ORDER-2021-133 : An Appropriation from Free Cash, account 01-324001, in the amount of $502,500 to various Park Capital Project Accounts as set forth herein.

Transcript (~24 min @ 55:10)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 55:13 Jeff McNaught: So, are we going to wait for Mr. Gardner on that 1?

▶ 55:18 Speaker 9: I think you'd like to, but I don't know if we're having any luck.

▶ 55:28 John N. Tramontozzi: Mr. chairman yes. Council chairman. Yeah, at this time I moved to take order 2021 dash 133 and appropriation for free cash. Account 0, 1, 3, 2, 4, 0, 0, 0, and the amount of 502,500, the various part capital project accounts are set up in here out of order.

▶ 55:45 Jeff McNaught: 2nd, we have a motion to take 2021 dash 133 out of order by Council tram and tozy seconded by Council McMaster. Madam clerk. Will you please call the roll?

▶ 55:55 Speaker 1: Chairman not yes. Yes. Vice chair. Council Tramontozzi? Yes. Council McMaster? Yes. Council Garipay? Yes. Council Grigorettis? Yes. Council Migliorelli? Yes. Councilor Stewart? Yes. Councilor Thomas? Yes. Council Jamaleddine? Yes.

▶ 56:22 Jeff McNaught: President Tannella? Yes. 11 yes. Motion passes. Now, Miss Bell we have the projects that you were talking about before now on the table um being water chestnuts pickleball inclusive

▶ 56:37 Speaker 9: playground and lebanon um softball field all right and i have bill on speaker bill you there

▶ 56:41 Speaker 14: i am i'm sorry folks uh i don't know what happened here but just couldn't couldn't get the audit

▶ 56:49 Jeff McNaught: over to work that that's okay mr gardner thank you for being here with us um just want to clarify we're on 2021-133 now. This is the free cash order regarding the water chestnut cleanup, pickleball court, inclusive playground, and Lebanon softball field. So we're going to go with that first. We took this one out of order so that we could get you situated, Mr. Gardner. Then we can go back to the Mount Hood operating budget.

▶ 57:20 Speaker 9: Okay, thank you. So the first one on the water chestnuts is for Townes Pond, El Pond, Swains Pond. As you all know, we have a terrible problem with lots of weeds and algae that is really not healthy for the pond or And animal species or anything else that's in there. So what this money is going to do is going to allow us to go in and hydro rake and get rid of a lot of the. Um, weeds that we wouldn't be able to get by canoe and by boat that the residents have been helping us out and doing, um, Eric from conservation is, um, going to be the lead on this. I'm going to oversee it for the days that Eric is not he's a part time employee. So we're going to kind of do it jointly.

▶ 58:27 Jeff McNaught: Seeing none, you can just keep rolling through them all, Ms. Bell. Councillor Grigoraitis.

▶ 58:32 Jen Grigoraitis: Sorry. I apologize, Chair McNaught. I couldn't see your video, so I wasn't sure. I think there's a lot of technical issues tonight. I just had a quick question, Ms. Bell, and the memo that we got on the water chestnut treatment, it indicated that this is a part of a multi-year treatment plan that we anticipate we would need to do this for the next two to three years. Would that be for all of the ponds or just for El Pons? It's a little unclear.

▶ 59:00 Speaker 9: Well, the ones that they put in, what Eric put in for was for Thomas Pond, El Pond, and Swains Pond. To be for those three ponds, it's not a one-shot deal. It has to be done numerous years in a row in order to attack the plants and stop the growth permanently. or as much as we can so no it's going to be something that they're going to we're going to have to put back in the budget every year um this year it just came up outside of the budget i think it'll be included um next two years moving forward it's a three-year plan okay so that you

▶ 59:36 Jen Grigoraitis: feel like there's a budgetary plan for covering the remaining tiers okay thank you i appreciate

▶ 59:45 Speaker 9: that clarification okay so next is lebanon street park i think amy spoke beautifully i don't think i could have said anything um any better i want to thank um counselor thomas and counselor garapate for making softball field respected and loved in the community as much as all the other teams i think this is a long time coming for the girls the plan that we have down there is is a good plan i think it gets the girls to where they want to be it's not the ultimate plan but it's it's the best we can do with the area footage that we have. So the plan is to redo the infield and to use the Dura Red clay that we use on Morelli Field. We have to heighten the fences all around. We're going to do the basketball court. We're going to freshen up the pavement on it and put up some new backboards bleaches for the fans to be able to sit which they've never had down there the dugouts are awful hot when the sun in the afternoon is shining right on them so we're going to get some covering over the dugouts and the bulk of the money is going to be on digging the trench around the outside of the field to try to correct capture and move the water that is currently um taken over the the infield and outfield madam clerk um if the

▶ 1:01:28 Jeff McNaught: the mayor is in the attendee room i know that um wanted to make a few comments i think i see

▶ 1:01:45 Speaker 15: him in in the attendee room can we bring him in sure good evening everybody can you all hear me

▶ 1:01:49 Paul Brodeur: we can outstanding thank you mr chair and members of the council i appreciate the opportunity to address you all briefly about all three projects uh related to parks that are before you this evening for your consideration and use the kind of the tagline melrose plays and one thing that i think we're all confident of is that there's been an increased emphasis on outdoor space the value of that space the need for folks to to get outdoors uh it covers a lot of bases in terms of physical health social emotional health um opportunity for the for the community to gather and what i see just quite frankly is an opportunity in the case of the girls softball field uh as a matter of equity we have some great facilities um for a lot of our other organizations and girls softball really deserves a dedicated field that um that is and that is theirs there's a ton of participation in the sport i expect that to grow and from i know that counselor uh Garipay and counselor thomas are familiar with the the short porch in right field means that you know even someone like me um can hit a home run and that's that's really not a great barometer for how to design any kind of a sports facility so that is a that is i think a very very worthwhile investment um and the the second matter before you is the pickleball court and i think you all know that that is a sport that is great for a lot of reasons in particular it's a little bit lower impact than some other sports and it is something that um certainly not exclusive to older melroseans but is certainly something that is very popular amongst them but it is It is an activity that is in fact open and available to all and bluntly we don't do a lot in terms of dedicated recreational facilities that are accessible to our seniors. And I think this is a big step forward. If you had a chance to take a look at the demographic study cited at last night's school committee meeting, you'll know that the, certainly that is a segment of our population that is growing. And I expect that the demand will only grow and 3rd, of course, certainly last, but not least is this a, is this investment that I believe we should make an inclusive park. Our parks are available and some of them have certain amenities available to folks that might have different abilities than a typically developing youth. An inclusive park is really, should be understood as a park that is truly open to all. So no matter how a child, really children of all ages present themselves, this park will present an opportunity for everyone to enjoy that park together. So, you know, there are some obvious reasons why that's great. So that families that need that amenity don't have to travel outside the city to enjoy it. And it's also, again, an additional opportunity to socialize for folks to get to know each other, to reduce some of the stigma that might be involved with some folks' approach to this case. So I think it's a really worthwhile opportunity to expand what we offer to all our citizens. I very much appreciate the time and interest that you all have taken, that a lot of our residents have taken, and I appreciate your consideration.

▶ 1:05:26 Speaker 2: Thank you.

▶ 1:05:31 Speaker 5: Thank you.

▶ 1:05:32 Speaker 10: Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

▶ 1:05:35 Jeff McNaught: Ms. Bell, if there was anything further that you wanted to present on any one of the projects, feel free. If not, we can go to questions from counselors.

▶ 1:05:44 Speaker 9: Nope. The only other thing is there was one person that was in the room waiting that has been texting me saying that he's finally got on. I don't know if anybody...

▶ 1:05:53 Speaker 15: And it wasn't me.

▶ 1:05:55 Speaker 9: Yes.

▶ 1:05:56 Speaker 10: All right.

▶ 1:06:00 Jeff McNaught: I think that might have been the person that we thought was here to present on pine banks. Are they are they here to present with you? Or is that somebody who wanted to make a public comment? We just wanted to make a public comment.

▶ 1:06:12 Speaker 9: Yeah, we're unfortunately too late for that. He just wants it known that he's in favor.

▶ 1:06:21 Jeff McNaught: Um, certainly, certainly, um, so, um, I have, uh, council, Jamal, Dean and council chairman toes. The in queue. Um, is there anyone else?

▶ 1:06:32 Maya Jamaleddine: We'll start with council. Thank you chairman. Um, uh, thank you for being with us today. Thank you mayor for your leadership. Um, I'm thrilled to see this order coming before us and I commend my fellow counselor and Thomas for taking the lead on this, um, talking with families and that walking around mirrors with their little 1, the 1st, the only question that I asked for. The new generation, our kids, we ask, what is it? The 1 thing you want to see in my roles. they all agree on one answer which is more parks and more playgrounds. So this is definitely something that will have a lot of cheering seeing it happening in Monroe's. I am thrilled to see also that the idea of having a more inclusive park in Monroe's. I think this is another thing we need to invest in um i my only question uh to you is uh when would this start and do we have a

▶ 1:07:49 Speaker 9: timeline when is it gonna be done um i think as as soon as we get the funding i have uh playground reps and a parent board in place to start the design um so i think as as quickly as we can pull it together as quickly as we'll get it. Okay. Are we going to

▶ 1:08:05 Maya Jamaleddine: ask different contractors or do we have? Yeah, we have three that are really good in this area.

▶ 1:08:13 Speaker 9: And we have a parent board that has been all over Massachusetts on their own visiting. So, they all have some great ideas and they all have specifics from different companies. So, i think the best way is to bring in three or four different companies um get the get in you know kind of an idea of what we want here in the city and have each company um present present to us and

▶ 1:08:47 Maya Jamaleddine: then we can pick a final design awesome i will have great news to tell our kids tonight so they

▶ 1:08:56 Speaker 5: would look forward to it thank you so much thank you council jamaladeen council tram and tozi

▶ 1:09:00 John N. Tramontozzi: Thank you Mr. Chairman and I want to thank Ms. Bell and the administration for putting this order together and I just want you to know that you have my full support. I appreciate the inclusive playground. It's a perfect opportunity to place it at Volunteer Park. It's a little gem of the community and especially in ward one um i recall when we first um visited that park when when i first came to the community um 27 there about a year a year ago and then we we upgraded it and so it's in dire need for upgrade anyways and this is a perfect opportunity to do with the the uh the playground and the inclusive play structures are wonderful a wonderful uh will be a wonderful addition to the community into the ward. I happen to see some of what is out there and available through the internet and those structures are just tremendous and it's a good opportunity for all children of all ages and developmental positions to utilize it. So thank you so much. You have my full support. One thing that there was a couple questions from public participation uh mentioning about the uh the ability to get here to the park and you might have others coming to the park and some crosswalks uh i think we should visit that and um and if the administration could uh call upon the department of public works director to see if we can possibly put in a crosswalk we do have one up on franklin and by a walton park but the one closer to Warren Street might be a nice addition, and also on Melrose Street. I am very familiar with the speed and traffic situation on Franklin Street, living on Franklin Street myself. And it was nice to see the speed radar out there. I want to commend the Chief Lyle and the police putting it right there on Franklin Street in front of my home, which is a good place for it. So, but anyways, I did want to give you my support. I'm glad that you got parent involvement in the review of the projects. I think that's excellent. I have heard from constituents and they want to have the opportunity to review and look into and provide suggestions, especially those who have children who would be utilizing the inclusive playground. So thank you for the forethought in putting that together as well. This is a wonderful opportunity and you have my full support and I want to thank you again.

▶ 1:11:48 Speaker 5: Thank you Councilor Tramontozzi. Councilor Garipay?

▶ 1:11:52 Mark Garipay: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you everyone for being here. I also fully support this order. I do have a quick question. I think Councilor Grigoraitis already asked it regarding the water chestnuts 27.5 that's going to be in the budget for the next three years. Did you say that there's going to be a line item going forward after the three years?

▶ 1:12:16 Speaker 9: So conservation kind of has the lead on this and my understanding is that he is going to be asking for funding in his budget for the next two years.

▶ 1:12:27 Mark Garipay: In addition to the 27, 5 that we'll look at or in addition to the 27, 5.

▶ 1:12:35 Speaker 9: Yes, okay. Yeah, it'll be 20. it won't be 27, 5, but it'll be. I imagine, say, 30,000 for the next 2 years.

▶ 1:12:45 Mark Garipay: Whatever that may be, you know, I've had this conversation, but I think this is a perfect opportunity for for a stabilization fund in order to use. For the treatment in the upkeep of all of our ponds. So, you know, to, to make it broader, I'd like us to try to maybe revisit that over the next 12 months for the next budget year. But that's that's my suggestion. I think that would be a good opportunity to create a stabilization fund in order to keep these ponds and especially Elkhorn, the center of our community up because we, we know we have, I think it's been neglected over the last number of years.

▶ 1:13:23 Speaker 1: Thank you.

▶ 1:13:25 Jeff McNaught: Thank you council. Did I was there any council really?

▶ 1:13:31 Leila Migliorelli: Thank you, Mr. chairman and thank you as well for being here. I'm, I'm also supportive of this order. I just had 1 other follow up question. I don't know if I missed it with this Webex being glitchy, but the timeline for the pickleball court, inclusive playground and the softball field at Lebanon. Is that something that people can expect? I know it's hard to predict with construction things like that. But just like, maybe a range of time when you would see that would be ready for, for usage. Those, those things would be.

▶ 1:14:02 Speaker 9: I personally, I would like to see it 18 months to 2 years to have. To have them done, depending upon, you know, which way we go with the softball, we should be able to do the softball field. We're hoping to do the softball field in the fall. So we have to get through fall ball and if winter doesn't catch up on us too quick, we should be able to to get that 1 done this year. I think the pickleball court and the all inclusive, I think the all inclusive will probably take a little bit longer for the planning. So that will be the 1. I think that would be out there at the furthest. Um, as far as the pickleball courts, um, I think that is something. Spring would probably be smarter. I would like to say fall, but I think we have to figure out the area. Uh, we're still kind of back and forth with with, um, you know, an area to put it that is accessible and, you know, not so much residential and all that fun stuff. But, um, I would say spring for that.

▶ 1:15:04 Speaker 5: Great, thank you. Any other questions.

▶ 1:15:08 Speaker 9: I think if anybody wants to see a really good demonstration of an inclusive park is you can go online and look at. we wouldn't be going this big, but the Spaulding Rehab in Charlestown, the Tom Menino Park, and it has some really great features.

▶ 1:15:26 Speaker 5: Thank you, Ms. Bell.

▶ 1:15:28 Jeff McNaught: Councilor Stewart, I saw you had your hand raised.

▶ 1:15:30 Robb Stewart: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ms. Bell, thanks for being here. I'm fully 100% supportive of all this. This is, I think, great news. And it's funny when you had, you just brought up the Spaulding, and that's exactly what I was thinking. I actually used to take my daughter down there because it was one of her favorite parks. And we saw the benefits of not only someone like my daughter but some of the participants that would come from the hospital itself to come out and participate. And it was a wonderful thing to see both as a parent as well as for a child to witness that. So from that standpoint, the only, the one concern that I have is, you know, What if we, what if it isn't enough that you have here and, you know, what can we do to support that? That's really my only concern. But, you know, certainly we would, I support this completely and hope that we can make this a fantastic type of park that you envision.

▶ 1:16:33 Speaker 9: I've had conversations with two, in fact, one of the companies that did Spalding, and we can get a really good park, a volunteer park, with the money that we're asking for.

▶ 1:16:51 Speaker 9: I think you're muted.

▶ 1:16:53 Speaker 5: I think you're muted.

▶ 1:16:55 Robb Stewart: Someone kept auto-muting me. Ms. Bell, thanks. This is great. I look forward to supporting this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

▶ 1:17:03 Jeff McNaught: Thank you, Councilor Stewart. Any other councils for the first time?

▶ 1:17:08 Speaker 5: Seeing none, what is the will of the committee on 2021-133,

▶ 1:17:15 Speaker 5: an appropriation from free cash in the amount of

▶ 1:17:20 Jeff McNaught: $502,500 to various park capital project accounts? I just wanted to read that out loud because I don't think I read the entire thing before. I do see Councilor Garipay hand up.

▶ 1:17:33 Mark Garipay: Councilor, Councilor Thomas was trying to raise his hand. I think he's got some butchers on his computer.

▶ 1:17:41 Jeff McNaught: Yeah, the, the WebEx cards are after us tonight, aren't they?

▶ 1:17:48 Christopher Cinella: Councilor Thomas. Motion to recommend passage.

▶ 1:17:54 Jeff McNaught: Second. Motion to recommend passage by President Sinella, seconded by Councilor Thomas on discussion.

▶ 1:18:02 Speaker 5: Seeing none, Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

▶ 1:18:09 Speaker 1: chairman yes yes vice chair eccles yes council Tramontozzi yes yes councillor mcmaster yes

▶ 1:18:18 Speaker 1: councillor Garipay yes councillor Grigoraitis yes councillor Migliorelli yes councillor stewart Yes, yes. Councilor Thomas?

▶ 1:18:30 Speaker 8: Yes, yes.

▶ 1:18:31 Speaker 1: Councilor Jamaleddine? Yes, yes. President Sinella? Yes. 11 yes.

▶ 1:18:43 Jeff McNaught: Motion passes. We will go back now to order 2021-127,

▶ 1:18:49 Jeff McNaught: the Mount Hood operating budget for fiscal 2022 in the amount of $1,561,141.36.

▶ 1:18:56 Jeff McNaught: Mr. Gardner, I believe you'll be taking the lead on this one.

▶ 1:19:08 Speaker 1: Ms. Bell, do you still have Bill on the phone?

▶ 1:19:21 Speaker 9: Try again, Bill.