00:01The meeting began with the introduction of Mr. Gallagher, the owner of Schools Out Ice Cream, who presented his new venture of an ice cream truck converted from an old school bus. Gallagher sought permission to operate within Ted Williams Park as part of his planned routes around Lakeville. The commission discussed the absence of competing vendors in certain areas, confirming that Gallagher’s service would not conflict with existing offerings, such as multihazard softball concessions, which do not sell ice cream. Gallagher’s menu includes popular items like Richie’s Italian ice and themed popsicles such as Spongebob and Spider-Man.

14:36Questions arose about whether Gallagher would need to pay fees or provide insurance to operate within park grounds. The commission proposed a model where Schools Out Ice Cream would make a 5% donation of profits generated during events in exchange for exclusive vendor rights at those times. A motion to allow the ice cream truck to operate with this donation model was made, seconded, and passed without further discussion.

03:14The meeting then addressed the need for lifeguards at Clear Pond. A recommendation was made to hire all seven applicants, recognizing the necessity for flexibility as many young people take varying weeks off during the summer. The previous year had seen staffing challenges, with only two lifeguards consistently available, leading to a significant workload for management. Discussions included the potential for hiring additional candidates who were in the process of obtaining their certifications. The commission expressed optimism about increasing the lifeguard staff, considering the current applicant pool included several college-bound seniors and others awaiting transportation or certification.

A procedural aspect of the hiring process was also discussed involving an applicant related to a board member. It was clarified that although the individual had not been paid, they were considered a town employee, requiring disclosure. The commission agreed to proceed with hiring based on recommendations.

26:21Budgetary matters were a focus of the meeting, with discussions on various financial aspects, including maintenance expenses and the allocation of funds. The commission faced challenges with the budget, particularly concerning the building and grounds category, where some lines were over or under budget. There was a concern about categorization errors, such as expenditures for a replacement bench and electrical work, which may have been misclassified. This prompted the need for accurate categorization to ensure clarity in future budget defense.

The topic of maintenance expenses was addressed, acknowledging that costs had exceeded the budgeted amounts due to unforeseen repairs, like a broken pipe at Loon Pond Lodge. Though the budget appeared unbalanced, the commission confirmed that funds were available to cover excess expenditures. Discussions also touched on the earmarking of surplus funds for projects, particularly skate park improvements, with $6,000 remaining in that budget. It was clarified that these funds were specifically designated and could not be reallocated elsewhere.

In terms of future improvements, the commission discussed the fiscal year 2023 budget, specifically the allocation of $28,000 initially set aside for a shed. The funds had been sourced from another area, allowing for their repurposing toward projects such as electrical work, showers, and a raft. However, it was noted that the remaining $103 would not cover the cost of a tankless water heater, estimated at $6,000.

37:30Additionally, the financial status of season passes and gate fees was reviewed, showing negative figures early in the fiscal year due to concentrated sales in the first two weeks. The commission expressed optimism that online sales commencing by June 1 could improve these numbers. An online field and court reservation system proposal was introduced, aimed at offering users guaranteed slots for a small fee. However, concerns about enforcing reservations and potential disputes arose, leading to a debate about maintaining the current first-come, first-served system versus moving to a reservation model.