Commissioners Present: Anne O’Connell (Chair), Andrea Johnson (Vice-Chair), Rob David, John Kissida, Wyn Morton and David Valcourt
Others Present: Jay Packett, Director of Operations, Rob Harris (CCMGA), Donna Potts (9-Hole Women’s Assn), Peggy McEvoy (The Friends) and Bill Meehan (Finance Committee Liaison).
THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO RECORDED. The meeting may be viewed at: http://video.brewster-ma.gov/CablecastPublicSite/show/5672?channel=1
Anne O’Connell called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm after reading remote meeting guidelines and procedures.
Peggy McEvoy thanked Colin Walsh and John Kissida for helping with the daffodil planting on Saturday. There were 32 volunteers, 3 new members of The Friends and about 20 people stayed for dinner afterwards. Any information for the bulletin boards can be given to The Friends; the clock has been ordered; there is a meeting of The Friends tomorrow. Jay Packett and Anne O’Connell thanked Peggy McEvoy and John Kissida for their help.
Superintendent’s Report:
- Jay Packett reported on Colin Walsh’s behalf: it has been good weather for growing grass.
The 6 monitoring wells and lysemeters have been installed and will be monitored periodically by Horsley & Whitten. Golf course conditions and upcoming work were noted. Tours of the facilities were given for members of the Finance Committee and Golf Commission and are available for anyone interested. Early ordering is under way. Staff will be less due to seasonal layoffs. Mark Bornas is now in the position of skilled groundsman taking over for Rob Salisbury who was promoted to fill Dwight Wiggins’ position. The main pump has been installed and is working flawlessly. Tee work was noted. Discussion followed.
Director’s report:
Course Operations and Concerns:
- The financials are ahead of last year as far as the budget is concerned. As reported at the last
meeting, some line items have been consolidated. There has been a downward trend this fall as opposed to last fall. Monday through Thursday afternoons have slowed down. September of 2021 is better than any of the previous four years. Figures are ahead for the calendar year. The fiscal year is behind last year, but ahead of the best year pre-covid. Rounds played have dropped in the month of September due to aeration and people leaving. Total average per day for the month of September is 343 rounds per day; October is ahead of last year so far. Kudos to Colin Walsh and the maintenance staff for maintaining the golf course in such great condition. Projections look good even though off-season memberships were not offered. Jay Packett reviewed the most up-to-date future projections. The original capital request to Town Hall was $707,000; the finalized list has been distributed to the Commission. Discussion followed. Anne O’Connell reported the Selectboard unanimously supported the recommendation as presented on the spreadsheet. In answer to Dave Valcourt, there is a beginning plan for in-house improvements which will be broken down into small projects and will not be considered as capital improvements. John Kissida discussed upcoming projects, survey and design, which will require some up-front money. He offered his technical assistance in design as that is his expertise. Regarding the maintenance building study, he suggested if there is a delay, the RFP should be ready to go at the Spring Town Meeting. Discussion followed. Jay Packett reported the NEIGA is interested in holding a Saturday-Sunday event which has been previously requested and will be reconsidered probably at the first meeting in November.
Re-Vote on Non-Resident membership limit:
John Kissida made a motion, seconded by Rob David, that effective 10/12/2021 The Captains will only accept renewal applications from non-residents of the Town of Brewster. Applications for new non-resident memberships will not be accepted with the exception of new non-resident junior memberships. This freeze will be effective until further notice. Discussion followed. Motion passed 6-0.
Update on Restaurant RFP
- Anne O’Connell reported that the RFP for the restaurant has not yet gone out. As of 4 p.m. today
the lease has not been returned by Town Counsel. Jay Packett has submitted all necessary information to Town Hall. Anne O’Connell and Jay Packett have on multiple occasions asked for a status report, and Anne O’Connell believes it will be the middle of November before the proposals can be opened. Jay Packett reported on his recent conversation with Donna Kalanick. John Kissida is concerned about a timely presentation of the proposal. Discussion followed.
Discuss and possible vote on recommendations related to 2022 Golf Season:
- Anne O’Connell reminded the Commission that recommendations will need to go before the
Selectboard for final approval. Jay Packett presented recommendations for tee time allocations which include averaging out the capital plan funds for the next ten years and adding that to the denominator. To help offset that, an estimated member cart revenue from the prior fiscal year will be added that will go along with membership revenue. Discussion followed.
- Regarding non-resident memberships, Jay Packett stated a waiting list will be available for those
inquiring.
- Regarding a tiered non-resident membership, Dave Valcourt thinks non-resident members
should be privileged to the same policies as resident members. Rob Harris explained the origination of the tiered resident membership system. Discussion followed.
- Jay Packett recommends for memberships for the year 2022 a flat increase he shared at the last
meeting but with changes to make the percentage increases fairer: For residents, early memberships would be $1,350; morning memberships would be $950; twilight membership would be $585; collegiate membership would be $500; junior membership would be $250. For non-resident members, early memberships would be $2,250; twilight membership would be $1,000; collegiate membership would be $700; junior membership would be $350. Charter non-resident membership would be $1,800. Based on this year’s number of members revenue would be $1,691,865. Planning on a 5 per cent reduction over-all, the grand total would be losing shy of $85,000 for a grand total of $1,607,272 which based on this year’s numbers would be an increase of $75,207. Discussion followed.
Questions and Comments from Associations and Liaisons:
Review and approve minutes:
A motion was made by John Kissida, seconded by Andrea Johnson, to approve the minutes of 9/13/2021 as written. Motion passed 6-0.
A motion was made by John Kissida, seconded by Wyn Morton, to approve the minutes of 9/14/2021 as corrected. Motion passed 6-0.
A motion was made by John Kissida, seconded by Rob David, to approve the minutes of 9/28/2021 as written. Motion passed 5-0 with one abstention.
Future agenda items and meetings:
- Recommendations for 2022 golf season.
- Rates for daily fee players.
- Changes to association requirements.
A motion to adjourn was made by Wyn Morton, seconded by Andrea Johnson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 5:57 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Vesperman
Department Assistant