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Lakeville Parks Commission approves field and event requests, waives fee for regional law-enforcement softball event and promotes lifeguard
Summary
At its July 24 meeting the Town of Lakeville Parks Commission approved multiple field and event requests including three soccer clinics, a portrait-club tournament and Arts Council equipment loan; it waived fees for a regional law-enforcement softball event and promoted a senior lifeguard to a seasonal supervisor at Clearpond Park.
The Town of Lakeville Parks Commission on July 24 approved several field and event applications, agreed to waive fees for a regional law-enforcement picnic and softball game, and promoted a senior lifeguard to a seasonal supervisor at Clearpond Park.
The commission voted to accept three summer soccer clinic applications and two club field-use requests, approved a portrait-club tournament, authorized loaned picnic tables and trash barrels for the Arts Council’s October festival, and granted a request from a regional law-enforcement council to use a field for a team-building softball game — waiving any fees for the event. Commissioners also promoted a senior lifeguard, Ashlyn, to a supervisor role at Clearpond Park for the remainder of the season.
Why it matters: the approvals set field schedules and fees for multiple clubs ahead of the fall season, direct staffing changes at Clearpond influence seasonal supervision and pay, and the fee waiver for the law-enforcement event establishes a precedent for first-responder group events.
Votes at a glance - Soccer clinics and camps: The commission approved three clinic applications (Resendez Soccer Academy — $3 per player; Future Revs/Revolution camp — $12 per player; FLSC — $3 per player). Motion passed (all ayes). Specific mover/second were not recorded in the transcript. - Woonfang (Woonfron) Portrait Club tournament: Approved for Aug. 16–17 at $3 per player. Motion passed (all ayes). - Arts Council equipment loan: Commission approved the Arts Council’s request to borrow picnic tables and trash barrels for its October 4 festival. Motion passed (all ayes). - Field-use applications (Freetown/Lincoln United Soccer Club and Saint Michael Football Club): Approved for the hours specified in their applications (including Tuesday/Thursday requests for Saint Michael). Motion passed (all ayes). Commissioners said the fee structure and scheduling will be reviewed this fall to address extensive field-hour requests. - Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (team-building softball game and cookout): Approved for Aug. 7 or Aug. 8; the commission unanimously agreed to waive fees for the first-responder event. Motion passed (all ayes). - Lifeguard promotion: Promoted senior lifeguard Ashlyn to a supervisor position at Clearpond Park for the remainder of the season. Motion passed (all ayes).
Key discussion points and staff follow-up - Soccer scheduling and fees: Commission members discussed that several clubs request very broad field hours (examples cited: daily, early morning to late evening). Commissioners asked clubs to provide specific schedules and agreed to revisit the overall fee structure in the fall to better align hours and charges (commissioners noted the possibility of charging more for greater hours used rather than the current flat approach). - Field assignment and coordination: Commissioners emphasized first-come, first-served use and said staff (Peter) will help identify which specific field(s) clubs should use to reduce conflicts. For one request, organizers were told they could use the field behind the athletic club facilities. - Facility maintenance: Commission members reported John Pond fields are not being bunker-raked regularly due to staff time and equipment availability; one bunker rake needs repair and will be sent to the Department of Public Works for service before additional work can be scheduled. No firm repair date was provided. - Restroom access: Commissioners noted a concern when restrooms at Ted Williams camp were discovered open unexpectedly; staff closed them and will restock supplies. That incident prompted a reminder about facility oversight. - Insurance and certificates of insurance: For the regional law-enforcement event, staff said they expected the group to provide a certificate of insurance before use. - Staffing and pay: Commissioners discussed pay parity among lifeguards ($18/hour) and noted the promoted supervisor role carries additional pay (members referenced roughly $1.50/hour higher as an example in discussion). The commission approved the seasonal promotion without needing to request a select-board wage change.
Background and next steps The commission said it will not apply any forthcoming fee-structure changes retroactively to the approvals made at this meeting; the fall review will inform future seasons. Staff (Peter) will follow up with event organizers about final field assignments, exact dates, required insurance documentation, and the Arts Council’s logistics. The commission scheduled its next meetings for Aug. 14 and Aug. 28.
Ending: The commission closed its public business section and moved to an executive session at the end of the meeting.
