, that's great.

Means absolutely nothing unless we get something firmly in writing. That's number one. Number two, this dog park started in 2012. It was voted on in 2012 with the parameters that they were able to DD dog was able to charge a reasonable amount of fe just to maintain the dog park. Things break something had to swipe cards because we need the swipe cards to make sure that all the dogs are

vaccinated in license to make sure we don't have any outliers in there. So if somebody gets bit a child gets bit out in the on the way through there or there's some type of accommodation for that. So it's been since 2012. Now I understand things change. But if this was codified in 2012, this is just a continuation and it was allowed in 2010.

What's the difference now? It's never stopped. Laws have changed in Massachusetts over the years. But if something happened that back then and it was started, it was allowed. His grandfather didn't. I guess the terminology also um when we pay for the access card, well, part of the access card, there's a maintenance fee for the access card. That's it's not a it's a free park. Yes, they can enter into the

park. by all means come to the park, enjoy it. It's a wonderful place, but when you go to the the dog portion of it, there are certain restrictions just like everything else. You can go there, but you need to have the appropriate paperwork to be allowed inside because of safety because I think there are other laws with uh as far as dogs being vaccinated and licensed in Darmouth. I

think New Bedford has the same thing.

So, even though it's a regional area, all of these dogs must be licensed. They must be on leash. Those laws haven't changed. So, I I would like to continue with the fees because I think it's going to be a nominal fee. It's going to be minimal whatever it is to maintain it.

Um, if not, once again, this goes through. Now, this is another unfunded liability that the park department, the town has to absorb, which we didn't anticipate because again, 2012, it was voted on by the town administrator at the time who was a very competent individual.

I'm sure that if there was something wrong there, he would have said something then. Same thing with the CPC.

I mean, at least my experience with them, things are done and they they do a great job and they research everything.

Now, there was mention about New Bedford um maybe that Joan the New Bedford may have, but that may have been the uh the um Stanton Fund, but I don't know if New Bedford put in some of the fees themselves they're charging to get in there. I know I was I was on the board at the time and we did discuss the fees because we knew it was going to and no

one questioned that you know was uh couldn't be done. Uh I agree what you're saying 100% as far as there's going to be a cost of for the swipe cards and and all that and I I don't know how we just and if they don't we have to have the you know somebody hit the money either going to come out of our budget we go do we go back to CPC and say do

you want to fund the swipe cards for x amount of people or do we have the people who utilize I mean I understand the concern but again part two is no legal determination I I I think we should maybe table it until we get a determination from legal.

If it's if we can charge before because if if it's illegal that we cannot charge then I guess we're kind of just spinning our wheels.

I mean 2012 it's continuation has never stopped. Those people the DD dog people have never stopped their fundraising.

They've never stopped their interest.

This has been on the CPC agenda for years and it's always brought up. It's discussed every year. It's not like the heck we were going to stop. So, if it was approved in 12 by the park board at the time, the town administrator, which I'm sure may have had a legal interpretation at that time, either that I didn't raise any question about it, and the CPC board and voted at town

meeting to proceed. I I had problems with that.

I'll I think we should make a motion to see if Becky could talk to legal.

I wanted to add one thing. I did just look up the park fees for New Bedford and they're charging $25 for an annual membership fee. um $10 for uh seniors 65 plus. non-residents pay $35 a year and then they pay a onetime fee uh $15 for new applicants or a $10 replacement fee if their key fob or access card is lost or damaged. So they are charging for the key fob and also the annual membership

fee and any money would go into a 44 revolving account.

It's not like it's going to pock budget, Joe.

Okay. So I think yeah I I did know that uh Sarah that they did charge for that.

But I think what Joe was questioning is what we don't know is if they got CPC funds like taxpayer money and I think that's where the CPC well that's what there's CPC funds can only be used for certain things. I think that's where the concern came with the CPC just to clarify that they're concerned of where they're falling into the guidelines of spending the taxpayers money. So that's where the concern is.

So, I think I agree with Jim that we need clarification and I I don't really like the the thought the threat that we're not going to spend money. I don't want to spend money on legal and I'm, you know, I know I should probably put myself on the my head on the chopping block right now, but I think that if we we can get clarification without, you know, whether it's legal or not without having to

Well, we need to know if there were CPC funds that were spent. That that's not a legal thing. That's just a No, I mean is it is it illegal to I think the why does the position of the CPC if it's illegal we we we shouldn't do it right.

So sure well there seems to be some discrepancy of whether that information is correct or not correct. So how do we get that information that is correct? Yeah, but I feel like if before even going to legal, we need to just I mean find if if we took CPC funding for the dog park, then we go down to the next step. If we didn't take CPC money for the dog park, then the the discussion mute

the CPC money there. But here's the question.

The fencing and Oh, we did.

Oh, we did. We don't know if New Bedford did.

I got a question. I got a question for Becky. the the COD access and the other things that are there. That was all generated by a DDR, correct? The money for that to pay for that. Yeah.

So CPC only paid for the ground work.

CPC paid for the site leveling. CPC paid for Did they pay for the fencing?

Yes.

Okay. But anything else after that is is stopped. So the town's interest is any type of money CPC money stopped at that.

So anything that's being added after that is coming from DDOG. Correct.

So you I understand the CPC interest and I agree with it. You know, we don't want to we want to have public access. But again, I go back to 2012.

The process never ended. If it was if it was legitimate and voted on then and legal then I think we have to we have to get a clarification if it's legal or not.

And we need to be able to have Could you call you know talk to Kodi if he wants or whatever?

Yeah. No, let's let's just and if it's legal, then we can decide if we we can continue with the fees. If it's illegal, then we can come back and decide how we're going to do. The the byproduct would be I always concern myself because I believe there was monies I know there was Tom money sent to the council on aging and stuff and they have a lot of private fundraisers and things like that.

They've got the friends of the elderly and they do a lot of things for the building. So maybe have friends at DD dog or whatever and they can cover that the maintenance. Again, I don't want to see us picking up another piece of property when we anticipated someone else taking care of some of these general things for us to start doing it with, you know, we go to town meeting and say we need more money to

specifically DO, they lose their mind.

Speaking with Diane, DDOG is well aware that they own the maintenance fees.

Yeah. No, no. And again, and I think it's well within their rights to ask for assistance in that, especially with the especially if that was the original intent. Correct. Correct. If it wasn't the original intent, then and then they're coming back and saying, "Oh, yes, now we want to charge fees." But if that was what was originally talked about, then I don't know why that wasn't

brought up at that point. Right. Right.

If that was something that was said after because you know what I mean? Like if that now they're saying, "Oh, but 13 years we could have brought it up." I mean there and and is it fair to DD dog now you have to go out and have a fundraisers to ra raise money for this where they were they were assuming they were going to use the money from uh the keypads and

things like that. So let's let's get uh clarification and we can uh kick it around again at the next meeting.

Uh yeah I don't okay like it anything else on that?

We already we didn't know that that was something being discussed until we got the letter.

Yeah.

Correct.

Well I Yes. I mean, Cody had mentioned in the meeting last Thursday they that I had with him, which is why it ended up as an agenda item, right? Right.

I know I spent a lot of years on on CPC and I know Jim spent a lot of years, too. And I don't recall this ever coming up. Never. I don't recall, but they never mentioned it.

And I think that either one of us would have picked it up if there was a problem somewhere along the road.

Was there a complaint to the CPC?

One of the CPC members brought it up.

But did did that CPC member get a complaint?

No.

No. Well, what was the catalyst?

What was the catalyst?

It's No, it's an opinion. I I I don't know who it is, but I could probably tell who it is.

It's not It wasn't the catalyst.

He's been very consistent with his He's been very consistent or they have been very consistent in their opinion as far as No, no. And it's not a bad thing.

He's he doesn't change his mind. I'm okay with it because it's every single every project that we've done that is his first or second question with it.

So, I can understand that. I don't know if he was on originally in 2012. I think that's where the problem comes in. No, he was he was okay. Well, then then then so that person the person a person on the board learned that they were going to start char they were going to start charging the fees.

That was the catalyst.

Okay.

When they learned the starting the fees, but even though it was originally as part of the person did not recall that being part of because this started out in 2010 and that person acknowledged that they missed it and they acknowledged Okay. But it was in there. Yes, it was in there. They acknowledged and that's what I'm trying to make clear is the CPC acknowledged they approved that the fees into

the fees. That's that's what the message I'm trying to get across to this board is that the CPC acknowledged Yep.

that that they're the ones who you know that the DDROG did everything they they were supposed were supposed to do. The CPC did acknowledge that where we got where it where it became a a a question and a concern was when information that was that the fees were illegal. That's when it became a concern to the CP allegedly.

That's I'm just stating facts here.

Yes, that's all right.

Let's let's move on.

Uh summer overview.

So overall the summer went well. There were no major incidents, thank God. Um so the trailer for the second year uh that it was open. It was pretty consistent with last year's sales. We had just over 3,000 customers uh come through. Um the bucket was consistent with two years ago. Last year we had a lighter year. There was a lot of rain uh at the concerts and we didn't do as

well, but we are back to uh just over 15,000 uh orders again. So we're back on track there. uh the concert series, we had one that was moved to a Thursday. Um but the lineup of the bands this year, it was pretty good. So, um I don't really see any changes in that. Next year, we'll probably have all the same bands. Um we have good reviews for pretty much every week. So, don't change

it if it's not broken, right? As the saying goes.

Um on the recreation end, you guys know that the assistant director left at the end of July. We had one of the veteran counselors step in and take her place, which left an opening. We hired um kind of last minute in a hurry. Um a new counselor and uh once she got her feet wet, she was actually really good. And we're hoping that she'll be back with us again next year. And basically this week

is the week of wrapping everything up at all the beaches, closing things down, um and cleaning the bucket, getting it ready for, um the winter shutdown. So we're busy doing that.

What's it last day? the bucket.

It was Labor Day. Pretty much Labor Day is the ending of everything that we have that's seasonal.

And then the week after is always hurry up and put everything away. Y um so the roundhill gate hours right now are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. And the closing time is going to adjust obviously with the with the sunset as we um go into daylight savings, but right now 7 to 7.

And that's all I have for the summer.

Chris, is there anything that you wanted to add?

Um, basically going off of what you said, I mean, say summer camp was a success this year, uh, talking about this year. Um, I'd stop in there usually at 1:30 every day, Monday through Friday, and, um, yeah, it was it was pretty enjoyable. Um, the assistant director that stepped in did a really good job. Um, I was able to experience it firsthand when Kelsey was gone. Um she went on vacation initially um before

her last week on July I think July 31st was her last day but um yeah I learned everything about the summer program and I thought it went well so it's good.

Becky uh the pickle ball like did you what did you do with them? Did you change the time?

Yes. Um some I had intentions of doing it anyway, but um someone had reached out through the um online portal and uh just asking what the hours were. So it's basically 6 to 8.

Well, you set them to come on earlier.

Correct. Okay.

But they also are going off a little bit earlier, but there again, it's not a digital timer. So it's roughly between 6:00 and 8, but it's not going to be six on the dot to eight on the dot.

But I went by there yesterday and I there were people playing it. It was already Yeah, it was getting done. So, it's it's going to come on rather than having to keep bother you to switch the time. I just put it 6:00 to 8. So, that'll cover I assume that's what you were putting in early. I just would double Yes. And then um Columbus Day weekend, that's kind of like the cut off once

once that after that uh then we just don't have They're going to be playing football a couple days a week anyway. So, they'll be there at night. Okay.

For at least for the next six weeks, something like that.

Okay.

As long as the weather's good though, can you keep that on?

the lights as long leave that up to as longa to Yeah. As long as they're playing. I don't mind if they Yeah. If they're playing like once it gets real cold, people won't.

But a lot of if the if the weather stays nice.

Sure. Yeah. It's not that big.

It doesn't matter to me whatever day.

It's not that big of an expense, you know.

You just let me know and then No, but we had one year like, you know, we forgot about at 10:00 at night. That kind of we don't really need them that late, you We can cut that back. When they modify the lights at DYA, is that going to be one of the ones the sections to they're going to modify those?

No.

No. Okay. I'm just saying we talked about obviously it sounds like we have an analog timer. I was saying when they're there, maybe they could maybe put something digitally.

I can ask cuz they're going to be in the same uh building. Building. Yeah. The lights itself are already something that could even be internet based. I think we we should start doing that where it can be controlled.

Good point.

Off the thing. I mean, if they're there, why not, right? I mean, right. It's probably a minimal cost if any.

Right. Right. Okay. Director's report.

Uh so the garage project is moving along. The foundation should be poured tomorrow. Um and then once once that gets going and then the slab is in place, it things should start moving along quickly. It's always seems like it's taking forever in the beginning stages, but um it is moving forward. Uh thankfully the mishap with the water wasn't too detrimental. It could have been much worse. Um, which garage is this?

So, Allen Street, across from Allenale Country Club. That's where the maintenance garage is for for Okay.

That's where the water tower is.

Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. So, when they were digging for the foundation, they accidentally hit the line that Why don't you explain what what they're doing there?

Oh, so we're putting on an addition. Um, it's kind of what we had before, but it's going to be the roof is going to be higher and the doors larger and it's going out, I think, 10 ft from what was originally there. So, it's basically going to allow us to park a truck with a plow on it, which would be um, you know, easier for the winter. We're ready to go

and they don't have to be jammed in the main garage. As far as are we gaining a ton of extra space, I would say no. But the space is going to be more practical usage than what we had before.

How many garage doors will there be?

There's originally we had eight bays, which is what we have now, but with new code and what have you, we had to lose the last bay, which is fine because it was not going to be a vehicle bay anyway. So to So that one's all equipment. And then we have the one uh across from the police station. What does that one hold?

So that's just where we hold our wreck programs. Yes.

And the one in the village.

We don't have that not there.

That's a fire station.

We originally were there and then we got to go when water department moved out of the building we're in now. That's so fire department actually owned that building. They were letting us use it.

So now it reverted back to fire.

What happened to Smith Mills?

Never hasn't. The building is there.

It's been winterized. It's We don't It's We don't use it anymore.

No. Um BCTV has some things that are in storage there. Um but it's it's not a What is the What is the estimated time that the contractor has given us for completion according to his contract? December 31st.

All right.

Which he feels that should be on track barring. There's no major.

All right. Can Can we I know we talked about we even voted on it for the dedication uh to put to put Joe's name on that. I mean, we've kicked that around uh for a couple of years now and okay, now the building's being complete and I think I'd like to put that somewhere on the agenda where we actually do it this year. Um his family is getting older.

I'd like to get it done before anything happens. Um invite back our board members who were on the board when we started this uh to get it done. So maybe after the first of the year, weather permitting, if we could do something up there once it's complete.

Once the building's complete.

Yeah, we'll wait for the building to be complete. But I I really want to get that done.

What do you What's your vision with this? Oh, you have the sign.

Yeah. We we talked about it, but then we kind of held off. We didn't really push the issue much because we knew that after that Fauxpaw was done with the original um the bid where messed up now that it's in progress now that Becky's got this in going in line.

Um we'd like to get it done there. That that's just my that's my feeling. That's Let's shoot for January.

Yeah. I I think if if the contractor gets it done before that and the weather's good, then great. But I think because it's our off seasonason, so it works out well for us. It's just I'd like to give the family and and you know, do you know the I honestly don't Yes, I know the family. Yes, I do.

Okay. I really don't.

No, I do. So, when we get closer, um we'll reach out to them um and and kind of push it forward a little bit. We have anything else on the director's report?

Yes.

Okay.

Uh so I met with CIP this morning um for Falltown meeting and basically I just pushed for the van. Um they asked a few questions uh about it. But we we need the van. I mean it's 19 years old.

There's electrical issues, um mechanical issues. They've run out of gas twice while using it because the gas gauge is broken. So we tried to be diligent in doing that. But I mean it happens. Um so hopefully they will agree to fund that.

Um what are you using the van for today?

So it basically goes out every day and it it holds all equipment.

So the maintenance team's using it.

Oh yes. I'm sorry.

I didn't know if it was wreck or if it was maintenance.

Oh no. It it's maintenance. Uh anytime there's a project the van goes out. It it has um So it's like a like electrician's van versus like a mom and dad van.

Yes. Yes. Yes. It's a big box van. Yes.

And it has a compressor in there and an inverter and and things like that.

I think we would call it a utility vehicle.

Yeah. Utility van.

Well, when you think of utility vehicle, I think of Harvey's with the compartments on the side. So, to me, this is a box van, but whatever.

You call it tomato tomato.

But yes, so that is um the only thing I really pushed for.

Do you think you'll get that?

Typically, they fund vehicles in the fall. So, I'm I'm confident um that they will they will approve this. vehicle 19 years old doesn't make any sense. It's throwing more money.

They're not putting money into it. So, I I don't see why they wouldn't approve it.

Uh let's see. Um normally the for the fall and winter park and recck schedules the basketball um scheduling through the elementary schools for DGAL and DYAA.

The office no longer has the capacity to handle this. So, I've been in contact with Jim Kylie and we're going to come to some sort of agreement for this year. We will handle the scheduling, but the payroll is going to fall under their end. And then moving forward, the office shouldn't have any contact with How are you going to know the scheduling as far as if they they when they when

the school's using the gyms and stuff?

This year is going to be status quo like you used to. Yes, this will be. But then moving forward, you'll just submit the same thing but right to school department and it'll eliminate Yeah. My experience with them with between football and cheer, they were really good as far as scheduling stuff.

Um, as long as you give it to them enough times for the Janet.

So, we're not going to go through the through anymore after this year.

Correct. Correct. The scheduling this year will be because it's we're already into the season. Um, it'll be status quo, but the the payroll end will not be doing like the custodians would send their slips to us. We're not going to do that anymore. It that payroll end will be handled through the school department. How it's just it's who's going to How would we know how the what the hours are?

I'm not sure. Like I said, I'll have to have to be worked out.

Yeah.

Right. I mean, I know now I talked to Chris and it'll be like uh right, you know, this this hours went right or whatever and you know, I like the we had talked about person, right?

Because the thing is it in a lot of ways it really doesn't make sense that we're the the person because it's their janitors like it's their staff, right, that are and then it's almost like you added another layer. So, it really does make a lot of sense.

Yeah, we're just the middleman, so to speak. This was a legacy from years ago when the town actually put money into but then they right the other the cheerleaders or whatever they didn't like what is going on here. It's always been a little bit weird like it didn't even make sense like why does some organizations go through and not others?

So it makes sense that everything goes through the school department because it's their staff.

Yeah.

And then you question them whether or not they I think it's I think it's cleaner um in the whole thing. And as far as the like payroll, um I know if they're turning in slips, maybe they get two copy slip where the whoever's at the whoever's at the the stadium.

So DYA will get one and then they'll have an idea if if they don't have a yellow copy of it, the white one goes to the school department. I mean, or we can go into the 21st century and do it digitally.

I'm not sure how they did it with football. Do you know how football paid out? I I don't know that.

They sent us They sent a bill. We said we needed the the gymnasiums for these for these dates and the fields or whatever we needed. Okay. And at the end of the thing, uh, our treasurer and back at the time was Ray Armstrong would get a bill from the They sent you one for like all of all together combined.

They wouldn't send it individually.

Yeah. They would send it block it up for a week. However, so you didn't have to itemize it.

We didn't have to um like right now I have to give you a check.

We would pay them directly.

Proposed to Jim and like I said, he didn't he didn't respond yet. um was to wait till the end and then give one and then we right day paper. Yeah. Okay.

It hasn't been worked out. It was just proposed but I haven't I don't know if I had it pay every week.

Yeah. Whatever. It's a year away.

So yes, this year we're doing it the regular way.

Well, not on the payroll end. No, just on the scheduling end.

Okay. All right. But you'll figure that out.

Yes. Correct. Yep. We have a little bit.

This school department get was it still gets paid weekly.

Yeah.

So I don't know if they have a revolving fund for their janitors. They may bill out. They could bill out weekly for it.

It's not a big deal. I mean, it wasn't I think it would go as part of their regular payroll and then but it's recorded several like somebody's doing the recording like this is for football or whatever. But I when they did I don't ever remember any issue at all because I never heard from Ray or the treasurer or the secretary at all. So it was seamless.

But now I just give Becky a check for x amount of dollars.

Now you just give it to school and drop it off on Bush Street. That would be the same thing. out for that, right? Be it's just instead of us being the middleman, it just goes directly to them.

That's fine.

Yeah.

But as soon as I know something, I'll I'll reach out.

Yeah.

One more thing. Um so I kind of figured it out. I've never done it before, but um so there's 15 weeks in the summer that I worked literally seven days a week. So having that said, next week I'm on vacation and I'm unreachable.

So, if you need something, please call Chris. I obviously will have my cell phone with me, but the service where I'm going is not is not good. So, it's hit or miss. But I I think after all of that, I do deserve a week of not being bothered.

Enjoy.

Um, and that is and that's the thing like one day I called her and and she says, "Oh, yeah."

I said, "You know where? Oh, so I'm on vacation." I go, "I didn't know."

Because I won't call her if she's on vacation. Usually, she's just like, "What's it's a hey, what's up call?" you know what's going on. So, I know we get these uh 14page uh manifesto. I'm sorry. Do you know text something with, you know, she just puts it out, hey, I'm on vacation this week or whatever. That way, we won't bother unless it's emergency. We'll just torment Chris if need be.

I I've been very happy with the uh communication.

Okay. I agree.

I think that's a plus that we, you know, Okay.

gives a little bit heads up what's going on. People ask questions like I was asked about the garage. I mean questions on that constantly every time. Excuse me. What's going on in the garages? What are they doing? You know, um the other question I had, um old business, uh did we ever look into the lifeguard certification as far as I have not you looking at the pool or for the So trying to think

the lifeguard certification course that we were trying to I did not find anything for that. Yeah, I I can on that and just I'm just curious like a if we there's a pool what that would cost b what it would cost to have the whoever the certification who would do it what that you know what it would cost us if it's I think that's something that we we've kicked around I mean that I think

that's important to me if we could we have looked at Tim and I have looked into it this was a few years ago maybe yeah a few years ago now um we tried the state they are strictly their own can't work with them Um, I tried getting into the pool at New Bedford High. Uh, the person who used to be our contact, um, Larry Lots, he wasn't doing it anymore. Um, so that kind of died there.

You know who does rent their pool is that place in Fair Haven.

There's like, you know, that when you go right over the Fair Haven Bridge on the right hand side, there is a hotel there like the SE port in or something. They rent their pool.

They have a pool.

Really? Yeah, I know. They rent about utilizing our wonderful pool here in town because I hear I hear so much how UMass is an asset to town of Dar and every time we ask them they do nothing for us.

I think the the finding a facility I don't think is the issue. It's finding the trainer is is more of the problem.

And then there's also that new blue that blue screen.

Yes, you guys mentioned that the last two.

So I don't think that's the issue. I think it's the actual trainer.

Where do our kids go now? at the at the Y they have a trainer I don't know Tara Pico you can contact Tara Pico at the Y Tara there a long time that used to be my the executive director yeah Tara Bedford Yedford Wedford Y Tara you can contact Tara and Tara see if they've got a certified trader that we could do it there certified because that's where our kids go

these kids get certified we have kids every year getting certified where are they going no And then probably I did try that was my first probably my daughter did hers at I I think if we if we find something like that we can provide that service to our to our kids and get you know get our quality kids here in town and you know maybe even we discuss fund the cost for

them as long as they give us guaranteed right I think it's an excellent thing if we can do it but absolutely one less thing they have to spend money out of just to get a job you know and uh but yeah another question I had was um how have our gates coming? Oh, good. Yes, glad you mentioned that. Um, very well. Polls were cemented today.

He's trying to do like all three locations at the same time. Instead of focusing just on one, he's doing the same item three times. Um, so polls went in today at a pony against it and I would say within the next two weeks we should all be and it'll all go by.

Yes, there's an app um that that was my question coming up next.

Yes, it's a different it's not like Round Hill and Roundhill will be switched over so that I have one app for all the same locations in which I will be able to open and close the gate when he does that. I'd like to go to watch cuz he did it once and it didn't work. So, I'd like to be there for the next one.

No, he went to uh class and everything on this. So, see what it was.

I'm going to go to class, too. And he sits there and turns it on and shows us.

What about the counter? Can we get that fixed?

The what?

The counter. Uh it's the problem is it's reflecting off of the car and bouncing back. So it's just doesn't I don't think it's it's a correctable.

Yeah. In that case for this location that was not a good choice. It was the only choice because of the cost of it.

Yeah.

For a really good what you want you need to pay upwards of what 7,000 57,000. It was like like 15,000 something like that reflecting off the car. So it it's double counting but shouldn't this is a s this is a tool that is sold to to businesses that are counting cars only correct I believe so Chris has done all the contact so I'll turn it over to you other towns have like the same thing

we have um in terms of counting um tracking beach parking so we thought this would be the most I mean the same company yeah DC digital so that's my issue I think with this company is they're selling a tool that's has a singular purpose and then they're telling us that it singular purpose is creating an issue. So in that case what I would like to see happen is that they refund their services at some point. We

should go to them and tell them that just literally that's all you guys do.

You just do cars.

So we shouldn't be paying for I think he's reflecting off be able to return them.

So the setup how how high is the beam off the ground? But let's start with that.

But that's their issue to fix. Like that's not when they We should have to try to figure out their problem.

If it's too high, last time I checked, rubber really doesn't reflect that much.

So why isn't lower where the tire goes in front of it?

He did. It started out high.

He did lower it. Same result.

So how low can he go?

I where in the loc you can't because you're literally putting it on the arm uh box or what have you. That's the only place it can go because if you put it anywhere outside of where the arm is, you get the traffic of the gate guard walking back and forth, which you break the beam, you're adding a car.

We have a crossing gate that's here that's posted there. And then if we went one foot in front of the crossing gate and put it in line or even closer to that area there, the crossing guard's not going to walk in front of the crossing gate. Um I mean the the attendant is not going to walk in front of that crossing gate to get it lower just to pick up the tire. That's why I

I'm I'm kind of lost at why the reflection it's double picking it up.

The idea is a beam for it to cross any object that goes across it. It counts the vehicle. takes into consideration is one.

Yeah, I don't buy it. I'm I'm on I'm on TV right here. I don't buy this.

It's if it there's no reason it shouldn't work. And if you're selling something for the purpose of selling cars that doesn't work, then they installed it, right?

They need to take it back.

We did.

We installed.

Did anybody come down to check it out?

Has anybody been down from the company yet?

No, I don't even think they're around here.

No, they're out of um Ohio.

It's great. It's a nice trip over here.

They don't have they don't have representative uh uh local rep.

No.

Okay.

I don't think so.

I think they they Did we have an option of having them install it? Was that an option? No.

No. How much?

It's not even like we could have done You know how sometimes they'll give you that option or I don't think that it wasn't that expensive. It was like under two grand, right?

I think about it might have been something right around that.

Do they have a list of other communities that are I mean they said it was local and I I can believe it. I I maybe reach out to the other communities that not having a problem. They've probably gone through this, so why reinvent the wheel?

I mean, if we find out who has it, ask them, "Hey, did you run into a problem?"

And if they say, "Oh, yeah, we had to do A, B, and C." Okay, cool. Can we just go directly to the company and just be like, "This is what this you want pictures, I'll send you pictures." But like now that you have time to actually deal with it this winter, you could figure it out because I I feel like it's something has to be in place.

We're have to get a new system.

Is it Yeah. Was it an They're going to say it's going to say it's up and down. Did we didn't did we install it into I mean just the little reflector that was already broken. Um they charged us $10.

I mean what is what is like the they use on the roads and they put the thing you drive over it.

They use tubes. That's tubes are nice but if somebody cuts them it destroys the tubes. I mean that's that's 1990s technology. I mean at least this thing is Oh yeah. Well that's working. This is Yeah. It does. It works until it doesn't work. But I think it's going to be something minor. It doesn't I just I'm not processing why the reflective. We're double counting. It's going to be something else.

Sometimes it's triple. I've sat there and watched it and sometimes it'll go three times.

So that's it's definitely like it has to they have to is it picking up each individual wheel?

What's the programming? There's that was my next thing. Is it programmed per axle or is it programmed like most of our vehicles that go down there are two axles. There's going to be something in that programming that it maybe, you know, it takes the first one but dis disregards the second axle as it goes through.

I think somebody just needs to call them direct the company because we're not going to figure it out here because we don't have the answers that we're looking for, you know, like they they would be the But it's a major problem because I've got a lot of complaints where I understand people it's full. It says and then they go down there and they see all these spaces and we look like, you know, what are we doing?

Well, that's why I just worked at one point just so the just unplug it because Well, yeah.

And then when we do get a new one, we just have to make sure before summertimes hits that it's actually functioning. Like it's not like, oh, we'll wait till summer. Like we'll do test runs to make sure that it's working.

I have faith that this one's going to work fine because it's very simplistic.

There's something it's going to be something in the there's just some technology that doesn't work that they're just bootleg.

This is I think this might be one of those things where it's like you get what you pay for.

Exact. I was just going to say that where it was so cheap. Came from Ohio.

It just is. It's one of those things that like, oh yeah, if you use it in this exact perfect way, it'll work. But if you have any other use case where the beam might be on an angle or something like that and then you can't contact anyone because it's some guy in his basement that sells these with his buddy like and I understand if a bicycle goes by it clicks and he should be using the

negative side. I think if if they make the call and you check with other DC engineering, no DC digital.

Yeah, I think if you check with them and they make if they give us a list of other communities again.

Yeah.

Take a ride out there, take a look at them. It's I'm I'm with you. I think you should to make the attempt to try and fix it and try and get them to fix it. If we can't fix it, then we have to to go to the next step. But I do think that this kind of goes handinhand with what I had said last week, which was we need a map for

the year of the things that we are going to accomplish for new business and for old business when those need to be accomplished by, once we've actually done that, we can we'll just email them to you guys.

Okay.

Yeah.

Um and I'd love to review that maybe in our next meeting. we can go through it and like if the board has any suggestions about like things that we like like for instance like the training program for lifeguards is really important to us this year like that needs to whatever um okay I agree anyone have anything else add that to the agenda for next to the agenda for next that anything else in the director

N I'm done anyone have any other thing they want to bring up if Motion to adjurnn.

Motion.

Motion. Second.

Second in favor.

We're current.