The Fall River Board of Park Commissioners met via Zoom on June 10, 2020. The board addressed multiple administrative items regarding COVID-19 protocols, park permitting, cemetery expansions, and board jurisdiction under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 45. In response to state reopening phases, the board formally accepted the state’s reopening guidelines for park activities, approved COVID-19 social distancing and regulations signage, and voted that any sports leagues or organizations requesting park permits must resubmit applications accompanied by an explicit COVID-19 safety and enforcement plan to be considered.
The board also awarded two significant contracts related to Oak Grove Cemetery expansions. The Maple Rock area ledge removal and site grading contract was awarded to Century, the lowest bidder. Additionally, the board approved a $74,000 landscape architecture and engineering proposal from the BSC Group for a larger expansion on the cemetery’s north side near New Boston Road. The commissioners also approved a tree removal on Powell Street, accepted a donated red maple tree planting at Oak Grove Cemetery, and voted to lift and approve the removal of old benches and concrete trash containers at Bicentennial Park.
A contentious discussion occurred regarding the Park Board’s statutory authority and jurisdiction over city parks and cemetery spaces under MGL Chapter 45 versus City Council ordinances. Expressing frustration over delays since January, the board voted to send an urgent letter to Corporation Counsel requesting a formal legal opinion within seven days, with the condition that an outside legal opinion would be sought if the city counsel failed to respond.
Topics discussed
- 0:24 · Meeting Minutes Approval — approved
The board reviewed and approved the meeting minutes from the March 4, 2020 meeting. - 3:22 · Holy Ghost Feast Cancellation
Acknowledgement of the festival cancellation for 2020 due to pandemic concerns. - 3:40 · Park Social Distancing Signage — approved
Approval of signage posted at park facilities and tennis courts outlining COVID-19 distancing rules. - 5:15 · CD-REC Grab-and-Go Lunch Program
Summer lunch program scheduled across city parks from June 29 through August. - 8:12 · COVID-19 Safety Plans for Park Permits
Requirement that all athletic leagues (Little League, adult leagues, independent groups) submit a COVID-19 safety plan before any park permit is granted. - 14:34 · State COVID-19 Reopening Guidelines — approved
Adoption of Massachusetts state guidelines as the operational and permitting baseline for Fall River parks during COVID-19. - 30:05 · Oak Grove Cemetery Maple Rock Expansion Contract — passed
Award of contract to Century to remove remaining rock ledge, level subgrade, and hydroseed the Maple Rock area, funded via perpetual care account. - 31:00 · Oak Grove Cemetery North Expansion Architectural Services — awarded
Selection of BSC Group to deliver landscape architecture and engineering services for a large multi-acre expansion near Oak Grove Avenue and New Boston Road for $74,000. - 37:59 · Powell Street Tree Removal — awarded
Approval of public tree removal on Powell Street due to decay, sidewalk damage, and wall compromise. - 39:24 · Park Board Authority Legal Opinion (MGL Chapter 45) — approved
Discussion and vote to demand an opinion from Corporation Counsel within seven days on the board’s legal authority over parks, memorials, and cemeteries. - 47:22 · Bicentennial Park Fixtures Removal — passed
Vote to lift from the table and approve the removal of damaged benches and concrete trash containers from Bicentennial Park. - 49:44 · Donated Tree at Oak Grove Cemetery — passed
Approval to plant a donor-provided red maple tree in the preferred corner location of Deed Lot at Oak Grove Cemetery. - 51:27 · Approve planting of donated red maple tree in the preferred corner location of Deed Lot at Oak Grove Cemetery — approved
- 51:57 · Park Maintenance Updates — approved
Updates on park fencing, Father Travassos/Sandy Beach projects, Pulaski Park fence damage repair, Kennedy Park wall completion, and Dumont Field soil cleanup after a stolen truck fire. - 59:21 · Adjourn the meeting — passed