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SALEM - The parks commission discussed ongoing issues with littering at the Centennial Park basketball courts in its May meeting.
Parks Director Kelli Pastore said that littering continues to be a major issue, noting that it is primarily being done by adults rather than children and that two people had filled an entire barrel of trash that day and Monday. She also said that the department has posted signs stating that if people do not clean up after themselves, the department may be forced to take down the rims, which are ripped down.
"Two guys can't spend over an hour cleaning it up multiple times a week," said Pastore.
Pastore asked the commissioners how they felt the department could address the issue, noting that the department could potentially lock the rims temporarily and force people to put a deposit down to use them which won't be refunded if they fail to clean up after themselves.
Commissioner Don Yeasted said that the problem with that approach is that it would punish everyone who uses the parks for the behavior of a few. Commission President John Panezott said that there wasn't necessarily any single solution that could resolve the issue, though he suggested that perhaps "making an example of one or two people" by pursuing charges for littering might help to curb the behavior.
The commissioners ultimately reminded residents to please clean up after themselves and take care of the parks they benefit from.
The commissioners also discussed the upcoming ice cream run at Waterworth Memorial Park on June 18, a 2-mile run which will see registrants receive a T-shirt, a medal and ice cream from Totally 80s Ice Cream. Pastore said that the event is fully run by race-timing company GCXC and all the parks department needs to do is mow the grass, that the registration fee for the events fully covers the costs of the event, and that during registration participants will be able to donate to the parks department. She also said that GCXC has a philanthropical foundation through which they donate proceeds from their events to local non-profits and veterans' organizations.
During his report, Park Forman West Bryan said that the Centennial Park Pool's filter tank was still leaking, and that a patch put in should be sufficient to continue operating for the season. Bryan also said that a cage had been installed around the grinder pump to prevent another pump from "burning up" but that it would need to be cleaned more often.
During her report, Pastore said that all the paperwork from the department had been submitted for the NatureWorks Grant and that the decision dated for the grant award had been pushed back, meaning that the winner would likely not be announced until October and the money would not be distributed until January. Pastore also said that the bandshell had been repainted courtesy of the Summer Concert Series Committee and Arlene and John Untch, who also care for the flowers at the nearby Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Other matters discussed included ongoing efforts to dispose of the department's old work truck. Pastore said that no bids were submitted for the auction of the vehicle and Panezott asked what the scrap value for the vehicle might be. Bryan said that when he had scrapped a similar vehicle, he had only received $250, noting that the truck hadn't been driven in years. The commissioners ultimately voted to table further action on the truck while they researched potential options.
The meeting concluded with an executive session for the discussion of personnel matters with no action to follow.
The parks commission will meet next at 5p.m. June 25.