October 9, 2019 - Richardson Room - Town Office

In attendance: Gretchen Leone, Steve Smith, Doug Cole, Haunani Wallace, Maggie Timmerman, Lea Anne Dunton (via phone), Abbie Leonard, Mike Young, Anna Remsen, Mark Kelley, Sue Kauck

MINUTES:

Motion to approve the minutes of August 14, 2019 Motion: Haunani Wallace
Second: Maggie Timmerman
Vote: Unanimous

Motion to approve the minutes of September 5, 2019 Motion: Maggie Timmerman
Second: Haunani Wallace
Vote: Unanimous

Motion to approve the minutes of September 18, 2019 Motion: Haunani Wallace
Second: MaggieTimmerman
Vote: Unanimous

Voting item
Motion to approve Maggie Timmerman and Susan Kauck as co-secretaries. Motion: Haunani Wallace
Second: Gretchen Leone
Vote: Unanimous

LIBRARY UPDATE:

Doug Cole brought illustrations from Keith Smith and brought us up to date as to his proposals for 2 triangular retaining walls on either side of the Library that are now poured concrete, but they can be faced with another material such as techno brick or possibly another material.

An additional wall was included on the drawings to hide the foundation that would be largely exposed in that area. This could possibly be built from the stone that was saved from the original library or rip rap which would not be as attractive as salvaged stone. Keith Smith felt that there could not be landscaping close to the roof line due to possible ice and snow falling onto the landscaping. This wall would be 15’ long and 3 1/2’ tall.

Doug also pointed out on the illustration the visual of a brown band is a retaining bench/ wall around the Marine Room area. This bench/wall and the patio is not part of the Library Foundation’s commitment and it will not be funded by them. The wall, whether it be a living wall or solid structure would be needed as a safety measure since there is a steep drop off in that area. This area will need to be graded for a future patio even though we do not have money to fund the patio at this time. It was noted that a benefactor had donated money for the patio, but the money was included in the general fund, not allotted to the patio. The commemorative bricks are not slated for use on the patio at this time. They will be used for the lower level plaza.

Doug also presented an aerial view showing the grades and the different retaining walls.

It was pointed out by Steve Smith that he specified stackable Techno block for the front entrance on Limerock Street. He said that the block is to be capped by granite from the original Library. This retaining wall on Limerock Street will be funded by the Library Foundation as well as the 2 triangular retaining walls facing Russell Avenue. The rest of the area surrounding the Library is only specified for grading, loam and seed, nothing else.

Concerns regarding the use of so many different materials would not present a cohesive idea throughout the design disturbed many and concerns were raised by Maggie, Gretchen and Anna. Anna suggested using the salvaged stone as much as possible.

Anna commented that when looking at the drawings we should think of the view from the Young’s property.

The committee is to make recommendations as to materials that we would like to see used. Keith Smith recommended that we look at some of the applications using Techno stone.

It was pointed out that we should just use Keith’s new drawings for the purpose of approving the grading of the site only. We are not approving the materials to be used at this time.

Motion to recommend to the Select Board that they accept the proposed conceptual drawings by Keith Smith with the materials to be determined.

Motion: Maggie Timmerman Second: Gretchen Leone Vote: Unanimous

There will be an informal walk through at the site of the new Library on Friday, October 11th at 4:00 for all that can attend.

MARY LEA PARK UPDATE

The sign has been moved and you can now see it from both sides of the street. Anna has marked the plantings that she feels need to be removed.

Motion to ask the Town Manager to remove the shrubs indicated by Anna from Mary Lea Park.
Motion: Haunani Wallace
Second: Sue Kauck

Vote: Unanimous

Haunani suggested painting or staining the fence along the border of the park and it was met with enthusiasm from the Committee.

Motion to ask the Town Manager that the fence that borders Mary Lea Park be stained or painted white.
Motion: Gretchen Leone
Second: Maggie Timmerman

Vote: Unanimous GOODRIDGE PARK UPDATE

Haunani commended all of the volunteers as individuals and as a group for all of their dedication and hard work that went into the refresh the park.

Haunani suggested that a laminated sign be place in the park to promote the Memorial/ Honorary Bench Program.

The Conservation Commission has money to fund a conifer to be planted on the hill at Goodridge Park. Haunani will talk to them.

Motion to ask the Conservation Commission to fund a conifer to be planted on a hill at Goodridge Park.
Motion: Haunani Wallace
Second: Anna Remsen

Vote: Unanimous

SWOT ASSESSMENT WALKER PARK

Strengths

View
Water access Family oriented park Playground Bathroom facilities

Weaknesses

No sign
Seasonal flooding
Grills in disrepair
Historic plaque needs to be replaced
Area of brown tail moth infestation
Lower shelter needs shingles and repairs to boards One picnic table needs to be replaced
Diapers and bottles litter the area around Port A Potty Lime fall area
Older swing set

Opportunities

Thinning out of trees surrounding Port a Potty
Merry Go Round is being repaired
Replace swing set in a few years
Lime fall area will go to the voters to decide update in November Chips instead of rubber discussed

Sign
New grills
Adding an additional bench in play area Repair plaque
Treat trees for moth infestation
Repair shelter
Replace picnic table

SWOT ASSESSMENT GLEN COVE PARK

Strengths

View
Grills
Shelters Bathroom facilities

Weaknesses

Signage
No cameras
No safe access to the beach Rotting picnic tables
Foliage Blocking View Security issues
Location of Port A Potty Rotting Shingles

Opportunities

New sign
Trim for better view
Trim for security - the State has to clean the bank and kill the sumacs Include pruning in the contractors duties
New picnic tables
Repair shingles
Move Port A Potty to middle of the park
Closing off part of park was deemed unrealistic
Giving the park back to the state was deemed unrealistic

MEMORIAL BENCH APPLICATION
We have an interested donor, so we need to review/revise form.

The following needs to be ADDED to the Memorial Bench Application:

The length of the term for the memorial is to be 10 years.
We need to add email information for the donor. This is especially important in case the donor moves or is deceased.
The size of the plaque is 5” x 2 1/16”.
There will be 28 letters per line including spaces.
There will be a 3 line maximum.
We need to check with Richard Remsen as to the type size.
Under Terms to need to add, “See attached Memorial Bench policy”.

Motion to recommend to the Select Board the amended Memorial Bench Application to the Select Board.
Motion: Haunani Wallace
Second: Maggie Timmerman

Vote: Unanimous

Motion to ask the Select Board to approve a reserve account for the Park and Library landscaping projects.
Motion: Haunani Wallace
Second: Sue Kauck

Vote: Unanimous

Motion to ask the Select Board to allow a 501C3 “Friends of Rockport Parks and Beautification” group to be formed to fund landscape and beautification efforts. Motion: Haunani Wallace
Second: Maggie Timmerman

Vote: Unanimous

TRIBUTE TREES
We have an interested donor.

Sue Kauck showed some images from the Chicago Botanical Gardens that showed how they dedicate the donated trees and the pricing that they use for trees and various other items that you can donate as a memorial.

NEW BUSINESS

Mike Young wanted our input on whether or not to use asphalt or cedar shingles on the shelter roofs at Harbor Park. We thought that the asphalt would be appropriate even though asphalt would be a different material because the shingles are now cedar.

Motion: to approve asphalt shingles to replace cedar shingles on the shelters of Harbor Park.
Motion: Haunani Wallace
Second: Anna Remsen

Vote: Unanimous

Maggie Timmerman wanted us to know that October 16th was the High School Service day and the students we going to work on Cramer, Walker and Glen Cove Parks.

She explained that the clean up effort on Routes 1, 90 and 17 went very well last month.

It was noted that Marge Jones is not a park - it is a Recreation Area.

Maggie thought that our group would think about ideas for beautification outside of the Village.

Next meeting is November 13th where we will discuss pulling together a budget and setting examples.

Respectfully submitted: Sue Kauck