Parks and Rec Forms Condon Park Sub-committee, Appoints Maida Chairman

The Dedham Parks and Recreation Commission re-organized, looked at new architect’s rendering of the playground at Condon Park and voted three new members to a sub-committee to oversee the construction of Condon Park.

Director of Parks and Recreation Bob Stanley said he spoke with officials at and the town may be able to use their fields for girls softball practice while some of the town’s fields are under construction.

He said that has a field permit with Northeastern University and because of the academy’s quid pro quo relationship with the town, they could use the university fields with Ursuline's permit.

Stanley also announced that one of the department’s largest expenditures planned for the summer is use and maintenance of their vans, which costs about $6,000 a month. He said the Council on Aging donated one of their vans, which decreased expenditures.

He added that he was recently informed that the town was trying to add unemployment insurance costs onto the Parks and Recreation budget. The employees that the department employs 20 weeks a year then file for unemployment for the rest of the year and it cost the town approximately $16,000 a year. After meeting with the Town Administrator William Keegan, Stanley said they were able to give $4,000 from the budget but not the full amount.

Fred Civian, chair of the Conservation Commission, was invited to speak about the plans for a new playground planned at Condon Park. Jim Maher, a Parks and Recreation member, said that it would be a good idea of Conservation Commission, Open Space and Parks and Recreation to discuss the proposal at one meeting.

Civian advised Parks and Recreation to “file for a Notice of Intent,” with the Dedham Conservation Agent Cynthia O’Connell. The document would show that there is no impact on the nearby Mother Brook.

He said that they would “prefer to do a negative determination.” Civian added, “That’s where you’re heading. I don’t see any trouble with that.”

He said that he would also advise that sediment guards be placed near the river, in case any debris from the construction fall into the river.

Don Reisner, who lost his re-election bid to the board last weekend, showed the new plans for Condon Park playground to the commission.

Maher said the new drawing is, “more inclusive for everyone in the neighborhood.”

At earlier meetings the board criticized renderings for targeting only smaller children. The commission will have to wait to see if the project receives approval at May’s Town Meeting, and will have to wait 10 days after to order parts for the playground.

The commission also voted to create a sub-committee to oversee the playgrounds construction. The first three members are Sal Ledda, Don Reisner and John Maida.

The Parks and Recreation Commission re-organized following the town election on Saturday. The new chairman is John Maida, Dan Hart will serve as vice chair and Sal Ledda will serve as secretary. The board also welcomed back Chuck Dello Iacono, who won Saturday’s election.