HomeMy Public PortalAboutGolf Commission -- 2021-05-11 Minutes ���\\�\\\\\U\\1111U1ulluluuUiiii/iii// 4
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TOWN OF BREWSTER
Brewster, Massachusetts 02631
( 508) 896 - 3701 _
GOLF COMMISSION
Minutes of May 11 , 2021
Commissioners Present : Anne O ' Connell (Chair), Andrea Johnson (Vice Chair), Carl Blanchard, John
Kissida, Wyn Morton, Jeff Odell , David Valcourt.
Others Present $ Jay Packett, Director of Operations, Rob Harris (CCMGA), Donna Potts (9-4-Iole
Women ' s Assn), Sarah Robinson ( I &Hole Women ' s Assn) and Bill Meehan, (Finance Committee
Liaison)
THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDED . The meeting
may be viewed at : littp • //video bre\ester- ma . gov/CablecastPLiblicSite/sho \v/ 5426 ?channel = l
Anne O ' Connell called the meeting to order at 4 ; 00 pm after reading remote meeting guidelines and
procedures .
Superintendent's Report:
• Jay Packett gave the superintendent' s report in Colin Walsh 's absence . It has been unseasonably
cool recently leading to slower growth on the greens, tees and fairways . Regular applications of
nitrogen and wetting agents have been started . The irrigation report from Irrigation Consultants
and Brian Vinchese was delivered yesterday, will be reviewed with Jon Greene . Final
corrections and completed evaluations should be available at the end of next week . Weeding,
edging and maintenance of sand traps is under way. Clubhouse grounds are being beautified. A
fescue wildflower mixture will be started on 5 Starboard, hoping to establish a pollinator haven
for honeybees and butterflies . The fairway trap on 16 Starboard will be sodded on Thursday.
The sink holes that were filled on 8 Port and 12 Starboard are beginning to grow grass . Work
continues 11 Starboard and 11 Port . Anne O ' Connell will share a copy of Colin Walsh ' s report
and asked that any questions be referred directly to him .
Director 's report :
• Jay Packett reported the budget so far is in good shape- - a little higher than in FY20 but that has
a lot to do with the pandemic . The comparison reports for the month of April vs . the previous 5
years are ahead . Revenue for the calendar year as compared to the last 5 years has increased
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significantly. The fiscal year from last year to this year is up over $ 800, 000 ; completion of
capital projects is more of a reality. Retained earning are projected to be over $ 1 . 1 million .
Rounds played were 5 , 893 which is the highest since April of 2007 . Jeff Odell commented on
total guest play and feels tee time availability should be monitored . Dave Valcourt spoke about
OSHA training . Employee training is in the works .
Update on Association Memberships (Donna Potts ; Sarah Robinson ; Rob Harris) :
• There are 1 , 108 members over-all so far; there are 701 Brewster residents and 407 non-Brewster
residents . The total number of members in calendar year 2020 was 1063 . New memberships
are 70 residents, 100 non-residents . Discussion followed . Donna Potts reported 59 members , 10
are new in the Women ' s 9 -Hole Association: Sarah Robinson reported 64 full members, 3 social
members and 7 new members in the Women 's 18 -Hole Association . Rob Harris reported 138
members in the CCMGA as compared to 98 last year. There are generally 51 players on
Wednesday morning . Discussion followed.
• Course Operations and Concerns :
• Booking times were discussed . The rules and regulations booklet can be found under the
members ' tab on the website . There is a link to local rules . A scorecard is available under the
play golf tab .
• The sand and seed bottles are back in the golf carts . There are sand and seed filling stations on
the golf course .
• Ball washers could be out on the golf course sometime next week as well as receptacles for
broken tees .
• Currently water will not be provided on the golf course as a matter of safety. Discussion followed .
John Kissida suggested notes in the carts be updated . Information regarding availability of carts
will be distributed as soon as possible . Regarding the bottle ban, Anne O ' Connell reported bottled
water in less than one-gallon containers will not be available as of September 1 . In answer to
John Kissida ' s question , Anne O ' Connell said water filling stations are not available for the golf
course .
• Wyn Morton thanked Jay Packett for his recent additions to the website .
• There was one email from Judy Miller in the golf commission mailbox asking about bottles of
divot mix on the golf cars , receptacles for broken tees on the tee boxes , ball washers and water at
the Friends ' water station . These matters were addressed in the Director 's report, and Anne
O ' Connell will reply to her.
• Jay Packett asked for feedback from the commission regarding the riding cart policy. Currently
in the State of Massachusetts two players are allowed to ride in a cart; however, single-rider carts
must be offered . There are some groups taking advantage of the single-rider option using four
separate carts per round putting a burden on the staff and the number of carts available .
Sometimes all of the carts are used early in the morning, making some groups late for their tee
times . Jay Packett suggests offering single-rider carts , but requiring full payment for the cart . He
will have a more in- depth proposal on June 8 . Discussion followed .
Strategic Planning Updates :
• Anne O ' Connell has started working on the calendar and anticipates assistance fi•om Rob Harris .
Wyn Morton reported on the Chelsea System and generating email for the general public . This
is now in the process of being sent to Jen Defoe . The website will be tweaked further. Andrea
Johnson reported she and John Kissida worked on forward tees on the Starboard Course . John
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sent a draft of a memo on potential forward tees on the Starboard course to Andrea and Anne for
their review and finalization.
• Andrea Johnson will be helping Steve Knowles with buying women ' s merchandise for the pro
shop . Discussion followed .
• John Kissida said a report is to be sent to the commission indicating how the new tees will be
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ncorporated into the full set of tees , how to encourage play and the proper use of tees and cart
progression . Discussion followed .
• Jeff Odell spoke about short-game practice as a capital project for the future
• Regarding the solar project , Jay Packett reported work on the parking lot is progressing well .
Twenty modules are being installed per day. The walkways from section to section will be edged
and larger rock will be added for stability. The contractor expects to meet the deadline of May
28 . Small projects will be scheduled during the summer. The driving range is just about done .
Patching is being done . Dave Valcourt suggested defining the priorities to be tied into the annual
budget . Bill Meehan urged the commission to discuss priorities among themselves and suggested
itemizing needs, funding, etc . as done by various department heads in town . Peter Lombardi and
Mimi Bernardo will be at the June 22 meeting to go over capital projects and the budgeting
process . John Kissida suggested discussing priorities as set forth by the National Golf
Foundation. Discussion followed . Anne O ' Connell will request an outline or an in-writing
description of department head processes for capital projects from Peter Lombardi and/or Mimi
Bernardo .
Refund Request :
• There was a refund request from a gentlemen ' s son requesting a refund of the year 2 part of his
membership be made to his wife as the individual died prior to April 1 .
• A motion was made by Jeff Odell, seconded by John Kissida to approve the requested refund,
making the check payable to the gentleman ' s wife . Motion passed unanimously.
Questions and comments from Associations and liaisons :
• None .
Review and approve minutes :
• A motion was made by John Kissida , seconded by Wyn Morton to approve the minutes of April
13 , 2021 as written. Motion passed unanimously.
• A motion was made by Jphn Kissida, seconded by Jeff Odell to approve the minutes of April 27 ,
2021 as written . Motion passed unanimously.
Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate :
• John Kissida asked about the administrative assistant position and was informed by Jay Packett
that it doesn 't appear that there will be a union contract in place prior to the fall town meeting, so
it seems that the position will not be available until then .
• Jay Packett reported that the HVAC in the restaurant is under construction and should be finished
by the end of the week .
• Wyn Morton asked Jay Packett if he would send an email to the members explaining that the lack
of water on the course is a health department decision due to Covid and explaining water will be
available on the course when allowed .
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Future agenda items and meetings :
• There will be no meeting on May 18 , 2021 .
• June 8 , 2021 . Business meeting .
Tee time allocation .
• June 22 , 2021 . Peter Lombardi and Mimi Bernardo .
Capital planning process and budgeting process .
A motion to adjourn was made by John Kissida , seconded by Andrea Johnson . Motion passed
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 5 : 45 pm .
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Vesperman
Department Assistant
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