Parks Director Chris told the Westfield Parks and Recreation Board on Aug. 6 that bids for Simon Moon Phase 2 returned with a low bidder and that a contract to award construction work will be before the board at its September meeting.

Chris said bids arrived in a manner that allows the department to complete all aspects of the project as designed, which he described as a positive result given current material costs. He added that the contract will be presented to the board in September so construction can begin.

The director also highlighted programming the department has expanded under Program Manager John Capes, including farm-to-glass demonstrations, fitness walks, owl-pellet programs, nature hikes, a Green Day environmental event, eight separate Creek Stomp volunteer events, movies in the plaza, a Civil War veterans tour, and wiffle ball at the plaza. He said fall offerings will include an internet safety program and a "wrench and learn" car-care basics workshop; he credited the public works and IT departments for support.

On maintenance, Chris reported that crews spent about 3.5 days removing Callery pear trees from the sledding hill at Simon Moon and that crews filled five tandem dump trucks with chippings during the removal.

On the budget, Chris said he was charged under Senate Bill 1 to reduce the parks budget by 5 percent. He told the board he submitted a draft to the mayor and deputy mayor and that his proposal reduces the overall parks budget by about 6.2 percent while prioritizing raising staff pay toward the median of their salary ranges. He said the proposal includes an option for a 3 percent merit increase, subject to approval through the city’s budget process.

Board members did not make formal motions related to the director’s report at the meeting. No public comments were recorded during the session.