Rochester’s Park Commission focused its meeting Monday on spending the remainder of its funds for FY25 before the new fiscal year, FY26, starts on July 1.
The commission approved spending $4,999 to replace 150 feet of fencing at Gifford Park with a durable vinyl one. Next, the board granted another $2,980.12 to start fertilizing the town’s park grounds for the season. The goal was to spend down the $10,842.84 left in FY25 funding, Commission Chair David Sylvia said. The board must encumber the money from the soon-to-be-ending fiscal year in writing by July 9, he explained.
The contract to Wareham-based ABS Fence, Inc., was approved at $4,999 after commission members informed ABS that town contracts must come in at under $5,000 to avoid the requirement that such an expense go out to bid. The commission also agreed that ABS would donate $2,183 to the town in exchange for being allowed to place a sign that advertises the business on the new fencing.
Commission members also reviewed their plan to install a permanent pickleball court at Dexter Lane Park. Sylvia explained that currently the basketball court is being used for pickleball, and the temporary net is getting “beat up” by the kids playing there. A dedicated pickleball court elsewhere at the Dexter Lane fields was suggested. Sylvia said his first step toward that goal will be talking to David Arancio of the Capital Planning Committee for that advisory board’s support.
In other action, the commission approved new member Nathan Reece’s motion to establish a park-specific account and page on Facebook. Town Administrator Cameron Durant will be asked to support this plan. Reece volunteered to be the Facebook page’s administrator. It also agreed to Reece’s proposal that he become the commission’s communications person, handling the public’s concerns and requests for information.
The commission did not schedule its next meeting before adjourning.
Rochester Parks Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco