Commissioners Present: Anne O’Connell (Chair), Andrea Johnson (Vice-Chair), John Kissida, Wyn Morton, Jeff Odell and David Valcourt.
Others Present: Jay Packett, Director of Operations, Colin Walsh, Golf Course Superintendent, Donna Potts (9-Hole Women’s Assn), Sarah Robinson (18-Hole Women’s Assn), Bill Meehan (Finance Committee Liaison) and Ken Eisner (CCMGA).
THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDED. The meeting may be viewed at: http://video.brewster-ma.gov/CablecastPublicSite/show/5596?channel=1
Anne O’Connell called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm after reading remote meeting guidelines and procedures.
Superintendent’s Report:
- Colin Walsh reported not much damage from the recent hurricane. The golf course is holding up well, there is some dollar spot due to moisture in the air. The irrigation pump will be under warranty as the pump was improperly set up, according to Owen Murray the contractor, and will be installed on September 13 which correlates with the aeration dates. Work is being done on Starboard as part of the nitrogen reduction plan to Pleasant Bay. Aeration will be done on September 13 to 15 on Starboard and September 20 to 22 on Port. Fall projects and early-order programs are being planned. Thanks to the maintenance staff for their hard work. Dave Valcourt complimented Colin Walsh on his after-action plan. Wyn Morton noted the golf staff is not in the way of golfers on the course as on another course he recently played. In answer to John Kissida’s question, Colin Walsh said water withdrawal numbers are declining daily and are well below the numbers on the permit.
Director’s report:
- Jay Packett thanked Colin Walsh and the maintenance crew for their work and noted a “thank you” to the crew from the golfers is always appreciated.
- From July 3 to July 5 over 2, 200 rounds were played. The greens fees are on par with last year, cart fees are up over the last 5 years; pro shop sales are over $57,000. The Callaway demo days were a huge success. July play totals averaged 531 rounds per day. August is shaping up to be a record-setter. In comparison to the last two years, the calendar year totals show an increase of 12,748 rounds ahead of 2019. Anne O’Connell asked about the liability insurance figures in the budget report. There was a correction on the capital line. John Kissida asked about the solar array; Jay Packett does not know if payment has been received and will confirm with Town Hall. Discussion followed. Jeff Odell commented on the calendar year play totals: members are getting 57 per cent of the play. Hydration station update: there is one unit at Town Hall to go outside the building on Port 10 within the next week. Discussion followed regarding the free-standing units. Jay Packett feels off-season memberships should not be offered this fall. Discussion followed.
The decision to close the golf course on Sunday was made by the office of Emergency Planning based on their best information. Any questions or comments should be sent to Town Hall.
- Strategic Planning Updates:
- Wyn Morton reported the process of going over the NGF Study in detail is not yet underway and thinks the commission is doing a good job in marketing the course. Further discussion of specifics with Jay Packett and Jen Kain Defoe needs to be done later.
- Andrea Johnson reported working on the capital expense plan for the forward tees for FY2022 and through the next five years. She and Anne O’Connell will be looking at forward tee locations for Port 6 as traffic on the golf course slows.
- John Kissida spoke about setting priorities that were somewhat different than those of the National Golf Foundation, adding items to the five-year Capital Plan that he discussed at the last meeting and hopes these items will ultimately be in the final five-year Capital Plan along with individual items written up and forwarded to Jay Packett. He also suggested to Colin Walsh some maintenance items in the area of the clubhouse to be addressed as time permits.
- Jeff Odell reported wire management is done in the main lot; there is still some clean-up to be done; landscaping has been started. Verizon will come back to install poles and a battery package, probably mid to late September.
- Dave Valcourt reported he will be meeting with Colin Walsh to refresh the status of the equipment capitalization. He thinks priorities will need to be recommended to the Town as course improvements. Anne O’Connell clarified that the maintenance study is on the capital request for FY22 in the same amount as for FY21, but that still must be approved at Fall Town Meeting.
- Jay Packett reported he submitted all the capital planning request forms to Town Hall totaling the amount of $707,000. Many items that previously were sidelined were included. It appears the CIP request forms will be reviewed in much more detail in the first week of September. He will be having a meeting with the parties involved to go over the requests. Thank you to the Commission in getting this accomplished.
NGF Study:
- Anne O’Connell reported that the NGF will make a presentation to the Selectboard and the Finance Committee at the meeting on September 13. The Golf Commission will be in attendance. The commissioners are encouraged to read the report. Anne O’Connell expects an executive level presentation followed by questions from all boards. She feels deference should be made to the Finance Committee and the Selectboard regarding questions and answers to understand the focus of the study and the long-term outlook as to whether the golf course can operate as an enterprise account and be self-sufficient over the next ten years. There were no comments or questions.
Questions and Comments from Associations and Liaisons:
- Bill Meehan asked Jay Packett to set up a meeting with himself, Colin Walsh and John Kissida to go over the sink hole issue and do a quick on-site survey on the golf course.
Review and approve minutes:
- Regarding the minutes of July13 the location of water filling station on the Starboard Course was corrected. The Superintendent’s report should read the course is 9 million gallons below last year in water usage.
- A motion was made by John Kissida, seconded by Wyn Morton to approve the minutes of July 13 as corrected. Motion passed with one abstention.
- A motion was made by Jeff Odell, seconded by Andrea Johnson to approve the minutes of July 27. John Kissada asked that the minutes read the old weather station has been relocated adjacent to the maintenance building. Motion passed unanimously.
- A motion was made by Andrea Johnson, seconded by Jeff Odell to approve the minutes of August 10. John Kissida asked about the email he distributed regarding the five-year capital plan. Anne O’Connell will research this matter. Motion passed with one abstention.
Future agenda items and meetings:
- There are three meetings in September:
- 9/13/2021 meeting with the Selectboard and the Finance Committee regarding the NGF Report.
- 9/14/2021 regular business meeting: reaction to the meeting of September 13.
- 9/28/2021 issues relating to next year’s membership, rates, tee time allocation issues and possible limitations on non-resident members.
- John Kissida brought up the issue of the barrier on the steps near the restroom on the far side of the patio. Jay Packett reported the maintenance crew rebuilt the stairs.
A motion to adjourn was made by John Kissida, seconded by Wyn Morton, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 4:31 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Vesperman
Department Assistant