10 p.m. park curfew issue to go to final reading

In a 6-1 vote at the Tuesday, March 21, meeting, Holyoke City Council approved an ordinance that would establish a curfew for the City Park. It is set for a final reading and passage at the Tuesday, April 4, meeting at 7 p.m.
    The ordinance stipulates that Holyoke public parks will be closed from 10 p.m.-5 a.m., excluding the mini park at the intersection of Denver Street and Interocean Avenue and the baseball park. Those wishing to use the park after 10 p.m. would need to apply for a free permit from the police department. Violating the curfew would be punishable by a fine of up to $300.
    Council member Scott Murray voiced concern that 10 p.m. is too early to close the park since temperatures cool down late in the evening during the summer months. Other members argued that available permits would still enable people to use the park later at night. Murray ultimately voted in opposition.
    
    Addition to police department discussed
    Still working to address the police department’s need for more space, Chief of Police Doug Bergstrom presented a concept drawing for an addition to be built onto the existing space. The proposed addition would be built on the northwest side of the City building, covering approximately 52 feet by 115 feet.
    After the meeting, Sgt. Mark Werts explained that the department has ever-changing regulations they must follow. For example, they are now required to keep DNA evidence indefinitely, and the Holyoke department needs more space to store such things. Bergstrom added that both victims and suspects have rights, and the current one-room layout the police use does not allow privacy that is sometimes needed.
    He went on to say that a new policy requires them to conduct filmed interviews, and having a larger office would give the department someplace to set up the necessary equipment. Otherwise, the option is to hold the interview in a neighboring town that does have the space and equipment to film.
    Mayor Orville Tonsing asked whether they were thinking of a steel frame building, and Superintendent Mark Brown and Bergstrom confirmed that was what they had discussed.
    Council member J.C. Peckham said that he thought the council should explore engineers and costs. Murray moved that Brown research architects and building plans to move forward, and the council approved the motion.
    
    Summer rec fees, salaries set
    Rec director Victoria Timm brought a proposed mission statement, fees and coaches salaries before the council, who approved them.
    Changes from previous years were driven by Timm’s research into other area programs’ policies, as well her goal to simplify salaries and fees.
    New fees for summer ball are: T-ball, $25; machine-pitch, $25; peewee, $30; Little League, $30; 9-12 softball, $30; 13-16 softball, $30; and Babe Ruth baseball, $40.
    Summer coaches salaries will be: head softball coach, $1,200; assistant softball coach, $1,000; fill-in softball coaches, $300; head baseball coach, $2,000; two assistant baseball coaches, $1,500; and fill-in baseball coaches, $500.
    Salaries are based on the number of teams each coach is responsible for, Timm explained, as she outlined the difference between the softball and baseball salaries.
    
    Officials report
    Brown reported electric crews have been replacing damaged poles. A total of 39 were found that need some kind of attention after inspections. Of those, Brown said, there are about seven main lines that are a major concern. Crews are now helping with construction at the mini park.
    The street crew has finished crack filling in preparation for sealcoating. Water and sewer continue to work on the alfalfa sprinkler system and the City Park bathrooms that are now open.
    Murray asked about having some poles in the park repainted, and Werts responded. The Baptist church is working with Brown to paint the poles and picnic structures at the park as a community service project that is scheduled for May 21.
    Bergstrom reported the police department handled or generated 98 calls for service during the March 2-15 period. They also made two arrests, wrote two citations and one report, and gave out 18 warnings. Of those, code enforcement handled two animal complaints and four ordinance violations.
    Officer Mary Seeley, who was in attendance, has returned from an injury to light duty and is expected to be on full duty in the near future.
    City Attorney Al Wall suggested the council hold a workshop on open meeting procedures, in order to address the issue of happenstance meetings of three or more members.
    Timm reported on her meeting with the recreation advisory committee March 15. They established that Timm will attend all city council meetings until summer rec begins, and then she will attend once a month. She also worked on a new rec registration form and waiver with Wall.
    
    Other business
    In other business at the Tuesday meeting, the council:
    —Renewed a liquor license for The Skillet.
    —Agreed to cost share a new sound system for the swimming pool. Holyoke summer swim team will contribute up to $1,500 of the cost. They have received an early quote for $3,595.
    —Tabled discussion of reimbursing Timm’s cellphone costs. Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Olofson will research policies to report back at the next meeting, suggesting they establish an across-the-board policy.