Ask Parks and Rec Candidates: What's the Focus for the 1-Year Term?

In the second of a three-part series, Dedham Patch asked the two candidates for Parks and Recreation Commission: The commission has focused on playgrounds for the past couple years, with Condon Park last on the list, what will you push for the commission to focus on for the next term?

Donald Reisner

With all due respect I do not agree with the context of this question. During my last two terms we have not just focused on playgrounds. Yes, we have new playgrounds at Paul and Churchill parks and a new proposed playground at Condon. However, we as a board have focused on playgrounds, parking, sidewalks, handicapped accessibility, safety and well and irrigation systems at all of our parks. We have a sex offender bylaw that states no convicted sex offender can loiter within 300 feet of our parks, schools, school bus stops or daycare centers.

Also, during the course of the next 1-year term Condon Park is going to have to be a focus as we have set a goal of construction to begin this September.

That being said, I will also focus on the everyday challenges we face. I would like to see, if not the completion, but a short-term plan, of a new walking entrance to get onto Gonzalez Field. This will be our first full season that we will be implementing our long-awaited field maintenance plan. As I finish my sixth year as a commissioner and hopefully begin a seventh we need to focus our attention right now on the daily cleaning and sanitizing of the Dolan Center. Parks and Recreation workers spend two hours per week cleaning this public facility. Just last week at the Finance Committee meeting, the Town Administrator said they should not be the individuals performing these tasks. We have repeatedly brought this issue to him. I ask the question: If they should not be doing this, then who should be? And why has the building been used for the past couple of years without anything being done about it?

As my record proves over my six years I will always focus on safety first.

Chuck Dello Iacono

I believe all the playgrounds should have handicap accessibility; it shouldn’t be limited to just Condon Park. More shaded areas around the parks would be beneficial. Sometimes it can be difficult standing in the direct sunlight for too long especially for young children and seniors. Cabanas or tents or planting a few trees would be nice around the fields. Changing tables should be installed in the bathrooms at the pool for infants and babies that participate in the swimming programs.

Candidate Snapshots:

Donald Reisner
Age: 47
Married to Laurie Reisner
Father of DJ, age 21, and Steven, age 18
Occupation: Signal maintainer 
Former Town Meeting member 
Parks and Recreation commissioner 2005-present
Pop Warner Board of Directors 2000-2005

Chuck Dello Iacono
Age: 44
Married to Jennifer (Bradley) Dello Iacono
Daughter: Jamie
Occupation: Owner/Chef The Chuck Wagon Catering Service
Former Town Meeting member 
Parks and Recreation commissioner 2006-2009 (chairman 2008-2009)
Sponsor and organizer James Joyce Ramble 2001- present