Adams Parks Commission Revisits Fee Policies
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Parks Commission on Monday noted some of the elements it would like to see in a new facility-use fee policy.
Although the town is revisiting all town fees, the Parks Commission decided to get the ball rolling.
"I think we have teams from Adams, and it is a no-brainer, they use the fields and we would never think about changing any town league or program," Chairman Todd Shafer said. "But if it is someone from completely out of town who wants to use our fields I think we have to charge them."
The commission felt that 50 percent of players on any team should be from the town if a fee is to be waived. The commission agreed to not write this number in stone.
The commission could not nail down any specific amounts for the fees but felt the price should be more if the team would like to use a facility for both practices and games.
Commissioner Scott Cernik suggested having a sliding fee that changed depending on how many kids on a team were not from Adams.
The commission agreed that any league or program using town facilities for profit will be charged and use of lights would cost teams money.
Shafer said any decision would ultimately come down to the Selectmen, but the commission should still have a solid policy to fall back on.
The commission decided to ask North Adams how its handle fees and then continue the discussion.
Shafer added that the Hoosac Valley High School football team was recently granted use of Renfrew Field without the blessings of the commission because a playoff game was scheduled before a meeting could be held.
The commissioners agreed that in last-minute cases such as this, Shafer made the right move by going directly to the town administrator, however, they felt it was not an open ticket for the football team to continue to use the field for practice under the lights.
Commissioner James Fassell said he was concerned the field would get overused, and the team should not make the field its "second home." He added he would have no issue allowing a one-night practice before a game so the team can get used to playing under the lights.
"I would not have a problem with them using it once before the game because when you have a theater show, you always have a practice before the main show," he said. "I can accept that but if they keep using it the field may not be in as good of shape as it is now."
Shafer said Russell Field and the Hoosac Valley field are still open; Russell Field, too, has lights.
Shafer said this has never been a problem when the ground was colder, but because of anticipated rain, the commission may want to keep an eye on the field. He added Hoosac Valley has never damaged the field.
The commission agreed to give Shafer permission to ask the team to practice somewhere else if possible damage to the field could occur.
In other business, Shafer said he recently attended a Traffic Commission meeting at which the challenges of installing handicapped and special senior parking at Valley Street Field was discussed.
He said the town attempted to install handicapped spots near the field before, and if they were installed, the entrance near the proposed spot would have to be made handicapped compliant. This would mean a change in the grading for the installation of a ramp and a larger entrance.
"There are a lot of issues with the handicapped spot and we are in no position to revamp the entrance there," Shafer said. "It would be difficult to regrade it or anything like that."
As for the senior parking spots, Shafer reported that the Traffic Commission said this could be discriminatory.
"You're allowing someone who it 65 or older to park there," he said. "What about someone who is 64 or 40 who may feel discriminated against because they can't park there."
He added that if an altercation broke out because of the wrong use of the spot the police could not do anything because the town's parking regulations state nothing about senior parking.
Shafer added that he told the traffic commissioner that the spots could be self-policed, but they did not like the idea.
Fassell said he hoped the Traffic Commission does not dismiss the idea.
"I just get discouraged by people who find details and do nothing," Fassell said. "I think it is a great idea, and I think it should be pursued. We are not talking about a major parking spot for the first seat in Foxboro Stadium."
Shafer said the commissioners have yet to say no and seemed to like the idea. They only pointed out the difficulties and have asked town counsel for more information.
The commission also gave Shafer permission to come up with a sign for the new donation parking meter at Renfrew Field.
"It is really kind of useless to have the meter there without a sign because really people don't know what it is," Shafer said. "We need to get a sign up there that says what it is."
He said the sign would explain that the red-painted meter was for donations that would go toward the upkeep of the parks.
After hearing word that the Parks Commission wanted to implement donation boxes to aid with upkeep, Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco suggested placing an old town parking meter on park grounds.
Fassell asked that at the next meeting they discuss asking the Selectmen to put the Memorial Building gymnasium, that receives partial use from Berkshire Arts & Technology Public Charter School, under their purview.
"I would not want to use this issue to limit use, but I would like to regulate it," he said.
Tags: parks commission, sports fields,
