Golf Commission

Commissioners Present: Anne O’Connell (Chair), Carl Blanchard (Vice-Chair), Wyn Morton, Jeff Odell, Ed Pavlu, and John Piemontese. Judy McCarthy was absent.

 

Others Present: Mark O’Brien (Director of Operations), Pete Ervin (Superintendent), Cindy Bingham (Selectmen Liaison), Jerri Carlin (Women’s 9-Hole Association), Ray DiPietro (CCMGA), Jackie Ferraguto (Women’s 18-Hole Assn.), and Orin Segall.

 

This meeting was held at the Town Hall and was televised. The video of the meeting may be viewed at: http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerFlex.aspx?PGD=brewsterma&eID=1162

 

Call to Order: Anne O’Connell called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

 

Public Comment:

• Gerri Carlin reported the 9-hole season is over. The Friends will be giving two $500 scholarships this year.

 

Correspondence and Suggestion Box:

 

• None.

 

 

Superintendent’s Report:

 

• Pete Ervin reported the course closures are working out well, allowing for a second aeration of the fairways and a more efficient leaf clean-up.
• Water usage has worked out well only going 3 million gallons over allotment. The DEP has invited Pete Ervin to sit in on discussions regarding water usage state-wide.
• Town meeting approved the new equipment purchase.
• Pete Ervin has coordinated with the fire department and the forestry department to do a controlled burn in some of the fescue areas which will result in less use of pesticides and herbicides.
• The golf course will be used as a fuel pick-up area until the new fire department building is completed.
• Ed Pavlu asked that maintenance replace the broken plastic grate on 8 Port.

           

Director’s Report:

 

• Mark O’Brien has provided the commission with information focusing on projections. The golf course is primarily on target with the budget, down about $35,000 as compared to the previous fiscal year mainly in the green fees area. The revenues for the calendar year are up for the last ten-month period, the best since 2008.
• Mark O’Brien presented his projections through 2022 stating that if the projections hold true, expenses are going up faster than revenues increase. Discussion followed.
• Regarding increased rates, Carl Blanchard expressed his opinion that a proportional percentage increase would not place an undue burden on any specific area of the membership.
• Carl Blanchard made a motion that membership rates be increased 3 per cent for the next rate period. Seconded by Jeff Odell. Discussion followed.
• Jeff Odell moved to amend the original motion on the table to a membership rate raise of 3 per cent across the board, with the rate increase to be capped at $27.00; seconded by Carl Blanchard. The amendment to the original motion passed 4 in favor, 2 against; Ed Pavlu and John Piemontese, against.
• John Piemontese moved to take a vote on the original motion of a rate increase of 3 per cent across the board with no cap. This original motion passed 6 in favor, 0 against. The amended motion with a $27 cap was defeated, 0 in favor, 6 against.
• The original proposal for a 3 per cent increase across the board for the next rate period will be presented to the selectmen for approval.
• Regarding the 2017 calendar, the NEIGA has requested we host the women’s championship on April 1^st and 2^nd which would be before aeration. Approximately sixty players playing tee times are anticipated. Mark O’Brien recommends charging $30 per person.
• Aeration is scheduled for April 3rd and 4^th on the Port and 10^th and 11^th on the Starboard, skip the next week because of Patriot’s Day and finish towards the end of the month. The calendar was presented month-by-month including the member orientation and open house which will be on April 19^th. The 9-holers start play in April, the 18-hole men’s and ladies associations start up in May. Pete Ervin stated, depending on the weather, he would like to keep one course closed a little longer in order to complete aeration of the greens and fairways on one course before the course opens. He will discuss this further with Mark O’Brien. Additions will be made to the calendar as necessary.
• A motion was made by Carl Blanchard, seconded by Ed Pavlu to approve the calendar as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Web Site:

 

• Wyn Morton sent out a link to the new website and would appreciate the commission emailing him with any comments and/or corrections. Each of the 36 holes has a 30 to 40 second flyover with audio and music. When the website is live, marketing statistics will be available on a monthly basis. Mark O’Brien thanked Wyn Morton for his hard work on this project.

 

Restaurant Issues:

 

• Anne O’Connell reported she, Carl Blanchard and John Piemontese believe the next logical step regarding the restaurant is to get constructive input as to what the restaurant should look like to make it a more desirable place to be. Anne O’Connell asked for any information or suggestions be emailed to her or to The Captains for review at the December 13 meeting. Mark O’Brien reported the Town of Barnstable has gone out to bid three times for their restaurant with no bidders.

 

2017 Rates:

 

• Daily fee rates will be discussed at the December meeting.

 

Follow Up:

 

• The restroom project will be discussed at the next meeting.
• The solar array is currently on hold. Jillian Douglass advised it may be ready for approve by the May 2017 town meeting.

 

Future agenda items:

 

• Daily fees
• Hand dryers
• Website

 

Review and Approve 10/11/16 minutes:

 

• Jeff Odell made a motion, seconded by Ed Pavlu, to approve the minutes of 10/11/16 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate:

 

• None

 

Wyn Morton made a motion, seconded by Ed Pavlu, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m.

 

The next meeting of the Brewster golf Commission will be held on December 13 at 4 p.m. at the Town Offices.

Respectfully submitted,

Dorothy Vesperman, Senior Clerk